e36 325i or 328i pros and cons?
Discussion
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!
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!
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.
If it has to be an E36 it has to be 328. Go for it - preferably a 'sport', with aircon.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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'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
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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