E36 Buyers advice?
Discussion
I have now sold my 2001 Rover Mini Cooper, and I am thinking of upgrading to an E36 coupe. I have been informed by my brother (fatboy) that I should go for a 6cyl. I have found a couple of 323i's, and they all look about the same spec-wise. I was wondering if any overly knowledgable people out there could give me some pointers as to what to look out for? Cheers, Ed.
I've had a 1997 E36 328i Coupe for 3 years and about 70k miles. The electric windows have been troublesome every now and again - before the window is completely closed, they return all the way to the open position. You can overcome this by holding the close button all the way down during this operation, but its a bit annoying. Its a common problem apparently and can be fixed but not always for very long 
Also with higher mileage the wheel sensors can fail causing the traction control system to disable itself (see light on dash). This is cheap to fix though.
Hope this helps. Mines been very reliable and alot of fun.
Also with higher mileage the wheel sensors can fail causing the traction control system to disable itself (see light on dash). This is cheap to fix though.
Hope this helps. Mines been very reliable and alot of fun.
I've had a 98 328i Sport and now have a 99 328i Cab (sport edition) and have to agree with previous poster on the windows. They love going down, just not alwasy so keen to come back up again on the one touch feature.
Other than that, buy on condition and try to stick to FBMWSH cars. They may or may not have been better looked after but they will be easier to sell on when the time comes. There are lots of 3's out there, take your time.
And also agree with sticking to 6 cylinder cars - the only 4 cylinder BMW worth having is the E30 M3. IMHO. (quick, duck in case the 318iS club start throwing rocks at my head)
VS
Other than that, buy on condition and try to stick to FBMWSH cars. They may or may not have been better looked after but they will be easier to sell on when the time comes. There are lots of 3's out there, take your time.
And also agree with sticking to 6 cylinder cars - the only 4 cylinder BMW worth having is the E30 M3. IMHO. (quick, duck in case the 318iS club start throwing rocks at my head)
VS
I owned a 318is coupe for 3 years and sold it to my dad 3 years ago - he still has it. I would agree that you need a 6 cylinder, but you may as well get a 328 (but be aware of the nicasil issue - do
a search as there has been a recent post on this).
Anyway - you need to look at:
Window seals - all of them, they start to perish at about 5 years.
Clonks from the suspension - especially over speed bumps means knackered suspension bushings - I believe that there are 6 per side on the rear axel. A full alignment check is recommended if they are changed.
Loose seat frames - dealers have a fix.
Electric window motors as mentioned earlier
Corrosion on the rear of the front wings (especially if mudflaps have been fitted)
Exhaust - its expensive (but you guessed that anyway).
My never failed me, but it did have a number of expensive items replaced under warranty, namely two front wings, an exhaust maniold, a rear spring, suspension bushes, a front shock and an ABS sensor. My dad has replaced the alternator, more suspension bushes, the battery and an electric window motor. Not bad for 6 years of ownership, but find a specialist if anything needs attention as they are much cheaper. Its now 10 years old and runs really well - tight suspension and steering, burs no oil and has very little rust (cosmetic only).
a search as there has been a recent post on this).
Anyway - you need to look at:
Window seals - all of them, they start to perish at about 5 years.
Clonks from the suspension - especially over speed bumps means knackered suspension bushings - I believe that there are 6 per side on the rear axel. A full alignment check is recommended if they are changed.
Loose seat frames - dealers have a fix.
Electric window motors as mentioned earlier
Corrosion on the rear of the front wings (especially if mudflaps have been fitted)
Exhaust - its expensive (but you guessed that anyway).
My never failed me, but it did have a number of expensive items replaced under warranty, namely two front wings, an exhaust maniold, a rear spring, suspension bushes, a front shock and an ABS sensor. My dad has replaced the alternator, more suspension bushes, the battery and an electric window motor. Not bad for 6 years of ownership, but find a specialist if anything needs attention as they are much cheaper. Its now 10 years old and runs really well - tight suspension and steering, burs no oil and has very little rust (cosmetic only).
Following on from douglasr, i seem to remember replacing rear subframe bushes was a £120 job at my local stealer, and i know a couple of people who have had weird clonks from the rear suspension which turned out to be top mounts. Again, parts not expensive but labour pushes it over £100 again.
HTH
VS
HTH
VS
verysideways said:
Following on from douglasr, i seem to remember replacing rear subframe bushes was a £120 job at my local stealer, and i know a couple of people who have had weird clonks from the rear suspension which turned out to be top mounts. Again, parts not expensive but labour pushes it over £100 again.
HTH
VS
I did the top mounts myself a few months back.. £25 ish for the bits from the main dealer and about 20 min a side.. a very easy job !!
The bushes are a bit tricky though and had to get them done by a specialist.. cost about the same as yours, apparently thay have to be 'set up'.
Well chaps, its been over a year, and 3 cars and a name change (previously cooper_ed) later, I'm back at looking at E36's again, although this time its 318iS Coupes.
I have had a look though the Members fleet etc, but couldn't find much info in the way of MPG/service costs etc.
Thats the main reason I'm changing cars (again
)
I am assuming that they will do 30-35mpg and servincing isn't too bad. Budgeting about £300 a year for service/repairs. Is this too optimistic? Or about right?
Cheers Guys,
Ed.
I have had a look though the Members fleet etc, but couldn't find much info in the way of MPG/service costs etc.
Thats the main reason I'm changing cars (again
) I am assuming that they will do 30-35mpg and servincing isn't too bad. Budgeting about £300 a year for service/repairs. Is this too optimistic? Or about right?
Cheers Guys,
Ed.
flagellant said:
I've had a 1997 E36 328i Coupe for 3 years and about 70k miles. The electric windows have been troublesome every now and again - before the window is completely closed, they return all the way to the open position. You can overcome this by holding the close button all the way down during this operation, but its a bit annoying. Its a common problem apparently and can be fixed but not always for very long
I have the same problem on my 99 cab which I'm hoping to get fixed under warranty this month.
flagellant said:
Also with higher mileage the wheel sensors can fail causing the traction control system to disable itself (see light on dash). This is cheap to fix though.
Does anyone know how much it is for this upgrade?
Had my '96 318iS for 9 months/18k miles so far and haven't had a single problem.
Never had less than 30mpg (need to try harder), but I've seen 37+ on long runs.
As far as servicing goes, mine needed it's 2nd Inspection II at about 70k, which cost about £350 from Rydale Central in Birmingham, but that's the most expensive service for the car.
In 18,000 miles the only things I've replaced are oil, rear pads, wiper blades and air fresheners.
Email me if you want to know anything else.
Never had less than 30mpg (need to try harder), but I've seen 37+ on long runs.
As far as servicing goes, mine needed it's 2nd Inspection II at about 70k, which cost about £350 from Rydale Central in Birmingham, but that's the most expensive service for the car.
In 18,000 miles the only things I've replaced are oil, rear pads, wiper blades and air fresheners.
Email me if you want to know anything else.
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