E36/9 What to look out for?

[ferrisbueller]

Looking at getting one of these, anyone know of any buyer's guides please?

Any obvious recurrent themes to look for please?

Thanks

[ferrisbueller]

E36 320/3/8
E39 523/8.

So the sixes with a manual box, upto 2.5k probably.

Leaning towards the 8s. Funny market, they cost about the same (a 7er isn't much different either).

[ferrisbueller]

sparks_E39 said:

Advice I was given when looking at E39s...

You may as well get the more powerful model, they cost the same to run anyway. A 523i and 528i have pretty much the same MPG figures with identical service costs. Watch out for Nikasil problems in pre Sept 1998 engines. £2500 will probably get you into an average (110-120k) mileage late 98 early 99 car, but there are bargains around. These cars are known eat miles without major issues and a 120k example could be in much better condition than a 60k example, so buy on condition rather than mileage. Manuals are rarer, I went for the auto/steptronic and don't regret it, its a fantastic car and genuinely quite a bit of fun to drive, for what it is. FSH is important, even better if its from BMW or an indy.

Thanks. Is there a chassis or engine cut-in for the post Nikasil?

[ferrisbueller]

Shamelessly selfish bump.

[ferrisbueller]

touching cloth said:

(the car you cocks not me, before someone says it ).

Booo!