How comfortable is an E36?
Discussion
I find My 328i Sport to be very comfortable, even when I'm pushing on during a journey. The sports seats have great lateral support and can be adjusted for reach, rake, height and tilt angle plus they have the extending thigh support too.
All of this combined with the adjustable steering wheel makes finding an ideal driving position pretty easy.
As for noise, at motorway speeds the most noise I get is from the tyres which is not that intrusive and a side affect of the rest of the car being so quiet (and bear in mind that as it is a Sport it does have the larger, lower profile tyres).
All in all it's a superb car for travelling long distances in as it's a very relaxing ride, and with the 2.8 engine, progress is pretty much effortless.
All of this combined with the adjustable steering wheel makes finding an ideal driving position pretty easy.
As for noise, at motorway speeds the most noise I get is from the tyres which is not that intrusive and a side affect of the rest of the car being so quiet (and bear in mind that as it is a Sport it does have the larger, lower profile tyres).
All in all it's a superb car for travelling long distances in as it's a very relaxing ride, and with the 2.8 engine, progress is pretty much effortless.
4rephill said:
I find My 328i Sport to be very comfortable, even when I'm pushing on during a journey. The sports seats have great lateral support and can be adjusted for reach, rake, height and tilt angle plus they have the extending thigh support too.
All of this combined with the adjustable steering wheel makes finding an ideal driving position pretty easy.
As for noise, at motorway speeds the most noise I get is from the tyres which is not that intrusive and a side affect of the rest of the car being so quiet (and bear in mind that as it is a Sport it does have the larger, lower profile tyres).
All in all it's a superb car for travelling long distances in as it's a very relaxing ride, and with the 2.8 engine, progress is pretty much effortless.
I have a 328 sport and would agree with all of the above. Its smooth comfortable and quiet! All of this combined with the adjustable steering wheel makes finding an ideal driving position pretty easy.
As for noise, at motorway speeds the most noise I get is from the tyres which is not that intrusive and a side affect of the rest of the car being so quiet (and bear in mind that as it is a Sport it does have the larger, lower profile tyres).
All in all it's a superb car for travelling long distances in as it's a very relaxing ride, and with the 2.8 engine, progress is pretty much effortless.
My 1997 E36 Coupe on 17" Alpina alloys is good for a car released in the early nineties, from the point of view of noise, vibration and harshness. But it's a compromise between responsive A/B road handler and motorway comfort. I get the impression that on standard 15" wheels it would be a lot softer, less susceptible to tramlining and more comfortable - at the expense of responsiveness.
Interior appointments are pretty good for the age, but I take issue with the range of adjustment on the seat/wheel. At 6' 2" I struggle to find a driving position which is comfortable to relax on the motorway and allows the proximity to controls I want. I have to have the seat one notch off fully back to be able to have engagement with pedals I want (I can fully depress them with the seat right back but I don't want to be that far from the pedals when being active with the pedals). On the other hand, sitting on the motorway with legs splayed is less comfortable than having the seat right back - but I got used to it very quickly. The wheel doesn't adjust for reach and the rake adjust on the seat doesn't get me close enough to the wheel for the control I want other than for cruising - another reason for not having the seat fully back. The whole seat tilts, but tilting it forward from fully tilted back (which would effectively allow the recline to come further forward) takes support away from under my thighs. My head also brushes the (sunroofed) headlining which I don't want.
So all in all, I could find a good position for motorway cruising but it's not what I want for more active engagement with the controls. If I adopt a more active driving position it's at the limit of the adjustments and compromised, in particular for motorway comfort - although I'm used to it.
This is all with Sports seats.
So all in all it's OK, but I would have thought other cars are better. I've had an Audi Coupe and a Mercedes 190E from the same period which were both better. My current 635CSi is also much better. It's also more comfortable to ride AND handles better, but thats thanks to Alpina magic.
