E36 328I SPORT????

[TWINTURBODAVE]

Hi all...I am thinking about buying a BMW...nothing new....either an E34 5 series....or an E36 328i sport....is the 328i sport significantly different from the standard 328 ?....does it qualify as a 'sports car'..?...is it better than a Porsche 944?....do these make satisfying track cars?. What are the best mods to do?..etc...any ideas much appreciated

[rumple]

The sport looks more aggressive and has slightly stiffer suspension, I would have one over a 944 but that is just my preference, I don't really like 944's.
There are things to look out for but get a good one and they are bulletproof, they are an old school rwd car, a lot of fun, and cheap to fix, there is also a few good mods out there, E30 lower arms, z3 rack, z3 gearstick, 325 manifold to name a few, get a good one and you will love it, do some research though, these are getting on abut now.

[glendog74]

I had a 328i Sport coupe for a while & it was great to own giving few problems although the mpg figures weren't the best of course!

Have a look at e36coupe.com where you'll find a wealth of info.

Here's my old car:

http://www.bmwowner.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&a...

[Seeker UK]

Buy an E34.

I went from a E36 to one and the difference in quality was immense.

[Cheib]

I had a new 328i Sport back in 1996, really good car in it's time. I always remember people sued to comment and how planted the car felt.

[MitchT]

rumple said:

The sport looks more aggressive and has slightly stiffer suspension

As I understand it, on the coupé at least, sport suspension is standard, so the 328i Sport really is only different cosmetically. Basically, over and above the standard coupé, you're getting front sports seats, anthracite headlining, M sport bodykit (includes front and rear bumpers and side aprons), clear indicator lenses and 17" wheels. Plus whatever else was originally specced on the car you buy. Fabulous car but just be aware of the Nikasil issue... whether or not yours is affected and what, if anything, has been done about it.

[TheEnd]

The sport suspension is different, it comes with yellow bilsteins with far larger piston rods on the front, and eccentric front bushes which give it a bit bit caster.
They'd have some sort of stability aid, LSDs on early cars, swapping to ASC tractin control instead later on.

[g3org3y]

TWINTURBODAVE said:

Hi all...I am thinking about buying a BMW...nothing new....either an E34 5 series....or an E36 328i sport....is the 328i sport significantly different from the standard 328 ?....does it qualify as a 'sports car'..?...is it better than a Porsche 944?....do these make satisfying track cars?. What are the best mods to do?..etc...any ideas much appreciated

As above, Sport model had 'Avus' suspension with yellow Bilstein dampers compared with regular coupes.

Early models had a LSD, later ones replaced with ASC+T (traction control). Otherwise, cosmetic: dark headlining, M tech body kit, lovely looking BBS cross spokes.

They do seem to command a premium over regular coupes. Whether it is worthwhile depends on what you want to do with the car. To keep in original condition? - yes imvho. To turn into a track car? - no, better to get a cheaper non sport as more than likely you'll be doing a suspension refresh etc anyway.

Mods? Inlet manifold from the earlier M50 2.5 engine, combined with a big bore throttle body. Add to that a decent remap. Plenty of decent aftermarket exhaust options out there.

Compared to an E34? E34 is a barge/cruiser. Will be better on a relaxed motorway drive, E36 will spank it in the corners. I owned an E34 a while back (lowly 520i manual) and found it a really decent car but I think the E36 is refined enough and the trade off with superior handling and the M52 2.8 engine (not available on the E34) makes it the all round better package.

[lewis328]

Get a nice 328 sport and keep it standard, they are at their best factory fresh. here is my one (from a few years ago) simply awesome car.

[Cheib]

lewis328 said:

Get a nice 328 sport and keep it standard, they are at their best factory fresh. here is my one (from a few years ago) simply awesome car.

That spoilers not standard! At least mine didn't have one. Maybe it was a factory options but I didn't order one.

[TWINTURBODAVE]

Hi all...many thanks for all that info.....I think I WILL get a 328 sport...I think they are very good looking as standard...although I saw a picture of a German or Belgian car, that had been tuned and looked very aggressive...without being over the top...I will try to add a photo of it.....do I just download from PHOTOBUCKET?

[TWINTURBODAVE]

[TWINTURBODAVE]

[waxaholic]

It's a bit max power don't you thinks ?

[TWINTURBODAVE]

waxaholic said:

It's a bit max power don't you thinks ?

Perhaps a little...but still quite restrained, I thought...its not lairy, its quite simple, but effective...I do like mean! lol....and I am still only 33!..

[Cheib]

waxaholic said:

It's a bit max power don't you thinks ?

What's the hole in the grill for ? The tractor beam?!

[TWINTURBODAVE]

Cheib said:

What's the hole in the grill for ? The tractor beam?!

I do believe its an air intake...its badged as an M3....maybe its pokey...

[TWINTURBODAVE]

TWINTURBODAVE said:

I do believe its an air intake...its badged as an M3....maybe its pokey...

actually...looking at it again...I could probably do without it!..

[TWINTURBODAVE]

Just in case anyone was interested...I would be willing to swap my 1989 3.6 auto XJS for a decent 328i sport coupe....just in case anyone is hankering after a slice of legendary Leyland lushness! ....

[MitchT]

Cheib said:

lewis328 said:

Get a nice 328 sport and keep it standard, they are at their best factory fresh. here is my one (from a few years ago) simply awesome car.

That spoilers not standard! At least mine didn't have one. Maybe it was a factory options but I didn't order one.

The spoiler is not standard fitment, even on an M3, but it is a pukka BMW M optional extra. Many dealers fitted them to M3s to put in the showroom and, IMHO, the E36 with a sport pack doesn't look finished without one. I have a 318is coupé with a sport pack which has one fitted. Beware of fakes - they look the same but start sagging in the middle after a while.