E36 328i Touring - how much of drivers' car?

[Synchromesh]

Thinking about one of these, but wondering how involving it would be to drive. Currently piloting a Volvo S60 T5 but looking for something more driver focused - namely RWD and naturally aspirated.

So, how much fun are the E36 328i tourings? How involving are they?

Do any have the LSD? How much difference would having one make?

Would it be suitable for the occasional track day?

ETA: As a drivers' car, how do they compare to an E46 330i touring?

[billywhizzzzzz]

had one of the last M sport 328i tourings for several years. Loved it when I got it - more, strangely, than my e36 M3 I also had at the same time... nice, sweet and torquey engine, good looks, but hardly a focussed driver's car. Hard to find a good one now. Had an e46 330d at the same time too that was a better car - much more modern, better handling, better interior. Still have my e30 325i touring that I also had at the same time, which charms me much more than the 328 did, although as I said, 328 still a good car. Still pretty quick IIRC - 7 secs to 60...?

[s m]

Autocar did an article a few years back where they rated an E36 328i saloon the best all-rounder of the 3-series' ( E21 -> E90 ) to that point. Not had a Touring version but they're not a bad car for the money. A LSD is easy to fit if you want to try one. So is a Z3 or late E46 rack to quicken the steering ratio
Autocar timed theirs at 6.1 to 60, 17.1 to 100 and 139 max

[m444ttb]

With suspension in good condition they are really quite nice to steer. I previously had a 328 coupe with an LSD and that was particularly good, but I still prefer my current 323i touring (auto!) to my wife's Focus ST even though it's much softer. Never going to be the sharpest tool on the road but certainly pleasant to drive vs much of the competition.

[s m]

m444ttb said:

With suspension in good condition they are really quite nice to steer. I previously had a 328 coupe with an LSD and that was particularly good, but I still prefer my current 323i touring (auto!) to my wife's Focus ST even though it's much softer. Never going to be the sharpest tool on the road but certainly pleasant to drive vs much of the competition.

I'd agree with Matt above. You definitely want shocks and bushes refreshed on the chassis front - if you opt for a LSD then get the proper Sport eccentric front wishbone bushes at the same time.

Out the factory they're a bit soft imo but a few little bits make them much nicer in the twisties. Preferred my 328i to the 330i I had personally.
Best way is try one....

Here's the test stats

Edited by s m on Saturday 14th July 09:10

[raymanh]

IIRC the estate has shorter gearing at the diff, making it accelerate slightly quicker that it's coupé and saloon variants. Though I read that on another forum so take it with a pinch of salt. Can anyone add to this?

[s m]

raymanh said:

IIRC the estate has shorter gearing at the diff, making it accelerate slightly quicker that it's coupé and saloon variants. Though I read that on another forum so take it with a pinch of salt. Can anyone add to this?

Yes, incorrect for the E36 but true often for the E30 325i.

Manual E36 328i Tourings got 2.93:1 ratio ( 3.07:1 if auto )

Common to fit 3.15:1 ratio off an E36 325i ( or E36 3.0 M3 ) to pep up acceleration

[m444ttb]

The 3.15 diff really makes a nice difference too. I'd be tempted on my 323 if it were a manual as I liked it so much on my 328.

[Frances The Mute]

They're a great base to modify to make a good drivers car.

I had a stock 328 touring which ended up with H&R coilies, LSD, Porsche BBK and plenty of little things like CAI, braided lines, polybushes CDV delete etc.

It turned into a fantastic car which gave plenty of smiles per miles. Equally as good for picking up piles of building materials as it was thundering down any road you wish to throw at it.

[kambites]

One of my lodgers had one at one point and I used to drive it a fair bit. I wouldn't call it a "driver's car"; it feels a lot heavier than it actually is and the suspension isn't particularly well set up - it's quite softly sprung but significantly under-damped making it feel decidedly wallowy.

It's probably a decent basis if you want to modify a car though - the engine is nice (when it works, my lodger's was pretty unreliable) and there's not much fundamentally wrong with the suspension geometry or chassis. Rear axle location isn't great, but it's not utterly uncontrolled and what movement there is quite predictable and just makes it entertainingly over-steery.

[jaik]

I've got one as a daily at the moment and I wouldn't say it's a driver's car. It's a great every day package though, the engine's punchy enough, the gearing's good for motorway cruising, the rear seats have plenty of leg room, the boot's nice and big etc. I'm averaging about 28mpg, the insurance is cheap and I can do the basic servicing myself, so running costs aren't bad.

I was down in the Alps with a group of mates a couple of weeks back and it was entertaining enough on the fun roads, but never felt like it was straining at the leash to be pushed hard, more like you were hustling it. Brakes are a weak point when you're pushing on, they just can't shed the heat quick enough and I've had mine smoking with a lot of fade a couple of times on downhills (oddly just the pads overheating, fluid was fine).

There are couple of videos from the Col de Turini here:
Following uphill — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJkSL_0eCio
On-board downhill — http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGSI1hBadEo

[s m]

m444ttb said:

The 3.15 diff really makes a nice difference too. I'd be tempted on my 323 if it were a manual as I liked it so much on my 328.

Have you tried a 3.07 diff Matt?

[redgriff500]

The Sport variants (I presume they do a Sport Touring) do feel considerably sportier.

I had an E36 Coupe and it isn't a great drivers car per se BUT for a cheap 5 seater it's better than most.

I later bought an E46 Touring and they are far LESS of a drivers car - you are too insulated from everything.

I'd love an E36 M3 Touring - never officially made but several have been converted with full M3 running gear.

[s m]

redgriff500 said:

The Sport variants (I presume they do a Sport Touring) do feel considerably sportier.

I had an E36 Coupe and it isn't a great drivers car per se BUT for a cheap 5 seater it's better than most.

I later bought an E46 Touring and they are far LESS of a drivers car - you are too insulated from everything.

I'd love an E36 M3 Touring - never officially made but several have been converted with full M3 running gear.

Just shows what a difference stiffer springs, arbs and monotube dampers make as along with extra caster those are the Sport differences ( you might already have the Mtech arbs and springs anyway )

Agreed about the E46 as well

[reggie82]

s m said:

m444ttb said:

The 3.15 diff really makes a nice difference too. I'd be tempted on my 323 if it were a manual as I liked it so much on my 328.

Have you tried a 3.07 diff Matt?

I have a 3.07 diff on mine. There's definitely a difference, not sure I would have noticed if I hadn't have known the mod had been made though?

I'd go 3.15 if you can though, I only went 3.07 because i bought a recently re-built LSD with that ratio, so knowing it had recently been rebuilt outweighed not being 3.15.