E36 328i snotter advice

[VumGarda]

The initial message was deleted from this topic on 08 May 2020 at 04:35

[Frances The Mute]

What year is it?

[rumple]

Go for it, my old 328 had 220k on it when I sold it, ran sweet as a nut. Id change the oil, waterpump and coolant and enjoy your cheap performance car.

[BondandBigM]

To expensive

I bought a fairly tidy 323i coupe with about 8 months test, service history, good tyres, and 108k miles for £500 and it hasn't missed a beat, haven't spent a penny on it other than petrol, never even opened the bonnet and still plenty of life in it yet. Test is due next month and if it fails I'll just bin it, maybe get a couple of hundred scrap money.

[vsonix]

sounds more than fair for a clean '99 non-Sport with no rust, would assume it's late enough for Nikasil issue not to be an issue. Clutch might be a bit ropey by now if it hasn't been replaced, also there's a few known weak spots on these cars such as fan blades prone to cracking, water pump plastic impeller blades should be replaced with metal, also change thermostat & thermostat housing to avoid potential overheats. These should all be done round 100k to see the car into long life.

[s m]

vsonix said:

sounds more than fair for a clean '99 non-Sport with no rust, would assume it's late enough for Nikasil issue not to be an issue.

Yes that will be a factory steel-liner block so no Nicasil worries.

Check the cooling system ( rad/stat/pump/vc ) are in good order and the engine should go on for years providing it's got oil

[vsonix]

I'd say it sounds like a fairly safe punt, the autos go a fair bit cheaper as they're perceived to be less fun/driver oriented than the manuals but the average mileages also tend to be lower and the engines are relatively 'babied' by the autobox. Just a shame steptronic only came in on the e46 cars as it would be epic on a big e36.

[StuB]

My 328 E36 had 214k miles when I sold it so I know they can be bulletproof if looked after.

The car you're looking at sounds like its been clocked, which is also easy on an E36.

If they have no proof since 2006, offer what it'd be worth to the trade with 200k miles, as that's what it could easily be, with a blow over to hide rusty rear arches, a&c pillars and a million stone chips on the front.

At the "right" price, dont be put off.