BMW newbie

[jimmyjam]

Just bought a cheap wagon for my wife...... a 96 318i touring. Really chuffed with it so far, seems a good looking and solid car for £1400. Never had a BM before, more into Italians so may be asking you guys some questions in future.
First off what E model do you call these, an E36?
Is there anything that usually goes on them that I should keep an eye on/ look out for?

[Gad-Westy]

jimmyjam said:

First off what E model do you call these, an E36?
Is there anything that usually goes on them that I should keep an eye on/ look out for?

Yep, E36.

Depends on mileage but rear trailing arm bushes usually go around 60,000-80,000 miles. Rust on rear arches (maybe ok on touring?). Other than that, very soild and less to worry about than most cars. hope you enjoy it.

[MitchT]

My E36 coupe goes through coil springs and suspension bushes faster than I'd like, although the harder sports suspension on the coupe combined with all the bloody speed-humps around where I live may be contributory factors. Keep an eye on condensation in the headlamp units too. It's a symptom of the design but that won't stop the MOT centre failing them if they're feeling that way out.

Sign up with the e36coupe.com forum at http://www.e36coupe.co.uk/forum/index.php - you don't have to have a coupe to join in - and you'll learn loads of useful stuff that'll save you money, including what to do with the headlamps to stop the condensation.

Edited by MitchT on Friday 5th October 20:25