Advice on 3 series 91-97

[kiwi6539 3]

Hello I was looking at getting a E34 525i. but not sure now. so looking at the E36 318- 325. thinking they might be better choice for fuel and running costs?

Any advice on all models of engine.

And things to look out for. what goes wrong once they have high kms on them?.

All advice welcome

[jjs 60]

Hello I was looking at getting a E34 525i. but not sure now. so looking at the E36 318- 325. thinking they might be better choice for fuel and running costs?

Any advice on all models of engine.

And things to look out for. what goes wrong once they have high kms on them?.

All advice welcome

What price range are you looking at?

[Mark 178]

Hey mate, there is a TON of information on the net about the E36 3 series. A quick google for "E36 common problems" will yield a heap of info for you.

Good luck!

[kiwi6539 3]

Was looking around $2500-$4000 maybe more if needed.

Not so worried about high kms if I find one that has been well serviced and looked after.

Does the 318 have enough power to be fun?

[Apex 693]

Meh, you want an E30

The latest total BMW magazine has a list of common things that go wrong and how to sort them.

Does the 318 have enough power to be fun?

If you fit space savers to the back, yes.

Edited September 4, 2008 by Apex

[*Glenn* 854]

Was looking around $2500-$4000 maybe more if needed.

Not so worried about high kms if I find one that has been well serviced and looked after.

Does the 318 have enough power to be fun?

A good E36 for $2,500- $4,000 You must be joking

Now 318"s as in 3 X 18 year old chicks for that money could be alot of fun

[Mike 1]

Does the 318 have enough power to be fun?

no chance if its an auto, or unless you take glenns advice

interior falls to bits at higher kms, earlier ones are supposedly worse but its still happening to my olds '95

[elmarco 56]

Now 318"s as in 3 X 18 year old chicks for that money could be alot of fun

Ohhhh - that is good!

[kiwi6539 3]

Just getting ideas have 2 months before im back in NZ so looking at all options. I know ill need more cash for 3 series.

Maybe go for e34 but worried about running costs eg fuel now that its doubled since I left nz

Edited September 4, 2008 by kiwi6539

[crazyarab 6]

I had a good 325I for a while.

Found a clean engine, kept it serviced and it stayed that way was very reliable for me.

As everyone has mentioned, there are plenty of resources online but here are some things I came across in my old car.

1. Cloth interior wears easily, doors, roofs have a tendency to sag so don't be surprised if you see this.

2. Circuitry seemed to be a bit "touch and go" at times (especially break lights failing etc..), I also had an issue with the ABS unit. I constantly had to replace bulbs for some reason but that may have been due to the after market tail lights installed.

But mechanically, it truly was solid and never missed a beat.

Note: the Japanese imports have a Japanese transmission (automatics) and when they are cold the gear changes are a bit sluggish but should smoothen up as soon as car is warm, I was told this is normal. Nothing major really and it held up strong for the entire duration I had the car (and still is) as I sold it to a good mate of mine .

Just BE SURE to find a good clean engine that has a service history and I am sure you will have plenty of stress free motoring.

Unless you are really prepared to pay, I would not recommend a 325/328 auto as they chew through the petrol (manuals are not too bad). However, 318's are soooo gutless it's not funny so its really a matter of what you are after.

The best model I would recommend is probably the 323 as it's got a bit of kick and won't sting your pocket.

With a bit of searching and good luck, $4K should be enough to find a decent mileage clean 3 series.

Good luck!

Edited September 4, 2008 by crazyarab

[greenday-rulz21 4]

Good comment crazyarab. The e36 is a good all around car. I was very fortunate to come across a 323 manual, probably the best cross between fuel efficiency and definitely enough hp for a bit of fun. Make sure you get one with some history behind it. Then you will have an idea what has been done.

As crzarb said, beware with auto jap imports. They have a problem called the Jatco jerk, which is in most cases a jerk between 1st and 2nd. Most noticeably when cold, but seem to ease away as the car warms up. I have seen receipts for 3k+ to fix this issue.

The hoodlining is a common issue aswell. Not really costly to fix just an inconvenience.

All e36's were called back to BMW to replace the lower steering joint (or something like that) because of corrosion over time.

Check over any e36 for rust bubbles. When I first looked at a few, all NZ new, a couple had rust bubbles on the a pillar and the roof. Although not a big problem like those e30's!

The most common mod and probably the most cost effective to do to the 323 is to fit a 328 exhaust system. This apparently gives another 10hp? Which puts it up there near the 325s/328s.

Good luck with your search for a nice example. The price range you're looking at definitely won't get a minta but could get a nice little project which can be improved. I would suggest with cars around that price, get an inspection done before you purchase. I don't know if Glenn @ Botanymotorworks does Pre-purchase inspections, but its a worth while investment.

Edited September 4, 2008 by Nick021

[crazyarab 6]

Yep, forgot about that. Pre-purchase inspection is a must! best $100 you will ever spend (and don't do it at AA).

Go to a BMW specialist, If you are in Auckland I would recommend either BMW... or Guido Locher from www.bmworkshop.co.nz he did a fabulous in depth inspection for me before.

[PBOY23 0]

if i was to buy another i would not buy a 320 , go a 325 good power proberly same fuel consumption

[323e30 0]

e34s and e36s, Dramas with roof liners and door cards in almost all of them , Also auto gearboxes are duds .

Japanese assembled ones are duds aswel. electrical issues. and extra expensive useless toyota time bomb automatic gearboxes are in them

I think if you plan to buy an e36 you should make sure you get a manual german assembled one.

[Grant 4]

Japanese assembled ones are duds aswel. electrical issues. and extra expensive useless toyota time bomb automatic gearboxes are in them

Don't you mean Nissan?

You may not want to generalise about Japanese assembled E36's. One of mine is Japanese assembled and is as reliable as an ox.

I think the key is to be very careful with buying a Japanese one, as they are more prone to issues, if they have not been well maintained.

Cheers

Grant

Cheers Grant

[vanos 0]

Gidday. I have a 95' 323 E36. As already said - make sure it has been serviced and generally looked after and for about 5K you will be happy. I have nearly 200k and will be putting it through the second (BMW) inspection soon. I have had no problems so far. I have the Jatco auto jerk too, but won't bother about getting it fixed as I found how to ''drive around it'' It has a bit of power too. The 323 has the same engine as the 325......brrrrrrrmmmmm! Buy a 323i say

ps. This site has been valuable to me (especially as a newb)

[Yuen 16]

323 has the M52 and 325 has the M50, so not the same engine. M52 is better

As has been said, a 323 sounds about right for you, or a 328. The M50 is thirstier, you need to rev it high to get power. The M52 has more low end torque and a 323 has enough power to have fun as a daily.