What to look for on E36s?
Discussion
There's a thread here Chris
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
If you mean roofracks, yep you can get racks for Coupe that fit a couple of bikes....either that or stick a bike in the boot ( even easier if you have removeable front wheel
http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0...
If you mean roofracks, yep you can get racks for Coupe that fit a couple of bikes....either that or stick a bike in the boot ( even easier if you have removeable front wheel
Chris71 said:
Thanks, looks like I've got quite a bit of reading to do!
I may yet just keep the Focus, but so far the other conventional hatchbacks haven't impressed - they've either been fun but lacked the refinement or had the refinement yet not added much in the way of driver appeal.
You can get a rear-mount boot rack but make sure the saloon/coupe you buy hasn't got a rear spoiler if you want that in preference to a roof rackI may yet just keep the Focus, but so far the other conventional hatchbacks haven't impressed - they've either been fun but lacked the refinement or had the refinement yet not added much in the way of driver appeal.
Yep, was just going to ask that. I presume this shape lends itself to just about any generic boot mounted bike rack...
It's quite ironic that now I'm relatively serious about getting one they all seem to have dissapeared from the classifieds. A few months back when I was toying with the idea but waiting for my insurance renewal to come up there were millions of the things, I've now got under a month and they've all vanished! I guess being relatively mainstream it wouldn't be the end of the world if I swapped part way into the new policy.
On a more important note, how do they compare to the later E46? For not much more than a decent E36 I could consider something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
ETA That's probably worthy of a seperate thread if there isn't one already...
It's quite ironic that now I'm relatively serious about getting one they all seem to have dissapeared from the classifieds. A few months back when I was toying with the idea but waiting for my insurance renewal to come up there were millions of the things, I've now got under a month and they've all vanished! I guess being relatively mainstream it wouldn't be the end of the world if I swapped part way into the new policy.
On a more important note, how do they compare to the later E46? For not much more than a decent E36 I could consider something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
ETA That's probably worthy of a seperate thread if there isn't one already...
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 27th April 12:55
Chris71 said:
Yep, was just going to ask that. I presume this shape lends itself to just about any generic boot mounted bike rack...
It's quite ironic that now I'm relatively serious about getting one they all seem to have dissapeared from the classifieds. A few months back when I was toying with the idea but waiting for my insurance renewal to come up there were millions of the things, I've now got under a month and they've all vanished! I guess being relatively mainstream it wouldn't be the end of the world if I swapped part way into the new policy.
On a more important note, how do they compare to the later E46? For not much more than a decent E36 I could consider something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
ETA That's probably worthy of a seperate thread if there isn't one already...
No it doesn't.It's quite ironic that now I'm relatively serious about getting one they all seem to have dissapeared from the classifieds. A few months back when I was toying with the idea but waiting for my insurance renewal to come up there were millions of the things, I've now got under a month and they've all vanished! I guess being relatively mainstream it wouldn't be the end of the world if I swapped part way into the new policy.
On a more important note, how do they compare to the later E46? For not much more than a decent E36 I could consider something like this: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...
ETA That's probably worthy of a seperate thread if there isn't one already...
Edited by Chris71 on Tuesday 27th April 12:55
There isn't enough purchase on the tight gaps to get a rack in there I'm afraid
Get a roof mounted one.
Fair point. Going back I just find it strange that you can't get two bikes inside with the seats folded. I haven't folded the seats on an E36 to take a look but I saw one parked on the street yesterday coming back from lunch (I think my staring only slightly freaked out the driver...) and I reckon you could practically get two frames in there just on the rear seat part without needing to poke through into the boot, or maybe just with the forks sticking through or something?
Chris71 said:
Fair point. Going back I just find it strange that you can't get two bikes inside with the seats folded. I haven't folded the seats on an E36 to take a look but I saw one parked on the street yesterday coming back from lunch (I think my staring only slightly freaked out the driver...) and I reckon you could practically get two frames in there just on the rear seat part without needing to poke through into the boot, or maybe just with the forks sticking through or something?
Chris, it's going to depend on the bikes you're trying to fit in really. The E36 coupe/saloon has a narrow boot opening that makes it difficult to load stuff in. I've certainly put one adult bike in the back with a seat down. If you have fancy bikes with quick release wheels it's going to make it a lot easier I'd say. See if anyone with a coupe lives local who'll let you try putting your bikes in if it's important that you stow them inside. Other than that you're either going to have to
1/ go for a roof rack
2/ something like the Saris one
http://www.saris.com/sarisfitresults.aspx?txtMake=...
