BMW E36 Convertible - What to look for when buying?
Discussion
I want to buy a BMW E36 Convertible. I would like a 2.8 but I would consider a smaller 6 cylinder engined car. It must be an Auto and I would want a low mileage immaculate car. I have up to £7k to spend. Condition would be more important than age. I have a couple of questions....
Did they all come with a power hood?
What do I look for before buying one? is there any inherent faults?
Are there any websites / forums that any of you guys can point me to?
Thanks in advance.
Did they all come with a power hood?
What do I look for before buying one? is there any inherent faults?
Are there any websites / forums that any of you guys can point me to?
Thanks in advance.
The wife has had a 1997 328i Sport Convertible (manual) for the last 8 years. It's Madeira Violet with matching factory hardtop, E46 M Sport wheels and black sports leather.
Probably the best car we have owned for reliability. Body is rust-free and the interior still looks like new. It uses no oil or coolant between services - ever. Exhaust is the original - I wish BMW still built cars like this having just replaced one on my 2003 E46! Although we are thinking of upgrading to an E46 330i, it's been such a good car we keep putting it off.
Mileage is now 73K and it has just had to have new discs & calipers all round.
Only other things we have replaced are a hood cable, heater control panel and rear suspension bushes.
It averages 28MPG and a lot of that is busy commuting. I would go for the 328 as the 323 (2.5) engines are no cheaper to run.
They often rust around the wheelarches if not cleaned regularly. Main engine issue is the Nikasil engine problem which sometimes caused premature bore wear and high oil consumption. Many engines were replaced under warranty with 'Alusil' blocks. Obviously check the suspension and brakes as they are surprisingly heavy cars.
Later cars like mine have a fully automatic electric hood. Try and get one with the hardtop as it's great for our long, wet winters.
With your budget you could probably get a nice M3 though...
Probably the best car we have owned for reliability. Body is rust-free and the interior still looks like new. It uses no oil or coolant between services - ever. Exhaust is the original - I wish BMW still built cars like this having just replaced one on my 2003 E46! Although we are thinking of upgrading to an E46 330i, it's been such a good car we keep putting it off.
Mileage is now 73K and it has just had to have new discs & calipers all round.
Only other things we have replaced are a hood cable, heater control panel and rear suspension bushes.
It averages 28MPG and a lot of that is busy commuting. I would go for the 328 as the 323 (2.5) engines are no cheaper to run.
They often rust around the wheelarches if not cleaned regularly. Main engine issue is the Nikasil engine problem which sometimes caused premature bore wear and high oil consumption. Many engines were replaced under warranty with 'Alusil' blocks. Obviously check the suspension and brakes as they are surprisingly heavy cars.
Later cars like mine have a fully automatic electric hood. Try and get one with the hardtop as it's great for our long, wet winters.
With your budget you could probably get a nice M3 though...
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