E36 328 running costs
Discussion
Currently contemplating the purchase of a nigh-on 8 year old 328 coupe. Just wondering if anyone out there can give an idea on running and parts costs, (eg. clutch, dampers, brakes, exhaust etc) and any guidance as to what I should be looking out for on a car of that age and mileage (85k).
Oh and does anyone know what the cost is of retro fitting M-tech suspension?
cheers in advance,
Adam
Oh and does anyone know what the cost is of retro fitting M-tech suspension?
cheers in advance,
Adam
I've had one as a cheap runabout for the last couple of years. So far it has cost me for a couple of services (Inspection 1 (IIRC) circa £300, oil service £100, both at main dealers) and thats it, this is with over 100k miles.
Everything else is rock solid and faultless, highly recommended, it even does around 30mpg on average.
Everything else is rock solid and faultless, highly recommended, it even does around 30mpg on average.
I drove from London to Monaco in mine a few years ago and averaged 37mpg. The 5-speed auto gearing is nicely set up for cruising; 70mph equates to just over 2,000rpm. My overall mpg average for the time I owned the car was 28mpg.
You can do the servicing yourself, since the engine bay bits are nicely accessible. If not, there are loads of independent specialists about.
Great car. Still miss it.
You can do the servicing yourself, since the engine bay bits are nicely accessible. If not, there are loads of independent specialists about.
Great car. Still miss it.
Ran a E36 328iSE to 214k miles and it ran like clockwork, though bits did slowly wear out, like wheel bearings, suspension bushes, p/s pump etc..
Bills were on the whole very cheap, no clutches, dampers needed changing, though the a/c compressor got punctured with a stone and needed replacement.
Brilliant car, averaged 33 mpg in mine (towed a twin axle trailer for karting and did lots of m/way driving) and it did 150 on the day I sold it!
Bills were on the whole very cheap, no clutches, dampers needed changing, though the a/c compressor got punctured with a stone and needed replacement.
Brilliant car, averaged 33 mpg in mine (towed a twin axle trailer for karting and did lots of m/way driving) and it did 150 on the day I sold it!
Mine has never returned less than 29mpg on an average half hour run with plenty of enthusiastic acceleration. Usually get 31.5mpg, and since actually trying to conserve a bit of petrol since the fuel shortage I managed to get an average of 37mpg the last few days on the same journey according to the computer! 
The mpg meter under the rev counter really made me adjust my driving style after buying the car.
The mpg meter under the rev counter really made me adjust my driving style after buying the car.Over 34mpg out of mine and that's with the climate permanently switched on and journeys covering a 50:50 mix of urban/rural roads.
It is said I drive like a grandad though!
As if.
Other major expenses are servicing (from £100 to £500) and tyres, around £150 each unless you drive like a grandad, then you could use tyres that are a lot cheaper.
>> Edited by sputnik on Saturday 17th September 11:02
It is said I drive like a grandad though!
As if.
Other major expenses are servicing (from £100 to £500) and tyres, around £150 each unless you drive like a grandad, then you could use tyres that are a lot cheaper.
>> Edited by sputnik on Saturday 17th September 11:02
I ran a 1993 325i until early this year and it ran like a dream until last summer. I don't think I ever had to top up oil between services. When I bought it at 90k it had nackered suspension and was a death trap. It wasn't too expensive to get it all replaced at Micheldever Tyres though.
However...
Once I got above 130k miles it really did start costing - the sunroof failed, the bushes in the suspension went, and then the gearbox went. The costs were scaring me so I sold it at 143k miles.
In the 325 I could get 37mpg at 60mph on the motorway, and averaged about 30mpg.
However...
Once I got above 130k miles it really did start costing - the sunroof failed, the bushes in the suspension went, and then the gearbox went. The costs were scaring me so I sold it at 143k miles.
In the 325 I could get 37mpg at 60mph on the motorway, and averaged about 30mpg.
Over 30mpg? I don't think were driving it hard enough!
I averaged less than 27mpg from my 325i se. Only major expense was the air conditioning compressor. Apart from that it sailed through every MOT and I'd kept up the BMW service history on it too. I don't know whether that made much difference to the overall condition of it.
Didn't really cost too much to run. Think of the amount of parts you have to keep putting on a Ford to keep them going!
I still see the old girl every now and again. Nice to know the new owner keeps her clean.
I believe you should get better mpg from a 328 than a 325.
I averaged less than 27mpg from my 325i se. Only major expense was the air conditioning compressor. Apart from that it sailed through every MOT and I'd kept up the BMW service history on it too. I don't know whether that made much difference to the overall condition of it.
Didn't really cost too much to run. Think of the amount of parts you have to keep putting on a Ford to keep them going!
I still see the old girl every now and again. Nice to know the new owner keeps her clean.
I believe you should get better mpg from a 328 than a 325.
abarber said:
Any links to before / after dyno plots with these mods? Thinking about one as a hack / cheap track car.
www.328sport.dsl.pipex.com/
tell me moreReminds me of a question from my missus:
Q. "What is that little needle under the rev for?"
A. "It tells you how much fun the car is having"
FWIW I get between 220 and 250 miles on a full tank (E36 cabriolet) (mainly around town) but managed 320 miles on a mainly m-way journey once.
How many gallons to a tank?
Q. "What is that little needle under the rev for?"
A. "It tells you how much fun the car is having"
FWIW I get between 220 and 250 miles on a full tank (E36 cabriolet) (mainly around town) but managed 320 miles on a mainly m-way journey once.
How many gallons to a tank?
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