About to purchase a E36 328i

[sadhish]

Hi guys,Everysince I've driven a Bimmer, I've been hooked. Mainly to this forums.Thanks to the addiction and the ever growing collection of Mototrader & Top Gear and me staring at every single bimmer that passes me by, I've decided to get a E36. And then thanks to the folks in this forum, I decided to get the 328i instead of the 318i. Haha.. Aside from the road tax (crazy at Rm1600) I don't see any real difference in cost.Anyway, I'm from Penang and am going down to KL this weekend to view and test drive the car. The problem is that the car is without road tax, it expired two months ago. Originally I wanted to take the car to AB for a full inspection before deciding to take the final plunge. Now I'm not sure what to do.I'm getting it direct from owner. He is a single owner of this car. Also is it worth going to auto bavaria or should I just take it to Mspeed or Heritage or Bimmer Auto? The car is in Kajang, but I will ask the owner to come to KL is neccessary.Do you guys have any ideas or recommendation? I'm so bloody excited! but I want to do this right.Anything and everything will be appreciated so so much Thanks in advance. Wow almost my first UDM:love:

 

[Daredevil]

E36 328i is still one of the best 3er ever produced by BMW. Its sleek design and handling remain an object of admiration by many. I think you've made a good choice.

If the car you're talking about is at one of the 2nd hand dealers, then getting a test plate shouldn't be a problem. That's what happens when you bring unregistered cars out on the road for test drive anyway. You still fill up an indemnity form just in case you get into an accident. With the test plate, even if you get stopped by cops, you should be fine. That would mean the car can also be driven to a mechanic of your choice for a simple modic test and a quick look at the under carriage up the hoist. :top:

I'm sure many E36 owners here can testify to that. Being an E36 driver once, if given the chance to own another E36, I'll still take that plunge. If you find a good condition one, keep it. It's a gem....Good Luck.

 

[sadhish]

Oops.

Hi DD,

Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate.

Forgot that important detail. i'm getting it straight from the owner. Hence the dillema.
Also if it's possible, do you think I should take it to AB? Or any reputable mechanic will do? I hear names like heritage, mspeed and bimmer auto as guys who really know their stuff.

 

[anxious]

The problem is that the car is without road tax, it expired two months ago.

I would be very concerned about a car which has expired road tax.

Firstly it means that the car hasnt been driven for 2 months.

Secondly it may have been neglected as 6 mths road tax only cost RM800. If the owner can't spend RM800 to keep the car on the road i would be concerned abt the car's condition. He may have stinged on maintenance.

Therefore pls send the car for a check up even if it means towing the car to a workshop. Otherwise get the mechanic to visit the car for an on site inpection. Also remember to check the undercarriage.

I hope some of the KL forumers can help Sadhish out.

I'm so bloody excited! but I want to do this right.

Do not get carried away. Remember what happened to me. I was so taken up with the car being a single owner , low mileage that I overlooked the lack of service history and the car turned out to be a neglected car.

Good Luck.

 

[affan66]

anxious gave some very good advice. Please heed or you'll curse for wasting money.
I know the feeling and money burned when I bought my first BMW (E36 318). Sold it cheap, within a year as I spent so much money on it and felt it was not worth it. Met some forum members back then and recommended a wonderful E36 325. Served me well. Sobs.. selling it tomorrow

Take your time and make sure you take the car to a proper workshop. Take it up the hoist to check the undercarriage, especially for leaks. Plug in the diagnostic machine and do a full test drive over rough roads (suspension wear, steering wear, body rattles) and whack the car (full throttle) on the highways. The mechanic would be able to tell if the car is okay (engine, gearbox, especially).

 

[Hellraiser]

bro, get the owner to pinjam the test plate from a car trader for a small fee. take it around abit. get an independent mechanic to check condition and other details. also ask for service records. independent mechanic does not have to be auto bavaria. take time also to see the current mechanic the seller sends to to get a better idea. suggest to reschedule your trip until all the above conditions are in place.

better to be safe than sorry.

 

[sadhish]

Thanks for the replies and do keep them coming

Hi guys,

I really value your input and your concerns Thanks so much for giving this young man the privillege of your advice .

I understand and completely agree that I will only purchase the car after it goes through a thorough inspection by a reputable mechanic. A 40 point check and under carriage inspection.

The reason I'm even making the trip down is that it's a single owner car, the millage is reasonable (150'000km) and also he has the service records for the last 11 years. He services his car once a year in AB and another time with another mechanic. He has agreed to let me have a photocopy of all his service records maybe for the last 5 years of something.

The paint is the same original paint that came with the car 11 years ago.

Anxious: I did ask him about the expired road tax. His company has just given him another car. And he didn't bother renewing it as he want to sell the car off. It's been on the market for two months now. He did entertain buyers but they couldn't get the loan approve.

