Discussion
I just sold a much loved toy and I'm in the market for an E36 328, preferrably a Sport. I drove a Sport last week to get a feel and it tickled the right parts etc. However that particular car belonged in a kennel body & interior wise and had no history other than a part stamped service book.
My budget is £2,500 and it seems that this isn't quite enough for a good one right now. I'm not in a rush but want to keep my eye on what's available. A friend who's played with E36's for years has clued me up on what to look out for (Nikasil and so on) but I'll admit to being no mechanic myself.
Question is do I persevere or look for a non-Sport 328 (to which I could always add a proper factory M Tech kit, BBS wheels) or maybe a good solid 325 instead?
I have been offered a silver Sport for £2,500 trade (MOT to summer 2010 but no tax)and the seller's confirmed slight bubbling on both rear arches; seeing the car tomorrow for a better look but I really don't want another project after £7k-odd on an old French hatchback!!
Any pointers gratefully received.
My budget is £2,500 and it seems that this isn't quite enough for a good one right now. I'm not in a rush but want to keep my eye on what's available. A friend who's played with E36's for years has clued me up on what to look out for (Nikasil and so on) but I'll admit to being no mechanic myself.
Question is do I persevere or look for a non-Sport 328 (to which I could always add a proper factory M Tech kit, BBS wheels) or maybe a good solid 325 instead?
I have been offered a silver Sport for £2,500 trade (MOT to summer 2010 but no tax)and the seller's confirmed slight bubbling on both rear arches; seeing the car tomorrow for a better look but I really don't want another project after £7k-odd on an old French hatchback!!
Any pointers gratefully received.
Thanks Gaz.
My maximum budget is £2500 however and from scouring PH and the Auto Trader over the last few days, £3k appears to be the roughly average price for a "nice" car with few declared issues and I can't afford this so the question is can I find a good un for my budget - everything I've looked at or enquired about so far at this level seems to have a few niggles. So far I've seen obvious (and poor) accident repairs (£2495, iffy dealer), coolant sensor light on dash (£2100, private), rust on door and arch and wheels scabby (£1600, private) and the aforementioned "little bit of rust" (£2500, trade sale, dealer).
If my budget isn't enough then I'll either look for a 328 non Sport, 325 or something else entirely. Looking back through nearly 100 pages in this section, it looks like prices were lower early 2009 / late 2008 but seem to have picked up - hardly surprising really.
I have a specialist lined up for future maintenance (KJI Motorsport in Reading - factory trained, prepares various race cars, including an E36 V8 and an E46 GTR).
I've got another one to look at later today - 112k, £2750 at a dealer (who specialises apparently), plenty of history and no rust they tell me. Taken in as a PX and they're looking to sell so a deal may be possible. We'll see!
Should I be looking elsewhere? I've Googled until my fingers hurt but nothing else out there.
My maximum budget is £2500 however and from scouring PH and the Auto Trader over the last few days, £3k appears to be the roughly average price for a "nice" car with few declared issues and I can't afford this so the question is can I find a good un for my budget - everything I've looked at or enquired about so far at this level seems to have a few niggles. So far I've seen obvious (and poor) accident repairs (£2495, iffy dealer), coolant sensor light on dash (£2100, private), rust on door and arch and wheels scabby (£1600, private) and the aforementioned "little bit of rust" (£2500, trade sale, dealer).
If my budget isn't enough then I'll either look for a 328 non Sport, 325 or something else entirely. Looking back through nearly 100 pages in this section, it looks like prices were lower early 2009 / late 2008 but seem to have picked up - hardly surprising really.
I have a specialist lined up for future maintenance (KJI Motorsport in Reading - factory trained, prepares various race cars, including an E36 V8 and an E46 GTR).
I've got another one to look at later today - 112k, £2750 at a dealer (who specialises apparently), plenty of history and no rust they tell me. Taken in as a PX and they're looking to sell so a deal may be possible. We'll see!
Should I be looking elsewhere? I've Googled until my fingers hurt but nothing else out there.
Reistered and stuck up a wanted ad this evening - thanks for the heads up.
Drove the £2750 car today - dog. The minor bubbles were flaking rear quarters, no radio, dodgy Scorpion alarm, alarming knocks from the back end. On the plus side otherwise it drove nicely and I'm determined to find myself as good a car as I can now!
Drove the £2750 car today - dog. The minor bubbles were flaking rear quarters, no radio, dodgy Scorpion alarm, alarming knocks from the back end. On the plus side otherwise it drove nicely and I'm determined to find myself as good a car as I can now!
Hi Andy - I've got a 328i SE up for sale under the AC Schnitzer section on Pistonheads. I'm sure we could get the price a bit nearer to your budget.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1290831.htm
Mechanically sound, drives well - I'm in Chandlers Ford (just outside Southampton). No worries if its not what you are after.
Anyway, for your info I used Bartleys (A BMW Indy just outside Totton) who charged me £100 to fiy a new coolant sensor and brake light sensor. So don't be put off any car you see that needs those jobs doing as its not expensive. Mines had the wiring loom already redone but otherwise thats a common issue and is again about £100 apparently.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1290831.htm
Mechanically sound, drives well - I'm in Chandlers Ford (just outside Southampton). No worries if its not what you are after.
Anyway, for your info I used Bartleys (A BMW Indy just outside Totton) who charged me £100 to fiy a new coolant sensor and brake light sensor. So don't be put off any car you see that needs those jobs doing as its not expensive. Mines had the wiring loom already redone but otherwise thats a common issue and is again about £100 apparently.May be worth looking outside PH and owners clubs for a non-enthusiast owned model. I jst picked myself up a 328 Sport this weekend on an R plate this weekend from a Classified ad on eBay for £1600 (don't hate me!). Its fully specced with every extra and is on E46 MV1 with the BBS as spares which I will be re-polishing. Its done 145k but feels like new- can't believe how immaculate it is. The only downside- its got an auto box. But its my run around whilst I take my VX220 Turbo off the road for winter. I'm chuffed as nuts with it and would highly recommend one- my advice is keep your eyes peeled for a lucky find!
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