Originally posted by alxy@Apr 29 2006, 03:50 PM
hi guys,
am considering buying a used E36 328i... what should i look out for when checking out the car? Looking more at year 97-99..
also, anything that is more prone to fault that i can ask salesman to change for me during nego stages? I am thinking that if i cannot get big discounts, at least i can try to ask to change some parts already...
thanks!
Hi Alxy.
Welcome to the pleasures (and the pain) of e36 ownership.
To ensure it is more a pleasure than a pain, you can tap into the experience of the fellow forummers here.
The e36 328 is a good car, which if maintained well, is tremendously satisfying to own and drive.
Here are the common pitfalls, off the top of my head.
- gearbox
- water pump
- steering rack
- engine
Most of the above you will find apply also to any car of this age and mileage, so these points are nothing to be alarmed about.
Gearbox - The 328 has one of the highest torque in its class, and consequently, the gearbox takes most of the punishment. At about 100k to 150k km, a rebuild is due. Ask whether the gearbox has been rebuilt, and at what km. A rebuild nowadays will typically cost around RM4-5k.
Water pump - make sure to change it to the metal type instead of the plastic original. This is a common failure point. It only costs like 2-3 hundred bucks, but failure will cost thousands to rectify. If in doubt, change it anyway.
Steering rack - this is quite often loose with too much free play. A recond rack costs around 2k.
And lastly, engine. A well-maintained engine will last up to 200k km or more easily. The key is maintenance. A neglected one will expire sooner, requiring at least a top overhaul, around 2-3 k.
As you can see, a common theme above is maintenance. That's why a full maintenance history is important, which brings me to my second main point.
Whether you choose to buy from a car dealer, or direct from the owner, ask for the maintenance history. Ask where the car was maintained, and check its history there. Also ask if you can send the car to a workshop to check its computer, i.e. do a Modic test. This will reveal any fault codes the computer has stored. Don't know any workshop that will do this for you? Read our recommended workshop thread to get an idea where to start. Or PM me.
I personally prefer buying directly from the owner. There are a few cars put up for sale in this forum by the owners. You may want to check it out.
The remaining items to consider are the unavoidable wear and tear items, including suspension bushes, mounts, tie rod links, shock absorber, springs, etc. Most of these will probably need replacing by now.
Lastly, don't skimp on suspension, tires, and brakes. Remember, this is a powerful for a newbie. If you are not familiar with rear-wheel-drive cars get used to its specific characteristics. If you are, skip the following paragraph.
For example, when going too fast into a corner, the natural tendency is to brake. This transfers the weight to the front. In a front-wheel-drive car, this increases grip and you are able to control the car better. Perfect. In a rear-wheel-drive car, the rear wheel loses grip as the weight transfers to the front. You will lose control of the car. So, practice a slow-in-fast-out approach until you are familiar with how the tail behaves.
Feel free to ask any questions of the many sifus here. There's lots of useful info and experience here. Hope you enjoy your stay, and hope you enjoy the e36 as much as I am.
Cheers!
k:
