E36 touring Vs E93

[84Reasons]

Weird topic I know but I currently have an e93 auto SE and am considering selling for a profit to get a well looked after high mileage E36 manual touring SE due to saving some money I have in the car and also practicality and enjoyment. Has anyone done the same or a similar swap? I love the idea of an E36 and will of course test drive it however I've never driven one before so worried it may feel a little dated? Technically it is a downgrade however I believe it may be more of an engaging experience if not only because it's a manual.
Any thoughts are appreciated!

[g3org3y]

84Reasons said:

Weird topic I know but I currently have an e93 auto SE and am considering selling for a profit to get a well looked after high mileage E36 manual touring SE due to saving some money I have in the car and also practicality and enjoyment. Has anyone done the same or a similar swap? I love the idea of an E36 and will of course test drive it however I've never driven one before so worried it may feel a little dated? Technically it is a downgrade however I believe it may be more of an engaging experience if not only because it's a manual.
Any thoughts are appreciated!

Quite a difference in vehicle (metal roof convertible vs estate).

I suppose a lot will depend on what you're hoping to get out of the swap. What kind of engine is in the E93? What kind of engine is in the E36 (I probably wouldn't bother unless it's a 328)?

If your E93 is well specced, you may find the E36 a bit of a downgrade in terms of kit/equipment.

On 16 inch alloys, the E36 is actually very comfortable and they do drive very well. I have to admit, I've been impressed with my E91 (early N52 330i) and imo it's an overall better product (as expected) than the E36 328i Touring it replaced.

Consider also that the E9X gen is considered fairly rust free whereas the E36 is notorious for it. Something to consider if you're planning for this to be a keeper or daily.

[Welshbeef]

84Reasons said:

Weird topic I know but I currently have an e93 auto SE and am considering selling for a profit to get a well looked after high mileage E36 manual touring SE due to saving some money I have in the car and also practicality and enjoyment. Has anyone done the same or a similar swap? I love the idea of an E36 and will of course test drive it however I've never driven one before so worried it may feel a little dated? Technically it is a downgrade however I believe it may be more of an engaging experience if not only because it's a manual.
Any thoughts are appreciated!

When you say sell for a profit - how have you managed that?

Also given values of E36 & E90’s surely the delta is trivial / before you even get into the “better the devil you know” aspect.

[84Reasons]

g3org3y said:

Quite a difference in vehicle (metal roof convertible vs estate).

I suppose a lot will depend on what you're hoping to get out of the swap. What kind of engine is in the E93? What kind of engine is in the E36 (I probably wouldn't bother unless it's a 328)?

If your E93 is well specced, you may find the E36 a bit of a downgrade in terms of kit/equipment.

On 16 inch alloys, the E36 is actually very comfortable and they do drive very well. I have to admit, I've been impressed with my E91 (early N52 330i) and imo it's an overall better product (as expected) than the E36 328i Touring it replaced.

Consider also that the E9X gen is considered fairly rust free whereas the E36 is notorious for it. Something to consider if you're planning for this to be a keeper or daily.

Well the engine in my e93 is the N53 325i. Engine in the E36 is whatever code is for the 328i I can't remember off the top of my head so I would say similar performance what with the convertible being considerably heavier.
The e93 is specced well enough, cruise control, heated seats, auto lights & wipers. In regards to ride quality chances are I would swap the alloys out anyway, however this hasn't been much of a consideration as the ride quality in the e93 was great too so I'd imagine it would be similar
Yeah it would be a daily, rust would be something I would check for certainly however obviously would be more likely to present itself in the future.

[84Reasons]

Welshbeef said:

When you say sell for a profit - how have you managed that?

Also given values of E36 & E90’s surely the delta is trivial / before you even get into the “better the devil you know” aspect.

Apologies when I said sell for a profit I meant in that the E36 will be much much cheaper therefore I'll be in the positive as it were. Although the e93 won't be going for much less than I bought it for.
Can you explain what you mean by the delta is trivial?

