Opinions Please - E36 328i Sport

ardy89 · 9 Apr 2009 at 09:57

R420LA6X2/4MNA said:
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?

The niksail problem was never considered a recall, BMW only replaced engines which had problems caused by the nikasil lined block. Thus if your car didn't suffer any problems there was no reason to change the engine. I also have a nikasil block in my 328i sport and it runs like a peach

Sampo, do ring BMW up with the cars vin/reg number and see if there any outstanding recalls such as steering spindle. The steering spindle recall was issued over 10 years ago and they are still replacing them now.

Rob

Torch [P4] · 9 Apr 2009 at 10:05

isnt that a GT spoiler? looks alright and if its genuine would be worth a bit

Scania · 9 Apr 2009 at 13:55

ardy89 said:
The niksail problem was never considered a recall, BMW only replaced engines which had problems caused by the nikasil lined block. Thus if your car didn't suffer any problems there was no reason to change the engine. I also have a nikasil block in my 328i sport and it runs like a peach

Sampo, do ring BMW up with the cars vin/reg number and see if there any outstanding recalls such as steering spindle. The steering spindle recall was issued over 10 years ago and they are still replacing them now.

Rob

I was referring to the car the OP posted tbh mate. The Niksail was a recall iirc, my Dads e34 530i V8 had a short engine under recall as did his later e39 528i.

Mine did apparently have issues with its first block, then they swapped it for another Nikasil lined block.

Germans! :rolleyes:

sampo · 9 Apr 2009 at 14:20

I've just come across a 1997 328i coupe, one owner from new with 127k on the clock and a full BMW SH. It was taken in part ex against a new bmw, sports leather interior, climate control, radio/cassette (no worry as this will be changed to something i can plug my ipod into). Looks very clean and they're asking £2k for it...

Leaves lots of cash left over to give it a refresh at a good indy if its needed.

ardy89 · 9 Apr 2009 at 14:23

Thats a really decent price. as long as it come with decent long mot and tax!

What colour is this one?

Rob

sampo · 9 Apr 2009 at 16:03

Boston Green, it isn't the sport model so it is less flash than the other one. Engine bay looks clean and tidy in the pics.

It isn't taxed (I'll see if I can get the dealer to tax it for me) but it does have an MOT valid until October. It's also due a service soon - this isn't a problem as I was planning on taking whatever I buy to an independent like beemer-redeemer or the paddock garage pretty quickly anyway.

paradigm · 9 Apr 2009 at 16:06

Not being a sport is a downer IMO. They don't look half as good without the ///M bodykit, and finding a genuine ///M kit that isn't ruined, and is in your colour will cost you more than the difference between the two cars you've listed.

sampo · 9 Apr 2009 at 16:17

I'm not too fussed about the bodykit to be honest, if I can get a clean car for £2k then its a hell of a lot of metal for very little money. From what I've gathered from talking to the paddock garage (local to me) the only differences between the sport and standard coupe are aesthetic - I'm told the share the same suspension. It does have side skirts and colour matched front bumper/spoiler.

paradigm · 9 Apr 2009 at 16:30

sampo said:
I'm not too fussed about the bodykit to be honest, if I can get a clean car for £2k then its a hell of a lot of metal for very little money. From what I've gathered from talking to the paddock garage (local to me) the only differences between the sport and standard coupe are aesthetic - I'm told the share the same suspension. It does have side skirts and colour matched front bumper/spoiler.

Nope, genuine 328i sports had sports suspension. Secondly, e36's are many things, such as a good drivers car with great dynamics (for a car of its type), but "a lot of metal for very little money" isn't one of these things.

They are expensive, and unless particularly well specced, generally average in gadgetry/toys/features.

sampo · 9 Apr 2009 at 17:23

Thanks Paradigm, it sounds as though you are correct there. It looks as though 328i coupes had M-tec suspension (lower/firmer than the saloon), and the 328i sport had Avus sport suspension (lower/firmer still).

Do you happen to know how much actual difference there is between the standard and the sport to drive?

Jez · 9 Apr 2009 at 18:07

I really didn't want to post on here, sampo, as it looks awfully as if i am trying to use the forums in the wrong way, but seeing as this is directly on topic (albeit might not be what you are after) drop me a mail at some point as i have something you might be interested in as its a damn sight better than these cars above and for similar money.

jt at hotmail dot co dot uk

Sorry dons if this is not acceptable, please remove if not acceptable & i apologise.

sampo · 9 Apr 2009 at 18:31

Jez,

You have mail!

sampo · 11 Apr 2009 at 21:22

Well I put down a deposit on a 328i coupe today.

127,000 miles, 1 owner from new with a full history up to the last service (inspection 2) with the original BMW dealer from which it was purchased new. The car was traded in against a new BMW. Fully loaded (digi climate, computer, sport leather seats etc - all working), very clean, good conti sport contacts all round. 12 month MOT, 6 month tax, indy service and valet before collection, £1995 cash.

The former owner lived at bumblebee farm on bumblebee lane (!)

It drove really well, felt tight and the engine was very smooth. No odd noises, idled smoothly from cold and pulled strongly. Fingers crossed I think I got a pretty good deal all in...

Thanks for the advice guys

Jez · 11 Apr 2009 at 21:25

Pictures when it arrives, sounds perfect and for a good price

benneh · 11 Apr 2009 at 21:40

ardy89 said:
The niksail problem was never considered a recall, BMW only replaced engines which had problems caused by the nikasil lined block. Thus if your car didn't suffer any problems there was no reason to change the engine. I also have a nikasil block in my 328i sport and it runs like a peach

Sampo, do ring BMW up with the cars vin/reg number and see if there any outstanding recalls such as steering spindle. The steering spindle recall was issued over 10 years ago and they are still replacing them now.

Rob

Nakasil here, currently shopping for a new engine.

I would personally avoid Nakasil blocks..

NickXX · 11 Apr 2009 at 21:43

sampo said:
Well I put down a deposit on a 328i coupe today.

127,000 miles, 1 owner from new with a full history up to the last service (inspection 2) with the original BMW dealer from which it was purchased new. The car was traded in against a new BMW. Fully loaded (digi climate, computer, sport leather seats etc - all working), very clean, good conti sport contacts all round. 12 month MOT, 6 month tax, indy service and valet before collection, £1995 cash.

The former owner lived at bumblebee farm on bumblebee lane (!)

It drove really well, felt tight and the engine was very smooth. No odd noises, idled smoothly from cold and pulled strongly. Fingers crossed I think I got a pretty good deal all in...

Thanks for the advice guys

Sounds like a nice car. Pics pls! I'm guessing it's not a Sport for that price.