RE: Shed of the Week: BMW 325i (E36) Convertible
Discussion
E36GUY said:
leon9191 said:
I think the E36 has aged really well now when you compare them to everything else of the same vintage. They drive lovely as well.
Agreed. We have an S Reg 323i (325) Touring which is still in use daily. Only 90,000 on the clock and runs perfectly. Old faithful.Great shed, looks very original. In addition I note it has a/c which I've found isn't that common on the (earlier) cabrios.
This has the M50 2.5 and at this age it'll have VANOS (variable valve timing). Really really nice engine, loves to rev and sound very nice. Quite a step up from the older 12v M20 in the E30 IMO in terms of usability (though the older M20 sounds even better, esp sans cat).
Autobox on this is decent. 5 speed (the E30 was 4 speed) and shifts well in 'Sport' mode.
Leins said:
Really like that, good shed! Some interesting smaller-engined Alpina E36s exist too that won't break the bank if you can find one
Agreed! only1ian said:
Id have that! Top summer shed...
How different is the engine and gearbox from the last of the E30's? The auto shifter looks remarkably similar to the one in my 1990 E30 325
Not sure on the gearbox, but in terms of engine the E36's is a 24v unit, rather than the E30s 12v, producing an extra 20 or so bhp. IME, the later engines feel a little less "torquey" in reality, there seems like a bit more going on in the E30s lower rev-range, if that makes sense. Both still a joy to rev out to the red-line of course though How different is the engine and gearbox from the last of the E30's? The auto shifter looks remarkably similar to the one in my 1990 E30 325
This has the M50 2.5 and at this age it'll have VANOS (variable valve timing). Really really nice engine, loves to rev and sound very nice. Quite a step up from the older 12v M20 in the E30 IMO in terms of usability (though the older M20 sounds even better, esp sans cat).
Autobox on this is decent. 5 speed (the E30 was 4 speed) and shifts well in 'Sport' mode.
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that something cannot be right here. Is the car a dud, or is the owner "not all there"? A BMW, with not too bad mileage for the age, not too many owners, and being of the non-roof variety and for sale in SUMMER......for less than a grand.....hmmmmmmmmm
For once I just can't help but think if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
For once I just can't help but think if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
leon9191 said:
Ah mate I sold my 323i saloon earlier in the year it was an absolute gem with 98k on it but I needed an estate car for the mountain bikes, I wanted e36 touring but ended up with a Saab 95 turbo which on balance is sh!te.
That's a shame. I thought the 9-5s were supposed to be pretty good. Friend at work loved his (although I could see rust coming through big style - which I hated). What's the sh!teness for you?kellyt said:
leon9191 said:
Ah mate I sold my 323i saloon earlier in the year it was an absolute gem with 98k on it but I needed an estate car for the mountain bikes, I wanted e36 touring but ended up with a Saab 95 turbo which on balance is sh!te.
That's a shame. I thought the 9-5s were supposed to be pretty good. Friend at work loved his (although I could see rust coming through big style - which I hated). What's the sh!teness for you?I got it as a second car and it is good for lugging bikes and loads of other stuff but the climate control is odd and counter intuitive to use, the car beeps all the time for no obvious reason and the key in the centre console drives me mad!!!!
Also I'm pretty sure its on the verge of a catastrophic engine failure.
EnglishTony said:
Leins said:
Also, Alpina's SwitchTronic was available from an early stage in the E36 B3. It wasn't based on a manual box like SMG1 in the M3, but it did have changers on the steering wheel. Was this the first road-car offered with them?
Not sure. The Ferrari 355 F1 had them 1997. Was the Alpina available before that?I'm a big fan of the E36. My Mrs previously having owned a saloon and then a coupe. I have fond memories of the excellent driving position, handling, and build quality.
As much as I like this car, I fear the auto box would spoil it for me. Last time I compromised and bought an auto it was a 5th gen JDM Prelude 2.2 which should have been a great car but was such a disappointment that I sold it after 6 months.
