Planning to buy e36 318i..... but?

[mkbi28]

Hi everyone, Newbies here...... :wink:I need advice.... please help...im planning to get e36 ride and have a Q....1st e36 ads is almost complete mod and come with RM29K price tag.....2nd e36 ads is no mod at all and come with RM15K price tag.....The Q is which one should i go for..... let say i take 1st no more hunting for accesories.... or etc... 2nd is opposite to the 1st....how much isit if i go hunting 4 e36 accesories:m3 bodykitseibach/sach/tein suspensioneagle eyenew paintetc.... any suggestion? sifoooo?will update more....

 

[valvetronix]

Hi bro,

I would suggest you consider the mechanical condition of your preffered UDM first, perhaps one with a good service record/history? It will definitely not going to be a good experience if your ride spent most of its time in the workshop rather than being on the road bro. You would not want your BMW to be 'Banyak Makan Wang' right? Avoid yourself a lemon and you shall enjoy the sheer driving pleasure every moment you're with her :wink:

Why don't you share with us the ads here, I believe that would give the sifus some insights on your candidates and they may advice you from there onwards. Looking forward for another E36er to join the family!

 

[boyburhan]

hey man
yup...d most important part is the heart. what type? does it have proper service records and history... what kind of mileage it has done... then check whether engine vibrates at idle or not...etc...
yup...share the ads and bring ur trusted mechanic(s) as well when u test drive those rides..

 

[anaksarawak]

There are many 325 E36 for sale around 20k, take your time to search for the perfect one ya. The fuel consumption is about the same but power is BMW! Good luck on your search

 

[2wenty6]

Condition is more important than the mods on the car..if you buy into a neglected e36 you'll spend a fortune just to get it to run reliably. Even if you get a well maintained one, you will still need to keep some spare money for incidentals.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

i have a different perspective when coming to buy an e36 ...yehh i would say a 318 would be a good platform to start with in the roundel world ...but do keep in mind that these days the parts of 318 is almost the same as the one for 325 , 328. therefore your saving may be good interms of roadtax and a little fuel saving, but eventually if you round up when it comes to maintaince the saving is ain't much ...

and one thing that you'll be losing is the driving pleasure of the 6 potter which is undescribeable ... only one that has gone with 2 variant would be able to speak off their mind and i speak based on my personal experience ...

as for car with kitted ...do ensure if those are the ori ones and not some al-cheopo fiber made ones ...so do hunt carefully and you'll surely get a good one ...

sheeesss V-man has got his up for sale ...

 

[mkbi28]

Thanks for all,

great sugg. (or racun- i refer this word in others previous thread) ICEMAN.... hehe

i like my E36 would be MT.... ICEMAN 13 ur car is MT is it..... how ur feel between MT n AT, which 1 more smoother... n what ur suggestion....

let say i buy that E36 (4 decent price which do have some problem or no maintenance history) n do top overhaul and replace part if necessary until it run smoothly... how u guy things it cost...

This reference is enough ? >>>(http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533803)

 

[2wenty6]

Good job finding Nick's writeup, its arguably one of the most comprehensive writeup about common failures out there. It was based on the US spec M3 but a good portion of the things mentioned are relevant to the non-M as well.

With that being said, it covers the common problems and failures that should be addressed. What it does not tell you are those not so common failures, and small defects here and there that could add up to your maintenance cost. There are definitely more things to be replaced if you seek perfection.

Owning an old BMW is not going to be cheap, but I don't think its exorbitant as well. Nobody can tell you how much it will cost because there are many variables and it depends on how the car wants to punish you :biggrin: It is something most of us dive head-first into. When you're in, its probably not that bad and the benefits well outweigh the cost.

 

[slyder]

mkib28, manual will have more power delivery. smoother it depends on the driver lor coz if gear change not that good then not smooth . auto has more wear and tear parts compared to manual. weight also more for auto.
as iceman says better go for 6potters. its alot alot more smoother

 

[zeroed]

I think manual has more wear and tear parts actually? (i.e. linkages & bushings, clutch master / slave cylinder, clutch, flywheel, bearing, lifter fork mount, blah blah etc). Its just that auto gearboxes are less dependable haha.

To the OP, most importantly is you test drive the car (bring a friend who is car-savvy), and from there determine which one is in a better condition. And dont limit yourself to just 2 cars. There are plenty out there!

Of course do the regular checks whenever you buy 2nd hand. These information are available on google. (Although, the E36 has a rather unique cooling system setup...)

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Thanks for all,

great sugg. (or racun- i refer this word in others previous thread) ICEMAN.... hehe

i like my E36 would be MT.... ICEMAN 13 ur car is MT is it..... how ur feel between MT n AT, which 1 more smoother... n what ur suggestion....

let say i buy that E36 (4 decent price which do have some problem or no maintenance history) n do top overhaul and replace part if necessary until it run smoothly... how u guy things it cost...

This reference is enough ? >>>(http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533803)

how to you feel between an MT VS AT ...well it's a bit difficult to describe as different ppl have different strokes and purpose ..

as for me for Auto box i think the ZF 5sp would be much decent interms of power and fuel saving ..but then that comes in the 6 potter variant ...but if ya the one that wanting to opt to a 4 potter ...just get those IS version engine ...twin cam ...

i've been enjoying my manual trans ever since coming out from an auto world ....

 

[jeffreyewe]

Original stock is still the way to go.

 

[yuszairi]

hi.
im a bit late reading to this thread as im also hunting for e36 325i atm.
eagerly, im going to see this UDM today by noon.

http://www.mudah.my/BMW+E36+325i+Double+Vanos-14782460.htm

any1 hv idea abt this car? if someone got to stop me from buying this car, pls do so by sms/whatapps me at 0192797312 before 11am 12/5/12.

 

[yuszairi]

-deleted. double post-

 

[speedevil7615]

so u bought? nice car its may look... PM the price? hehe

 

[yuszairi]

nope.
the car not really accident free as described.
very frustrating.

 

[speedevil7615]

cars with years aint gonna have high possibility of "accident free"

 

[unstopables_7]

e36 325 manual..you will never regret bro..
forget about the mods first,get the car where u do know at least some history..
welcome to e36-ers bro..

 

[mkbi28]

Thanks to all of u....

i has decided to hunt for 325i.... 6 cylinder ..... vanos ready?

how to check engine number and how to recognize the vanos engine

please tell me everything do know about this engine.... maybe i can use ur knowledge when i view it...

View attachment 24734

thanks....

 

[tweiboon]

nope.
the car not really accident free as described.
very frustrating.

Accident free --> Already accident and the repair works and cost is free to u. hehehehehheehh