Looking for a better motor, Advice?
- Thread starter Skellz
- Start date
what about this jag from the same dealer?
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...4462264920/usedcars/postcode/ws31bf?logcode=a
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...4462264920/usedcars/postcode/ws31bf?logcode=a
There's not actually a HUGE difference between them, compressor is ofcourse quicker but I'd say the power delivery is the advantage rather than the overall power. Keeping the normal T-Sport on the boil gets tiresome anywhere but nice twisties you know well.
The X Types are quite a good buy IMO, the 3.0 V6 produces ~230bhp and all the V6 models are 4WD. Supposed to be pretty reliable by all accounts - I wouldn't have thought it would be any more costly than others mentioned. Biggest problem with the V6/4WD variants is the transfer box can be troublesome and if it goes you're looking at £300+ for a 2nd hand or refurb box, plus labour.
The other problem with them is that a lot come in 'grandad' trim, i.e. Cream leather and lots of plastic wood
The other problem with them is that a lot come in 'grandad' trim, i.e. Cream leather and lots of plastic wood
Out of those three points, which do you believe the E36 doesn't meet? Granted they can be thirsty driving around town, but I find they are surprisingly frugal when given the chance to stretch their legs a bit. I know you have a 328i, are you not getting on with it?
I've got an E36 328i Touring and I find that fun to drive and reasonably quick. Plenty of communication from the steering, brakes and throttle. Rear-wheel drive, good weight distribution, rigid chassis. The engine is beautiful although a bit muted and not as tuneful as I would like. Admittedly I've had no raw performance machines in the past to compare to, but I love everything about it and it always puts a smile on my face switching traction control off and blasting it around some twisties.
I was considering fitting Bilstein B4 dampers with Apex springs, but having owned a 318iS and knowing the roads around here I'm thinking I may stick with what I've got.
It's reasonably quick yes, won't set the world on fire though and you would be in danger of losing if you were to go up against even a modern hot hatch. I average 28mpg from it, not bad for it's age I suppose, it's a LOT better than my 300zx and that's what I was looking for.
Steering is by far the biggest weakness, I find it to be sloppy, uncommunicative and lacking the sharp response that I'm used to. I've thrown money at it hand over fist trying to remedy it, improved on it a fair bit but still not up to scratch.
Braking is good, no complaints there. Engine is good but the restrictive inlet manifold makes it lose torque dramatically at high rpm, very strong in the mid range and nice throttle response as you'd expect from an NA motor. I'll add this though, when I bought it the throttle pedal was sticky and felt horrible, every e36 I've driven has been like this. I replaced the cable with a new genuine one and it improved no end, still has more resistance than any other car I've driven though.
RWD, this is why I bought it, I love a bit of skidding and this was cheaper than the S15 I really wanted by a large margin. Only the pre facelift (Sport model) ones had an LSD, make sure you get one of these as the open diff model with an electronic nanny sucks massive balls. I suppose if you have no intention of doing any fun skids in it then it would be fine.
Suspension wise, Sport model came with Bilstein B8, I would assume this is firmer and better than the B4, they had Nurburgring stickers all over them so I guess they are the sporty models. I had these with Apex springs on and it felt like an american car, soft and wallowy. I can only assume the dampers were worn out, but anyway the springs were no good IMO, however there would be no problem with ride comfort at all.
I chose to ditch the **** suspension and put HSD HR coilovers on, even on quite a hard setting, with solid rubber bushings and solid top mounts, the ride isn't bad at all and it's still plenty compliant enough to go full throttle on a bumpy road.
You mention it sounds muted, is you exhaust flap working? The tailpipe closest to the centre of the car has a valve in it which will open up at wide throttle openings after 2.5k or so, the backbox becomes straight through, with this open and the VANOS coming in at 3k it really makes a fair bit of noise. Check that it works, it should be open when the engine is off, and close shortly after starting up.
To the guy who said don't buy a Sport, don't listen to that guy. The sport gets the lower, Bilstein suspension as I mentioned, you get the M3 body kit (definitely want this, standard looks pony), Sport seats standard, nice black headlining, LSD on the earlier ones.
Steering is by far the biggest weakness, I find it to be sloppy, uncommunicative and lacking the sharp response that I'm used to. I've thrown money at it hand over fist trying to remedy it, improved on it a fair bit but still not up to scratch.
Braking is good, no complaints there. Engine is good but the restrictive inlet manifold makes it lose torque dramatically at high rpm, very strong in the mid range and nice throttle response as you'd expect from an NA motor. I'll add this though, when I bought it the throttle pedal was sticky and felt horrible, every e36 I've driven has been like this. I replaced the cable with a new genuine one and it improved no end, still has more resistance than any other car I've driven though.
RWD, this is why I bought it, I love a bit of skidding and this was cheaper than the S15 I really wanted by a large margin. Only the pre facelift (Sport model) ones had an LSD, make sure you get one of these as the open diff model with an electronic nanny sucks massive balls. I suppose if you have no intention of doing any fun skids in it then it would be fine.
Suspension wise, Sport model came with Bilstein B8, I would assume this is firmer and better than the B4, they had Nurburgring stickers all over them so I guess they are the sporty models. I had these with Apex springs on and it felt like an american car, soft and wallowy. I can only assume the dampers were worn out, but anyway the springs were no good IMO, however there would be no problem with ride comfort at all.
I chose to ditch the **** suspension and put HSD HR coilovers on, even on quite a hard setting, with solid rubber bushings and solid top mounts, the ride isn't bad at all and it's still plenty compliant enough to go full throttle on a bumpy road.
You mention it sounds muted, is you exhaust flap working? The tailpipe closest to the centre of the car has a valve in it which will open up at wide throttle openings after 2.5k or so, the backbox becomes straight through, with this open and the VANOS coming in at 3k it really makes a fair bit of noise. Check that it works, it should be open when the engine is off, and close shortly after starting up.
To the guy who said don't buy a Sport, don't listen to that guy. The sport gets the lower, Bilstein suspension as I mentioned, you get the M3 body kit (definitely want this, standard looks pony), Sport seats standard, nice black headlining, LSD on the earlier ones.
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Like for like though (ie condition, age, mileage etc) you do pay a heck of a lot more for that stuff. Not saying it isn't worth it, but it stops it being a no-brainer.
Completely disagree r.e the sport trim, read what I actually wrote. IF what he wants is the engine there is no point in paying the extra for a sport, the bodykit is just that a bodykit -standard cars that have been kept clean still look decent enough. I can understand people wanting the sport looks and that's fine but with this age of car there is very little extra to be gained foe someone just looking for a good e36. With regards to the suspension, would you want any e36 that was still on its originals? It becomes an irrelevance. Almost all have leather and come with the decent seats too.
Lsd only on pre facelift sports and they aren't difficult to change -realistically most need the diff seals doing anyway so there would be ample opportunity to stick one in. I still think something sounds completely amiss with your car -clutch, throttle and steering weight were all great on mine - plenty of feedback and handled very tidily.
About the only point I agree on is the manifold restriction, its a frustration that's easily cured though
Lsd only on pre facelift sports and they aren't difficult to change -realistically most need the diff seals doing anyway so there would be ample opportunity to stick one in. I still think something sounds completely amiss with your car -clutch, throttle and steering weight were all great on mine - plenty of feedback and handled very tidily.
About the only point I agree on is the manifold restriction, its a frustration that's easily cured though
Your 21, you dont want comfort. You want somthing nippy, that you can chuck around for under 2k.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3789446.htm
Spend the rest on insurance LOL
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3789446.htm
Spend the rest on insurance LOL
Agreed get something genuinely sporty.
A Sport would be nicer obviously but it all depends what I could get and I have not seen many pop up recently in my area lately. If I were to get an e36 328 I'd prob look at changing suspension anyway if it was on originals. The engine is important to me, but I would like some decent handling, mate of mine just got a 07 TT 3.2 and the steering is so light its got no feel to it. Sport bodykit doesn't worry me too much, just get some tasteful wheels on a BMW and you're sorted imo 
There are some E46 325ci sport's at around £3000-4000, always another alternative. Not a great lover of french cars lol, my parents had a laguna about 8 years ago which drove itself into our garage door, somehow water got in and faulted the electrics. I know clio's are sposed to be great fun but I just dont like them.
There are some E46 325ci sport's at around £3000-4000, always another alternative. Not a great lover of french cars lol, my parents had a laguna about 8 years ago which drove itself into our garage door, somehow water got in and faulted the electrics. I know clio's are sposed to be great fun but I just dont like them.
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You are asking for trouble spending your entire budget on an older BMW whilst only having the funds from a part time job at Uni to run it. The only way the BMW thing makes sense is if you slash your budget and keep the rest of it spare. If you don't wish to do this then IMHO buy something else.
I wouldn't entertain that on a part time wage. One tyre will take out most of your weekly wage. Then you've got other consumables, the suspension will be coming up to an age where it may want to go. Inspection 2 service even at a specialist will be £230 minimum. Don't get me wrong they are absolutely fantastic cars to own, but don't do it on a part time wage.
With the roof down on a decent twisty B road you would honestly wonder why that was ever a concern
I'll admit they arent the quickest things in the world in a straight line, and at motorway speeds even my Astra was probably a quicker beast, but once you get on a road you want to have fun on at legal speads, I would wager there isnt much out there that will touch the MX5. Your budget will buy you a fantastically tidy one as well. Golf clubs in the back may be a bit of an issue though. But, I have a solution. You wouldn't want to play golf when its raining. Therefor the roof will be down. Therefor the golfclubs can stand in the passenger seat. Problem solved
With the roof down on a decent twisty B road you would honestly wonder why that was ever a concern
Golf clubs in the back may be a bit of an issue though. But, I have a solution. You wouldn't want to play golf when its raining. Therefor the roof will be down. Therefor the golfclubs can stand in the passenger seat. Problem
Worse thing i done was buy a convertable when i was his age. Kept it for 5 months feeling a bit of a plonker and bought a hot hatch. Which is what he should be getting
Soldato
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My old MG ZT 190+ probably would fit the bill here.
Very shouty 2.5L V6, reliable and incredibly chuckable (it was the lower Sport version, 20mm drop I think?) and best of all I only paid £900 odd for it.
Averaged 28mpg, was 100% reliable but even if something had broke, every part is available off the shelf.
Sold it a few months later to go back to diesel as I was doing 30k a year.
Loads of room for golf **** too, I used to chuck my own and 3 friend's clubs in the boot with loads of room free.
Only things that really go wrong are leaky thermostats, the inlet manifold might need replacing at some point and they ****** eat front tyres if you drive with passion like I did. God I loved that car.
Very shouty 2.5L V6, reliable and incredibly chuckable (it was the lower Sport version, 20mm drop I think?) and best of all I only paid £900 odd for it.
Averaged 28mpg, was 100% reliable but even if something had broke, every part is available off the shelf.
Sold it a few months later to go back to diesel as I was doing 30k a year.
Loads of room for golf **** too, I used to chuck my own and 3 friend's clubs in the boot with loads of room free.
Only things that really go wrong are leaky thermostats, the inlet manifold might need replacing at some point and they ****** eat front tyres if you drive with passion like I did. God I loved that car.
Worse thing i done was buy a convertable when i was his age. Kept it for 5 months feeling a bit of a plonker and bought a hot hatch. Which is what he should be getting
Yea, you do have to be rediculously good looking to pull off a convertable.
Hmm guess the bmw is a no go for now then 
, mx-5 are nice but i bet ull get all the stereotypical comments, i no i wud at work haha, drop tops not my thing but could get the hard top for one i guess. would the st220 still be a viable option? Mabe an lcr :/ ....
, mx-5 are nice but i bet ull get all the stereotypical comments, i no i wud at work haha, drop tops not my thing but could get the hard top for one i guess. would the st220 still be a viable option? Mabe an lcr :/ ....I really think that you are barking up the wrong tree with these ideas. Stuff like ST220's and Leon Cupra R's should wait until you are not trying to fund the running costs on a job thats only two days a week. You'll end up resenting the car as even the most trivial of bills ends up wiping out an entire months wages. It's pointless.
If you currently have a 1.3 Fiesta then almost any car on the market will be faster. You do not need a 200bhp+ car to feel like you've had a performance upgrade. Heck even something like a Focus 1.6 would feel quicker and wouldn't turn into a millstone around your neck.
Save the performance cars until you've got a full time job
If you currently have a 1.3 Fiesta then almost any car on the market will be faster. You do not need a 200bhp+ car to feel like you've had a performance upgrade. Heck even something like a Focus 1.6 would feel quicker and wouldn't turn into a millstone around your neck.
Save the performance cars until you've got a full time job