1991 E36 325i Saloon
Discussion
e28525e said:
Mr Tidy said:
I seemed to have a thing about Mercedes back then, but I've seen the BMW light since and that looks fantastic! 
I think they've just started to fall into that classic category, unfortunately a bit too late. There are far more E30 325i's availableStill my first 2 Mercs were a W123 280e then a 190e so they might be classics now, although I don't think my W202 C280 Sport ever will be.
It certainly doesn't deserve to be!
A bit of an update on this.
I've done a few little bits. When I test drove the car at the dealer, there was a slight hesitation and popping from the exhaust under full throttle at low rpm. I mentioned this and he assured me all would be sorted before I bought the car. Upon collection, I was pleased to see that it had had full service, including plugs. I forgot to test the car at low rpm until I was almost at home, however - the issue was still there. It has become less noticeable with use but I suspect 02 sensor, as the car relies upon this at low revs and it feels like it is leaning out - at higher revs it runs perfectly. Also, as the engine/exhaust gets hotter, the issue becomes less apparent. I have had 3 diagnostic machines plugged into the port with no joy.
BMW wanted £200 for an 02 sensor - I couldn't quite stomach this, so have bought a £70 Bosch item from ebay. I have bought a cam sensor from BMW (£140). Even if it isn't this, a new sensor can really wake these BMW six pots up. They also really don't get on with aftermarket cam sensors.
Just before I pulled the trigger on both of these, I thought it was worth replacing the fuel filter - just in case this was affecting the running. Oddly, on the early cars, this is up under the inlet. It takes a bit of patience, which is probably why I found this:
Yep - it's never been changed. It even had an Insp 2 at BMW in 2010 when they replace the steering rack and column...but not the fuel filter. Never mind, it didn't fix any running issues. I managed to grab a good viscous from a mate and took a Meyle metal impeller waterpump (m50's originally came with a plastic impeller wp) and serp belt off another mates m52 I had sat in the corner at mine. This was the one on the 325i:
The 325i water pump was actually in good nick but they are known to fail and break up.
The bootlid lining also looked incomplete, I thought it was missing a bit of carpet. However, after sourcing a lining and trying to clip it in, it appeared that early cars just had a plastic panel that covered the lower half - this had to be removed in order to fit the fabric:
I think it looks much better now. It's odd that the early E36's left the factory this way. The loom in the engine bay also seems to have every possible plug dangling from it and the radiator plastic cover that funnels air to the alternator looks to be plasti-welded out of 3 different pieces. Then there's the rear bumper that looks to be a normal stock e36 bumper that hasn't had the top part colour coded but on closer inspection is actually a different moulding. All little things which are probably quite boring to most but I find interesting.
I gave the door card fabric a bit of a clean up. I had to be careful as the early interiors are made of the most feeble material.
I also gave the jacking points a clean up and a bit of Hydrate 80
A few post-wash pics:
I've done a few little bits. When I test drove the car at the dealer, there was a slight hesitation and popping from the exhaust under full throttle at low rpm. I mentioned this and he assured me all would be sorted before I bought the car. Upon collection, I was pleased to see that it had had full service, including plugs. I forgot to test the car at low rpm until I was almost at home, however - the issue was still there. It has become less noticeable with use but I suspect 02 sensor, as the car relies upon this at low revs and it feels like it is leaning out - at higher revs it runs perfectly. Also, as the engine/exhaust gets hotter, the issue becomes less apparent. I have had 3 diagnostic machines plugged into the port with no joy.
BMW wanted £200 for an 02 sensor - I couldn't quite stomach this, so have bought a £70 Bosch item from ebay. I have bought a cam sensor from BMW (£140). Even if it isn't this, a new sensor can really wake these BMW six pots up. They also really don't get on with aftermarket cam sensors.
Just before I pulled the trigger on both of these, I thought it was worth replacing the fuel filter - just in case this was affecting the running. Oddly, on the early cars, this is up under the inlet. It takes a bit of patience, which is probably why I found this:
Yep - it's never been changed. It even had an Insp 2 at BMW in 2010 when they replace the steering rack and column...but not the fuel filter. Never mind, it didn't fix any running issues. I managed to grab a good viscous from a mate and took a Meyle metal impeller waterpump (m50's originally came with a plastic impeller wp) and serp belt off another mates m52 I had sat in the corner at mine. This was the one on the 325i:
The 325i water pump was actually in good nick but they are known to fail and break up.
The bootlid lining also looked incomplete, I thought it was missing a bit of carpet. However, after sourcing a lining and trying to clip it in, it appeared that early cars just had a plastic panel that covered the lower half - this had to be removed in order to fit the fabric:
I think it looks much better now. It's odd that the early E36's left the factory this way. The loom in the engine bay also seems to have every possible plug dangling from it and the radiator plastic cover that funnels air to the alternator looks to be plasti-welded out of 3 different pieces. Then there's the rear bumper that looks to be a normal stock e36 bumper that hasn't had the top part colour coded but on closer inspection is actually a different moulding. All little things which are probably quite boring to most but I find interesting.
I gave the door card fabric a bit of a clean up. I had to be careful as the early interiors are made of the most feeble material.
I also gave the jacking points a clean up and a bit of Hydrate 80
A few post-wash pics:
Edited by e28525e on Thursday 24th December 20:29
Looks like this is up for sale now. Shame for me, as I’d probably have it. Why are those grey bumpers so enticing?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255782176456
And a video I found on this car a while ago.
https://youtu.be/7c0LmyD15x8
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/255782176456
And a video I found on this car a while ago.
https://youtu.be/7c0LmyD15x8
Hi folks, I just wanted to update this thread that the 91 325i E36 lives on in Ireland under myself. I have recently recommissioned it, now with a fresh MOT/NCT and can be found at many C&Cs.
I'm keen to hear about it's history and previous owners so feel free to comment or message me direct....if possible. How many owners and any significant work done.
It was the missing 'i' of 325i that confirmed the link as I recently had to secure the 'I' on again.
Pics taken Dec 2023
Another one saved.![](https://thumbsnap.com/sc/q29wNKXE.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/9u5aNpMo" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/9u5aNpMo.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/VDVnZRro" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/VDVnZRro.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/1B56wvzM" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/1B56wvzM.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/C7t8iktT" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/C7t8iktT.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="https://thumbsnap.com/qS2675ER" Target="_blank" rel="nofollow">[img]https://thumbsnap.com/sc/qS2675ER.jpg)
I'm keen to hear about it's history and previous owners so feel free to comment or message me direct....if possible. How many owners and any significant work done.
It was the missing 'i' of 325i that confirmed the link as I recently had to secure the 'I' on again.
Pics taken Dec 2023
Another one saved.
Thanks everyone, and yes the new 3 spoke steering wheel suits it well. Also needed to source an original head unit as it had a 90s Kenwood when I received it.
Curious to hear from 'e28525e' if they are available. I suspect the idle control valve needs replaced as lumpy idle when warm. Intake boot replaced to remove any split etc.
Curious to hear from 'e28525e' if they are available. I suspect the idle control valve needs replaced as lumpy idle when warm. Intake boot replaced to remove any split etc.
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