Bonjour! Just bought an E36 Coupe...
Discussion
Hi everyone!
I thought I'd sign up and say hello after having browsed here for a while.
This afternoon I went to look at (and bought) a 99 323i coupe, which I'm going to pick up on Saturday. Here's the link:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
I've wanted an E36 coupe since I was a kid, and seeing as an M3 was never going to be in my budget and nice 328i sports are impossible to find I felt like this was a good option - it's got the m-sport look that I like whilst being relatively sensible. I'll just pull off the 323i badge and no-one will know!
It is super clean and looks well cared for with all the stamps in the book, no hint of rust, the engine sounds wonderful and the leather isn't tired. I found a couple of things that needed addressing and so brought him down from the original (rather high) asking price to £2,200. I realise that's probably a bit generous but it is clean with low mileage, FSH and a new MOT so I'm not complaining.
Anyway I've got a couple of questions as I return to the joyous world of BMW ownership (I had an E30 320i coupe a few years ago).
Firstly in your collective opinion what sort of wheels do you reckon I should swap to? In the flesh those MV2s don't look too bad, but I will be embarrassed to be driving around with the 'wrong' wheels for too long... It looks like you can get M3 wheels (5 spoke or 'sunflower') or BBSs fairly easily on eBay, but I can't make my mind up!
Secondly are there any immediate maintenance recommendations you would make? Would it be worth just getting it serviced for peace of mind?
Also the sports steering wheel is disappointingly grubby. My old E30's leather wheel was nice and smooth with 150k miles worth of wear, but this is a little bit tatty. Is there any point in trying to polish it or something?
And does anyone know if that gear knob is original or should it have a leather one?
Thanks in advance, I can't wait to open it up on the Fosse Way and enjoy some straight 6 RWD goodness!
I thought I'd sign up and say hello after having browsed here for a while.
This afternoon I went to look at (and bought) a 99 323i coupe, which I'm going to pick up on Saturday. Here's the link:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
I've wanted an E36 coupe since I was a kid, and seeing as an M3 was never going to be in my budget and nice 328i sports are impossible to find I felt like this was a good option - it's got the m-sport look that I like whilst being relatively sensible. I'll just pull off the 323i badge and no-one will know!
It is super clean and looks well cared for with all the stamps in the book, no hint of rust, the engine sounds wonderful and the leather isn't tired. I found a couple of things that needed addressing and so brought him down from the original (rather high) asking price to £2,200. I realise that's probably a bit generous but it is clean with low mileage, FSH and a new MOT so I'm not complaining.
Anyway I've got a couple of questions as I return to the joyous world of BMW ownership (I had an E30 320i coupe a few years ago).
Firstly in your collective opinion what sort of wheels do you reckon I should swap to? In the flesh those MV2s don't look too bad, but I will be embarrassed to be driving around with the 'wrong' wheels for too long... It looks like you can get M3 wheels (5 spoke or 'sunflower') or BBSs fairly easily on eBay, but I can't make my mind up!
Secondly are there any immediate maintenance recommendations you would make? Would it be worth just getting it serviced for peace of mind?
Also the sports steering wheel is disappointingly grubby. My old E30's leather wheel was nice and smooth with 150k miles worth of wear, but this is a little bit tatty. Is there any point in trying to polish it or something?
And does anyone know if that gear knob is original or should it have a leather one?
Thanks in advance, I can't wait to open it up on the Fosse Way and enjoy some straight 6 RWD goodness!
I agree with you about swapping those alloys as they are the wrong ones for the car, however m3 ones will also not be right but better. I'm guessing it may be harder to find some original ones for the 323 in good condition but I'd try and find them first if it were me but I like things oem. Also I'd leave the 323 badge on, nothing to be ashamed of imo and looks good 
Frankly I don't much care for the original wheels so they aren't really an option 
If I had a preference it would probably be for the BBS wheels, although these are close by and reasonably priced it seems to me:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-E36-M3-motorsport-17-all...
I think I will get rid of the 323i badge, I would probably do the same if it was a 328i or an M3. I've never really seen the point of ruining the clean lines by advertising your engine displacement. Anyone who is into cars will know what it is anyway!
If I had a preference it would probably be for the BBS wheels, although these are close by and reasonably priced it seems to me:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-E36-M3-motorsport-17-all...
I think I will get rid of the 323i badge, I would probably do the same if it was a 328i or an M3. I've never really seen the point of ruining the clean lines by advertising your engine displacement. Anyone who is into cars will know what it is anyway!
Thanks for the heads up on the sponge. Doesn't that wheel appear on more than just the M3 Evo? I thought I'd seen it on plenty of other slightly racier cars?
Yep the exhaust isn't ideal but it's pretty new so I'm reluctant to swap it for purely cosmetic reasons! Unless of course I could sell it and get hold of one for not much extra... how much of the system would I need to replace? Is it just the back box?
