E36 Reviewed In Motor Trader

[anxious]

I just picked up a copy of the latest Motor Trader( 31st Jan Issue). The E36 (1992) was reviewed in Danny's Used Car Review in Motor Trader. Amongst the interesting comments made were:- i) values of continental cars start to slide after the 12th year as finance companies no longer give out loans for such cars ii) credit companies do offer financing but at very high interest rates and require higher downpayment. iii) a 1992 E36 318i could fetch about RM26k iv) a 1991 E30 318i abt RM22k v) avoid cars that have rattly, noisy and smoky engines, cappuccino colour coolant etc. It is an interesting read. However the aricle seems to focus on the 1st batch of E36. You may wish to check out the write the next time you are in a magazine/book shop.

 

[anxious]

I always thought that the finance companies gave out loans for cars up to 10 years and not 12 years.

Anyone know the latest policy?

 

[astroboy]

Hi anxious, this is what I understand, JDM is 10 years, BMW and certain other European models are 12 years max, provided u have good income record. OTW, they just tell u 10 year max.. prudent financial practice.. Times are bad, car prices still has room to go down, they just don't want to take much risk on older car.

I just sold my 1995 Perdana SEi last December to make way for my E90, the buyer fail to secure a loan from normal financier, so he got a loan from Eng Lee Credit.. very famous!

 

[anakin]

I just picked up a copy of the latest Motor Trader( 31st Jan Issue).

The E36 (1992) was reviewed in Danny's Used Car Review in Motor Trader.

Amongst the interesting comments made were:-

i) values of continental cars start to slide after the 12th year as finance companies no longer give out loans for such cars

ii) credit companies do offer financing but at very high interest rates and require higher downpayment.

iii) a 1992 E36 318i could fetch about RM26k

iv) a 1991 E30 318i abt RM22k

v) avoid cars that have rattly, noisy and smoky engines, cappuccino colour coolant etc.


It is an interesting read. However the aricle seems to focus on the 1st batch of E36.

You may wish to check out the write the next time you are in a magazine/book shop.

vii- even surprising, many owners have sold their E36 to purchase the E30...true eh?

 

[astroboy]

Planta got mentioned people selling E46 to buy E36 la..

 

[anxious]

vii- even surprising, many owners have sold their E36 to purchase the E30...true eh?

Yes that comment in MT suprised me too. Although E30 does have a cult following I doubt if there are many ditching their E36 in favour of E30s. E46 would be a more likely "upgrade".

Anyway it was nice to see the E36 reviewed and I bought a copy of the MT to show my support to the mag for reviewing an E36.

 

[elwine30]

hmm.. but the figures in the MT doesn't seem to match.

 

[ALBundy]

E30 was an ICON and a car that was way ahead of time. Don't think there was much of a competition for it during its heyday and coupled with production E30 M3s which is still one of the classic ///M cars to have, the E30 has definitely achieved cult status amongst BMW lovers.

That being said, I still prefer the E36 over the E30, in terms of driving experience, comfort and maintenance

 

[Russie]

Bought myself a copy of the MT too. I think E36 owners would be glad to see Danny doing the review on the E36. He specifically recommended the 4-potters :top: maybe it is because 4-potters have relatively lower maintenance?

As for the financing period, I was told to understand that for European cars, one can get a maximum loan period with the car not exceeding 17 yrs old? (i.e. if the car was manufactured in 1998, meaning you can get a max loan of 7 yrs, 10 yrs old car + 7 yrs financing = 17 yrs).

True, commercial banks usually do not provide long financing period for cars which are 10 yrs and above. However, it depends on each bank's internal policy and usually older cars = higher interest rates (flat rate that is!).

As a rule of thumb, for 1 to know how much the bank really earns, usually we multiply the flat interest rate with 1.7 to get the effective (true) rate that the bank earns (e.g. 3.5% p.a. flat is approximately 5.95% p.a. effective rate) (better still if one has the effective rate log book)

 

[anxious]

Russie thanks for the formula. Interest as advertsised is on straight line basis and very misleading.

You may be offered 2.8% which in reality is 4.76%( ie 2.8 x 1.7, based on Russie's formula).

 

[Lee36328]

Yes.

We must not forget the concepts of compounding, time value of money, net present value, etc. Brings back fond memories of the classroom.

The e36 with its corresponding maintenance cost has long since passed the point of making financial sense, i.e. we are well into the stage of diminishing returns. The price of the car continues to fall, but not the price of maintenance or parts.

Fanatics however will love the car despite of this. Before long, the ones running around in good condition will be much-loved specimens, which is not a bad thing.

 

[anxious]

Well for me the E36 makes good economic sense.

I cant afford a E90 325i. An E46 325i would cost say RM120k and would mean repayment of at least abt RM1.5k pm on a RM80k loan for 5 years.

Therefore buying the E36 cash allows me a relatively less painful 325i experiece.

So guys the E36 is really an attractive option if you are buying cash.

I guess as long as you dont end up with a lemon you should be fine.

Set aside RM5k for maintainance pa and still its overall cost cheaper than a E46.

 

[mafia1118]

I luv my E36

 

[affan66]

me too.... although I would wish it was a manual. then lagiiii syiok

 

[muffinz]

E30 was an ICON and a car that was way ahead of time. Don't think there was much of a competition for it during its heyday and coupled with production E30 M3s which is still one of the classic ///M cars to have, the E30 has definitely achieved cult status amongst BMW lovers.

That being said, I still prefer the E36 over the E30, in terms of driving experience, comfort and maintenance

Hmm, are you saying that given the similiar condition of both the E36 and E30, the E36 is cheaper to maintain? Or in terms of the availability of spare parts?

Assuming that both cars are not lemons and drivers foot not heavy.

The E36 does feel more comfortable

 

[elwine30]

interesting topic. E30 are built in the 80(s) and the E36 is build in the 90(s). The E36 has the modern features while E30 has the in between the modern and classic. But in terms of the looks of the car, E30 is much more sportier while E36 was build to hit the market in mind as a bigger car, more comfortable and sedan.

E30 is orginated from 2 door, so 4 door was just a slap on which most of us own here.

But having both of them, the E30 and E36 serve different purposes. It's from a different time/zone. As all other cars, it is different.

But my heart goes to E30 because of the looks (the distint round eyes, bodylines, the square shape), the drive, the feel, the connection between the car and the driver, the rawness (with C of course).

 

[elwine30]

Also to add, it's not easy now to find a good e36.

As for the parts, both share certain parts between the E30 and E36 (for the M40) only. Body parts it's different. The E36 has different variants which has different build quality from 92 to 99.

So, it depends on the maintain. I would say, all bmw cars are relative except for the E39 onwards.

 

[manjit]

3 Series (E36) (1991 - 1999) The first modern 3 Series, the E36, was the model that paved the way for the 3 Series to be named "Car of the Year" every year since the model was driving off showroom floors. Radically redesigned in 1992, the E36 was not the same 3 Series as the E21 and E30. Larger, less boxy in design, and equipped with a dual overhead cam engine, multilink rear suspension, and a more finished interior, the E36 balances sport with luxury.