E36 328i (sorry)
Author
Discussion

DannyVTS

Original Poster:

7,543 posts

197 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
Right

Sorry for another thread !

I can afford to buy, and insure a e36 328i

fk it, only young once etc.

Cool story bro

Is there much that goes wrong with them ? When's the timing belt need doing, or is it a chain ?

Any more info would be great smile

I have searched btw, I just like the attention x

jacobpalmer05

451 posts

191 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
"Engines:
325i - Capacity: 2.5litres - Power: 192bhp
323i - Capacity: 2.3litres - Power:170bhp
328i - Capacity: 2.8litres - Power: 193hp"

"The reason why the 323 and 328 are down on power relative to the original 325 is that they were strangled by the inlet manifold from the 320"

Get a 325i?

TheEnd

15,370 posts

217 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
timing chain, no belts.

water pumps can be dodgy, but cheap, and probably replaced by now.
the most important bit is to try to avoid the nikasil engined cars.


Gizmo!

18,150 posts

238 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
Avoid the Nikasil engined cars unless they've been replaced/fixed.

ALL of them have knackered rear suspension now.

Be careful of spots of rust on the sills, bootlid, and other odd corners.

But they're a LOT of car for the money.

JohnnyRims

900 posts

188 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
TheEnd said:
the most important bit is to try to avoid the nikasil engined cars.
I thought the general feeling now was that if a Nikasil lined engine hasn't got compression problems by now it's fine as the UK had low sulphur petrol from 2000 (all from memory)

TheEnd

15,370 posts

217 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
JohnnyRims said:
TheEnd said:
the most important bit is to try to avoid the nikasil engined cars.
I thought the general feeling now was that if a Nikasil lined engine hasn't got compression problems by now it's fine as the UK had low sulphur petrol from 2000 (all from memory)
It still turns up quite regularly, in many cases, the damage has already been done.

Seeker UK

1,443 posts

187 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
jacobpalmer05 said:
"Engines:
325i - Capacity: 2.5litres - Power: 192bhp
323i - Capacity: 2.3litres - Power:170bhp
328i - Capacity: 2.8litres - Power: 193hp"

"The reason why the 323 and 328 are down on power relative to the original 325 is that they were strangled by the inlet manifold from the 320"

Get a 325i?
Get a 328i and fit a manifold from a 325i.

driftdaddy

269 posts

242 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
dont get a 325 i had one and the 328 is far superior yes its only a bit more power than the 325 but it has a lot more tourque and it's smoother. 230bhp isn't hard to achieve either where as you'll get about 200 out of the 325 then thats your lot without serious work. oh and the 328 will be alot newer

Mikey_W

4,984 posts

255 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
Just get one bought Daniel! You won't regret it.. driving

DannyVTS

Original Poster:

7,543 posts

197 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
TheEnd said:
timing chain, no belts.

water pumps can be dodgy, but cheap, and probably replaced by now.
the most important bit is to try to avoid the nikasil engined cars.
How do i avoid them ?

Why get a 325 ? The insurance is not that different

Y282

20,566 posts

201 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
done right, the 328i is one of the best 200bhp rwd manual coupes you can buy, full stop. easy to live with, easy to drive hard or soft and not too brutal on bits or fuel. don't bother with the 325i if you can get the 328.

-nikasil is a big subject, read around on it.
-water pumps on some years are plastic, replace or else (cheap parts)
-have a look on www.e36coupe.com for inspiration/tips.

if you want to unlock one properly, get the TB and manifold off a 325i fitted, open the breathing up, delete the CDV (look it up) and just look after it.

really, really rewarding cars for the money.

TheEnd

15,370 posts

217 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
nikasil - they'll usually have history of a BMW engine swap if done.
Insurance is often cheaper than a 325 too, and whilst in standard trim it has about the same power, it has more torque.

The check for nikasil, you need to look down by the starter motor.
Nikasil engines have a blank chunk of metal where a crank sensor was planned to fit, and the later steel linered engines have a metal plate bolted on over the now drilled hole.

geeteeaye

2,369 posts

188 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
DannyVTS said:
Right

Sorry for another thread !

I can afford to buy, and insure a e36 328i

fk it, only young once etc.

Cool story bro

Is there much that goes wrong with them ? When's the timing belt need doing, or is it a chain ?

Any more info would be great smile

I have searched btw, I just like the attention x
Stick to your tinpot citroens danny boy, your imagination outpaces your wallet, until your next what car thread tomorrow rolleyes

TheEnd

15,370 posts

217 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
Can I get a medium popcorn and a coke please?

redgriff500

28,982 posts

292 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
They are good but they aren't fun.

E30 325 is fun as is a Clio 182 or a Prelude 2.2 VTEC

Somnophore

1,364 posts

205 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
I'm no BMW expert but I was sure the 323 was actually a 2.5 not a 2.3 as stated above?

ex vtskid

347 posts

205 months

Friday 11th March 2011
quotequote all
I've had a 330i and a Saxo VTS and the 330 cost a lot less to run for me anyway...

And yes the 323i was 2.5 litre.

Edited by ex vtskid on Friday 11th March 23:28

DannyVTS

Original Poster:

7,543 posts

197 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
geeteeaye said:
Stick to your tinpot citroens danny boy, your imagination outpaces your wallet, until your next what car thread tomorrow rolleyes



Thanks for all the replies, this nikasil lining farce really is interesting!

H_Kan

4,942 posts

228 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
Get it bought OP, the e36 is still a good looking motor. Especially the 328i sport coupes.

As mentioned, most will need suspension work and water pumps do go. However there is no timing belt therefore water pump won't cause much damage and isn't too dear to replace. Watch for rust and examples owned by people who haven't bothered with upkeep. Many examples on the road look totally shagged!

My understanding with Nikasil is that most units with problems will have been replaced by now. So if its running fine now then chances are nothing is likely to happen to it in the future.

stewy68

1,826 posts

272 months

Saturday 12th March 2011
quotequote all
DannyVTS in "proper car" shock!