Looking for E36 318i, 323 or 328 auto coupe
Discussion
Hi, I was a BMW driver during most of my younger days and had most pleasure when driving my 323 coupe.
Been looking for the right car for a while but with little joy, I am after any of the above with around 50k miles and history.
willing to travel, any help sourcing will be really appreciated.
Been looking for the right car for a while but with little joy, I am after any of the above with around 50k miles and history.
willing to travel, any help sourcing will be really appreciated.
You might have to widen the mileage parameter a bit to 70k, but there will be one out there. Forget the 318i, a 318iS is minimum really.
Try these guys:
https://oldcolonelcars.co.uk
Try these guys:
https://oldcolonelcars.co.uk
For the man who said they don't exist...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/153138247483?roken=cU... This just popped up on the E32/E34 FB group, err even though it's an E36! OP did you specifically want an autobox?
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/-/153138247483?roken=cU... This just popped up on the E32/E34 FB group, err even though it's an E36! OP did you specifically want an autobox?
Not always a good idea to buy a low mileage M52 with the nikasil cylinder linings though. I bought a 39k-mile 328i in 2016 and the engine needed replacing. My local indy used to work for BMW main dealer and advised me the low mileage cars are more prone to bore wear.
If I was buying now I'd go for a late '98 car or after, or else a '95 or earlier M50-engined car.
If I was buying now I'd go for a late '98 car or after, or else a '95 or earlier M50-engined car.
There were plenty of non-nikasil 328s about
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132684895671
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153043704275
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132684895671
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153043704275
Edited by pvogue on Wednesday 15th August 22:48
pvogue said:
There were plenty of non-nikasil 328s about
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132684895671
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153043704275
Those are some crazy valuations. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/132684895671
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153043704275
Edited by pvogue on Wednesday 15th August 22:48
BGarside said:
Not always a good idea to buy a low mileage M52 with the nikasil cylinder linings though. I bought a 39k-mile 328i in 2016 and the engine needed replacing. My local indy used to work for BMW main dealer and advised me the low mileage cars are more prone to bore wear.
If I was buying now I'd go for a late '98 car or after, or else a '95 or earlier M50-engined car.
But.......but........but....... the BMW "experts" on here all say that it's no longer possible for a nikasil engine to fail after all these years, because they would have failed already if they had the bore wash/wear issue! If I was buying now I'd go for a late '98 car or after, or else a '95 or earlier M50-engined car.
Apparently, if the nikasil cars made it to 10 years plus, they were then instantly immune from failure!
Who on earth said that? 
You need be be careful with Nikasinatwist. They don't like short trips or repeated cold starts because the cold start fuelling is a bit lively. This one could be fine but really, I'd want a later one at that sort of coin. It may already have had a block swap - you can tell in 10 seconds if it has or not.
You need be be careful with Nikasinatwist. They don't like short trips or repeated cold starts because the cold start fuelling is a bit lively. This one could be fine but really, I'd want a later one at that sort of coin. It may already have had a block swap - you can tell in 10 seconds if it has or not.
4rephill said:
BGarside said:
Not always a good idea to buy a low mileage M52 with the nikasil cylinder linings though. I bought a 39k-mile 328i in 2016 and the engine needed replacing. My local indy used to work for BMW main dealer and advised me the low mileage cars are more prone to bore wear.
If I was buying now I'd go for a late '98 car or after, or else a '95 or earlier M50-engined car.
But.......but........but....... the BMW "experts" on here all say that it's no longer possible for a nikasil engine to fail after all these years, because they would have failed already if they had the bore wash/wear issue! If I was buying now I'd go for a late '98 car or after, or else a '95 or earlier M50-engined car.
Apparently, if the nikasil cars made it to 10 years plus, they were then instantly immune from failure!
If it's a low mileage car, the underlying Nikasil wear may not have become evident/symptomatic, consequently I'd be much more wary of such a purchase.
My 328 is one of the last NIkasil engines. Bought at 126k. Now on 205k. No Nikasil related issues.
g3org3y said:
If the car has already covered some decent mileage trouble free, you are unlikely to have issues (imho).
If it's a low mileage car, the underlying Nikasil wear may not have become evident/symptomatic, consequently I'd be much more wary of such a purchase.
My 328 is one of the last NIkasil engines. Bought at 126k. Now on 205k. No Nikasil related issues.
As is mine.If it's a low mileage car, the underlying Nikasil wear may not have become evident/symptomatic, consequently I'd be much more wary of such a purchase.
My 328 is one of the last NIkasil engines. Bought at 126k. Now on 205k. No Nikasil related issues.
Build date 11th of February 1998. Doesn't use a drop of oil...My old steel lined 328i used to need topping up every 2000 miles or so.
You say that but that isn't the question wrt nikasil.
I have owned 6 different 3/5 90's 6 cyl cars & they are all hit/miss wrt oil usage.
Of the ones I have owned I have had all capacities on the M series engines & some do & some don't use oil & there is mo pattern, it is allegedly more down to how they are treated in their early years.
I have owned 6 different 3/5 90's 6 cyl cars & they are all hit/miss wrt oil usage.
Of the ones I have owned I have had all capacities on the M series engines & some do & some don't use oil & there is mo pattern, it is allegedly more down to how they are treated in their early years.
E-bmw said:
You say that but that isn't the question wrt nikasil.
I have owned 6 different 3/5 90's 6 cyl cars & they are all hit/miss wrt oil usage.
Of the ones I have owned I have had all capacities on the M series engines & some do & some don't use oil & there is mo pattern, it is allegedly more down to how they are treated in their early years.
Good point.I have owned 6 different 3/5 90's 6 cyl cars & they are all hit/miss wrt oil usage.
Of the ones I have owned I have had all capacities on the M series engines & some do & some don't use oil & there is mo pattern, it is allegedly more down to how they are treated in their early years.
It just occurred to me that it would also be worth mentioning that I did go to see a '96 328i with the original nikasil block... It had an idle like a washing machine with a brick in it!
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