1995 E36 325 (M)

[d_dragosani]

Hi guys,Myself in the process of getting myself an E36 325 Manual comes with full set of Racing Dynamics accessories which include-18" Racing dynamics rims, -Racing Dynamics carbon fibre engine cover, -spoiler, -M3 side mirror-Front and rear strut bar-white light-M3 3 spoke stering-Racing Dynamics front, rear and side skirt. Mileage recorded at 225,000km already. Price 74K.The saleman told the engine is still using timing belt. Is it true?Any useful advise before I close the deal?

 

[supergripen]

hey D.. i used to have one of these rare beasts,i believe only 50 manual units were ever brought into malaysia.mine had been stroked to 3.0 using the US M3 stroker kit and it was a torquey monster..
if memory serves me right all these m50 engines had timing chain in them..never heard of timing belt ones!!
mileage a tad high though and u might want to do a thorough engine check on them including compression test.
super car though..

 

[535i]

Is it original manual or a conversion.

M50 uses chain.

 

[flash]

Originally posted by 535i@Jul 5 2005, 09:38 AM
Is it original manual or a conversion.

M50 uses chain.

Ur huh, you beat me to it. I knew you were going to ask that.

Oh, what year is the car?

 

[d_dragosani]

It's an ori manual, year 1995. I'd check the engine, it's M50 engine but dun understand why the salesman keep telling me its using timing belt.

By taking advised given by the sifus here,the only thing bothering me is the car dun have the service record.

It's a rare finding and hard to let go, but if I dun feel comfortable abt it, I might opt for the basic 328 and do the beautyfication process later.

Seems it's 325 manual, the previous owner might had push-it not to the limit, but push-it over the limit instead.

Btw, the plate number WDJ4XXX.

 

[Lionel_Koh]

325 manual is very rare .....basic car is around 60-65K..saw one at MT which located at JB.At 74K..i experted the condition is superb....No douth the car is wit timing chain.....Maybe u can look for other to compare..Always get the second opinion....As u said...u don't know the previous owner driving style...So always send ur car for inspection at ur mech b4 commit it...Good Luck

 

[flash]

Originally posted by Lionel_Koh@Jul 5 2005, 10:35 AM
325 manual is very rare .....basic car is around 60-65K..saw one at MT which located at JB.At 74K..i experted the condition is superb....No douth the car is wit timing chain.....Maybe u can look for other to compare..Always get the second opinion....As u said...u don't know the previous owner driving style...So always send ur car for inspection at ur mech b4 commit it...Good Luck

Agree with Lionel. Better get a mechanic (BMW specialist) to have a look at the car before committing. If not, you might be saddled with expensive bills doing her up.... IMO, 74k is rather steep for a 1994 car (WDJ).

 

[535i]

Originally posted by d_dragosani@Jul 4 2005, 09:04 PM
It's an ori manual, year 1995. I'd check the engine, it's M50 engine but dun understand why the salesman keep telling me its using timing belt.

By taking advised given by the sifus here,the only thing bothering me is the car dun have the service record.

It's a rare finding and hard to let go, but if I dun feel comfortable abt it, I might opt for the basic 328 and do the beautyfication process later.

Seems it's 325 manual, the previous owner might had push-it not to the limit, but push-it over the limit instead.

Btw, the plate number WDJ4XXX.

It's blue color, from northern region.

I think is 17" RD rims and not 18".

And it's a convert model.

 

[flash]

Originally posted by 535i+Jul 5 2005, 10:51 AM-->QUOTE (535i @ Jul 5 2005, 10:51 AM)

 

[535i]

Originally posted by flash+Jul 4 2005, 09:54 PM-->QUOTE (flash @ Jul 4 2005, 09:54 PM)

Originally posted by 535i@Jul 5 2005, 10:51 AM

 

[ericlks]

Price wise it is a little steep for a 95 model.....! Unless its had an engine rebuild it should not have a timing belt....!
But the 325i is a lovely car to drive, okay its not a mini bullet like the 328i but it has its charms, not to mention the engine sounds a lot sweeter than the 328i...!
Just a bit of advice before you put money down, unless you've done so already....! Last year I bought myself a '94 325i, 128k on the clock at that time....! RD front and back, anti-rolls front and back, engine strut, BBS sports seats, BBS 17" rimms (since changed to 16"s for want of comfort!); the car drives and handles better than other 3's believe me there are about 7 other owners of other 3's who can vouch for that; I believe that the anti-rolls are the key...!
BUT!......you're buying a decade of usage....!
First, the petrol tank leaked - 450
2nd - the knock sensor cracked - 150 X 2
3rd - the engine start wheezing, probably a problem with the fuel lines - another 500;
4th - the windscreen spray crapped - 100
5th - the fuel meter crapped - not fixed
6th - the aircon condenser; a couple of ks

Now, if I pump in Shell V power, and I do 230km/h on the highway (okay okay I can touch it, and hold it for 2 mins, otherwise 180km/h is constant) but when I stop the car; guess what happens? it leaks petrol from the left side of the car under the fuse box.....! scary shit!

