BMW E36 328i Touring
Discussion
Think I started a thread when I first bought this a couple of years ago but can't find it so hope you don't mind a new one.
This is my September 1998 E36 328i SE Touring in (I think) fern green.
Bought it from a family member just before 1st lockdown.
It had been unused and unloved for 6 months so I did a few jobs on it (new brakes, belts, service, thorough clean) and just used it.
Also had a bit of paint done where bird s
t had damaged the paintwork.
There's still damaged paintwork particularly on the roof and some other small scratches/pin sized dents which will need sorting in the future.
Having the headlining done this week (not cheap).
It's used regularly (commuted 60 miles to work in it today) and has just over 110k miles on the clock.
I've noticed slight whine from the rear over the last few journeys. Not sure if it needs diff oil changing or something else. Advice welcome.
Matts are my everyday ones, I have the originals but they get dirty very easily being beige
This is my September 1998 E36 328i SE Touring in (I think) fern green.
Bought it from a family member just before 1st lockdown.
It had been unused and unloved for 6 months so I did a few jobs on it (new brakes, belts, service, thorough clean) and just used it.
Also had a bit of paint done where bird s
t had damaged the paintwork.There's still damaged paintwork particularly on the roof and some other small scratches/pin sized dents which will need sorting in the future.
Having the headlining done this week (not cheap).
It's used regularly (commuted 60 miles to work in it today) and has just over 110k miles on the clock.
I've noticed slight whine from the rear over the last few journeys. Not sure if it needs diff oil changing or something else. Advice welcome.
Matts are my everyday ones, I have the originals but they get dirty very easily being beige
Lovely colour. Always admired the E36 touring especially the 328 but winter driving put me off, as did the 500mile weekly commute before company cars.
Previous thread if you want to see it - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Previous thread if you want to see it - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
ALBA MELV said:
Lovely colour. Always admired the E36 touring especially the 328 but winter driving put me off, as did the 500mile weekly commute before company cars.
Previous thread if you want to see it - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Thanks AlbaPrevious thread if you want to see it - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Quite a few cars before this I had a E36 318is which I did a 120 miles round trip to work in 5 days a week!
Quite a challenge when it was bad weather but otherwise pretty comfortable with full leather and climate.
tgr said:
Beautiful!
Assuming you changed the engine oil and coolant as part of your service, I'd change the diff oil unless you have evidence of it being done recently.
PS the cabin filter on these is a pig to get to, much easier on E46
Yes changed the oil, coolant, filters including cabin which wasn't easy.Assuming you changed the engine oil and coolant as part of your service, I'd change the diff oil unless you have evidence of it being done recently.
PS the cabin filter on these is a pig to get to, much easier on E46
Edited by tgr on Tuesday 12th July 14:38
Nice car OP, look forward to future updates 
Whilst the car didn't get stuck in the snow, the Winter road conditions certainly took their toll on the rear arches...!
ALBA MELV said:
Lovely colour. Always admired the E36 touring especially the 328 but winter driving put me off, as did the 500mile weekly commute before company cars.
Previous thread if you want to see it - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I was able to daily my 323i saloon through winter, my commute was only 3 miles long but I was surprised to say I didn't manage to get it stuck through the snowy conditions in N. Yorkshire. Welded diff helped no doubt, however AD08Rs on the front and Linglongs on the rear meant Winter performance could have been improved measurably by some Winter/all-season tyres (but where's the fun in that..?).Previous thread if you want to see it - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Whilst the car didn't get stuck in the snow, the Winter road conditions certainly took their toll on the rear arches...!
Very smart and classy, a 328i manual touring in that condition is a rare beast. Well worth looking after.
And i've learnt something new, I wasn't aware of fern green as a name but have seen a few in that shade. I would have guessed at Boston or Oxford which on looking at are different.
And i've learnt something new, I wasn't aware of fern green as a name but have seen a few in that shade. I would have guessed at Boston or Oxford which on looking at are different.
Maxus said:
Very smart and classy, a 328i manual touring in that condition is a rare beast. Well worth looking after.
And i've learnt something new, I wasn't aware of fern green as a name but have seen a few in that shade. I would have guessed at Boston or Oxford which on looking at are different.
Thanks and I did find the colour when I first bought it (spec sheet was still on the under side of the rear bench) and also emailed the original dealer (sticker still on car) who emailed back the spec but I've lost the emails And i've learnt something new, I wasn't aware of fern green as a name but have seen a few in that shade. I would have guessed at Boston or Oxford which on looking at are different.
hence why I put 'I think'.Lovely car, and the whining from the rear likely is the rear wheel bearings needing replacement.
If you need the car checking over, and someone who knows these cars inside out, it's worth giving carpetsoiler a PM as he runs a business now called Just Deustch specializing in 90's German cars and E36's are his main base.
If you need the car checking over, and someone who knows these cars inside out, it's worth giving carpetsoiler a PM as he runs a business now called Just Deustch specializing in 90's German cars and E36's are his main base.
Sf_Manta said:
Lovely car, and the whining from the rear likely is the rear wheel bearings needing replacement.
If you need the car checking over, and someone who knows these cars inside out, it's worth giving carpetsoiler a PM as he runs a business now called Just Deustch specializing in 90's German cars and E36's are his main base.
Thanks.If you need the car checking over, and someone who knows these cars inside out, it's worth giving carpetsoiler a PM as he runs a business now called Just Deustch specializing in 90's German cars and E36's are his main base.
It's not a constant whine, changes in pitch depending on if I'm on or off the gas pedal and sometimes disappears completely.
Seems to be from the rear centre of the car rather than one side but I'll check wheel bearings as well thanks.
I have a decent BMW specialist local to me (South Lincs) who's owner has just sold his 328i Touring and instantly regretted it
But no harm having another in reserve (location dependent).
GreatGranny said:
Maxus said:
Very smart and classy, a 328i manual touring in that condition is a rare beast. Well worth looking after.
And i've learnt something new, I wasn't aware of fern green as a name but have seen a few in that shade. I would have guessed at Boston or Oxford which on looking at are different.
Thanks and I did find the colour when I first bought it (spec sheet was still on the under side of the rear bench) and also emailed the original dealer (sticker still on car) who emailed back the spec but I've lost the emails And i've learnt something new, I wasn't aware of fern green as a name but have seen a few in that shade. I would have guessed at Boston or Oxford which on looking at are different.
hence why I put 'I think'.GreatGranny said:
Sf_Manta said:
Lovely car, and the whining from the rear likely is the rear wheel bearings needing replacement.
If you need the car checking over, and someone who knows these cars inside out, it's worth giving carpetsoiler a PM as he runs a business now called Just Deustch specializing in 90's German cars and E36's are his main base.
Thanks.If you need the car checking over, and someone who knows these cars inside out, it's worth giving carpetsoiler a PM as he runs a business now called Just Deustch specializing in 90's German cars and E36's are his main base.
It's not a constant whine, changes in pitch depending on if I'm on or off the gas pedal and sometimes disappears completely.
Seems to be from the rear centre of the car rather than one side but I'll check wheel bearings as well thanks.
I have a decent BMW specialist local to me (South Lincs) who's owner has just sold his 328i Touring and instantly regretted it
But no harm having another in reserve (location dependent).
If the diff needs rebuilding, good excuse to get a LSD installed (Gripper do quality plate style ones very similar to OEM) which improves winter driving as both wheels spin up and it's far more predictable.
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