Also has anyone bought one of these gear knobs off eBay from Bulgaria(!)?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Real-Leather-Gear-Shift-Knob...
I'm assuming they aren't genuine as there are a bunch which claim to be genuine on eBay which are double the price, however it looks fine...
Yep the exhaust isn't ideal but it's pretty new so I'm reluctant to swap it for purely cosmetic reasons! Unless of course I could sell it and get hold of one for not much extra... how much of the system would I need to replace? Is it just the back box?
Also has anyone bought one of these gear knobs off eBay from Bulgaria(!)?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Real-Leather-Gear-Shift-Knob...
I'm assuming they aren't genuine as there are a bunch which claim to be genuine on eBay which are double the price, however it looks fine...
Damn, I just missed out on these... second highest bidder!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
charlesthomson said:
Damn, I just missed out on these... second highest bidder!
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
It's a good thing - they wouldn't have fitted! E30 is four stud.http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&am...
Excellent purchase on the car - well done. I paid more than that for my 97 328 Coupe with dealer fitted (from new) Alpina bits, following similar logic to you. Nearly an M3, with sensilbe running costs.
Good luck - keep us posted on updates.
griffter said:
It's a good thing - they wouldn't have fitted! E30 is four stud.
Excellent purchase on the car - well done. I paid more than that for my 97 328 Coupe with dealer fitted (from new) Alpina bits, following similar logic to you. Nearly an M3, with sensilbe running costs.
Good luck - keep us posted on updates.
Same reason i bought my 328 sport tbh, budget M3. 70% of the thrills for 70% of the money!Excellent purchase on the car - well done. I paid more than that for my 97 328 Coupe with dealer fitted (from new) Alpina bits, following similar logic to you. Nearly an M3, with sensilbe running costs.
Good luck - keep us posted on updates.
The only other things im aware of that wheel was fitted to would be the Z3. I think that had coloured bits on the sides though. The standard E36 wheel was fitted to early M3's even. Its pants compared to the Evo one. Thats what i fitted on mine!
Looks nice, top money but its a late one with, what looks like, very clean interior.
I think the wheels look ok.
I bought an 1999 E36 318is last August and am impressed how well it drives for a 11 year old car.
May well have to go soonish, not fair on my bank balance or the car doing 400 miles a week commuting.
Would love another Beemer but will have to go diesel. Really want something that can do 40+ mpg at decent m/way cruising speeds.
What does £4-5k get you these days?
I think the wheels look ok.
I bought an 1999 E36 318is last August and am impressed how well it drives for a 11 year old car.
May well have to go soonish, not fair on my bank balance or the car doing 400 miles a week commuting.
Would love another Beemer but will have to go diesel. Really want something that can do 40+ mpg at decent m/way cruising speeds.
What does £4-5k get you these days?
griffter said:
It's a good thing - they wouldn't have fitted! E30 is four stud.
Excellent purchase on the car - well done. I paid more than that for my 97 328 Coupe with dealer fitted (from new) Alpina bits, following similar logic to you. Nearly an M3, with sensilbe running costs.
Good luck - keep us posted on updates.
Thanks! Although I thought the E30 M3 was 5 stud? He says he got them off an E36 328i Sport...Excellent purchase on the car - well done. I paid more than that for my 97 328 Coupe with dealer fitted (from new) Alpina bits, following similar logic to you. Nearly an M3, with sensilbe running costs.
Good luck - keep us posted on updates.
These are fairly nearby, do you reckon £350 is a reasonable price?
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bmw-E36-M3-motorsport-17-all...
Can't wait to pick it up!
I've got another query... would the car have originally come with an alarm system?
It does have one, but it's a rather ropey looking old after-market one. Unfortunately it's also only got 1 key.
Is it difficult to get another key cut for these?
And can anyone recommend a good alarm system? I've had a GTI nicked before so although it does have an alarm I'm tempted to fit a new one for peace of mind more than anything else!
It does have one, but it's a rather ropey looking old after-market one. Unfortunately it's also only got 1 key.
Is it difficult to get another key cut for these?
And can anyone recommend a good alarm system? I've had a GTI nicked before so although it does have an alarm I'm tempted to fit a new one for peace of mind more than anything else!
great granny 4-5k will get you a nice 530D.
As for your alarm, the standard fit is a Sigma alarm which does look rather crappy and aftermarket. The remotes are discontinued by BMW so are a nightmare to get spares for. I found it cheaper to fit a CAT1 alarm than get mine repaired at BMW (which is not CAT anything)
As for your alarm, the standard fit is a Sigma alarm which does look rather crappy and aftermarket. The remotes are discontinued by BMW so are a nightmare to get spares for. I found it cheaper to fit a CAT1 alarm than get mine repaired at BMW (which is not CAT anything)
Nice! Is that Avus Blue?
I have an Avus Blue '98 323i SE saloon that I have owned since it was 6 months old. I love it but due to London life it has more than it's fair share of parking dings. Idiots can't bloody drive
Interior of mine looks like new apart from all the crap my kids leave in it. The wheels on mine are the 15s that it came with so the tyres are quite high profile compared with nowadays but it means that I don't have to worry about speed bumps and potholes too much.
I have to say that I like your seats. Maybe tempted to source a new interior for mine and replace the anthracite cloth.
I have an Avus Blue '98 323i SE saloon that I have owned since it was 6 months old. I love it but due to London life it has more than it's fair share of parking dings. Idiots can't bloody drive
Interior of mine looks like new apart from all the crap my kids leave in it. The wheels on mine are the 15s that it came with so the tyres are quite high profile compared with nowadays but it means that I don't have to worry about speed bumps and potholes too much.
I have to say that I like your seats. Maybe tempted to source a new interior for mine and replace the anthracite cloth.
Hey Croyde! Yep it's Avus blue.
I believe it had all the nicer M sports bits from the factory so the seats are pretty damn cool, although it looks pretty easy to get hold of complete leather interiors from cars that are being stripped for racing.
I think you're right Graham it is the original alarm, google images came up with this which looks the same as my fob:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd84/dtshields/...
I'll definitely look into replacing the security system. Any idea what a basic system installation would cost?
Thanks
I believe it had all the nicer M sports bits from the factory so the seats are pretty damn cool, although it looks pretty easy to get hold of complete leather interiors from cars that are being stripped for racing.
I think you're right Graham it is the original alarm, google images came up with this which looks the same as my fob:
http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd84/dtshields/...
I'll definitely look into replacing the security system. Any idea what a basic system installation would cost?
Thanks
OP: the wheels are fine, and look good on the car. Nice car as well BTW. I think these can be relatively easily tuned up to about 200ish bhp with similar mods that 328 owners do, i.e. the bigger throttle body and manifold, breathing mods and remap, then you'll have 328 performance anyway.
Picked it up today, and got those sunflower wheels as well, the car and the wheels were just around the corner from each other!
What a wonderful car to drive, everything I hoped it would be. Similar in many ways to my E30 but much more refined. It's also a lot quicker than I was expecting it to be, and quite a bit of torque too - overtaking from 45 in 3rd was a breeze.
I drove it the 40 or so miles home with the 18" MV2s on, then swapped to the 17" E36 wheels (cheers Halfords). The difference is massive, and I had only had an hour to get used to the old wheels! The 17s are so much lighter and less clunky. Plus they look so much better, especially since the 323i badge is now off the back.
I reckon I'm going to have to swap the exhaust, not only because it looks wrong but also it's really noisy - particularly at 70ish which isn't ideal on a run. Anyone got any recommendations on a good (quieter!) twin tailpipe exhaust to swap to?
I'll get some photos up tomorrow, but all in all a fantastic first few hours of ownership!
What a wonderful car to drive, everything I hoped it would be. Similar in many ways to my E30 but much more refined. It's also a lot quicker than I was expecting it to be, and quite a bit of torque too - overtaking from 45 in 3rd was a breeze.
I drove it the 40 or so miles home with the 18" MV2s on, then swapped to the 17" E36 wheels (cheers Halfords). The difference is massive, and I had only had an hour to get used to the old wheels! The 17s are so much lighter and less clunky. Plus they look so much better, especially since the 323i badge is now off the back.
I reckon I'm going to have to swap the exhaust, not only because it looks wrong but also it's really noisy - particularly at 70ish which isn't ideal on a run. Anyone got any recommendations on a good (quieter!) twin tailpipe exhaust to swap to?
I'll get some photos up tomorrow, but all in all a fantastic first few hours of ownership!
The biggest favour you can do this car (and any old BMW), is maintenance. Get the rear wheels off and scrub the wheelarch lips clean - get all that lodged mud out. It's also worth removing the plastic front arch liners, cleaning out all the muck and crap and brushing some Waxoyl around the arch lips.
These alloy block motors don't much like being overheated, so I would get a new £30 steel impeller water pump fitted, new drive belt and make sure the plastic pulleys spin nicely without a horrible 'dry' sound. It'll probably be on the original radiator so inspect that carefully.
A good E36 car is a lovely thing, and worth investing a bit of time and £££ into. Good ones are now drying up.
Sunflower wheels are a superb choice!
These alloy block motors don't much like being overheated, so I would get a new £30 steel impeller water pump fitted, new drive belt and make sure the plastic pulleys spin nicely without a horrible 'dry' sound. It'll probably be on the original radiator so inspect that carefully.
A good E36 car is a lovely thing, and worth investing a bit of time and £££ into. Good ones are now drying up.
Sunflower wheels are a superb choice!
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff