3 years owner review - E36 328i coupe
Discussion
Just cross-posting this from another place I post, but thought some of you may like a quick read too 
In that time I've only actually covered about 10k miles in it because I don't do many miles a year.
It now has about 104k miles on the clock, which is less than average for a car of it's age and in fact, the majority of the engine has only done 33k since it's Nikasil-free replacement courtesy of BMW. Of course, the rest of the car has done the full mileage and a combination of it's age and mileage covered means that does show in a few ways.
So far in 2007, I've spent over £1400 on maintenance. Everything I've had done has had a positive impact on the car so I don't regret spending the money. It's never failed on me; it's all been pre-emptive stuff [though the way the Idle Control Valve caused it to occasionally cut out at traffic lights was a bit annoying]. I thought about selling it last year but couldn't find anything I'd rather have so decided to keep it and spend the money putting it right.
So how does it compare to when I bought it? Well, it tramlines less now but it doesn't feel quite as stable under braking on some surfaces. It doesn't feel as quick as it used to, but some of that may be my perception. It doesn't seem to put it's power down quite as well as it used to either. Fairly sure I know why that is, but it's not something that needs dealing with just yet because it's only a problem at full throttle.
No extra rattles; still just the one from the sunroof switchgear, which is quite impressive. Interior-wise, it's stood the test of time/mileage well. The gearlever and steering wheel shows some sign of use, but the seats and all other surfaces are unmarked. The driver's side window won't always go up in one go, but as the saying goes "They all do that, sir". It's a "feature" all the E36 coupes seemed to have at some stage and you get around it by winding it up a little bit at a time so the safety circuits don't interrupt.
Fuel economy has improved a bit recently. It's not as good as it was during the days of Optimax, but it's back up to approx. 21mpg for my mostly short journeys/around-town type driving. On the trip to York a few weeks back, it managed an average of 35mpg, which I was very happy with.
The day after the drive to York was a run across the Yorkshire Dales and into the Lake District. That involved a few "higher speed" runs and even in the damp conditions, the grip from the Yokohama tyres was very impressive. I've since had to replace the two rear tyres with Toyo Proxes so we'll see how they do. It handled that whole 650 mile trip very well actually.
What else... Well, I still love the way it looks. I stand by what I said when I bought it, which was that I consider the shape to be one of the best looking "everyday" cars ever made. Oh, for sure, it looks dated these days, but I'm not sure that's necessarily a bad thing. AirCon would be nice, but on all but the hottest days I get by happily enough using the basic ventilation controls available. I still enjoy driving it, taking it through the gears, etc. Sounds good, too.
Will I still have it in another three years? Highly unlikely. However, there's a reasonable chance I'll still have it come summer next year. It will depend what happens in my own life between now and then, what happens to the secondhand value of certain other cars, how much I'd be happy to spend... things like that. Basically, despite occasionally browing Autotrader, I'm content with what I have and this is still the car for me
Thanks for reading.
- *
In that time I've only actually covered about 10k miles in it because I don't do many miles a year.
It now has about 104k miles on the clock, which is less than average for a car of it's age and in fact, the majority of the engine has only done 33k since it's Nikasil-free replacement courtesy of BMW. Of course, the rest of the car has done the full mileage and a combination of it's age and mileage covered means that does show in a few ways.
So far in 2007, I've spent over £1400 on maintenance. Everything I've had done has had a positive impact on the car so I don't regret spending the money. It's never failed on me; it's all been pre-emptive stuff [though the way the Idle Control Valve caused it to occasionally cut out at traffic lights was a bit annoying]. I thought about selling it last year but couldn't find anything I'd rather have so decided to keep it and spend the money putting it right.
So how does it compare to when I bought it? Well, it tramlines less now but it doesn't feel quite as stable under braking on some surfaces. It doesn't feel as quick as it used to, but some of that may be my perception. It doesn't seem to put it's power down quite as well as it used to either. Fairly sure I know why that is, but it's not something that needs dealing with just yet because it's only a problem at full throttle.
No extra rattles; still just the one from the sunroof switchgear, which is quite impressive. Interior-wise, it's stood the test of time/mileage well. The gearlever and steering wheel shows some sign of use, but the seats and all other surfaces are unmarked. The driver's side window won't always go up in one go, but as the saying goes "They all do that, sir". It's a "feature" all the E36 coupes seemed to have at some stage and you get around it by winding it up a little bit at a time so the safety circuits don't interrupt.
Fuel economy has improved a bit recently. It's not as good as it was during the days of Optimax, but it's back up to approx. 21mpg for my mostly short journeys/around-town type driving. On the trip to York a few weeks back, it managed an average of 35mpg, which I was very happy with.
The day after the drive to York was a run across the Yorkshire Dales and into the Lake District. That involved a few "higher speed" runs and even in the damp conditions, the grip from the Yokohama tyres was very impressive. I've since had to replace the two rear tyres with Toyo Proxes so we'll see how they do. It handled that whole 650 mile trip very well actually.
What else... Well, I still love the way it looks. I stand by what I said when I bought it, which was that I consider the shape to be one of the best looking "everyday" cars ever made. Oh, for sure, it looks dated these days, but I'm not sure that's necessarily a bad thing. AirCon would be nice, but on all but the hottest days I get by happily enough using the basic ventilation controls available. I still enjoy driving it, taking it through the gears, etc. Sounds good, too.
Will I still have it in another three years? Highly unlikely. However, there's a reasonable chance I'll still have it come summer next year. It will depend what happens in my own life between now and then, what happens to the secondhand value of certain other cars, how much I'd be happy to spend... things like that. Basically, despite occasionally browing Autotrader, I'm content with what I have and this is still the car for me
Thanks for reading.
nice, i've had mine for about half what you've had yours.
i bought my 328 in december 2005 and while it cost me shed loads to sort my nikasil prob out
i do like the car. mine has the throttle sensor prob too which annoys the hell out of me! it doesn't cut it just nearly stalls and jumps back up, i will eventually get it changed.
when it had the low compression due to the nikasil prob it did used to cut out i guess now it's running right it can keep turning till the sensor stops acting up. anyway it hasn't done it for a month or 2 now touch wood!
mine isn't a sport but the handling is good for the car of it's size and weight. i came out of a MK2 MR2 Turbo to my 328 and it's a step down really. it's not as quick and not as chuckable but it is a lot more relaxing day today and i can get 4 in the BM so horses for courses i feel on that.
considering lowering mine still with the boge setup someone told me to try a while back but the suspension is ok still so when it's time to change i will probably do that.
i also want to try the throttle body and manifold mod from the 325 eventually too as i would like some extra beans under the right foot.
mines pretty tidy, it's got E46 wheels which suit it there the 6 or is it 7 spoke ones? in 17's
i've been happy with my car so far, i dunno what to get next but after a 4 port turbo to a big-ish straight 6 i think the next choice has to be a V8. although everyday i always consider a supercharger for the BM before parting completely with it we'll see....
nice post!
i bought my 328 in december 2005 and while it cost me shed loads to sort my nikasil prob out
i do like the car. mine has the throttle sensor prob too which annoys the hell out of me! it doesn't cut it just nearly stalls and jumps back up, i will eventually get it changed.when it had the low compression due to the nikasil prob it did used to cut out i guess now it's running right it can keep turning till the sensor stops acting up. anyway it hasn't done it for a month or 2 now touch wood!
mine isn't a sport but the handling is good for the car of it's size and weight. i came out of a MK2 MR2 Turbo to my 328 and it's a step down really. it's not as quick and not as chuckable but it is a lot more relaxing day today and i can get 4 in the BM so horses for courses i feel on that.
considering lowering mine still with the boge setup someone told me to try a while back but the suspension is ok still so when it's time to change i will probably do that.
i also want to try the throttle body and manifold mod from the 325 eventually too as i would like some extra beans under the right foot.
mines pretty tidy, it's got E46 wheels which suit it there the 6 or is it 7 spoke ones? in 17's
i've been happy with my car so far, i dunno what to get next but after a 4 port turbo to a big-ish straight 6 i think the next choice has to be a V8. although everyday i always consider a supercharger for the BM before parting completely with it we'll see....
nice post!
yeah i know and i get tempted but i'm sort of torn between. would like something new one day but then the next i want to better what i have.
i may do a few little tweaks as i should keep it for another year or 2. probably the longest car i've owned now!
it is good at what i need it for anyway and i can't stand cars without a bit of get up and go and the BM has just enough get up and go. plus the straight six when opened up sounds just so sweet!
actually it's that noise that makes me think 'actually i'll hang onto it a little longer'
i may do a few little tweaks as i should keep it for another year or 2. probably the longest car i've owned now!
it is good at what i need it for anyway and i can't stand cars without a bit of get up and go and the BM has just enough get up and go. plus the straight six when opened up sounds just so sweet!
actually it's that noise that makes me think 'actually i'll hang onto it a little longer'
GTS Turbo said:
yeah i know and i get tempted but i'm sort of torn between. would like something new one day but then the next i want to better what i have.
i may do a few little tweaks as i should keep it for another year or 2. probably the longest car i've owned now!
it is good at what i need it for anyway and i can't stand cars without a bit of get up and go and the BM has just enough get up and go. plus the straight six when opened up sounds just so sweet!
actually it's that noise that makes me think 'actually i'll hang onto it a little longer'
Just rebush it and stick new dampers on - will feel 100% better if the existing stuff has been on a while i may do a few little tweaks as i should keep it for another year or 2. probably the longest car i've owned now!
it is good at what i need it for anyway and i can't stand cars without a bit of get up and go and the BM has just enough get up and go. plus the straight six when opened up sounds just so sweet!
actually it's that noise that makes me think 'actually i'll hang onto it a little longer'
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