E36 328 question

[Chris]

does anyone have experience with the 96-2000 328is? I'm considering one as a DD in the next 6 months. I thought about the early 90's 325's but I want something newer.

I know reliability isn't going to be as good as my honda, but I need more torque, a suspension (sport vs. old worn out honda crap) that doesn't slam me around in the baltimore city streets, and something safer (people are insane). I'm very close to 200k on the honda and I've had it for 7 years, its just time to upgrade.

Just curious what your opinions are. Price range 8-12k

[Mike]

good cars, i don't think you can go wrong, but a 325 will likely be a good amount cheaper (i think).

[Chris]

oh one more thing... maybe a stupid question but if its an "is" model, does it automatically have the sport suspension? If not, how can I tell if it has a sport package if I go look at a car?

[Goodspeed]

All E36 3 series coupes have an "s" in the name, even if they don't have the sport package. 99 was the last year of the E36 generation. The larger VANOS equipped motor supposedly dropped an entire second off of 0-60 compared to the 2.5. The 328is with the sport package had 16 inch split five spoke wheels.

[CaptainHenreh]

All E36 3 series coupes have an "s" in the name, even if they don't have the sport package. 99 was the last year of the E36 generation. The larger VANOS equipped motor supposedly dropped an entire second off of 0-60 compared to the 2.5. The 328is with the sport package had 16 inch split five spoke wheels.

Mr. Goodspeed is correct, all the 2 doors had "s", it doesn't automatically guarantee sport package. In 96 is when the 325 went bye-bye and the 328 replaced it. The 2.8 had the same HP, a little more torque, and, of course, OBDII. 1998 brought us the 323, which had a detuned 2.5. I also think 96 is the last year you could get a LSD...I think GRM did an "E36 buyers guide" issue.

Don't discount a 318i/s, either. They're not terrible cars, and they're generally cheaper than the 6 pots.


edit: how about lowballing this guy: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/car/255449947.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ ... 49947.html</a><!-- m -->

[Chris]

All E36 3 series coupes have an "s" in the name, even if they don't have the sport package. 99 was the last year of the E36 generation. The larger VANOS equipped motor supposedly dropped an entire second off of 0-60 compared to the 2.5. The 328is with the sport package had 16 inch split five spoke wheels.

Mr. Goodspeed is correct, all the 2 doors had "s", it doesn't automatically guarantee sport package. In 96 is when the 325 went bye-bye and the 328 replaced it. The 2.8 had the same HP, a little more torque, and, of course, OBDII. 1998 brought us the 323, which had a detuned 2.5. I also think 96 is the last year you could get a LSD...I think GRM did an "E36 buyers guide" issue.

Don't discount a 318i/s, either. They're not terrible cars, and they're generally cheaper than the 6 pots.


edit: how about lowballing this guy: <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/car/255449947.html">http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/mld/ ... 49947.html</a><!-- m -->

cool thanks for the info! Not too interested in the 5 series- too large for me.

[Chris]

what about this one?! its about 6-7k under blue book because of some sensors lights that stay on- read the condition in the listing. would this be an easy fix or something way more complicated?

E36 328 on cars.com

[Mike]

i would stay far far away.

[WRXtranceformed]

For another 60 bucks a month more you could pick up this (his current price is 15.5k):

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.vadriven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161770">http://www.vadriven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161770</a><!-- m -->

[Evan]

Ive seen many E46s for around $10k, even a couple coupes. Usually with 90k+ miles though

[CaptainHenreh]

Ive seen many E46s for around $10k, even a couple coupes. Usually with 90k+ miles though

+1, if you're spending 10G's, there's much better cars out there.

[.RJ]

For $11-12k you can get a nice E46...

E36's have lots of self destructing parts - the interior, electrical bits, suspension partss and cooling system. If you can find one that doesnt have a torn up interior and has already had the cooling system and shocks/bushings replaced its probably worth looking into. But you'll still get to deal with random electrical failures and things falling off in the interior.

If you can deal with that kind of stuff they are ALOT of fun to drive and the engines are bulletproof and make great noises - they are pretty easy to work on too and parts are cheap.

[Sijray21]

For another 60 bucks a month more you could pick up this (his current price is 15.5k):

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.vadriven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161770">http://www.vadriven.com/forums/showthread.php?t=161770</a><!-- m -->

...damnit that's a nice car...

that's exactly what I'M looking for....hmmm...

[Goodspeed]

E36's have lots of self destructing parts - the interior, electrical bits, suspension partss and cooling system. If you can find one that doesnt have a torn up interior and has already had the cooling system and shocks/bushings replaced its probably worth looking into.

That and the rear subframe kind of likes to....you know...fall off after 100k miles. The rear floor is not as strong as it should be around the area of the rear suspension mounts, mostly because the E36 was the first generation in which BMW used CAD to design their cars and as most people suspect, made some sort of obvious error there. You might want to make sure thats not happening to any E36 you're looking at

[.RJ]

The rear subframe thing really isnt an issue, especially for a street driven car. Rear shock mounts should be replaced though.

[BLINGMW]

I know it maxes your budget, but I echo the notion that the E46 would be a much better buy. I think it's going to hold its value better and give you less trouble. The '99/'00 323/328 is pretty much exactly the same under the hood as an E36, I'd try to get one of the '01+ 325/330's as that's an updated engine with dual (and multistage I believe?) VANOS. With conforti sofftware update, the 2.5 in that one can keep up with the older 2.8.

[Nick325is]

My brother currently has a 96 328is. Its got alittle over 100k on it and hasn't had any real issues to date. The PO decided to replace the suspension with eibach pro kit lowering springs with stock shocks hock: Needless to say we just finished replacing all of that with the Tein SS kit with upgraded shock mounts etc.

The handeling of the car with the new suspension is excellent however I don't feel like it is as connected as the e30. Doing the suspension was a breeze btw if you ever have to do one.

The car pulls well and has great potential as a DD. Another plus is the back seats fold down to transport skis etc.

You really won't run into the subframe issue unless you get one that has been heavily tracked. However, as previously mentioned replacing the rear shock mounts and reinforcing the fronts is a good idea.

Let me know if you want anymore info Chris or if you want to drive his car around to get an idea of it.


-Nick

[Feersty]

Chris there are a few nice 330i's on craigslist, check em out.

[.RJ]

Chris there are a few nice 330i's on craigslist, check em out.

But they're pretty far out of his price range.

[Chris]

thanks for all the info. I'm leaning towards the E46. Its going to be a couple months still, need to research more.

On the positive side, I changed my garage location with insurance from B-more city to my office, saving $77 a month on the honda and $127 a month on an E46 I would like!!!