I'm sure modern cars have come a long way since the clunky old boxes of the 90's. But this isn't a modern car.
As much as I like this car, I fear the auto box would spoil it for me. Last time I compromised and bought an auto it was a 5th gen JDM Prelude 2.2 which should have been a great car but was such a disappointment that I sold it after 6 months.
I'm sure modern cars have come a long way since the clunky old boxes of the 90's. But this isn't a modern car.
chrislloyd81 said:
I'm a big fan of the E36. My Mrs previously having owned a saloon and then a coupe. I have fond memories of the excellent driving position, handling, and build quality.
As much as I like this car, I fear the auto box would spoil it for me. Last time I compromised and bought an auto it was a 5th gen JDM Prelude 2.2 which should have been a great car but was such a disappointment that I sold it after 6 months.
I'm sure modern cars have come a long way since the clunky old boxes of the 90's. But this isn't a modern car.
I've been daily shedding an E36 320i auto for the last 6 months, and to be fair, while not great the box isn't terrible at all. I've driven cars built within the last 3 years with much worse.As much as I like this car, I fear the auto box would spoil it for me. Last time I compromised and bought an auto it was a 5th gen JDM Prelude 2.2 which should have been a great car but was such a disappointment that I sold it after 6 months.
I'm sure modern cars have come a long way since the clunky old boxes of the 90's. But this isn't a modern car.
On my second E36 now, a 323i Auto touring, the first being a 320i manual coupe.
The current one is 18 but still feels solid, and even with an auto box still makes you smile in sport mode. Sure it's saving me a few MPGs also as it defaults to economy mode changing up at about 3500rpm max just as the VANOS is kicking in. With a manual box i'd be going all the way to 6000rpm every gear for that lovely rasp.
The current one is 18 but still feels solid, and even with an auto box still makes you smile in sport mode. Sure it's saving me a few MPGs also as it defaults to economy mode changing up at about 3500rpm max just as the VANOS is kicking in. With a manual box i'd be going all the way to 6000rpm every gear for that lovely rasp.
PoopahScoopah said:
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that something cannot be right here. Is the car a dud, or is the owner "not all there"? A BMW, with not too bad mileage for the age, not too many owners, and being of the non-roof variety and for sale in SUMMER......for less than a grand.....hmmmmmmmmm
For once I just can't help but think if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
I'd have thought that price was sensible for a perfectly OK (but rather old and in absolutely average condition) car that its owner wants sold? Maybe you could get a bit more for it, but how much more? It's no Rolls Royce, it's 20+ years old, it's got a 2.5L petrol engine, it's got an automatic, and there's no aircon and no cruise control.For once I just can't help but think if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
I'd also like to point out that it doesn't even have a proper roof.
I've been considering one of these 325s or a 328i ever since selling my E36 M3 pictured. Always regretted selling it, and particularly miss the distinctive metallic engine noise which sounded glorious through the canvas roof and the roar that came under load was just awesome. This has to be my favourite SOTW for some time.
Looks in nice nick that.
I'll admit that I clicked the ad link hoping it might be closer. I reckon I could justify it as a fun second car for those odd occasions we need more than the one car we've got.
I hear Shed on the ladies car front. I spent a year in the early noughties selling ad space in the Motors section of some local Midlands papers. I remember one place in Sutton Coldfield had a Merc CLK cab in that had been ordered new by Sharron Davies. That car was turquoise with matching leather.
I'll admit that I clicked the ad link hoping it might be closer. I reckon I could justify it as a fun second car for those odd occasions we need more than the one car we've got.
I hear Shed on the ladies car front. I spent a year in the early noughties selling ad space in the Motors section of some local Midlands papers. I remember one place in Sutton Coldfield had a Merc CLK cab in that had been ordered new by Sharron Davies. That car was turquoise with matching leather.
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