328i Sport

[Phugoid]

Hello there,

Looking to upgrade my E46 318Ci to a E36 328 Sport. Just been to see a nice one in Edinburgh which is on the market at £4K for a 98 on an S-plate with 92000 miles on the clock.

The owner wasn't aware of the Nikasil issue so I couldn't determine whether it had it's engine replaced or if it was outwith the Nikasil build date, but its got a FBMWSH.

Apart from a small bubble of rust on the rear wheel arch and the corroded Sport alloys it seemed pretty spotless, and the engine ticked over very nicely (what a noise by the way!)

Only issues with it were the lack of full leather interior, 18 button OBC (only had the basic one) and climate control....which I thought odd for a top of the range 3.

Does 4k sound like a fair price? Are there any other issues to look out for with these models?

Need to make sure I'm buying a decent example, almost took it the moment I started the engine and that glorious straight six fired to life!

Cheers
Chris


P.S. I took a note of the chassis number, would I be able to phone BMW for clarification of the Nikasil issue?

[[TW]Fox]

Have you considered an E46 328i? Provided you are happy with a saloon, they are just about dooable for £4k. Probably won't be as mint as a similarily priced E36, though.

[rossi-328i-sport]

keep looking fella,you can get a lovely sport,lowish mileage and full leather in very good condition for £4.5-5k.theres not alot about but dont just buy the first you see,although its very tempting i know.

[CommanderJameson]

The Nikasil issue applies to engines pre-September 98, AFAIK.

And yes, if you enquire with the chassis number, they'll tell you.

[Phugoid]

Phoned up today with the chassis number. Got the original spec and service history. Has been into BMW about 20 times over the last year for servicing so chuffed with that. It also transpires that the engine wouldn't have suffered from the nikasil issue as it's a post 03/98 model.

Very tempted...

Cheers for the info chaps

[Phugoid]

ah well, just gone and bought it!

Got it down to £3650, bit tatty interior/exterior wise but nothing that can't be cheaply repaired. It seemed mechanically sound though and 10 years of BMW service to back that up.

Pick it up next weekish so I'll revive the thread with pics!

Cheers

[dfen5]

Phugoid said:

Phoned up today with the chassis number. Got the original spec and service history. Has been into BMW about 20 times over the last year for servicing so chuffed with that. It also transpires that the engine wouldn't have suffered from the nikasil issue as it's a post 03/98 model.

Very tempted...

Cheers for the info chaps

Err, If it's been in twenty times in the last year can that be a good thing? That must have cost a few pennies...

[Phugoid]

Maybe a slight exaggeration, but it's been in for routine servicing at every interval over the last 10 years.

[blade7]

Cars built not registered from 03/98 should have the block with liners fitted, check the offside suspension turret sticker for the build date,if BMW replaced the nikasil block under warranty they will have this info on file.

[Phugoid]

Built September 98'

Only the BMW garage where the engine was replaced would hold that info, and in the case of Caldow (sp?) in Inverness...they've lost it all.

[blade7]

Phugoid said:

Built September 98'

Only the BMW garage where the engine was replaced would hold that info, and in the case of Caldow (sp?) in Inverness...they've lost it all.

Not true, BMW customer services know if the block was changed. Or there is an easy check on the side of the block if you know where to look. I looked at a late 98 registered car that had a nikasil block, seems it sat in a dealers unregistered for ages.

[buzzer]

there is an easy way to tell if its a nikasil or a later Alusil block. if you mail me i will send you a couple of pictures with the difference on.

I have seen mid 1999 cars with Nikasil blocks... Also, some nikasil blocks were replaced... with another nikasil block!