e36 325i reliability

[idriveacar]

I've noticed that fairly high mileage 325i's can be picked up for not much money.
Could anyone give me some advice on the M50 2.5 engine.
Does it suffer from the same problems as the 328i?
Are early 325i's reliable and what mileage can one expect from them?

Thanks

[BlackStuff]

I had a '94 325iSE, and when I sold it with 120k on the clock it was still like new. Never the slightest hiccup, and nothing other than servicing and a replacement lambda sensor at 80k.

The M50 engine doesn't have Nikasil liners and doesn't have VANOS, so is free from both of the "Achilles Heels" of the later M52 engine.

From my own experience and what others have said, if the servicing has been done properly and if all the obvious checks come out all right I reckon they'd be good for 200,000 or more.

When you are looking at E36's of that vintage, clutch judder when warm is a stock problem, and also expect the rear suspension to require full rebushing about every 60k-100k, depending on usage. The latter will cost around £400 if you get it all done by an independent (it will knock and clunk over bumps if it needs doing). Check all the electrics work - particularly that all the heater fan speeds work if it has auto-aircon fitted. Another classic is the telescopic headlamp washers which leak. Not a major issue (you can always blank them off!) but bits like this are good for bargaining!

[idriveacar]

Thanks a lot. that was very helpful. They do seem remarkable value for money.

[Luvvly Linda]

I have to be honest with you - I've got a 325i - its 1995, done 150k miles and it drives perfectly.

Last week I bought a 323i convertible (1998) with the intention of selling the 325i. In fact, I put it in the classifieds on this forum but I am having serious doubts now.

The 323 is such a disappointment compared to my 325i -both 2.5 engines but there is absolutely no comparison whatsoever. The 323 doesn't even come close to it on handling, acceleration, comfort etc, so much so that I am thinking of letting the 323 go and finding another convertible - but which should I go for? I'd like one that's similar to my 325. Would the 328 be much better? Anybody have any ideas please?

[mustard]

Linda,

Handling & Ride of the convertible will be inferior to the coupe due to the reduction in stiffness,
and I think you'll also find the convertible tips the scales quite a bit heavier hence the reduction of performance.

I think the issue is not with the engine more the body style, sadly its the trade off one has to pay with a 'hack saw job' convertible against a soft top sportscar

Phil

>> Edited by mustard on Wednesday 14th July 19:51

[Luvvly Linda]

Phil is that the same with all BMW convertibles or is there maybe one that I might like?

[mustard]

Luvvly Linda said:

Phil is that the same with all BMW convertibles or is there maybe one that I might like?

Well a 328 will probably address the loss of performance issue, but you will not replace the lost stiffness of the coupe body over the convertible, really a question of how much you like to go topless

you could always get a Z3 2.8 ... but I wouldnt recommend that!



>> Edited by mustard on Wednesday 14th July 22:01

[BlackStuff]

A 328 Convertible probably still won't quite match an "old" 325 Coupé for performance. The 2.8 is rated just 1 bhp higher than the M50 2.5, the main advantage being a better spread of torque, though I still wouldn't describe it as "long-legged".

The cynic in me suspects that the later de-tuning of the 2.5 litre engine was partly to bolster sales of the 2.8!!!

I traded my 325 for a 328 and it wasn't really a whole lot quicker. I expected all the extra torque to make it move along a lot better in the mid-range, but all it actually seemed to do was lose some of the smooth "eagerness" of the 2.5 - either way I think I probably enjoyed driving the old one more.

[XM5ER]

Mr Blackstuff, you need big bore throttle bodies and an old 325 inlet manifold. Cost, roughly £250, power up to around 210 BHP.

I will find a link to a guy who has done this and has all the dyno readouts to show the difference.

[XM5ER]

Found it
www.328sport.dsl.pipex.com/

[BlackStuff]

XM5ER said:

Mr Blackstuff, you need big bore throttle bodies and an old 325 inlet manifold. Cost, roughly £250, power up to around 210 BHP. I will find a link to a guy who has done this and has all the dyno readouts to show the difference.

Many thanks for passing that on but I'm afraid I don't actually own the 328 any more. I've now traded it in for a 330 Sport, which comfortably deals with all my performance issues!

All I need to do now is get used to this adaptive drive-by-wire throttle. Why oh why couldn't they just give us a cable, or failing that a switch to make the throttle response linear and/or predictable?