e36 325i or 328i pros and cons?

[Optimanc]

Hello people!

I am finally going to upgrade my beloved e36 320i. I am considering a 325 or 328 (coupe). :driving:

Does anyone have any pros and or cons for either version? Anything I should keep or ear out for?

I recall something some years ago where all inline 6 2.8s were recalled some reason. Is this true? If so, why? What year did this recall occur?

Many thanks!

[jimjob]

My first BM was a 328, but I intended to buy a 325 - test drove a 328 to compare and ended up buying it instead. The 2.8 spins sweeter, and generally feels a lot more lively. Although the performance isn't that different it just felt more modern and 'better'. The recall was only on the early cars and was to do with head/block failure (someone more techy/knowledgeable on here will give you the exact details..!), but I can't imagine there's any E36 328's left out there that haven't had the necessary rectification work, if they ever needed it.
If it has to be an E36 it has to be 328. Go for it - preferably a 'sport', with aircon.

[turbo tim]

Agree with JimJob – the E36 328i is a lovely piece of kit – engine is creamy-smooth and powerful too.

I believe the issue you are referring to is NIKASIL!! Don't know a huge amount about it myself but you can read all about it here: http://web.archive.org/web/2004100919www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm

(you may have to 'cut & paste' the link into your browser)

Also, try the boys (and girls) at www.e36coupe.co.uk/ - there heaps of info on there as well.

Good luck

[Optimanc]

Thanks chaps!
I'll pay more attention to the 328i when i start shopping around.

Thanks again!

[Vee]

325s stopped being made in 1995 (M reg).
From 1996 (N reg) you get 323s, which are detuned 2.5 engines, and 328s, which have the same power but more torque than the previous 325 iirc.

Ideally you want one which has history and has had a replacement short engine.
325s didn;t suffer from Nikasil.

Only thing I'd say is pay the extra and get a 328 'sport'. 323s not really worth considering.
Look after it & you'll find it will be pretty sought after in the future.

[B17NNS]

328 was also restricted at the factory for german car tax reasons or something similar so it is very easy to gain a few horses.

have an E36 328 myself - lovely engine

[pentoman]

I seem to remember reading once something like, the 2.8 could be fitted with the airbox( or something in the intake?) from the less-restricted early 325i 2.5 for good power gains.

Russell

[StuB]

I had an E36 328iSE with all the toys. I sold it with 216k miles and it was a belter of a car. p/x was £1k and it went to auction, so someone got a bargain.

The 2.8 is de-tuned by the inlet manifold and changing it release 20-30 bhp wit a suitable re-map. As standard it was 'kin quick and the ASC helped a few times in the damp/wet conditions.

Check for play in suspension bushes (loads of them), regular services with receipt (a good independent is as good if nor better than a BMW 'stealer' IMHO). Window lifters go regularly, gloveboxes fall to bits, but a cheap to fix and they are VERY EASY TO CLOCK, so look for lots of receipts/MOT's that all inidicate an unaltered mileage etc. I'd also look to find the garage that changed the short engine, which BMW can tell you if you get the chassis number off the car.

[Optimanc]

216k, that’s impressive my 320 has done 177k with no complaints, besides some pinking which was easily sorted.

I saw a 328i Sports on my way home from work today, can’t wait to get my hands on one!

Thank you very much for your advice folks, it’s much appreciated.

Thanks again

[Optimanc]

Vee what did you mean by

nikasil said:

325s didn;t suffer from Nikasil

I thought Nikasil was just a coating in the combustion chamber, how does it fit in the context of suffering?

[StuB]

A lot of the very early '95/96 2.8 (M52) engines had very bad bore wear as the lining wasn't hard enough (BMW blamed sulphur in UK petrol - which didn't affect anyone else's cars, but hey) and were usually replaced with a short engine under warranty. BMW will have records if it's been done.

[Pickled Piper]

I've had extensive experience of both vehicles. I owned a E36 325 Coupe for several years and extensively drove a 328 Coupe. On balance my advice would be to get a 328. The pros and cons are as follows; The 325 has a cast iron block that is absolutely bullet proof. Whilst the engine has no major reliability issues, it is heavy and you will notice this in the handling of the car and also in the poorer turn in. The 328 has an alloy block, the same sort of power output as the 325 but a lot more torque. The early 328s were prone to failure of the Nikasil liners, however, the vast majority of these cars have had replacement engines. So, today it is not such a big concern. It's relatively easy to establish if your car has had the engine replaced etc.

Finally the 328s were later models so benefited from other minor changes. If you don't need a four door definitely get a coupe as it came standard with the uprated MTech suspension and looks so much better IMO. Also the last facelift was in 97 so try and get a later car if possible.

Enjoy.

pp

[Optimanc]

Thanks everyone your advice and opinions are very much appreciated.

I assume the facelift you refer to PP, is the more curved kidney grill bar the MTec kit?

I'm going to view a '97 P reg in Wakefield on Saturday, it has SAT NAV which I am not too bothered about but I assume when new it was top of the range. Its done 131k.

[Pickled Piper]

Optimanc said:

I assume the facelift you refer to PP, is the more curved kidney grill bar the MTec kit?

Yep that's the one. Some other changes that came about at the same time were new style side repeaters. Storage nets on the back of the front seats and the seat belt belt pretensioners changed from mechanical to pyrotechnic. I'm sounding like a E36 anorak aren't I. I'll stop now.

pp

>> Edited by Pickled Piper on Thursday 27th October 21:49

>> Edited by Pickled Piper on Thursday 27th October 21:50

[Optimanc]

anorak said:

I'm sounding like a E36 anorak aren't I. I'll stop now.

On the contrary Sir! All knowledge is a gift; I myself am a proud IT geek!

Thank you for your pivotal information. I have seen yet another, more local this time, for the first time I am looking forward to a Sunday!

[sputnik]

StuB said:

A lot of the very early '95/96 2.8 (M52) engines had very bad bore wear as the lining wasn't hard enough (BMW blamed sulphur in UK petrol - which didn't affect anyone else's cars, but hey) and were usually replaced with a short engine under warranty. BMW will have records if it's been done.

I think you'll find Jags also suffered bore wear of their Nikasil lined aluminium blocks from using petrol with a high sulphur content.

[StuB]

sputnik said:

StuB said: A lot of the very early '95/96 2.8 (M52) engines had very bad bore wear as the lining wasn't hard enough (BMW blamed sulphur in UK petrol - which didn't affect anyone else's cars, but hey) and were usually replaced with a short engine under warranty. BMW will have records if it's been done. I think you'll find Jags also suffered bore wear of their Nikasil lined aluminium blocks from using petrol with a high sulphur content.

Oh yes, the 'BMW X type 325' had Nikasil problems too, apparently

[Adom]

Looking at a 328 sport at the moment - just wondering whether anyone can tell me definitively when the Nikasil problem was sorted out. Was it in 97? or later? Basically, on what age cars do I not have to worry about nikasil when on the hunt?

[Optimanc]

I am reliably informed the nikasil issue was resolved by 1996 and that engines post 1996 were manufactured without the problem.
If I have been unreliably informed I’m sure someone will correct me.
I am looking for 97 and onwards.

[jimjob]

Surely by now any car that hadn't had the nikasil issue 'sorted' would have long since died anyway??

>> Edited by jimjob on Wednesday 2nd November 23:56