He's letting it go for about 40k. Add another 3k for road tax and insurance.

Thank you for your inputs so far. I assure you, they are well valued. PLease keep them coming

Hope to join the gang ....

 

[Van1ty]

I just wanna say congratulations on your soon to be purchase. The 328i is no supercar, but it does what its meant to do. And it does it well. It's practical, fast, fun, and quite a looker as well. =D Once you get all the dirty work done and have the car under your wing, come back to us for some good racuning. Muahaha.

 

[sam1741]

hi sadhish....
congratulations on going to be 328 owner
its a great car.

well the thing you point out is one of my concern also...
where should we bring the car for inspection... AB or some other reputable mechanic...

 

[sadhish]

What i know so far ...

Hi Sam,

If the car is in Penang and it has valid driving license then probably Chu Seng is our only choice or AB. Someone quoted that a 50 point check is RM500 and a 12 point check is RM160 or something like that.

Also after reading almost every thread on the E36 lol .... I got this list, i think it's from either Lee3628 or Anxious. Reposting it with credit to those two sifus:

here are things to watch out for

full modic check at a bmw specialist workshop
engine - compression test? rebuilt before?
gearbox - rebuilt before? sign of wear and tear?
steering rack - leaks?
power steering pump - humming when turning while stationary?
alternator - humming in the sound system?
aircond - cooling coil, compressor, blower motor

Here are a list of wear and tear things you'll likely need to change
suspension bushes
springs and absorber (probably due already)
tires (make sure they are fresh, and the same brand and model ...)

My problem is I don't really know any mechanic in KL and also the car road tax mati already. But I will take the advice of the forumers here.

Under no circumstances will I buy the car unless I can get it to a mechanic for the above checks. Even if I have to tow the car I will

 

[infinityKL]

take good care of her and she will give you much joy in the years to come... all the best

 

[sam1741]

Hi Sam,

If the car is in Penang and it has valid driving license then probably Chu Seng is our only choice or AB. Someone quoted that a 50 point check is RM500 and a 12 point check is RM160 or something like that.

Also after reading almost every thread on the E36 lol .... I got this list, i think it's from either Lee3628 or Anxious. Reposting it with credit to those two sifus:

here are things to watch out for

full modic check at a bmw specialist workshop
engine - compression test? rebuilt before?
gearbox - rebuilt before? sign of wear and tear?
steering rack - leaks?
power steering pump - humming when turning while stationary?
alternator - humming in the sound system?
aircond - cooling coil, compressor, blower motor

Here are a list of wear and tear things you'll likely need to change
suspension bushes
springs and absorber (probably due already)
tires (make sure they are fresh, and the same brand and model ...)

My problem is I don't really know any mechanic in KL and also the car road tax mati already. But I will take the advice of the forumers here.

Under no circumstances will I buy the car unless I can get it to a mechanic for the above checks. Even if I have to tow the car I will

hi.. sadhish
ya.. forgot to mention to you..
i am from Penang also

But i planing to go to view a car at Sel....
so not sure where to bring for inspection.

 

[turbology]

Please check if following replaced:
1. water pump
2. thermostat
3. belts
4. engine mount
5. tranny oil
6. brake oil, brake pads
7. make sure ABS, airbag working

Good luck on your 328. Cheers

 

[ICEMAN 68]

bro .... i'm from kajang. don't mind helping you out .... if the owner is from kajang , i may know as there are not many e36's around here ...could you provide me with details of the car reg number ... who knows i may know the history of this car ....

if it's at a used car no problem too ....

anyway it would be better if you can come and view not 1 but a few when you are here....

 

[SS626A]

Please check if following replaced:
1. water pump
2. thermostat
3. belts
4. engine mount
5. tranny oil
6. brake oil, brake pads
7. make sure ABS, airbag working

Good luck on your 328. Cheers

Mind to share how to test ABS $ airbag working or not?:listen:

 

[turbology]

Mind to share how to test ABS $ airbag working or not?:listen:

If you don't know how, pay someone to do so

 

[Hellraiser]

 

[Hellraiser]

 

[sam1741]

for ABS i know... find an empty space... and do some test on the braking...

 

[sadhish]

Thanks thanks

Hi guys.

Thanks so much for all the advise. I will definitely copy the list of items to be tested.

I called AB and Sapura Auto earlier. The will do a full visual inspection (including undercarriage) and also a MODIC test for RM400. They will also quote on repair cost. Only thing is, will there be a AB near Kajang and how will I get the car there lol.

Hi iceman, thanks for your offer. i've pmed you the details! Hope to hear from you soon.

I promise to log the journey in a more systematic way once the dust settles .

Great forum and great people. Thanks!