[s m]

Also bear in mind the safety aspects

Not something that ever worries me particularly but the E36 was pretty rubbish in crash tests - cars have improved safety wise since then

[84Reasons]

s m said:

Also bear in mind the safety aspects

Not something that ever worries me particularly but the E36 was pretty rubbish in crash tests - cars have improved safety wise since then

That's something I hadn't thought about. Part of the reason I want an estate is the extra doors, what with a baby on the way. Maybe not the best choice

[s m]

84Reasons said:

s m said:

Also bear in mind the safety aspects

Not something that ever worries me particularly but the E36 was pretty rubbish in crash tests - cars have improved safety wise since then

That's something I hadn't thought about. Part of the reason I want an estate is the extra doors, what with a baby on the way. Maybe not the best choice

I never use it as a basis to pick something
I had a 328i for 7 years when kids were small and a Saxo plus numerous other death traps
I count my luck

[Touring442]

A 328i Touring E36 that isn't the usual rubbish is £4000+. Someone like Old Colonel Cars is a good place to start. A 323i goes well enough and don't discount automatics. They are at the age where they require diligent maintenance to keep nice but values are on the way up to counter running costs whilst E90 type stuff is heading towards landfill.
You'll be surprised at how well a good 323i/328i drives.

[84Reasons]

Touring442 said:

A 328i Touring E36 that isn't the usual rubbish is £4000+. Someone like Old Colonel Cars is a good place to start. A 323i goes well enough and don't discount automatics. They are at the age where they require diligent maintenance to keep nice but values are on the way up to counter running costs whilst E90 type stuff is heading towards landfill.
You'll be surprised at how well a good 323i/328i drives.

Good to know. This one is high mileage 328i manual but has been looked after with replacements made where needed etc + preventative maintenance. Last MOT was a pass with only advisories break pads which have been replaced since.

[g3org3y]

84Reasons said:

s m said:

Also bear in mind the safety aspects

Not something that ever worries me particularly but the E36 was pretty rubbish in crash tests - cars have improved safety wise since then

That's something I hadn't thought about. Part of the reason I want an estate is the extra doors, what with a baby on the way. Maybe not the best choice

I can't remember whether my E36 328i Touring had ISOFIX, I doubt it though. Something to consider.

Honestly, if you've got a baby on the way, I'd be looking at an E91. The safety (+ convenience aspect) is worth thinking about.

[Welshbeef]

s m said:

Also bear in mind the safety aspects

Not something that ever worries me particularly but the E36 was pretty rubbish in crash tests - cars have improved safety wise since then

This very much.

A 40mph accident you might get out but unlikely to be injured a modern car you’d more or less be guaranteed to literally walk away.

[84Reasons]

g3org3y said:

I can't remember whether my E36 328i Touring had ISOFIX, I doubt it though. Something to consider.

Honestly, if you've got a baby on the way, I'd be looking at an E91. The safety (+ convenience aspect) is worth thinking about.

It doesn't have isofix. Not a massive issue as we'll mainly be using the wife's car and mine only occasionally so can just whip the seat out of hers with the isofix and strap it in mine. I do like the e91 but when finding a decent spec one you are talking lots more money. Plus it's really only the safety it's better at and overall less likely to go wrong.

[Touring442]

84Reasons said:

Good to know. This one is high mileage 328i manual but has been looked after with replacements made where needed etc + preventative maintenance. Last MOT was a pass with only advisories break pads which have been replaced since.

I should have read your initial post better.

If it's the right sort of money, get it bought. 328i Tourings are pretty much extinct and you can't lose money on it. Mileage is pretty much irrelevant.

[84Reasons]

Touring442 said:

I should have read your initial post better.

If it's the right sort of money, get it bought. 328i Tourings are pretty much extinct and you can't lose money on it. Mileage is pretty much irrelevant.

Wow. Didn't think they were so rare but now that you mention it I never see them on the road and certainly didn't find many online! I think I will!! Haha

[SidewaysSi]

I have a 328i coupe as my main family car (4 year old and 2 year old kids).

I love it to bits but it has cost a lot in upgrades over the last few years. And I do appreciate the safety element but no E9x car will drive as well as mine.

[84Reasons]

SidewaysSi said:

I have a 328i coupe as my main family car (4 year old and 2 year old kids).

I love it to bits but it has cost a lot in upgrades over the last few years. And I do appreciate the safety element but no E9x car will drive as well as mine.

High praise!
Makes me think do I even need to get something with 4 doors if you've been getting away with a 2 door with two children...

[g3org3y]

84Reasons said:

g3org3y said:

I can't remember whether my E36 328i Touring had ISOFIX, I doubt it though. Something to consider.

