E36 Evo or 328Ci

[flasher]

I've been seriously considering an E36 Evo for a while now as it fits all my requirements as a useable daily (low mileage) performance car. However, had a read of the Autocar used performance car guide at the weekend and they listed the 328Ci as the best used performance car in the world! Is it better? and if I did go for an E36 Evo whats the pitfalls?

[baz1985]

E36 Evo but Vanos is the major issue. Buy one with extended BMW Warranty and you'll be fine even though it has been diluted

[flasher]

Is the vanos still a major issue? I have seen several evo's advertised with the vanos having been recently replaced, does this mean it has been sorted now or will it always be an issue after a certain amount of miles?

[baz1985]

always an issue!

[scoobz]

Once its replaced Flsher, it hould be fine. As long as its done by a BMW dealer or specialist and they used new parts instead of reconditioned or used crap.

The M3 is the more fun car, the 328 wont give you the grin factor.

[jamesson]

I agree that the M3 will be more fun, but if it isn't covered by the BMW warranty, it could bankrupt you in repairs if you get a bad one. A good 328 will cost pennies to run in comparison. Two very different machines though, so a little like comparing apples and oranges.

[scoobz]

as long as the Vanos is done the rest of the car is pretty comparable...

[jamesson]

I would imagine servicing costs for the Evo are a fair bit higher.

[scoobz]

not really if you use a specialist, only replacement bits and bobs.

[jamesson]

But the 328 will go a further 6k miles between services.

[Smartie]

so will an M3, all down to usage. If yyou do a lot of motorway work then it'll do 10/12K ish, as a tracktoy only maybe 6/7K ish. Same system as the 328!

[flasher]

So what are the running costs (and hidden costs) of an Evo? To be honest I'd prefer the Evo to the 328Ci but I dont want a tempermental machine thats going to cost me a fortune. Barring vanos issues I thought Bee Ems were pretty safe on this score?

[r988]

flasher said:

So what are the running costs (and hidden costs) of an Evo? To be honest I'd prefer the Evo to the 328Ci but I dont want a tempermental machine thats going to cost me a fortune. Barring vanos issues I thought Bee Ems were pretty safe on this score?

The simpler BMWs like 328Cis are generally bullet proof, the M cars with a bit more fancy tech have more to go wrong that is more expensive when it does.

[CR33DO]

I think I am right in saying that you still get 2 years warranty on a replacement vanos unit from BMW. From researching the evo when I came to buy one a year ago the vanos unit is the major problem with the car, one of the reasons the value of these cars have dropped IMO. However, as with all cars, 328ci included, if you get a bad one it could cost you a small fortune. If you persue the evo route look at as many examples as possible to get a `feel` for a good car when you see one.

Ive had mine for just over a year now and have just had to regularly service it. Rear tyres dont last too long, 9000mls, but brakes and other consumables dont seem to be that expensive.

The 328ci is a good car, but the evo is a different beast all together. I tracked mine at Bedford on Monday and it kept pace with all sorts of expensive machinery, including many 911s, except GT2 I was really suprised how well it handled and how adjustable it was on the limit, pound for pound the performance is phenomenal!

Just remember to get a couple of insurance quotes first, many companies require a tracker device to be fitted, a cost worth bearing in mind.

See also e36coupe.com forums for a wealth of information.

[hursty25]

Put it this way. You can have a 100bhp per litre BMW or 100bhp per litre TVR. Makes the M3 Evo look bullet proof huh?

[flasher]

CR33DO said:

I think I am right in saying that you still get 2 years warranty on a replacement vanos unit from BMW. From researching the evo when I came to buy one a year ago the vanos unit is the major problem with the car, one of the reasons the value of these cars have dropped IMO. However, as with all cars, 328ci included, if you get a bad one it could cost you a small fortune. If you persue the evo route look at as many examples as possible to get a `feel` for a good car when you see one. Ive had mine for just over a year now and have just had to regularly service it. Rear tyres dont last too long, 9000mls, but brakes and other consumables dont seem to be that expensive. The 328ci is a good car, but the evo is a different beast all together. I tracked mine at Bedford on Monday and it kept pace with all sorts of expensive machinery, including many 911s, except GT2 I was really suprised how well it handled and how adjustable it was on the limit, pound for pound the performance is phenomenal! Just remember to get a couple of insurance quotes first, many companies require a tracker device to be fitted, a cost worth bearing in mind. See also e36coupe.com forums for a wealth of information.

Cheers for that. brilliant advice. It's a couple of months away yet but I'm pretty much decided on the Evo. Its just when you see examples of the 328Ci like this one www.pistonheads.com/sales/67571.htm it does tempt you....

I'll have to do some research!

[se6b]

Just to throw the cat among the pigeons....Isn't the E36 328 supposed to be a far better drivers car than its replacement?

[Darth Dave]

se6b said:

Just to throw the cat among the pigeons....Isn't the E36 328 supposed to be a far better drivers car than its replacement?

Yes. I found the chassis in the E36 far more exploitable than the E46. However I did have the sports suspension in the E36 and not in the E46.

The E46 is more comfortable day to day and the interior is a far nicer place to be. IMHO.

[Dave 321]

M3 EVO, 328 is a dog. Mite as well have a 318is. M3 is a real drivers car

[B17NNS]

Dave 321 said:

328 is a dog

I actually quite like my 328