Eagle

Any idea what this is?, no external numbers on outside . Doesn't look like of the usual MkI-IV ive ever seen but im no expert. Will rip it out tomorrow and inspect it further anyway Car is 9\99 build Japan 540i

Mines done 346,000k and still lockups quite well. Obviously i dont know its history. Yeah sort of does, im sure its had shocks done at those km. Good(and bad in a way) thing about the E36's is you can check what shocks its running when the viewing car. Yeah should be a direct bolt on. Only issue with 2nd hand you dont know how history of them or what they really like till you install them but bilsteins should give a good lifespan. As for the springs the guy is a member one here so you can ask him

When you convert your 540i to manual im sure you will want and then appreciate having one. Unless of course you like creating a smoke screen every time you try to floor it from a standstill haha.

Cant say im really clued up on M50 vs M52 power mods but I myself would still take the M50 robustness over M52. Some good headers and a remap probably still going to be the best valve $ for power and that's all id personally probably do, even that seems a waste unless you are converting it to manual as the auto going to suck power and just be generally sh*t. Shocks\springs and wheels\tyres are what i start with. Haven't really looked into pricing for E36's but would think you'd be able to get a new set of sport shocks for <1k landed from overseas at places like shox.com. Should be plenty of options for springs locally or maybe you could get spring\shock package for a good deal second hand or overseas if shipping and GST aint too bad.

First time ive seen Canada version E36 Not the greatest rims yeah but think they look ok, If the interior is tidy and motor is good then a few spray cans to for colour code the sides and spend the rest on new shocks\springs\tyres etc. Done.

All i was trying to say its better to get something a bit cheaper maybe not perfect but still in decent condition and spend the money saved to make the car better. Otherwise you may be looking very long time. The fact is unless its some real enthusiasts pride and joy and they have refreshed\upgraded all the suspension components, its probably never going handle as good it was when new. Sure the blue 328i handling was easily acceptable but my 535is was still better as im on good rubber and have replaced\upgraded near every suspension part because i wanted it to handle. For you average person that would be a waste of money. So you can either drag this record on hoping you find the perfect car ~6k or get something respectable and throw some money at it like most of us do.

I dont even really know what you want anymore besides not paying more than 6k. Since you have said you will be happy with an 540i why dont you check out this one:http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/540ia/auction-684171623.htm E34's have quality interiors so not need to worry about that Way more power and torque than 325\328i, check Take the remaining 2-3k and chuck in new shocks\springs, tyres and bushings and even a lsd The result is a car that is probably going to be better than any E36 that you willing to pay for.

Cheers. This is the only E39 V8 manual ive driven so i couldn't answer that sorry.

Relisted

Well if you want outright power then the 540i is hard to beat for the price, sounds like you should just start looking harder at them then tbh. If you dont mind sticking with the auto then i dont see why you shouldn't just buy one, throw some decent springs and shocks in it and call it a day. As for a poor mans M5 well i suppose thats technically true but since you are looking at poor man automatic m3's yourself i dont think it really matters haha. My poor mans M5 handles better and is faster than most poor man M3's ive driven, not to mention its packing the legendary M30 engine which needs no introduction. Safe to say your be in box in the ground by the time an M30 has a midlife crisis lol.

Im curious as to why you'd pick a 540i over 535i? I like 540i's and they have their advantages but a 535i manual is alot more engaging to drive than a 540i auto(which is what you want i thought) among other things.

You can always buy a nice E34, alot better quality interiors. Mark's selling a nice 535i manual. http://bimmersport.co.nz/topic/47670-for-sale-e34-535ise-manual-128000-ks/

Didn't realize there are so many 328i on trademe, mostly autos sadly. Too many to list but this one looks tidy, well optioned and seems like it could be had for a good price, some better photos would help alot though. http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/328i/auction-680605542.htm

Didn't know you were looking at cars in that far south?

Sounds exactly like a bad viscous fan clutch to me

540i was for my brother but ended up getting a 535is which im fixing up for him. Had so many people interested my 540i ive had to form a viewing que.

Going for a record here i think, or maybe it is one already.

As ive probably said before id be very surprised if he goes down that low, he hadn't even decided what he was replacing it with. If you willing to wait and see if he does thats all good but when do you draw the line. Like Blue said above cars appears everyday so never know what may come up.

Haha What about this one, looks ok:http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-cars/bmw/328i/auction-684036172.htm

HB have a good one.

Nice curb free set of BBS RX's(i think) gotta count for something too. IMO if you want manual buy a manual, not worth the hassle converting unless its uncommon like a 540i etc or the conversion not going to really cost you

I loved the colour, looks purple when shaded and blue when in the light. Very nice all overall. Hopefully Graham managed to look at it also.

No he said another guy in Hawks Bay(i think) is prepared to pay 6.5k for it this weekend if he drives it down to taupo, he said hasn't followed it up and is unsure if the guy was genuine or not at this point. As i mentioned he is firm on his price of 6.5-6.7k

Good to see this tidy old beast again. GLWS

Pity its missing the iS lip. Looks very nice otherwise