Honestly, if you've got a baby on the way, I'd be looking at an E91. The safety (+ convenience aspect) is worth thinking about.

It doesn't have isofix. Not a massive issue as we'll mainly be using the wife's car and mine only occasionally so can just whip the seat out of hers with the isofix and strap it in mine. I do like the e91 but when finding a decent spec one you are talking lots more money. Plus it's really only the safety it's better at and overall less likely to go wrong.

Fair enough, what does your wife have? Is it practical enough for a long journey with all the baby paraphernalia?

I like ISOFIX, less to mess up and at 2am with a crying baby you're taking out for a drive to settle you'll be damning any additional element of inconvenience you encounter.

If the E36 is going to be an 'occasional' car rather than regular baby transporter, should be ok. (As to whether the wife will be happy about you trading in the E93 for a 20+ year old car with dubious safety compared to modern cars is another matter. )

84Reasons said:

SidewaysSi said:

I have a 328i coupe as my main family car (4 year old and 2 year old kids).

I love it to bits but it has cost a lot in upgrades over the last few years. And I do appreciate the safety element but no E9x car will drive as well as mine.

High praise!
Makes me think do I even need to get something with 4 doors if you've been getting away with a 2 door with two children...

It's doable with a Coupe, but again another level of inconvenience. My E46 330Ci had ISOFIX so used that when the E91 was in the garage. It wasn't too bad. Despite being a lot bigger, the E63 was a lot more awkward as access was a lot tighter. Now my son is older (18 months) and can have a front facing seat, it's notably easier.

[84Reasons]

g3org3y said:

84Reasons said:

g3org3y said:

I can't remember whether my E36 328i Touring had ISOFIX, I doubt it though. Something to consider.

Honestly, if you've got a baby on the way, I'd be looking at an E91. The safety (+ convenience aspect) is worth thinking about.

It doesn't have isofix. Not a massive issue as we'll mainly be using the wife's car and mine only occasionally so can just whip the seat out of hers with the isofix and strap it in mine. I do like the e91 but when finding a decent spec one you are talking lots more money. Plus it's really only the safety it's better at and overall less likely to go wrong.

Fair enough, what does your wife have? Is it practical enough for a long journey with all the baby paraphernalia?

I like ISOFIX, less to mess up and at 2am with a crying baby you're taking out for a drive to settle you'll be damning any additional element of inconvenience you encounter.

If the E36 is going to be an 'occasional' car rather than regular baby transporter, should be ok. (As to whether the wife will be happy about you trading in the E93 for a 20+ year old car with dubious safety compared to modern cars is another matter. )

84Reasons said:

SidewaysSi said:

I have a 328i coupe as my main family car (4 year old and 2 year old kids).

I love it to bits but it has cost a lot in upgrades over the last few years. And I do appreciate the safety element but no E9x car will drive as well as mine.

High praise!
Makes me think do I even need to get something with 4 doors if you've been getting away with a 2 door with two children...

It's doable with a Coupe, but again another level of inconvenience. My E46 330Ci had ISOFIX so used that when the E91 was in the garage. It wasn't too bad. Despite being a lot bigger, the E63 was a lot more awkward as access was a lot tighter. Now my son is older (18 months) and can have a front facing seat, it's notably easier.

My wife and I combined funds to buy her a 2010 range rover sport so it's got plenty of space & safety features for sure. If she is the sort of baby to need calming with a drive I will just take the range as we chose the car so that we'd both be happy driving it if need me (me on weekends for example).
So should be only rare occasions I have to fiddle around with the seatbelt to get the car seat in, bit of a weird trade off as the e93 has isofix which is easier but obviously harder to get into the back seats as the roof is even lower than the coupe however the E36 will have extra doors but no isofix... Haha

[g3org3y]

84Reasons said:

My wife and I combined funds to buy her a 2010 range rover sport so it's got plenty of space & safety features for sure. If she is the sort of baby to need calming with a drive I will just take the range as we chose the car so that we'd both be happy driving it if need me (me on weekends for example).
So should be only rare occasions I have to fiddle around with the seatbelt to get the car seat in, bit of a weird trade off as the e93 has isofix which is easier but obviously harder to get into the back seats as the roof is even lower than the coupe however the E36 will have extra doors but no isofix... Haha

If you've got a RRS as the proper baby car, crack on! E36 328i FTW.

Isle of Mull