My e36 lives to fight another year.
My e36 lives to fight another year.
Author
Discussion

croyde

Original Poster:

26,232 posts

258 months

Saturday 2nd January 2021
quotequote all
Stuck her in for the MOT today, mainly to get a list of what needs doing and would it be worth spending the money, as the ULEZ comes into force this October and my work and family are all just inside whilst I hover just outside it.

Was already resigned to saying goodbye to my daily of nearly 23 years. Bought her at 6 months old in 1998. Has only ever let me down twice, both times due to long overdue battery changes.

She's weathered bringing up 3 kids, trips Sur le Continent, as my work car travelling around the country, taking my eldest to university, as well as my current daily commute with the odd walking holiday thrown in and trips to the dump.

She's bruised and battered as a London car, small and light thus quick, but drinks fuel as only a 2.5 6 pot designed in the 90s can only do.

In the time I've had her, I've also had a Boxster, a Disco3 and a Mustang GT but she's always been there for me and is still a fun drive.

She only bloody passed! Just the rear tyres need replacing soonish.

So, do I wait and see if a new mayor ousts car hating Khan and stops the expansion of the ULEZ or do I sell now, with a one year MOT and go practical and get that Dacia Duster with the triple 999cc engine.

Might stop me driving like a wker hehe


MitchT

17,113 posts

237 months

Saturday 2nd January 2021
quotequote all
Love a good E36 story. I bought my 12 May 1999 registered 318iS on 30 July 1999 and still have it today. MOT is due on 10 Jan so I'll stick it in for that this week, along with a bunch of other jobs that need doing. Once that's out of they way it'll be time to arrange to sort out the rear arches and various other areas of corrosion. I'm hoping this will be a lifelong keeper.

paradigital

1,098 posts

180 months

Saturday 2nd January 2021
quotequote all
Even though she clearly needs a good going over cosmetically, there’s clearly a good car under there. As you’ve said 2.5, that makes this an LCI 323i doesn’t it?

Still relatively desirable these days, especially if it can be given an M50 manifold from a 325/525i.

croyde

Original Poster:

26,232 posts

258 months

Saturday 2nd January 2021
quotequote all
Yes, correct. It's a great engine, only 138,000 miles smile

It's lovely to drive and I am always happy to get back into it after driving newer cars.

Nice fat profile tyres that absorb the largest speed bumps and a useful rubbing strip along its mid section.

Why on earth don't modern cars have these hehe

The body is covered in keying, scrapes and some dents but no rust thankfully. I think it's slightly shoddy exterior helps me get through London traffic smile

It's all as original apart from the gear knob from my Mustang, just to remind me of another great car ownership experience.

This does mean that I'm not worried about where I leave it parked.

e28525e

532 posts

169 months

Saturday 2nd January 2021
quotequote all
What a great post. I currently have a 91 325i saloon. I'm hoping it will be my daily for a long time. I sold a 130i in order to go back to an E36. I just can't get on with newer cars. What's the mileage, btw?

Gooly

977 posts

176 months

Saturday 2nd January 2021
quotequote all
Lovely, nice to see these surviving on in London! If you ever do wish to sell, shoot me a PM - I'm only local and would rather just pay the charge than drive anything else tbh!

Edited by Gooly on Wednesday 13th January 00:44

Levin

2,117 posts

152 months

Saturday 2nd January 2021
quotequote all
Something very appealing about an E36 saloon, it hits a spot for me that the coupe can't match. I've never driven one but I have a suspicion that I would enjoy it.