BMW E36 328i Sport - What are they like?
Discussion
Having never driven a E36, let alone a 328i and wondering what they're like to own and drive more importantly!
Have had many E46 in different guises both petrol and diesel so I know older BMW usual maintenance bushes etc and looking for the next daily (petrol of course) which could be one of these as they seem doable and look fun to drive compared to my current E46 330D Touring.
Feel free to post photos of yours!
Cheers
Have had many E46 in different guises both petrol and diesel so I know older BMW usual maintenance bushes etc and looking for the next daily (petrol of course) which could be one of these as they seem doable and look fun to drive compared to my current E46 330D Touring.
Feel free to post photos of yours!
Cheers
A lot slower than an E46 330d (despite figures), worse handing too-the 36 will snap into over steer. The 46 330d can also be mapped easily for good gains. The 328 can get an increase but at quite an expense.
(I’ve owned an E36 328, E46 328 and 2 330ds. Now on a flawed unreliable E91 335d!)
I wouldn’t recommend an E36 as a daily driver as most are rusty and need some tlc.
(I’ve owned an E36 328, E46 328 and 2 330ds. Now on a flawed unreliable E91 335d!)
I wouldn’t recommend an E36 as a daily driver as most are rusty and need some tlc.
A pretty capable all-rounder. Lovely smooth engine with ample low to mid-range punch.
The ride is firm at low speeds, but still well damped and quite supple when pressing on. In all honesty, it's more than adequate for spirited road use and maybe more, as from factory the Avus suspension package is similar to the Bilstein B12 kit.
(Yellow Monotube shocks and lowering springs)
The steering is nicely weighted, no doubt helped by the eccentric bushes in the front lower control arms.
Add in the fact that they came with full or half leather sports seats, digital climate control and seating for five, They are easy to live with on a daily basis.
The ride is firm at low speeds, but still well damped and quite supple when pressing on. In all honesty, it's more than adequate for spirited road use and maybe more, as from factory the Avus suspension package is similar to the Bilstein B12 kit.
(Yellow Monotube shocks and lowering springs)
The steering is nicely weighted, no doubt helped by the eccentric bushes in the front lower control arms.
Add in the fact that they came with full or half leather sports seats, digital climate control and seating for five, They are easy to live with on a daily basis.
Cheers all so far, yeah must be plenty of rough ones around to avoid if using all the time as it’ll only get worse. And yes rust. Just looking forward to something more involving - manual and a petrol really.
My E46 at the moment has the B14 kit on it, so B12 Ride quality will be more than welcome
Hope there’s a nicely sorted one out there in which I’ll put some miles on!
My E46 at the moment has the B14 kit on it, so B12 Ride quality will be more than welcome
Hope there’s a nicely sorted one out there in which I’ll put some miles on!
Find an unmolested one in good (rust free!) condition and you're doing well. I think values are going up on all E36 328i, let alone the Sport model. Also quite a lot of autos out there.
[E36 fanboy]I think an E36 328i Sport on the BBS cross spokes is one of the best looking BMWs[/E36 fanboy]
Can't comment on the ride/handling aspects as never owned a Sport model, but IMO the engine is great. I took my 328i Touring to 215k miles and the engine was the strongest part of it. I used to change oil every 8-10k miles and more often than not spark plugs as well. Had the original coil packs. Cooling system is the weakest bit.
[E36 fanboy]I think an E36 328i Sport on the BBS cross spokes is one of the best looking BMWs[/E36 fanboy]
Can't comment on the ride/handling aspects as never owned a Sport model, but IMO the engine is great. I took my 328i Touring to 215k miles and the engine was the strongest part of it. I used to change oil every 8-10k miles and more often than not spark plugs as well. Had the original coil packs. Cooling system is the weakest bit.
helix402 said:
I wouldn’t recommend an E36 as a daily driver as most are rusty and need some tlc.
You can daily, but you have to be on top of the bodywork.J.R.Slider said:
A pretty capable all-rounder. Lovely smooth engine with ample low to mid-range punch.
...
Add in the fact that they came with full or half leather sports seats, digital climate control and seating for five, They are easy to live with on a daily basis.
I'd agree with that. ...
Add in the fact that they came with full or half leather sports seats, digital climate control and seating for five, They are easy to live with on a daily basis.
If you can find decent one they are a do everything analoge modern classic car.
I find mine as happy cruising on long motorway distances as it is being "enjoyed" on narrow lanes.
They do however require a fair bit of commitment and maintenance to keep in tip top condition. Unfortunately for buyers this is being reflected in the prices at some dealers.
If you want to know what they drive like etc. mine was reviewed on JayEmm's YouTube channel last year.
I find mine as happy cruising on long motorway distances as it is being "enjoyed" on narrow lanes.
They do however require a fair bit of commitment and maintenance to keep in tip top condition. Unfortunately for buyers this is being reflected in the prices at some dealers.
If you want to know what they drive like etc. mine was reviewed on JayEmm's YouTube channel last year.
Out of all the cars I’ve owned (27) it was my favourite, fast enough, pretty good to drive. I had an M-Sport auto with an LSD, in Silver with BBS wheels an no spoiler.
Mine wasn’t rusty but had the usual failures such as Waterpump, thermostat housing and cam sensor failing.
Otherwise I loved it.
Mine wasn’t rusty but had the usual failures such as Waterpump, thermostat housing and cam sensor failing.
Otherwise I loved it.
Bertrum said:
Out of all the cars I’ve owned (27) it was my favourite, fast enough, pretty good to drive. I had an M-Sport auto with an LSD, in Silver with BBS wheels an no spoiler.
