I could be turning to the dark side!!!!!!!!

[car.chic]

I don't normally come into this forum. Seeking a bit of help really, shock horror i've seen a BMW i like, drove it and really liked it!

Anyway it was a 323 coupe, would be used daily going to appointments and i would be getting rid of the Celica for it only thing is it would be my only car for the summer (apart from the Alfa but that doesn't count!) before i look for a fun car this winter, would it survive runs out with PH etc.?

What should i look for? It looked like it could do with an oil change and only has half service history. Don't think i'll be going for that one but i was very surprised with the car on the whole.

BMW, you've surprised me

Edited by car.chic on Wednesday 4th April 16:33

[Neil_Bolton]

What year?

You'd do well to drive a 328 if you get a chance as they are not much more in price (if its an E36) and more importantly a Sport version - the extra power really does make it go, and its the same suspension as the E36 M3.

If its a newer one, then you are bound by price.

[car.chic]

Neil_Bolton said:

What year?

You'd do well to drive a 328 if you get a chance as they are not much more in price (if its an E36) and more importantly a Sport version - the extra power really does make it go, and its the same suspension as the E36 M3.

If its a newer one, then you are bound by price.

e36, 1997, P plate.

I'll have to go and have a drive of the 328, would a £4K e36 M3 be a total wreak? Not sure what i'm doing yet as if i keep the Celica i'll have more to spend come winter time but not sure so just looking at the moment.

[R_U_LOCAL]

4K for an e36 M3 is right down at the bottom end of the price range, so you should be asking why it's so cheap.

[Neil_Bolton]

car.chic said:

Neil_Bolton said:

What year?

You'd do well to drive a 328 if you get a chance as they are not much more in price (if its an E36) and more importantly a Sport version - the extra power really does make it go, and its the same suspension as the E36 M3.

If its a newer one, then you are bound by price.

e36, 1997, P plate.

I'll have to go and have a drive of the 328, would a £4K e36 M3 be a total wreak? Not sure what i'm doing yet as if i keep the Celica i'll have more to spend come winter time but not sure so just looking at the moment.

Not so much wreck (but yes probably) but how much would it cost to run: Insurance, Parts and Servicing - all double what running a non M-Car would cost.

An E36 328 Sport id probably 90% as fast and capable as an M3, however half as cheap to buy and run. Slightly less of an image issue too...

The E36 323 is supposed to be underrated, as its a detuned 325 in essence however, the 328 is much more of a car.

Have a read of this thread: www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=373345&r=5143795&hm=15957#5143795

[car.chic]

Very informative thankyou, i think i looked through most of that the first time though not in depth. Should all 328's be on a replacement engine because of this Nikasil?

[Neil_Bolton]

car.chic said:

Very informative thankyou, i think i looked through most of that the first time though not in depth. Should all 328's be on a replacement engine because of this Nikasil?

Not necessarily, however its consider 'on the safe side'.

[baz1985]

E36 328i Sport is a fantastic car. Try for a 97-98 car and check the Nikasil issue.

[car.chic]

baz1985 said:

E36 328i Sport is a fantastic car. Try for a 97-98 car and check the Nikasil issue.

Probably a stupid question but if there hasn't been a replacement engine without the issue how can you check for the Nikasil issue, oh and how can you prevent it if it is an original engine?

[Neil_Bolton]

car.chic said:

baz1985 said:

E36 328i Sport is a fantastic car. Try for a 97-98 car and check the Nikasil issue.

Probably a stupid question but if there hasn't been a replacement engine without the issue how can you check for the Nikasil issue, oh and how can you prevent it if it is an original engine?

Phone up BMW and ask - if it has been done, it'll show on the service records.

If it hasn't been done, consider wandering away - however you could say that if it hasn't happened by now, then it may never happen - but who knows;

From here: www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw_e36.html

"Do not buy an M52 320/323/328 with an alloy block made before 3/98 unless it's had a new engine under warranty or you get a compression check done. Sulphur in fuel causes premature bore wear which shows as a bad idle and lack of power. Only solution is a new block. This was a particular problem in the North of England. After the problems with the M60 V8 BMW NA were vary of the alloy block M52 and all (or maybe just early?) US cars had a steel block instead"

[derin100]

Would absolutely agree with all the above advice!

Faced with the same options I'd try to find a nice 328i (unless a truly exceptional 323i came along and you're not too bothered about performance)...maybe even spend a little more to get a good one at the outset. The price differential between the two is unlikely to be huge but the 328i will be much more of a car...and can be made even quicker (if you really need it?) relatively easily...and won't cost a lot more to run. £4K on an M3 is likely to be very dodgy territory indeed!

Take your time (there'll be plenty to choose from) and go for the best you can afford from the outset...I don't think you'll be disappointed! Good luck!

[car.chic]

derin100 said:

Would absolutely agree with all the above advice!

Faced with the same options I'd try to find a nice 328i (unless a truly exceptional 323i came along and you're not too bothered about performance)...maybe even spend a little more to get a good one at the outset. The price differential between the two is unlikely to be huge but the 328i will be much more of a car...and can be made even quicker (if you really need it?) relatively easily...and won't cost a lot more to run. £4K on an M3 is likely to be very dodgy territory indeed!

Take your time (there'll be plenty to choose from) and go for the best you can afford from the outset...I don't think you'll be disappointed! Good luck!

Not too bothered about performance? Well i might not be that bothered when my fun car comes but i am until that and thats all summer, no i don't want a sluggish car.

Maybe the 323 is the wrong option! I was reading about making the 328 quicker on the link to the 328 underated thread, could this be done at most reputable garages or would it have to go to BMW?

Just a few more questions:

Do all of them have traction control and can you switch it off?

What sort of top speed would a 328 have, and what sort of 0-60?

Do you get a lot of electrical faults? (might seem an odd question but they do seem to have a/c, climate control, electric this, electric that and from previous Alfa ownership it's a bonus if it works)