( I think this was probably the type I saw a guy with a coupe down in Cornwall - I was intrigued as he had 2 kids bikes on one ( or similar ). IIRC he said it had marked the boot where it sat on it slightly but saves putting them in the boot if you're going on hols + want to take bikes with you.
3/ get the Touring ( or a 325ti Compact )
4/ choose another car
I'd rather put my bikes on a rack rather than get mud on the inside or catch a rubber seal with a fork etc. Roof racks come up a lot on Ebay and are about £40/50. I got the genuine BMW one secondhand for that much.
I don't know how much of your time you're going to be transporting your bike around though so only you know how much of a hassle it's going to be
Yep, quick release wheels, removable seat posts etc.
I have reservations about transporting bikes on the outside of the car - if I went for an E36 saloon there's a good chance the bike would be worth more than the car is, which isn't good if it parts company or gets half inched at a service station.
I transport one fairly regularly. Two is quite a rare occurence, but to be honest it's the kind of the benchmark for a daily driver, as if I can do that I can do that then any of the other stuff I might want to carry around (skis, amps, guitars...) will be a doddle.
I have reservations about transporting bikes on the outside of the car - if I went for an E36 saloon there's a good chance the bike would be worth more than the car is, which isn't good if it parts company or gets half inched at a service station.
I transport one fairly regularly. Two is quite a rare occurence, but to be honest it's the kind of the benchmark for a daily driver, as if I can do that I can do that then any of the other stuff I might want to carry around (skis, amps, guitars...) will be a doddle.
cushT said:
I would say 2 bikes, even if they do come to pieces, would be an awkward & tight fit at best in an E36. The boot space is really not good for larger objects. Personally I would choose an estate.
Yep, estate version seems the easy answer...or an E46 Compact if you want a 6-cyl rwd hatchWould space for two bikes be a foregone conclusion in the Compact even?
My slight reservation about the E46 Compact is they seem to be quite a lot of money still. That in itself is a bit of an issue, but more pressingly I suspect they're going to come down quite a lot still.
Maybe I'll extend the search to a decent Touring. Is the economy any worse? I agree that's a bit of a moot point when you're talking about 20-something MPG anyway though. My main fear is being designated the company workhorse actually - the moment I have an estate every trip to the tip and every exhibition that we attend will see my car full to the rafters with junk.
My slight reservation about the E46 Compact is they seem to be quite a lot of money still. That in itself is a bit of an issue, but more pressingly I suspect they're going to come down quite a lot still.
Maybe I'll extend the search to a decent Touring. Is the economy any worse? I agree that's a bit of a moot point when you're talking about 20-something MPG anyway though. My main fear is being designated the company workhorse actually - the moment I have an estate every trip to the tip and every exhibition that we attend will see my car full to the rafters with junk.
Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 29th April 10:37
Chris71 said:
Would space for two bikes be a foregone conclusion in the Compact even?
My slight reservation about the E46 Compact is they seem to be quite a lot of money still. That in itself is a bit of an issue, but more pressingly I suspect they're going to come down quite a lot still.
Maybe I'll extend the search to a decent Touring. Is the economy any worse? I agree that's a bit of a moot point when you're talking about 20-something MPG anyway though. My main fear is being designated the company workhorse actually - the moment I have an estate every trip to the tip and every exhibition that we attend will see my car full to the rafters with junk.
If you fold the rear seats down you'll get 2 bikes in a Compact.My slight reservation about the E46 Compact is they seem to be quite a lot of money still. That in itself is a bit of an issue, but more pressingly I suspect they're going to come down quite a lot still.
Maybe I'll extend the search to a decent Touring. Is the economy any worse? I agree that's a bit of a moot point when you're talking about 20-something MPG anyway though. My main fear is being designated the company workhorse actually - the moment I have an estate every trip to the tip and every exhibition that we attend will see my car full to the rafters with junk.
Edited by Chris71 on Thursday 29th April 10:37
An E36 Touring will give very similar mpg to the equivalent engined saloon or coupe
Hmm, okay well I think this limits the BMW option to a very small chance: Find a low-ish mileage good condition 328 touring that's good enough to justify spending some money on (to replace the suspension bits). There seem to be very few around locally and I rekcon the E46 is still too expensive in the sort of spec I'd want it. Otherwise it's a Skoda Octavia vRS or just a few bits to smarten up the Focus.
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