E36 328iS coupe, new track toy.
Discussion
As a lovely noob, I thought I'd get straight to business...
I've had a few bims, a couple of E34's and an E12 M535i. And now I've picked up a 328iS for £500. 165k on the clock, but a strong history, and it's been in a very mild front ender (bumper only). So I'm going to strip it out and have some fun with it.
I've got some info on it's chassis, mainly being the iS model it comes with the M3's LSD and such, but can anyone tell me with any conviction whether the brakes and shocks are M3 based (here's hoping) or regular cooking 3 series (most likely) or even unique?
I'm shopping for braided hoses, caliper kits, PU bushes and such and most places only list 3 series coupes or the M3. Before I go and get a load of stuff I'd like to be sure of what I'm shopping for.
Thanks in advance...
I've had a few bims, a couple of E34's and an E12 M535i. And now I've picked up a 328iS for £500. 165k on the clock, but a strong history, and it's been in a very mild front ender (bumper only). So I'm going to strip it out and have some fun with it.
I've got some info on it's chassis, mainly being the iS model it comes with the M3's LSD and such, but can anyone tell me with any conviction whether the brakes and shocks are M3 based (here's hoping) or regular cooking 3 series (most likely) or even unique?
I'm shopping for braided hoses, caliper kits, PU bushes and such and most places only list 3 series coupes or the M3. Before I go and get a load of stuff I'd like to be sure of what I'm shopping for.
Thanks in advance...
Apologies, I probably chose poor terminology using iS. It's a 328i sport coupe.
I'm having a test drive this weekend. The deal is with a mate, so it's as good as done unless it has a camchain with a death rattle or leaks oil like the Exxon Valdes.
It's a very early sport, as far as I can figure they only started in '95, which this is. I'll do some full lock turns to see if it's got the slippy diff. I'm hoping so. The difference in rear end control from the E34 (open diff) to the E12 (25% LSD) was huge. The 34 had me in trouble a few times, the 12 liked to move around but was ten times more progressive and simpler to catch. Shame it rusted like a Lancia.
The shocks are tired, especially the fronts, and the rear wishbones are doing their standard squeaking, so it'll have new shocks/bushes. Bilstein and Powerflex most likely. I'll leave the discs for now as they're only a couple of thousand miles old, but I'll re-seal the calipers, then new pads and blow the fluid through.
Thanks for the information guys, if there's anything else I might benefit from knowing I'll be glad to hear it.
cheers!
I'm having a test drive this weekend. The deal is with a mate, so it's as good as done unless it has a camchain with a death rattle or leaks oil like the Exxon Valdes.
It's a very early sport, as far as I can figure they only started in '95, which this is. I'll do some full lock turns to see if it's got the slippy diff. I'm hoping so. The difference in rear end control from the E34 (open diff) to the E12 (25% LSD) was huge. The 34 had me in trouble a few times, the 12 liked to move around but was ten times more progressive and simpler to catch. Shame it rusted like a Lancia.
The shocks are tired, especially the fronts, and the rear wishbones are doing their standard squeaking, so it'll have new shocks/bushes. Bilstein and Powerflex most likely. I'll leave the discs for now as they're only a couple of thousand miles old, but I'll re-seal the calipers, then new pads and blow the fluid through.
Thanks for the information guys, if there's anything else I might benefit from knowing I'll be glad to hear it.
cheers!
Gad-Westy said:
Check it definitely has a LSD. Not all sports do. If it has traction control (ASC) it won't have a LSD. Brakes are standard 328. Suspension is M-Tec rather than M3 though there are similarities. Good luck with it all. They're great cars.
May well have 'offset' bushes at the back of the front wishbones as well - 10mm longer wheelbase and slightly more caster than standard coupe.If the rack's leaking, try and get a Z3 one instead ( not Z3M one though) makes a big difference to the 'feel' of the car.
