E36 328i coupe, manual.....yes or no?

[theironduke]

Right, got a chance to have one of these;

As per title...it's just been MOT'd and serviced and has a bit of road rent left.

Its a dark blue metallic colour, really nice actually, with grey leather. Wheel wise it's had what look like BBS split rims put on it, not chavvy, genuine splits, all with good quality rubber.

Not sure on mileage but it's not mega, maybe 120k?

I've only seen it from the outside (going for closer look and drive later) but it looks good, deep shine to the paint with only a tiny bit of rear arch bubbling as per any old E36.

Price for this Bavarian goodness? £800.

So people, yes or no?

Also any areas to check? I've only owned E30's before.

Taaa

[Liquid Knight]

Bargain. Get the 325 inlet manifold to de-restrict it and enjoy.

[bamberwell]

funny, just been considering a v.nice 328ci myself...can't really think of a reason NOT to buy it tbh

[rumple]

buy it deffo, replace the waterpump and put in genuine bmw antifreeze, same price as the halfords stuff, put good oil in and itll last forever

[falkster]

For that price it's pointless to not get it. As said get the inlet from the b25 to get a bit more out of it.
Pics?
It'll probably have rusty rear arches and scabby front wings??

[rumple]

btw 325 manifold and a m3 evo exhaust for noise couple of cheap mods that will transform it

[bamberwell]

hijacking the thread a little,but looking through "what's bad" on the honest john website, there seems to be an awful lot of potential expensive problems....is this an overly pessimistic view of the car?

[theironduke]

falkster said:

For that price it's pointless to not get it. As said get the inlet from the b25 to get a bit more out of it.
Pics?
It'll probably have rusty rear arches and scabby front wings??

Rust wise, just the edges of the rear arches, easily caught now and sorted.

Front wings are ok.

Oh and the blue is Avus i think....one of my favourite BMW colours!!!

[falkster]

Avus blue suits all modern BMWs other than the X5, great colour. A mate had a 530d sport and it looked fantastic in avus.

[falkster]

Ooops

[falkster]

bamberwell said:

hijacking the thread a little,but looking through "what's bad" on the honest john website, there seems to be an awful lot of potential expensive problems....is this an overly pessimistic view of the car?

Given the age of e36s now, you're always going to get potential issues but they're not an unreliable car.

[WeirdNeville]

Listen hard for suspension clonks/bangs.
Check any service history.
Check it's not been bent.

But at £800 if it's a runner with decent MOT on it then you won't go too far wrong.

[6potdave]

Had 3 all been perfect, my brother now runs a 1998 328i as his daily and that's also been problem free in the 15 months he's had it. Cracking cars, make sure the headgasket isn't buggared first though.

[theironduke]

The bind is.....

I don't really need another car and i've just sold one and bought a work van with some of the dosh....

Also part of me is saying that i should really be spending the money on the Chim, 800 would allow me to get some new shocks....cherry bomb....few other bits and bobs....oh and racing stripes

Buuuuuuut....if i bought the BMW i could use it during the bad weather and help look after the Chim, saving her from the nasty salt....

Hmmmm

[bazking69]

It's an engine that suits both a manual and an auto equally.

[Liquid Knight]

BTW 325/525 TD manifolds fit the petrol engine as well if you want to add a little boost.

[theironduke]

Liquid Knight said:

BTW 325/525 TD manifolds fit the petrol engine as well if you want to add a little boost.

Stop talking me into it!!

[Liquid Knight]

I'm selling everything I can (Free listing weekend) so I can buy an Alfa 155. So I know where you're coming from.

[snuffle]

Have you bought it yet ?

[theironduke]

snuffle said:

Have you bought it yet ?

Going to see it properly/have a drive in the morning....