Interior appointments are pretty good for the age, but I take issue with the range of adjustment on the seat/wheel. At 6' 2" I struggle to find a driving position which is comfortable to relax on the motorway and allows the proximity to controls I want. I have to have the seat one notch off fully back to be able to have engagement with pedals I want (I can fully depress them with the seat right back but I don't want to be that far from the pedals when being active with the pedals). On the other hand, sitting on the motorway with legs splayed is less comfortable than having the seat right back - but I got used to it very quickly. The wheel doesn't adjust for reach and the rake adjust on the seat doesn't get me close enough to the wheel for the control I want other than for cruising - another reason for not having the seat fully back. The whole seat tilts, but tilting it forward from fully tilted back (which would effectively allow the recline to come further forward) takes support away from under my thighs. My head also brushes the (sunroofed) headlining which I don't want.
So all in all, I could find a good position for motorway cruising but it's not what I want for more active engagement with the controls. If I adopt a more active driving position it's at the limit of the adjustments and compromised, in particular for motorway comfort - although I'm used to it.
This is all with Sports seats.
So all in all it's OK, but I would have thought other cars are better. I've had an Audi Coupe and a Mercedes 190E from the same period which were both better. My current 635CSi is also much better. It's also more comfortable to ride AND handles better, but thats thanks to Alpina magic.
I have a 328 with the sports seats. As mentioned earlier it's pretty easy to find a comfortable position due to the number of planes in which you can move the seat. I was delighted with this as I didn't realise you had so many dimensions until I bought it. You can have the seats very low, with a lot of tilt on the horizontal part of the seat to give you that "bucket" effect, or have the seat nice and high. Passengers will struggle to come to terms with the controls though as they seem unable to decipher the markings on each lever(?). One thing I'd like is to be able to adjust the wheel for reach (it only goes up and down).
Mine seems to suffer a fair bit from wind noise on the motorway, especially over 70. I found this was fairly common from other forum postings (not just PH) but this thread shows not everyone has found this.
I don't use mine as a daily driver but have done many long trips (4hrs +) and always feel fine at the end of the journey.
Oh, and the driver-centric dash is a nice touch, but you only really notice it when you sit in the passenger seat..
Mine seems to suffer a fair bit from wind noise on the motorway, especially over 70. I found this was fairly common from other forum postings (not just PH) but this thread shows not everyone has found this.
I don't use mine as a daily driver but have done many long trips (4hrs +) and always feel fine at the end of the journey.
Oh, and the driver-centric dash is a nice touch, but you only really notice it when you sit in the passenger seat..
BalhamBadger said:
I have a 328 with the sports seats. As mentioned earlier it's pretty easy to find a comfortable position due to the number of planes in which you can move the seat. I was delighted with this as I didn't realise you had so many dimensions until I bought it. You can have the seats very low, with a lot of tilt on the horizontal part of the seat to give you that "bucket" effect, or have the seat nice and high. Passengers will struggle to come to terms with the controls though as they seem unable to decipher the markings on each lever(?). One thing I'd like is to be able to adjust the wheel for reach (it only goes up and down).
Mine seems to suffer a fair bit from wind noise on the motorway, especially over 70. I found this was fairly common from other forum postings (not just PH) but this thread shows not everyone has found this.
I don't use mine as a daily driver but have done many long trips (4hrs +) and always feel fine at the end of the journey.
Oh, and the driver-centric dash is a nice touch, but you only really notice it when you sit in the passenger seat..
Just to add, I'm 5'11 and have plenty of excess headroom, but there isn't masses of space in the back of the coupe in my ideal seating position: I have to move forward a bit for rear passengers.Mine seems to suffer a fair bit from wind noise on the motorway, especially over 70. I found this was fairly common from other forum postings (not just PH) but this thread shows not everyone has found this.
I don't use mine as a daily driver but have done many long trips (4hrs +) and always feel fine at the end of the journey.
Oh, and the driver-centric dash is a nice touch, but you only really notice it when you sit in the passenger seat..
While I'm posting it's also worth noting you can stretch out your left leg a fair bit to the left of the clutch; good to have some options to change position on a long drive.
griffter said:
.......