Mine wasn’t rusty but had the usual failures such as Waterpump, thermostat housing and cam sensor failing.
Otherwise I loved it.
I had the 323i saloon. Got rid after 19 years. Had the water pump impeller failure. Rust got to it in the end. I would have bought the same again if they still made it. Nat Asp so low down torque was the weak point, but vibration free at 600rpm in top gear. Silky smooth engine.Mine wasn’t rusty but had the usual failures such as Waterpump, thermostat housing and cam sensor failing.
Otherwise I loved it.
Pica-Pica said:
I had the 323i saloon. Got rid after 19 years. Had the water pump impeller failure. Rust got to it in the end. I would have bought the same again if they still made it. Nat Asp so low down torque was the weak point, but vibration free at 600rpm in top gear. Silky smooth engine.
I had the automatic 323i Touring and it was superb. Sill rust was the end of it. At 200k it used no oil and the gearbox - on original 1998 oil - worked like a charm. I owned a 328i Sport for a number of years, one of the last off the production line (March 1999 build). It had the M50 inlet manifold and an LSD from the 3.0 M3 (which also lowers the ratios slightly), camber adjustment plates to dial out the understeer, otherwise factory standard including the BBS split rim wheels and Avus (Bilstein B12) suspension which I refreshed during my ownership.
It was a fantastic car to drive; not massively quick even with the added top end from the manifold upgrade and lower gearing of the diff, but in terms of the sound, feedback and just general feel of the car. I've since owned an E46 330Ci Sport coupe and an E91 330i M-Sport Touring, all manual, each a little quicker than the previous incarnation, but ultimately each a little less satisfying. The electronic throttle of the E46 was definitely a step down from the cable throttle of the E36 in terms of response and feel, and the M54 engine lovely as it is doesn't sound quite as nice as the M52. Out of the three I'd say the E36 was the most enjoyable to drive quickly on a country road, despite being easily the slowest (both power and cornering speed).
The E36 isn't a realistic option for me these days, due to lack of isofix, lack of space, and me not having the time nor the tools to keep on top of rust. But if I didn't have such restrictions I'd happily have my old one back. It may or may not be quicker than a 330d but that's not the point - it's going to be a far more interesting drive and how many journeys are undertaken with someone standing at the start/end points holding a stopwatch?
It was a fantastic car to drive; not massively quick even with the added top end from the manifold upgrade and lower gearing of the diff, but in terms of the sound, feedback and just general feel of the car. I've since owned an E46 330Ci Sport coupe and an E91 330i M-Sport Touring, all manual, each a little quicker than the previous incarnation, but ultimately each a little less satisfying. The electronic throttle of the E46 was definitely a step down from the cable throttle of the E36 in terms of response and feel, and the M54 engine lovely as it is doesn't sound quite as nice as the M52. Out of the three I'd say the E36 was the most enjoyable to drive quickly on a country road, despite being easily the slowest (both power and cornering speed).
The E36 isn't a realistic option for me these days, due to lack of isofix, lack of space, and me not having the time nor the tools to keep on top of rust. But if I didn't have such restrictions I'd happily have my old one back. It may or may not be quicker than a 330d but that's not the point - it's going to be a far more interesting drive and how many journeys are undertaken with someone standing at the start/end points holding a stopwatch?
I've had both an E36 328i and E46 330d, and the E36 was a far more enjoyable thing to pedal around. Much nicer engine, better throttle response, more steering feel, and was far happier wiglling it's hips coming out of junctions. Sadly I had to shift the E36 on due to rust and went for the E46 next. Slightly quicker, more comfortable, but a bit dull compared to the E36, and just as high maintenance with rust and it's appetite for bits of driveshaft.
I ended selling the E46 as I was bored of it, and bought a 1 Series Coupé instead - which seems far closer to the E36, but with modern rust protection and a lot more poke after the remap.
I ended selling the E46 as I was bored of it, and bought a 1 Series Coupé instead - which seems far closer to the E36, but with modern rust protection and a lot more poke after the remap.
My brother had one back in 2001. I really liked it. Looked good. He had M sport wheels. Drove nice. Not the most powerful but not underpowered either. From what I have read on these the cast iron blocks are the ones to go for. On the aluminium block versions, the aluminium and silicon lined cylinders experience issues at high mileage and once the head is off. The M50 block is the one to go for. He had an alpine head unit (removable face plate) fitted and it sounded great. Mechanically it was mostly sound bar the clutch. Previous owner must have enjoyed it a bit so clutch replaced at 60k. The rear main seal on the engine led to an oil leak. The sunroof required a reset once. The rest of it was not too bad. It was in an awkward lilac colour. Some rust on one of the exhaust mounts. Dad welded it. One window seal was a bit squeaky so that was replaced.
Super_GP said:
The M50 block is the one to go for.
M50 is a good engine, but it's also a heavy engine so there are advantages to the lighter M52 in the form of better handling and more available power (although the stock N52B28 is de-tuned and needs a replacement inlet manifold and ideally also a remap to release its potential).The issues of which you write (Nikasil bore linings which were corroded by high sulphur levels in fuel) affected some earlier M52 engines. Later engines had iron lined blocks so didn't suffer this issue and were very reliable.
Personally I'd be looking for the latest 328i Sport I could find. They are solid, very reliable engines, although as with almost all BMWs of this era the cooling system can be fragile due to extensive use of plastic components so preventative maintenance is highly recommended. As previously noted the biggest problems on the E36 are going to be rust related so I'd focus my concerns there.
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