 

[mrhartge]

Originally posted by flash+Jul 5 2005, 10:54 AM-->QUOTE (flash @ Jul 5 2005, 10:54 AM)

Originally posted by 535i@Jul 5 2005, 10:51 AM

 

[535i]

Originally posted by mrhartge+Jul 4 2005, 10:25 PM-->QUOTE (mrhartge @ Jul 4 2005, 10:25 PM)

Originally posted by flash@Jul 5 2005, 10:54 AM

Originally posted by 535i@Jul 5 2005, 10:51 AM

 

[d_dragosani]

The car color is black and yes it is in BM, Penang.
I've been visiting the shop for 4 days and 1 night already, cannot tahan the temptation but still want to be caution in order not to make a regretful decision.

Letting this car away also a very hard decision, feels like you already find your dream girl but you let her go away since you don't have trust in her.

328 (A) and 325 (m)....which one is faster? I'm looking for speed, for a dogfight with camry and PV6 on the NS highway. Losing my patience already with arrogant Camry & PV6 drivers who keep beaming and honk my iswara on the highway even when I'm overtook a trailer.

 

[535i]

Originally posted by d_dragosani@Jul 5 2005, 04:46 AM
The car color is black and yes it is in BM, Penang.
I've been visiting the shop for 4 days and 1 night already, cannot tahan the temptation but still want to be caution in order not to make a regretful decision.

Letting this car away also a very hard decision, feels like you already find your dream girl but you let her go away since you don't have trust in her.

328 (A) and 325 (m)....which one is faster? I'm looking for speed, for a dogfight with camry and PV6 on the NS highway. Losing my patience already with arrogant Camry & PV6 drivers who keep beaming and honk my iswara on the highway even when I'm overtook a trailer.

It think it's the same car that I tested .. Sorry , I thot it's dark blue..

My fren .. if u want to play with Camry or V6, settle for 318 enuf laaa ..

E36 325 is in a diff league all together. Infact, I have personally tested E36 325; beating an E36 328 ... standard vs standard. But I know some 328 are insanely fast ... esp that white colored 328 that loves the divider (u know who u are ..)

This will be ur 1st BMW. Shop around first ..

 

[d_dragosani]

A 318? No way bro. Not gonna let myself being bully by those wiralutions, satrialution and supralution (terms borrowed from musclehedz )

 

[mikoloh]

Mr.Drago,

Ive been living with a 325iM for 10 years now....and i can assure you that it can not only take the PV6 and camry ...even 328i can be your breakfast(do u get up that early?)

The mileage you posted is exceedingly high for such a car....i would like to remind you that the 325i is a very sensitive beast and needs a lot of TLC and vitM.

BUT having said that, its a much better car to drive then say the E46....and yes the E36 is indeed cheap now....just be careful u dont get a LEMON!...BTW have you taken it out for a test drive?

All the best to U.

cheers

michael

 

[535i]

Originally posted by d_dragosani@Jul 5 2005, 05:34 AM
A 318? No way bro. Not gonna let myself being bully by those wiralutions, satrialution and supralution (terms borrowed from musclehedz )

Dun under estimate 318 ... can still play with wiralution .... but not pick-up laaa ...

But what u need is torque ... maybe 318 cannot gif u the torque that u want .....

 

[wkwoo69]

You want real honest advice?

Sounds to me like yet another case of a second hand salesman trying to catch a water fish. Chances are he paid 55k to the seller for it, maybe less. I think paying 74k for that kind of recorded mileage (wah, not clocked?!) is downright silly.

Push him down to 65k and don't pay a sen more than 68k. Tell him that's all you've got. Of course, he'll spin the usual crap about a lot of people looking for this car, the bodykit is cun, etc. Fact is, there isn't many people looking for the car now, and all the add ons don't mean squat. Not at this vintage.

The only thing which could have added any premium to the car is service records. Which it doesn't have. Tread with extreme caution, and don't agree until you've had it inspected thoroughly by a proper independent mech.

In fact, you should test drive it with someone who has owned or owns an E36. The euphoria of driving this rare beast would probably overwhelm your judgment at that point in time.

Remember, just don't be in a hurry. There's always another around, even this manual one. And car salesmen know for a fact that for a lot of MNC employees, bonus has just been declared.

 

[d_dragosani]

Waahh!!...mikoloh you really pouring petrol on my burning desire for the car.

Anyway, thanks to Bro Woo and 535i for their valueable advice. I really appreciate it. It will cool me down for a while.

Bro Woo, honestly last time when you'd advertised your babe for sale, I'm seriously wanna buy but that time the 'M' is not available yet.

Perphaps I should attend Penang chapter TT to gather more infos for my future buying.

Cheers!