Can also fit an X-brace like on the E36 CSL to stiffen the whole thing up a bit
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I'd agree with that. As road cars there are a few nice touches about the sport that raise it above the standard model, but when you look under the skin there's very little difference. If you're changing the suspension, brakes etc... the premium makes little sense (except in the OP's case, where its cheap for any 328). The 318is is a slightly different matter as I think I'm right in saying that the engine is different to other 318's.Yeah the 318iS was a bit special. At that time the regular 318 was a SOHC with about 118bhp, the iS had a high revving twin cam worth just over 140bhp. It had better shocks and brakes than the 318, plus the LSD I believe.
the E30 318iS was better though as it was much lighter to the tune of about 200kg, but the suspension design was more basic. None of the fance Z link gear on the E36. Good E30's are worth a fair amount of money now.
<Edit>
"It's easy enough to check the block type if you know where to look for the tab on the later steel-liner blocks."
Is there anyone who can help with a visual identifier, other than the history papers?
I know the difference in the V8's but not the straight sixes.
the E30 318iS was better though as it was much lighter to the tune of about 200kg, but the suspension design was more basic. None of the fance Z link gear on the E36. Good E30's are worth a fair amount of money now.
<Edit>
"It's easy enough to check the block type if you know where to look for the tab on the later steel-liner blocks."
Is there anyone who can help with a visual identifier, other than the history papers?
I know the difference in the V8's but not the straight sixes.
Edited by carlosvalderrama on Thursday 1st November 09:00
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Yeah, not too fussed about the styling, so long as it's not a rusting shed. It's really to give my 330d Sport a bit of a break from track days now that it's starting to get on a bit.Would like to go for a 318is as it looks like you can get a nice one for £1k now, with the 328 normally being at least twice the price. Will try to keep it as standard as possible with the exception of removing the back seats/boot contents and fitting new springs.
Moose:
Top help there, I'll check it out on Sunday! It'll save me having to trawl through the history.
If it's still nikasil, but runs Okay I'm still going ahead. If it starts losing compression in the next year or two it'll be a good excuse to slip in a 540 motor.
And I agree with the 318iS. It's a cracking chassis and the engine is a great high revving thing, but, The E36 is knocking on 1300-1350kg. With 140bhp it can get a little frustrating, it reminded me of an 8v Mk2 golf GTi, which is no ball of fire. The 325/328 (192/193hp) feels like more than it's 50hp benefit due to the extra torque and midrange urge.
If you're chopping out the suspension, the only 318iS benefit is a little less mass in the nose and the slippery diff. The diff is a simple swap and the mass isn't a massive concern if you're just having fun! Plus there are plenty of trackable early E36 325's about for £1000.
Top help there, I'll check it out on Sunday! It'll save me having to trawl through the history.
If it's still nikasil, but runs Okay I'm still going ahead. If it starts losing compression in the next year or two it'll be a good excuse to slip in a 540 motor.
And I agree with the 318iS. It's a cracking chassis and the engine is a great high revving thing, but, The E36 is knocking on 1300-1350kg. With 140bhp it can get a little frustrating, it reminded me of an 8v Mk2 golf GTi, which is no ball of fire. The 325/328 (192/193hp) feels like more than it's 50hp benefit due to the extra torque and midrange urge.
If you're chopping out the suspension, the only 318iS benefit is a little less mass in the nose and the slippery diff. The diff is a simple swap and the mass isn't a massive concern if you're just having fun! Plus there are plenty of trackable early E36 325's about for £1000.
The 318is E36 is certainly a sweet handler. The difference is very noticable compared to a six, much less weight over the front wheels, more neutral. Not far off something like an MX5 for handling fun, apart from the sh*tty steering.
Pretty peaky though (the 1.8, later 1.9s are better), and a bit slow. Also the engine is more hot hatch than beemer, refinement isn't the best.
I'd go for a 328i that's had it's block changed.
Pretty peaky though (the 1.8, later 1.9s are better), and a bit slow. Also the engine is more hot hatch than beemer, refinement isn't the best.
I'd go for a 328i that's had it's block changed.
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