Opinions Please - E36 328i Sport

sampo

sampo

sampo

Associate
Joined
15 Oct 2006
Posts
268
Guys,

I had my car stolen a few weeks back so I need to go car shopping. I've just turned 22 with a clean license and no accidents so insurance is finally coming down (it seems that losing my no claims due to the theft hasn't affected my premiums at all...)

What do the e36 experts (calling fox / paradigm ;) ) think of this one?

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...icleYearOfManufacture=1997&vehicleRegLetter=R

The rear spoiler would be gone as soon as I got my hands on it!

Cheers,
Chris
 
Certainly looks clean, but certainly not cheap either!

I like the look of it though, looks tidy, looked after, well specced, and above all unmolested!

Is there nothing slightly cheaper though, more around the £2500 mark?
 
Actually, if you want some money back that rear spoiler may be worth a few bob. It looks like a GTR wing minus the feet. If genuine I'd value that at 150 or more all day long to a private buyer or one of the Kumho BMW challenge brigade.

Having said all that the car isn't cheap and isn't on it's original wheels. The oem sport split rims tend to look like junk these days if not refurbished so is partly understandable at least. The car does appear to look good. Mileage isn't too bad. It looks like the rf fog is out (bunny victim?). Offer 2.7 and no more.
 
That is expensive, at that age they mostly go for between £2000-£2500.

I've just sold my hellrot red 328i sport :(

Awesome machine!
 
I'm not really an E36 expert :p

In theory great cars but finding one thats not completely ruined and in need of a complete suspension refresh at the very least and has been owned by a succesion of less than careful owners is now very hard given they are 10-15 year old cars.
 
[TW]Fox;13846752 said:
I'm not really an E36 expert :p

In theory great cars but finding one thats not completely ruined and in need of a complete suspension refresh at the very least and has been owned by a succesion of less than careful owners is now very hard given they are 10-15 year old cars.
Click to expand...

This man speaks the truth, mine had many pennies spent on it after I bought it.

£800-£1000 worth of work in less than 6 months!
 
merc190 said:
I really don't like E36 BMW's, the build is shoddy compared to the E30 and later cars....Most are chavved up sheds.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that, most insightful, even if it is innacurate :confused: I love the e30, but saying it has better build quality is daft, as it simply isn't true.

Secondly, "most" of them being chavved up has what to do with build quality?
 
Every 3 series goes through the chav stage.....E30's are now getting rare, and when you see them they are generally quite clean and orig around my way.

The E36 went through a stage, but I would say its the early 46's that are being butchered by todays youth at the moment!

Just look out for the usual suspects on 2.8's, water cooling systems are well known to be a weak spot, water pumps break up, rads give in, thermostats....Nikasil heads to, but to be honest if the car has still got its orig head and has lasted this long, you probably wont experience any problems.

Front arms/ball joints/bushes/links/d bushes, rear top mounts, trailing arm bushes, sub frame bushes, all common problems to.

Good cars though really, generally very good in terms of rust, there were plenty made so shouldnt have a problem finding a good one.
 
rare said:
Every 3 series goes through the chav stage.....E30's are now getting rare, and when you see them they are generally quite clean and orig around my way.

The E36 went through a stage, but I would say its the early 46's that are being butchered by todays youth at the moment!

Just look out for the usual suspects on 2.8's, water cooling systems are well known to be a weak spot, water pumps break up, rads give in, thermostats....Nikasil heads to, but to be honest if the car has still got its orig head and has lasted this long, you probably wont experience any problems.

Front arms/ball joints/bushes/links/d bushes, rear top mounts, trailing arm bushes, sub frame bushes, all common problems to.

Good cars though really, generally very good in terms of rust, there were plenty made so shouldnt have a problem finding a good one.
Click to expand...

Rust round the arches is very common, although under the car seems to hold up well!
 
I know mines not to everyones taste but i paid a tad over £2k with recent bushes/suspension. rust on rear arches are a problem as are rattling cats.
 
Cheers folks,

The opinion seems to be a good car but a bit overpriced. I'm not too bad at haggling though and the guy has said he is prepared to move on price...

I've called BMW, it has a clean history but still has a nikasil block. BMW said this shouldn't be a problem though as if any damage had occured it would most likely have reared its head by now

If anyone can point me to a better car for the money then please do :)
 
I could point you at plenty of alternative and possibly better cars for the asking price of 3.2k although that might be a flawed strategy. I'll suggest that If you can get this at 2.5k - 2.7k it'll be a worthy deal but no money maker.

You want a good straight car with no damage history that'll do what it says on the tin. This therefore is probably a perfectly good car for you. Make sure your test drive is thorough. Good luck ;)
 
sampo said:
I've called BMW, it has a clean history but still has a nikasil block. BMW said this shouldn't be a problem though as if any damage had occured it would most likely have reared its head by now
Click to expand...

Make sure its idles smoothly from cold check the oil level as well, as if its low, chances are the engine is burning it.

FWIW, my e36 328i has a nikasil block, it was relpaced under warranty by BMW with another Nikasil block(!) - as many were - now that the high sulphur issue in UK fuel is now low sulphur, chances are the engine ,given that its got this far, should be ok.

My car is a 1996 N reg, hence it getting another Nikasil Block. My Dad has an M52 engined 528i which is a 1997 P reg, that got the later Alusil short engine when BMW exchanged it - as did my previous 1997 e38 728i -, I'm surprised that a 1997 R reg example has not got the later block in it, makes you wonder if BMW did the recall on that car at all and if not, why not? - Points to a possibly patchy dealer history perhaps?

Personally, I'd aim lower on the purchase price leaving more for the inevitible suspension etc jobs that are bound to be on the to do list.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom