E36 coupes - which one?
Discussion
Hi,
Assuming for a second I'm not interested in the 4 cylinders and can't afford to run an M3.....
Which E36 3 series coupe is the best all rounder?
I'm told the performance is very similar for all 4 (320, 323, 325, 328) but the 328 uses a lot more fuel than the others. Admittedly this was by someone who has a 323
Drawn to a 328 coupe, but wonder if they're really worth the extra running costs compared to one of the others.
Assuming for a second I'm not interested in the 4 cylinders and can't afford to run an M3.....
Which E36 3 series coupe is the best all rounder?
I'm told the performance is very similar for all 4 (320, 323, 325, 328) but the 328 uses a lot more fuel than the others. Admittedly this was by someone who has a 323
Drawn to a 328 coupe, but wonder if they're really worth the extra running costs compared to one of the others.
What you've been told about fuel consumption is pretty misleading in my opinion. There's actually very little difference in day to day driving between any of the six cyclinder engines for MPG (including M3). Where fuel consumption will differ is when you're really going for it, and unless you live at the Nurburgring, thats not going to represent a very high proportion of your driving.
Generally you can expect 32-38 mpg on a motorway / dual carriage way run on any of the sixes.
My 328 tends to average about 27 split fairly evenly between a congested commute, open A roads and motorway driving. Around town, it'll get about 22mpg.
The 2.0 litre is a great engine, but the way prices are, I'd say you may as well go for a 323 or 328. The 328 is noticably quicker than the 323 but only you can say how important that is to you. The only thing I don't like about the 328 is that its restricted at the top end, so although very torquey, it can feel a little strangled when you're really going for it. Try one though because I've probably made it sound far worse than it is.
One thing you need to be aware of on 323's or 328's is the nikasil bore liner issue. A search on here or google should tell you all you need to know.
Oh, and just to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered an Alpina?
Generally you can expect 32-38 mpg on a motorway / dual carriage way run on any of the sixes.
My 328 tends to average about 27 split fairly evenly between a congested commute, open A roads and motorway driving. Around town, it'll get about 22mpg.
The 2.0 litre is a great engine, but the way prices are, I'd say you may as well go for a 323 or 328. The 328 is noticably quicker than the 323 but only you can say how important that is to you. The only thing I don't like about the 328 is that its restricted at the top end, so although very torquey, it can feel a little strangled when you're really going for it. Try one though because I've probably made it sound far worse than it is.
One thing you need to be aware of on 323's or 328's is the nikasil bore liner issue. A search on here or google should tell you all you need to know.
Oh, and just to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered an Alpina?
mat205125 said:
Heard good things about the 328 sport, and you'll get proper suspension and a diff
Not necessarily, anything with traction control doesn't have a diff.
IIRC only about 500 or so were specced in this country with LSD, and as such are quite rare.
However, the 328 Sport IS the best option, fast enough to annoy much bigger cars, handles, and certainly sounds and looks the danglies.
I wouldn't be parted with mine.
ETA, with regard to MPG - around town, no worse than any other big engined car, however on the motorway expect to see up to 40mpg depending on your right foot sensitivity.
No more expensive to run, and if you are lucky (like me) you may find a 328 that has been 'tinkered' with (i.e. throttle body and inlet manifold + remap and air filter) and you'll have a proper snorter on your hands.
p.s. Get yourself to Bristol and I'll take you for a 'demonstration' run in mine...
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Thursday 10th May 11:48
gad-westy said:
What you've been told about fuel consumption is pretty misleading in my opinion. There's actually very little difference in day to day driving between any of the six cyclinder engines for MPG (including M3). Where fuel consumption will differ is when you're really going for it, and unless you live at the Nurburgring, thats not going to represent a very high proportion of your driving.
Generally you can expect 32-38 mpg on a motorway / dual carriage way run on any of the sixes.
My 328 tends to average about 27 split fairly evenly between a congested commute, open A roads and motorway driving. Around town, it'll get about 22mpg.
The 2.0 litre is a great engine, but the way prices are, I'd say you may as well go for a 323 or 328. The 328 is noticably quicker than the 323 but only you can say how important that is to you. The only thing I don't like about the 328 is that its restricted at the top end, so although very torquey, it can feel a little strangled when you're really going for it. Try one though because I've probably made it sound far worse than it is.
One thing you need to be aware of on 323's or 328's is the nikasil bore liner issue. A search on here or google should tell you all you need to know.
Oh, and just to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered an Alpina?
Generally you can expect 32-38 mpg on a motorway / dual carriage way run on any of the sixes.
My 328 tends to average about 27 split fairly evenly between a congested commute, open A roads and motorway driving. Around town, it'll get about 22mpg.
The 2.0 litre is a great engine, but the way prices are, I'd say you may as well go for a 323 or 328. The 328 is noticably quicker than the 323 but only you can say how important that is to you. The only thing I don't like about the 328 is that its restricted at the top end, so although very torquey, it can feel a little strangled when you're really going for it. Try one though because I've probably made it sound far worse than it is.
One thing you need to be aware of on 323's or 328's is the nikasil bore liner issue. A search on here or google should tell you all you need to know.
Oh, and just to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered an Alpina?
Yes. I saw a gorgeous E30 era alpina - phoned around and I couldn't find an insurance company who'd accept it as an Alpina rather than a modified BMW and by the time I'd declared all the mods they were asking silly prices - two or three times the price of a 325 sport.
I can't deny part of me likes the idea of the Alpina exclusivity, but I got the impression most of them were built to more of a 'comfort spec' than the M cars (mostly autos?) and so in reality I'd probably go for the equivilant M3.
