E36 BMW becoming a classic?

E36 BMW becoming a classic?

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Discussion

Touring442

3,096 posts

212 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
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That looks like Orient blue.....?

I bought a Japanese import 1993 325i Coupe in 2009 with front corner damage and applied for an received the V5C in Feb this year. No rush then..... laugh

It was loaded with AC Schnitzer bits when new apparently - wheels, suspension, bodykit, steering wheel etc.

Looks like it was a proper job - wonder if it's a 2.8 or 3.0? It's also amazingly unrusty and dry storage over the last 11 years has helped.





croyde

23,272 posts

233 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
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Here's mine after its first wash in ages after I got it back from garage last week having the rear bearings replaced. Oooo that were pricey.

She's my daily driver, bought in 1998 at 6 months old.

323i SE.

The neighbours new 3 series touring that it's parked next to normally absolutely dwarfs it.

anonymous-user

57 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
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CRA1G said:
I still have my one owner 99 Evo Cab Manual in Dakar Yellow now on 67K with FSH and history file with every mot and old tax disc's (what are them)hehe it sits proudly next to my 840 and Z3MC in the same colour just wish I could get it out and use it with the lovely weather were having right now... butnono
Did you see this?

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-1...

Collector selling variations of M3 all in Estoril Blue

CRA1G

6,626 posts

198 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
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Ingots said:
Did you see this?

https://angliacarauctions.co.uk/classic/saturday-1...

Collector selling variations of M3 all in Estoril Blue
Yes I saw that,interesting i wonder why he's splitting it up..? I missed an E39 M5 last year in Dakar but it just wasn't nice enough and had 96k on it which isn't high for the age but still i walked away,a shame because they can't be many in Dakar....

Touring442

3,096 posts

212 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
quotequote all
croyde said:


Here's mine after its first wash in ages after I got it back from garage last week having the rear bearings replaced. Oooo that were pricey.

She's my daily driver, bought in 1998 at 6 months old.

323i SE.

The neighbours new 3 series touring that it's parked next to normally absolutely dwarfs it.
Avus blue is such a great colour. Rear wheel bearings shouldn't be too dear - @£100 a side if the driveshafts come out OK.

croyde

23,272 posts

233 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
quotequote all
Touring442 said:
croyde said:


Here's mine after its first wash in ages after I got it back from garage last week having the rear bearings replaced. Oooo that were pricey.

She's my daily driver, bought in 1998 at 6 months old.

323i SE.

The neighbours new 3 series touring that it's parked next to normally absolutely dwarfs it.
Avus blue is such a great colour. Rear wheel bearings shouldn't be too dear - @£100 a side if the driveshafts come out OK.
It was the 6 hour labour charge, plus a new driveshaft on one side as well as a hub plate.

Still, first big job in 22 years of ownership smile

Touch wood.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

237 months

Sunday 26th April 2020
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Kettmark said:
What (if any) mods have u made sid?
What model have you got by the way?
Manual 328i coupe, currently on 15" wheels.

- Rebuilt Z3 steering rack
- X Brace
- E30 arms with M3 bushes
- Bilstein B12 suspension
- CDV delete
- Adjustable Eibach ARBs
- DS2500s and ATE fluid
- Vibratechnics engine mounts

It needs a LWFW, Quaife LSD and I fancy a 3.9 ratio diff. Also have a M50 manifold waiting to go on.

But it is a joyous car as it is - brilliant road chassis and as chuckable and agile as a hot hatch. With worn rear tyres, you can work both axles so easily on road at very low speeds. A hugely enjoyable and engaging driver's car for very little money.

It has become my go to car if I need to go shopping etc - it looks like a piece of junk to most people, flies under the radar yet is totally engaging to drive. Love it!

StuntmanMike

11,671 posts

154 months

Monday 27th April 2020
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Murphy16 said:
skylarking808 said:
the E48 M3 is another classic
What's an E48 M3?
It was so fast you must of missed it wink

Touring442

3,096 posts

212 months

Monday 27th April 2020
quotequote all
SidewaysSi said:
Manual 328i coupe, currently on 15" wheels.

- Rebuilt Z3 steering rack
- X Brace
- E30 arms with M3 bushes
- Bilstein B12 suspension
- CDV delete
- Adjustable Eibach ARBs
- DS2500s and ATE fluid
- Vibratechnics engine mounts

It needs a LWFW, Quaife LSD and I fancy a 3.9 ratio diff. Also have a M50 manifold waiting to go on.

