E36 325i SE - Anything to lookout for?

Tican

Tican

Tican

Soldato
Joined
14 Apr 2003
Posts
5,716
Location
Leicester
Hi there,

I have bought one of these off eBay, and I pick it up on Friday - I know about it being a legally binding bid etc. so it is more for peace of mind :) - but he did say there is nothing wrong with it!

Is there anything I need to lookout for on my way home (about 10 miles)? I know about the overheating/Viscous (sp) fan/Water Pump issues.

It is a 1992 'J E36, 325i SE

Thanks in advance :) :)
 
[TW]Fox;17034111 said:
It's a 300-400 quid car, anything wrong enough with it to not bother you'll spot a mile off anyway surely?
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I am hoping so, but could there be any "hidden" issues?

Morba said:
It's 10 miles away and you haven't been to see it already?
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I have had a quick look at it, but it was dark and I wasn't insured... but it seemed good enough :)

[TW]Fox;17034136 said:
Sounds like more fail waiting to happen, why wouldnt you view a car 10 miles away BEFORE bidding?
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See above.
 
The most serious thing I can think of that wouldn't be immediately obvious would be to check the diff mounts haven't rusted away. This feels like a bit of a shunt in the back when you come to a stop (as the diff moves back up and hits the boot floor), but not every time you stop.

Happened to my H reg 325i (no LSD) and also to Paradigm's J reg 325i (with LSD).
 
Morba said:
That's not too bad then. Did you get the seller to take you for a drive?
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Just up the "private" road and back, as he wasn't insured either! :( seemed to drive well though

DRZ said:
The most serious thing I can think of that wouldn't be immediately obvious would be to check the diff mounts haven't rusted away. This feels like a bit of a shunt in the back when you come to a stop (as the diff moves back up and hits the boot floor), but not every time you stop.

Happened to my H reg 325i (no LSD) and also to Paradigm's J reg 325i (with LSD).
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Cheers, is it when you come to a sudden stop? Like Slamming the breaks on? I think my old K reg E36 320i had that, felt dodgy, had a welded diff though :/

chrisgt said:
R U S T
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Not too worried about that, as I doubt I will have it before it's next MOT is due to be fair :p (6/7 months)
 
Any kind of stop, gentle stops would do it, hard stops would do it and sometimes neither.

Lift the boot carpet and have a look (right at the very back near the back of the back seats) and IIRC at the bottom of the wheel well. Looks exactly like you would expect, domed bits of metal.

If it all looks rosy from above and you can't feel anything then it is probably fine. You can't really see from below though :(
 
Early E36's are prone to rust around the rear arches and boot lid. The early 325 engine is also prone to head gaskets failing.
 
Solid cars, the 2.5 engine can take more punishment than the e36 m3 engine. You will notice any big issues straight away, especially as you already owned an e36. Watch/feel for any steering play and just keep your ears open for anything suspicious. Careful in the rain if it's a non-traction control model.

Nice cars, my friend still has his L reg ACS in amazing condition, beautiful! Enjoy.
 
Not from my experience :D but I do do it intentionally most of the timelol. Me and my friend both pray for rain ;)
 
328 did it in the rain unintentionally when I first got it, so changed the tyres for Eagle F1s, it then stuck...up until I wanted it to come unstuck, then rain or shine it was kicking out. ;)
 
DRZ has covered the main problem. Although if you are willing to slide under the rear of the car, you can see the underside quite clearly if you can be bothered to, you will need a torch however.

Coolant system will fail at some point, be it the rad, the pump the viscous fan, or (most likely) the thermostat. Keep an eye on the temp guage for the drive home, seeing as you don't know the car.

I disagree about the head gaskets being common on early M50s, never had a problem with mine, even when the cooling system blew.

I do know that mine headed toward Derby after the guy at work sold it on. I hope for your sake it's not my old one, as subsequent keepers did not treat it kindly :(
 
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