MPG isn't hugely important as long as a)it has a good tank range, and (b)you get something in return for the extra running costs.
I've heard before that you can liberate quite a few BHP from the 328 rather easily....
chris71 said:
gad-westy said:
What you've been told about fuel consumption is pretty misleading in my opinion. There's actually very little difference in day to day driving between any of the six cyclinder engines for MPG (including M3). Where fuel consumption will differ is when you're really going for it, and unless you live at the Nurburgring, thats not going to represent a very high proportion of your driving.
Generally you can expect 32-38 mpg on a motorway / dual carriage way run on any of the sixes.
My 328 tends to average about 27 split fairly evenly between a congested commute, open A roads and motorway driving. Around town, it'll get about 22mpg.
The 2.0 litre is a great engine, but the way prices are, I'd say you may as well go for a 323 or 328. The 328 is noticably quicker than the 323 but only you can say how important that is to you. The only thing I don't like about the 328 is that its restricted at the top end, so although very torquey, it can feel a little strangled when you're really going for it. Try one though because I've probably made it sound far worse than it is.
One thing you need to be aware of on 323's or 328's is the nikasil bore liner issue. A search on here or google should tell you all you need to know.
Oh, and just to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered an Alpina?
Generally you can expect 32-38 mpg on a motorway / dual carriage way run on any of the sixes.
My 328 tends to average about 27 split fairly evenly between a congested commute, open A roads and motorway driving. Around town, it'll get about 22mpg.
The 2.0 litre is a great engine, but the way prices are, I'd say you may as well go for a 323 or 328. The 328 is noticably quicker than the 323 but only you can say how important that is to you. The only thing I don't like about the 328 is that its restricted at the top end, so although very torquey, it can feel a little strangled when you're really going for it. Try one though because I've probably made it sound far worse than it is.
One thing you need to be aware of on 323's or 328's is the nikasil bore liner issue. A search on here or google should tell you all you need to know.
Oh, and just to throw a spanner in the works, have you considered an Alpina?
Yes. I saw a gorgeous E30 era alpina - phoned around and I couldn't find an insurance company who'd accept it as an Alpina rather than a modified BMW and by the time I'd declared all the mods they were asking silly prices - two or three times the price of a 325 sport.
I can't deny part of me likes the idea of the Alpina exclusivity, but I got the impression most of them were built to more of a 'comfort spec' than the M cars (mostly autos?) and so in reality I'd probably go for the equivilant M3.
MPG isn't hugely important as long as a)it has a good tank range, and (b)you get something in return for the extra running costs.
I've heard before that you can liberate quite a few BHP from the 328 rather easily....
Thats why I think you should come and take a wizz at mine. It'll convince you... 
Neil_Bolton said:
mat205125 said:
Biggest reason that mpg can be an issue with the 6 pot cars (larger ones especially) is that they sound so f@#king good being rung out. 
Whisper it, but my BMW 328 with a Supersprint exhaust sounds better than my Ferrari 328.
I have owned my E36 328 for three years and I just never get bored of it. It looks good, goes well, handles well and sounds great.
Look out for knackered trailing arm bushes and front wishbone bushes, especially on cars with big wheels. Mine needed them doing at 60,000 miles.
Rear arches rot on older cars. My 328 is an early one and the rear arches are just starting to go. I will get them repaired soon before the rust grabs hold.
And, if it is an early one, make sure that it has had a new engine block under warranty because of the nicasil issue.
I love mine, even though it is an automatic.
Pat H said:
Neil_Bolton said:
mat205125 said:
Biggest reason that mpg can be an issue with the 6 pot cars (larger ones especially) is that they sound so f@#king good being rung out.
Whisper it, but my BMW 328 with a Supersprint exhaust sounds better than my Ferrari 328.
I have owned my E36 328 for three years and I just never get bored of it. It looks good, goes well, handles well and sounds great.
Look out for knackered trailing arm bushes and front wishbone bushes, especially on cars with big wheels. Mine needed them doing at 60,000 miles.
Rear arches rot on older cars. My 328 is an early one and the rear arches are just starting to go. I will get them repaired soon before the rust grabs hold.
And, if it is an early one, make sure that it has had a new engine block under warranty because of the nicasil issue.
I love mine, even though it is an automatic.
Well that is interesting
Mine is rusting quietly at the arches, and also in a couple of places that you would expect to see a little rust. However nothing too bad, and certainly likewise will get it sorted soo.
Mine needs the new bushes and joints, again to be expected of a car at 115k now. Again my engine was replaced at 63k, so its only just run it, meaning that it feels just so good
... Its so good, I've decided not to bother with going to an E36 M3 - would I really see double the performance for double the running costs?
Neil_Bolton said:
mat205125 said:
Heard good things about the 328 sport, and you'll get proper suspension and a diff
Not necessarily, anything with traction control doesn't have a diff.
IIRC only about 500 or so were specced in this country with LSD, and as such are quite rare.
However, the 328 Sport IS the best option, fast enough to annoy much bigger cars, handles, and certainly sounds and looks the danglies.
I wouldn't be parted with mine.
ETA, with regard to MPG - around town, no worse than any other big engined car, however on the motorway expect to see up to 40mpg depending on your right foot sensitivity.
No more expensive to run, and if you are lucky (like me) you may find a 328 that has been 'tinkered' with (i.e. throttle body and inlet manifold + remap and air filter) and you'll have a proper snorter on your hands.
p.s. Get yourself to Bristol and I'll take you for a 'demonstration' run in mine...
Edited by Neil_Bolton on Thursday 10th May 11:48
328i
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