But it is a joyous car as it is - brilliant road chassis and as chuckable and agile as a hot hatch. With worn rear tyres, you can work both axles so easily on road at very low speeds. A hugely enjoyable and engaging driver's car for very little money.

It has become my go to car if I need to go shopping etc - it looks like a piece of junk to most people, flies under the radar yet is totally engaging to drive. Love it!
I tried a 3.91 diff in a 325i and it was hopeless. First gear was useless and it was just too revvy, dreadful over 70/80. Something around 3.64 or even 3.73 is ideal for what you want.

SidewaysSi

10,742 posts

237 months

Monday 27th April 2020
quotequote all
Touring442 said:
SidewaysSi said:
Manual 328i coupe, currently on 15" wheels.

- Rebuilt Z3 steering rack
- X Brace
- E30 arms with M3 bushes
- Bilstein B12 suspension
- CDV delete
- Adjustable Eibach ARBs
- DS2500s and ATE fluid
- Vibratechnics engine mounts

It needs a LWFW, Quaife LSD and I fancy a 3.9 ratio diff. Also have a M50 manifold waiting to go on.

But it is a joyous car as it is - brilliant road chassis and as chuckable and agile as a hot hatch. With worn rear tyres, you can work both axles so easily on road at very low speeds. A hugely enjoyable and engaging driver's car for very little money.

It has become my go to car if I need to go shopping etc - it looks like a piece of junk to most people, flies under the radar yet is totally engaging to drive. Love it!
I tried a 3.91 diff in a 325i and it was hopeless. First gear was useless and it was just too revvy, dreadful over 70/80. Something around 3.64 or even 3.73 is ideal for what you want.
Yep you are probably right. Happy with sub 20mph/1000 rpm in top but will see what I think in due course. I am very used to 6 speed Caterhams and 'UCR boxed Lotuses so stupid gearing holds no fear. smile

ianfarquhar

1 posts

33 months

Wednesday 20th October 2021
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Kettmark said:
Here's mine
Nothing mundane about it. I had a 318is identical to this, same year too. If you're ever interested in parting with it please let me know. Ian

Kettmark

904 posts

156 months

Wednesday 20th October 2021
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I may be Ian. Pm me please.

Kawasicki

13,162 posts

238 months

Wednesday 20th October 2021
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ianfarquhar said:
Nothing mundane about it. I had a 318is identical to this, same year too. If you're ever interested in parting with it please let me know. Ian
I had the same in white, with a factory fitted lsd. I loved/mercilessly thrashed that car.

The E36 or E30 318is are probably my fav bmws. Hard to say which is better overall.

JakeT

5,508 posts

123 months

Thursday 21st October 2021
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My 1993 320i coupe. Two owners before me, always garaged and has had that plate on it from new. Lovely drive, forgot how much I like the M50 engine. I had a 318ti years ago too, a very cut price E30 318is. Good engine, just about the only BMW 4 cylinder I’d own.


Touring442

3,096 posts

212 months

Thursday 21st October 2021
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Glacier blue if I'm not mistaken. Very nice indeed.

JakeT

5,508 posts

123 months

Thursday 21st October 2021
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Correct! I want a glacier blue E32 and E34 to complete the set. Just put a cam sensor on it, and it’s feeling back to new. Forgot how nice the smaller six cylinder BMWs are. Preferable to a 190e 2.0 to me.

Touring442

3,096 posts

212 months

Thursday 21st October 2021
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I had a J plate (so non vanos) 320i in Lagoon green years and years ago. It was OK but I had it remapped; you know how lively these feel when first driven on a cold morning? It was like that all the time and begged to be driven hard. And it was!

JakeT

5,508 posts

123 months

Tuesday 26th October 2021
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Sounds very interesting, any more details? I can’t say I notice a big difference between cold and hot, but I drive it like a pensioner when cold.

LanceRS

2,177 posts

140 months

Wednesday 3rd November 2021
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I still miss mine, had it for the best part of 9 years. It was totally standard and I never had the urge to change that.


skylarking808

824 posts

89 months

Sunday 7th November 2021
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After nine years you must have known the car well and given lots of memories. Hope I am able to keep mine that long.

The E36 is hard car not to play with! Did you not want to remove the CDV?
From a 318is to an M3 they are great out of the box of course.

Although I wish/try to keep mine "standard" I did tweak a little last year. I did last four years though before a remap to make the most of the lovely six cylinder wink
It has braided clutch and front brake hoses, a K&N pannel filter plus an x-brace. Pretty mild but added together with the map they have continued to make me an enthusiast for this era of three series. Always gonna be a BMW classic in my world.