Interior appointments are pretty good for the age, but I take issue with the range of adjustment on the seat/wheel. At 6' 2" I struggle to find a driving position which is comfortable to relax on the motorway and allows the proximity to controls I want. I have to have the seat one notch off fully back to be able to have engagement with pedals I want (I can fully depress them with the seat right back but I don't want to be that far from the pedals when being active with the pedals).....
So all in all, I could find a good position for motorway cruising but it's not what I want for more active engagement with the controls. If I adopt a more active driving position it's at the limit of the adjustments and compromised, in particular for motorway comfort - although I'm used to it.
This is all with Sports seats.
I have to say that I'm also 6' 2" and don't have the same issues with the seat position Interior appointments are pretty good for the age, but I take issue with the range of adjustment on the seat/wheel. At 6' 2" I struggle to find a driving position which is comfortable to relax on the motorway and allows the proximity to controls I want. I have to have the seat one notch off fully back to be able to have engagement with pedals I want (I can fully depress them with the seat right back but I don't want to be that far from the pedals when being active with the pedals).....
So all in all, I could find a good position for motorway cruising but it's not what I want for more active engagement with the controls. If I adopt a more active driving position it's at the limit of the adjustments and compromised, in particular for motorway comfort - although I'm used to it.
This is all with Sports seats.
.I have My seat fully back and all the controls fall easily to hand (or feet when it comes to the pedals). I guess I must have long arms!.
BalhamBadger said:
Just to add, I'm 5'11 and have plenty of excess headroom, but there isn't masses of space in the back of the coupe in my ideal seating position: I have to move forward a bit for rear passengers.
Have to agree with this post, with My height and seat position, anyone who has to sit behind Me has to get quite intimate with Me and My seat!. As for moving My seat forward for them, maybe I'm selfish but I just can't drive properly with the seat anything other than fully back, it's just too uncomfortable.
nottyash said:
My first BMW 5 years ago was a 1998 328i Coupe.
I used it on 600 mile round trips every weekend, and it was and still is one of the best cars for the job.
38mpg, fast enough,solid build, lots of extras, nice to drive.
I wish I got thst mpg! Mine will see 40 if you reset while on the motorway at 65, but this drops off as soon as you add in city driving. Average per Roadtrip on my iphone over 3,219 miles is 31 mpg.I used it on 600 mile round trips every weekend, and it was and still is one of the best cars for the job.
38mpg, fast enough,solid build, lots of extras, nice to drive.
Drove mine from Bristol to Harrogate last night; fresh as a daisy on arrival.
nottyash said:
My first BMW 5 years ago was a 1998 328i Coupe.
I used it on 600 mile round trips every weekend, and it was and still is one of the best cars for the job.
38mpg, fast enough,solid build, lots of extras, nice to drive.
I used it on 600 mile round trips every weekend, and it was and still is one of the best cars for the job.
38mpg, fast enough,solid build, lots of extras, nice to drive.
BalhamBadger said:
I wish I got thst mpg! Mine will see 40 if you reset while on the motorway at 65, but this drops off as soon as you add in city driving. Average per Roadtrip on my iphone over 3,219 miles is 31 mpg.
When I was having to work a 3 day week due to cutbacks at work I started to drive in a gentle manner to conserve fuel and could get @ 38mpg, but I have to say that it was the most dreary experience of My drivng life! (I'm so glad to have a full weeks work + overtime again!).I usually get late teens around the town and low thirties on a long run (mid to late twenties if I'm pushing on or just enjoying the drive!).
BalhamBadger said:
Drove mine from Bristol to Harrogate last night; fresh as a daisy on arrival.
I quite often have a 300 mile journey to make and never once have I felt the need to stop mid journey for a rest or felt tired at the end of the trip. Gotta 1996 (114,000 miles) 320i estate........ And I'm 6ft7 and about 15st, find the seats comfy, leg-room is good. Can do a couple of hours journey before my joints start trying to kill me, which for me is a good length of time.
It's got poverty spec interior and still has plenty of different adjustment options on the seat, as well as steering wheel.
Also the way the car drives, is conducive to comfort. I.E. that it wafts along at 70, with minimal effort.
It's got poverty spec interior and still has plenty of different adjustment options on the seat, as well as steering wheel.
Also the way the car drives, is conducive to comfort. I.E. that it wafts along at 70, with minimal effort.
4rephill said:
nottyash said:
My first BMW 5 years ago was a 1998 328i Coupe.
I used it on 600 mile round trips every weekend, and it was and still is one of the best cars for the job.
38mpg, fast enough,solid build, lots of extras, nice to drive.
I used it on 600 mile round trips every weekend, and it was and still is one of the best cars for the job.
38mpg, fast enough,solid build, lots of extras, nice to drive.
BalhamBadger said:
I wish I got thst mpg! Mine will see 40 if you reset while on the motorway at 65, but this drops off as soon as you add in city driving. Average per Roadtrip on my iphone over 3,219 miles is 31 mpg.
When I was having to work a 3 day week due to cutbacks at work I started to drive in a gentle manner to conserve fuel and could get @ 38mpg, but I have to say that it was the most dreary experience of My drivng life! (I'm so glad to have a full weeks work + overtime again!).I usually get late teens around the town and low thirties on a long run (mid to late twenties if I'm pushing on or just enjoying the drive!).
BalhamBadger said:
Drove mine from Bristol to Harrogate last night; fresh as a daisy on arrival.
I quite often have a 300 mile journey to make and never once have I felt the need to stop mid journey for a rest or felt tired at the end of the trip. nottyash said:
Sat at 80mph on the motorway. Around town it was in the twenties.
Ah, that could be My problem! 
(She makes me do it!)As for around town, the problem is where I live they've now got traffic lights every 50 yards that don't stay on green very long so there's a lot of first/second gear driving going on. Traffic never flows, it's just all stop-start! (just as well the car is so comfortable really!).
I think the Mondeo is bigger inside, bit more knee room up front, huge boot, but cheaper plastics & switchgear. Much as hate to say it the Mondeo's a pretty good drive, but the BM is more involving, and the 6 sounds a whole lot sweeter.
Don't know how people think there's is noisy, I've got the convertible and I wouldn't say it's much louder at motorway cruising speeds than a Mondeo never mind a tin topped version (with the hard top on not sure most would tell difference). Mine feels rock solid at motorway speeds (mines on M-tech 16" alloys), relaxed, quiet cruising revs out the 323 (2.5i). My average MPG is 25 (RoadTrip on iPhone 800 miles), but my daily commute is 3 miles, so hardly enough to get her warm, and the rest is Peak District 'play'.
Don't know how people think there's is noisy, I've got the convertible and I wouldn't say it's much louder at motorway cruising speeds than a Mondeo never mind a tin topped version (with the hard top on not sure most would tell difference). Mine feels rock solid at motorway speeds (mines on M-tech 16" alloys), relaxed, quiet cruising revs out the 323 (2.5i). My average MPG is 25 (RoadTrip on iPhone 800 miles), but my daily commute is 3 miles, so hardly enough to get her warm, and the rest is Peak District 'play'.
SD1992 said:
Thanks for all the replies
Looks like if I was to go for an E36 it would have to be a 323i due to insurance... Are they any good or should I look for something else? Bear in mind an S40 T4 is the same on insurance as the 323i.
Can't you find a 2.0t C70 in that budget? lovely car. Had one with 177k on clock on a 51 plate, 2k car... was gorgeous inside, drove well. Bit heavy, but more of a cruiser than the beemer and better on juice. And IMHO the 5pot sounds nicerLooks like if I was to go for an E36 it would have to be a 323i due to insurance... Are they any good or should I look for something else? Bear in mind an S40 T4 is the same on insurance as the 323i.
mgmrw2003 said:
Can't you find a 2.0t C70 in that budget? lovely car. Had one with 177k on clock on a 51 plate, 2k car... was gorgeous inside, drove well. Bit heavy, but more of a cruiser than the beemer and better on juice. And IMHO the 5pot sounds nicer
Could get a T5 for that budget Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff