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At some point in the future (not really sure when), me and my wife will be thinking about selling the MX-5 and getting something a bit more practical. It won't be immediately, as I'm having too much fun in the Mazda at the moment, but anyway... Her criteria are: - aircon - rear seats - reasonable-sized boot - manual gearbox ...and to that, I add: - rear wheel drive - fast - fun - reliable We're pretty skint and the Mazda's probably worth about £1600-1800 when we come to sell, so the budget has to be around £2k max. And today I've kind of settled on the E36 328i coupe. You seem to get a lot for your money and it ticks all the boxes. So, what should we look out for? (And what other cars might be a good choice...?) Some E36 coupes for your delectation...        |
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Last Edit: Jul 21, 2010 9:43:28 GMT by dbizzle
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Stu_B
Posted a lot
Investing in rust!
Posts: 1,266
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rust,electrical problems,barry boy mods and rust,328i is a good choice,more power isn't too difficult to achieve.
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gr9
Part of things
Posts: 107
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Check for rust around both the rear arches, petrol filler cap and the edge of the front wings. The boots also go along the bottom edge.
The engines are all pretty bombproof if looked after correctly, i would recommend one with even if not a full history, a decent one at least. Parts are available from GSF and ECP and they are reasonably priced, more car specific items need to be bought from the dealer, these prices are not so friendly.
My advice would be tread carefully a s these cars are making that transition that all cars make between decent useable car and a neglected,banger scrapyard fodder. Look at a few cars, there are plenty about
As for performance to be quite blunt a 328i is more than fast enough for anyones needs, the 328i sport is a great car and comes with m tweeks and BBS splitties as standard.
DAN
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1991 VW Golf MK2 GTI 16v
1988,89 and 90 Mitsubishi Starion Widebody Turbos
1987 BMW E28 527i
1981 Lancia Beta2000 HPE
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Nikasil. All M52 (328i) engines in the UK were Nikasil engines up until late 1998. Nikasil and our fuel weren't the best of friends and the cylinder bores pretty much wore away on a lot of these engines! Luckily most of the problems have been sorted by now. Either by BMW replacement engine or some cars just written off. Any car you're thinking of buying, a phonecall to BMW and they should be able to verify if the engine has been modified or replaced. I purchased a 328i sport a few years back based on the phonecall to BMW who informed me that the engine had been replaced at 66,000 miles with a new steel sleeved engine....the car was on 98,000 miles so I was getting a 32,000 mile engine!  You'll be unlucky to find one these days that suffers from the Nikasil probs, but still worth checking. Power can be significantly increased by fitting the M50 2.5 inlet manifold. The 2.8i engine produced such healthy power that BMW saw it as a potential threat to sales of the E36 M3 so restricted the engine through the inlet manifold (and possibly some ECU tweaks??) so that it sat nicely between the 2.5 it replaced and the M3 itself....with power slightly nearer the 2.5 than the M3. Sports were normally well specced. Mine came with the standard staggered BBS splitties, full M3 kit, optional M3 spec Bilstein Avus sports suspension etc...well worth seeing if you can pick one up in a good spec. I can't think of anything more really that stands out....obviously get the best one you can afford and the more stock the better (as you probably know) Congrats on the wedding BTW....a bit belated, but congrats all the same ;D |
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alfaboy
Part of things
stopping smoking
Posts: 126
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Go for it!
I had one with 140+k on it for 18 months and it didn't cost me a penny apart from a good service.
As said, check for rust around the rear arches, they all go at some point, and you need to check wheather it has an alusil or nickasil engine, search google for the telltale signs (theres a mark on the block to distinguish them) you want an alusil as the other can suffer massive bore wear, also open the drivers door with the engine running and rest your hand on top of the open door to check for a slight missfire.
The engine is a masterpiece and super smooth, a good sealed induction kit works very well, also the inlet manifold from a 325 removes the restriction they have.
Enjoy!
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I have an idea for a unique alfa. . . . and i think it might just work.
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Ah, I'd forgotten about Nikasil!
Bruce - thanks very much both for the congrats and the helpful info!
Who at BMW is good to contact - is a call to any dealer enough or do you have to go to someone specific?
alfaboy - I don't quite understand the open door/misfire test...?
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I had the advantage of getting to build up a good rapport with the parts & service guys at my local BMW due to turning up in my Z1 whenever I needed anything. They loved the car and started recognising me when I did turn up. When I decided to look into buying the 328 the parts guy was more than happy to look up the info of the car on the database and let me have all the details (verbally over the phone)
I can't see any reason why you would have a problem at a dealer near you? Might be worth going in and asking in person first?
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Good idea, I should go and strike up a conversation with a Beemer chappie.
The missus seems to be on board with the idea now - she's just emailed me asking about fuel economy and insurance. Any info there...?
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qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,410
Club RR Member Number: 52
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E36 coupes - any advice?qwerty
@qwerty
Club Retro Rides Member 52
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This isn't at all helpful but I love them! Would have to be a 4 door for me though and probably a 325tds!
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alfaboy
Part of things
stopping smoking
Posts: 126
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They can sometimes get a slight missfire, but the engine is so smooth its hard to spot so if you open the door all the way, rest your hand on the top of the door and see if you have any pulsating vibration through it. Another check is to remove the oil filler cap while its running, it should pretty much stall, if it don't there could be pressure problems. Hope that helps mate.  |
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I have an idea for a unique alfa. . . . and i think it might just work.
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Ah right, thanks very much!
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my 328 coupes doing around 19 to the gallon around town
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 1985 manta coupe 3.0 24v 1985 porsche 944 |
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Unexpected result - my wife's really enthusiastic about the idea, so it looks like we'll be E36 shopping very soon. ;D
The MX-5's booked in for an MOT and a service next week, then I'll need to transfer off my private plate... then if anyone fancies a '97 mkI with new MOT, new tax and a new roof, you're welcome to take it off our hands...!
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 Bmw M3 Gt2 is awesome |
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Going to look at this on Saturday (assuming someone else doesn't buy it before then!) - quite excited.   3 owners, FSH, original spec inc. split rims. Fingers crossed it's a good 'un (and if it is, that the wife lets me buy it even though we haven't sold the MX-5 yet!). |
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Jul 21, 2010 10:14:44 GMT
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Good choice in car dude, the E36 is awesome (although i'm biased as I own a more door  ) This is mine  I love this car so much, seriously comfortable, loads of fun and fast enough for day to day use  Think everyone on heres covered what needs to be covered on an E36 A good resource should you want more info before/after buying one is bmwowner.com (originally E36coupe.com) |
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'84 Honda Civic 1.3 AH The Daily
'86 Nissan Leopard F31 The Weekend Cruiser
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Jul 21, 2010 10:20:48 GMT
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Good lord, that's some dish you've got there! Are they E34 M5 rims?
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[*]
[*]
)
Think everyone on heres covered what needs to be covered on an E36