E36 318i What should i expected?

[wiramod11]

Hi guys.. just got a second hand BMW E36 318i yr 99 last batch model with M43 engine (Chain belt i believe).So i need all the expert out here..(i mean in here) to give me tips, cons and pros about this car.... The car is still in stock condition.. the owner just change angel eyes only. Full service history... So far.. i've just change the engine oil and oil filter. Reset the engine inspection. Check the ECU and other electronic device so far no error code. Anyway just need to know more about this BMW car.. at same time, i've been reading some of the post here regards the 3 series BMW.. and it was quite interesting.. and information gather... thanks.

 

[anaksarawak]

Welcome... Welcome...

Congrats to your new ride.

Here are some of the check I did.
1. Radiator, termo check and all water hose.
2. Insurance background check
3. Full service record? From AB? or Specialist?
4. Spark Plugs, Plugs cable, vacuum hose
5. Battery check
6. Aircon check and service
7. Test drive other 318i with M43 or 44 engine to feel the difference.
8. Wheels alignment and balance.

 

[wiramod11]

well thanks geoffreylee...
heres the answer..

1. Check all connection for water thingy seems good. Termo check and meter showing at middle.
2. Insurance done.
3 Full service from AB but last year the car were not been service by AB as the owner send the car for service at outside mechanic.
4. Spark plugs change before i did the oil change. Plugs cable looks good to me.. vacuum hose condition ok.
5. Battery.. ahh.. i miss this one.. dang..cause the battery was at the boot.. i'll check that with some volt meter later tonight.
6. Aircon check so far so good..
7. test drive.. hmm.. the only bmw i've test and drive before is 3 series BMW convert to M3 engine. (Perrghhh the power is uncomparable.. thats the reason i bought BMW)
8. Wheels alignment and balance have not check.. cause i was thinking to upgrade from that stock standard 15" rim to maybe 16" or 17". (So might as well do it in one shot)

what else should i miss out...?? ohh.. number 9 check the previous owner no summon with JPJ or PDRM hehehhe

 

[jarance]

hee..hee..

1. lower spring and shocks.
2. body kits..

and yes rims is a must...

 

[wiramod11]

yup.. thats part of it as well.. so need to make sure the heart of the car.. is in tip top condition.. before i started with interior or exterior modification..

 

[anaksarawak]

Bro, can you share with us how much you bought the car for? From what to have said, it sound like a very good buy.

I was looking for 6 months for my ride and after viewing many E36, only one with full AB records which is my ride now, sadly it is a 318i

 

[wiramod11]

ohh.. bro.. myself also been looking for the car almost few mth.. the 318i been recommended by the forummer here itself sanjay... the car belong to sanjay friend. The amount i pay.. for the car is 57K i know maybe some say it was high.. but my target is a very good history car.. and stock standard plus it was the yr 99 last batch of the E36 318i. Most important part is the car must be maintained in tip top condition...

As myself work part time as a mechanic as well.. (Learn all about repairing car and maintenance but mostly jap's car) currently no knowledge about BMW thats the reason makes me interested in getting this 3 series bmw to learn and had a pleasure with it.

 

[anaksarawak]

I am sure many of us will agree with you that Good Service record is very important. RM57K is reasonable below the market price for 99 model. I saw many 97/98 are sold at that price and it doesnt come with good service record.

You can trust our bro Sanjaynv.. He is very experience with E36.. Hope you seen his CI? Love every minute of it.

Wow.. You a Mech.. Boleh tunjuk ajar la..

 

[jarance]

ohh.. bro.. myself also been looking for the car almost few mth.. the 318i been recommended by the forummer here itself sanjay... the car belong to sanjay friend. The amount i pay.. for the car is 57K i know maybe some say it was high.. but my target is a very good history car.. and stock standard plus it was the yr 99 last batch of the E36 318i. Most important part is the car must be maintained in tip top condition...

As myself work part time as a mechanic as well.. (Learn all about repairing car and maintenance but mostly jap's car) currently no knowledge about BMW thats the reason makes me interested in getting this 3 series bmw to learn and had a pleasure with it.

if you are into DIY, sugguest that you download the bentley manual. It about 90MBytes but it is worth the time. Can't remember where i download it but one of the forummer posted the link in here.

 

[wiramod11]

hahah.. geoffreylee not so call real mechanic.. but i got the hobby of doing cars.. so learn a lot of it from many mechanic.. and plus friend as well... But my experience is towards more into jap's car technology... not german technology.. thats the reason i go and bought a bmw to learn more.. We can teach and learn together there is nothing beats out learning together instead of whacking each other or been selfish about information.

jarance.. can you give me the link that you suggest? thanks so much...

 

[ICEMAN 68]

take up the BMW drivers training ... its handy..cuz switching from japs front wheel drive to rear is a drastic change interms of handling etc etc ...just a suggestions ..

anyway welcome to the club ...

 

[anaksarawak]

We have our local HERO... Calling glee!! We need BMW driving technique lesson.

 

[wiramod11]

ohh.. hi Iceman 13 thanks for the advice... so we do have a BMW driving technique lesson here???? I would love to join.

anyway yah most car that i drove is FF.. but do drive 4wd and RWD as well.. but one thing for sure the BMW car is kinda a bit different... when i drove this car.. i can't perform as normally i did with other car... it might be something new to me.. need to learn more... (I mean give me any car i can just drive it but to make the car perform as like your hand and legs.. it's kinda different feeling to me with this BMW)

 

[ICEMAN 68]

wiramod ... you may pm albundy for the drivers training and so on as he's one of the instructor there...

on a serious note ... you should had opp to a 6cylinder instead of a 4 potter...since you have driven most of the japs , the sheer power of the 6 potter is simply awsome ..

so when is your mods gonna start ..etc bodykits , rims and so on ??

 

[wiramod11]

hahha.. ICEMAN 13... mods not yet started... cause my main priority for this year is to maintain the car to the max opt of the car... so currently in the midst of changing oil, service here and there.. and to make sure all mechanicms are running at the max...

my next project for next year will be 17" rims coupled with AD07 tyre, bodykit(MTech or AC), Whole ekzos system change to new and a little bigger size, air system need to upgrade to get good breath air.

2nd year.. i will start modiffied the engine component.

Well of course a 6 cylinder is better than 4 potter but i guess i need to start at somewhat lower to get myself Familiarize with this UDM car hehe

 

[k3nny]

you should expect not to overtake many cars on the highway!

hehehe..

joking joking

 

[blackrobe]

1. don't forget to flush yer gearbox...saves u a tonne of money later on...
2. change ur hoses as well...also saves u money and the hassel of a breakdown

 

[wiramod11]

hehhe... k3nny .. expected that.. but hey wait till the engine been upgrade... hehe

blackrobe.. gearbox already been flushed.. in the midst 1 by 1 hoses changing..
i've already change the brake valve and brake hose. Next will be looking into some other hoses..

thanks guys for the information. Anyway keep the info coming...

 

[python_dev]

As far as performance is concerned, BMW handles quite well once you are used to it and the rear wheel drive. FWD can accelerate into corner and ease out, rear is ease in and accelerate out 4WD like my STI back home is hammer right through

good driver training is always a must for any real enthusiast.

hope you have fun with your E36... best looking bimmers in my opinion
Just got to finish turning mine into a sleeper

 

[wiramod11]

uhh... phthon_dev.. hehhe..learning now.. ohh..yah.. 4wd just hammer it all the way..hhehhe..

ohh..sleeper... ?? any mod been done?