Purchasing a 318i(m) E36

[nikazwaa]

Originally posted by DanPromote@Oct 12 2005, 01:57 PM
Good to know most of the bmw owners here are a friendly and helpful bunch out there to help a newbie eventhough it's just an entry level BMW.

A bimmer is still a bimmer....

 

[nikazwaa]

Originally posted by DanPromote@Oct 12 2005, 01:57 PM
One thing I noticed about BMW owners, why do some of you guys find it almost a sin if one were to convert the original engine to a Jap engine eg. SR20? Not that I'm considering.. but who knows if the gearbox breaks down one day and I can't find any replacement...

So gearbox breaks down and you change to another engine???

It's just a sin... One day you'll learn the beauty of a UDM engine.
I should know...

 

[skar19]

i think ppl do it because they want power cheap. i would do it if i had the spare cash

 

[burn]

Originally posted by DanPromote@Oct 12 2005, 01:57 PM
Thanks I appreciate all your comments I get the general idea. My friend has suggested me to visit MPH and read up a BMW buyers guide so I'll go visit and spend some time there. Good to know most of the bmw owners here are a friendly and helpful bunch out there to help a newbie eventhough it's just an entry level BMW.

One thing I noticed about BMW owners, why do some of you guys find it almost a sin if one were to convert the original engine to a Jap engine eg. SR20? Not that I'm considering.. but who knows if the gearbox breaks down one day and I can't find any replacement...

good deal for rm38500! been driving jap cars all those years n decided to get a 3s (second). feel great n confident driving it, really stick to the ground when doing fast cornering n was very impressed wit the handling.
just be sure to maintain the car regularly and ur car will not hav much problem as what my mechanic in segamat told me. comparison of spareparts is not much of a different to jap cars as long you know where to source it n im still looking for the right one through bmw club forum. anyway, enjoy life while u still can! :yahoo:

 

[elwine30]

for buying a 2nd car, check for the history i.e when was the last service, when was the last timing belt change, condition of engine, accident free, tires, suspension, bushing,interior, aircon,seats and etc etc etc.

also depends what you are looking for in this car, comfort, performance, restore to original standard or just buy and drive.

The e36 318i(M) - M40B18 is a nice car to drive. Do not underestimate the manual because i have run a lot with others including the 147 and saga TURBO. So, it's no shy to have this car.

Anyway, do enjoy the car.

 

[Lionel_Koh]

Originally posted by ICEMAN 13+Oct 12 2005, 01:21 PM-->QUOTE (ICEMAN 13 @ Oct 12 2005, 01:21 PM)

Originally posted by Lionel_Koh@Oct 12 2005, 03:15 AM

 

[DanPromote]

Originally posted by burn@Oct 12 2005, 03:40 PM
good deal for rm38500! been driving jap cars all those years n decided to get a 3s (second). feel great n confident driving it, really stick to the ground when doing fast cornering n was very impressed wit the handling.
just be sure to maintain the car regularly and ur car will not hav much problem as what my mechanic in segamat told me. comparison of spareparts is not much of a different to jap cars as long you know where to source it n im still looking for the right one through bmw club forum. anyway, enjoy life while u still can! :yahoo:

Yes I'll definately maintain it well... maybe even better than my girlfriend...ehheh

nikazwa ... that's mainly due to cost I found out that a bmw gearbox costs RM6000 (not sure if it's the same for manual) while a 280hp SR20 halfcut costs RM2500. Of course this is only contingency planning I always want to make sure everything is covered when I purchase a car.

elwine30 .. my 1st priority is just to drive it stock for a few months just to make sure everything is working properly. In the near future maybe some AC Scnitzer or Racing Dynamic bodykit & 17in light weight wheels as well as coilovers. Then finally engine mods(turbokit/supercharger/engine transplant).

 

[nikazwaa]

Good luck then... I've had the pleasure of being in company of an M42B18 for a very, very short while. That car was a dream. Manual's the way to go.

 

[manjit]

Nice deal considering the price and the year...get it man...i'm owning the 92' model and believe me they are awesome......even a standard 4 pot can dip below 10s....done that before

 

[DanPromote]

really? That's good news. I didn't know that it could go below 10s, when I was testing it I was driving like an uncle..since it is not mine yet so I don't really know its full potential.

 

[DanPromote]

Finally getting the car this coming Monday so officially I'm a newbie owner of an e36. Thanks for all your advises.

Can I check with e36 owners here , I find that the leather seat squeks whenever there is some movement. Is this normal or is there something that I can do to fix it?

Also, my next small modification will be exhaust, CAI (racecraft Carbon fibre CAI kit with air filter), 17in rims & RG coilovers (RGs are related to H&R & Bilsten). For the exhaust system, do early BMW models come with catalytic converters? If they do, I am thinking of removing it and changing the exhaust to 2 inch straight piping with a silencer. Next comes to rims, will 17 inch rims make the car go significantly slower? Considering it is only 1.8 manual, but I do prefer 17inches though currently it's 15 stock alloys and it looks small. As for suspension, does anyone have experience with coilovers and are they recommended over just changing eibach springs (which will shorten absorber lifespan)?

 

[bmwky]

Welcome......leather squek is common. you can try to apply leather conditioner more regularly to soften the leather, the squek will go away unless it is coming from the seat mechanism/springs. Make sure the engine cooling system is working well. replace all wear and tear parts , suspension items tyres before you embark in midification and you will enjoy your E36 tremendously.

 

[DanPromote]

Tq glad to be here, I've already sent the car to Puspakom and also a BMW workshop near Sri Damansara to test for all the wear and tear parts, the seller agreed to fix all of them before I collect the car.

I noticed that the e36 definately has many improvements over my previous Malaysian wira turbo, eventhough it has less power and older. In terms of handling, built quality and cabin noise it is head and shoulders above the lightweight and flimsy wira. So far I'm impressed, it will be a new and exciting journey for me again to learn and modify a continental car.

 

[nikazwaa]

Congrats and best of luck. Welcome to a bigger world... hehe..

 

[darkymra]

dear bro DanPromote.... can tumpang your topic ahhh?

actually i also plan to buy e36.... after went to jb and done a survey + help from friend.... found 1 e36 year 99... still in stock condition... dealer said car still in good condition + accident free + bla bla bla.... price between 85k - 90k... is it a good buy or not?

 

[DanPromote]

Thats about the market price la I've been checking the star classifieds and motor trader for a few months before deciding on my purchase. Dealer usually sells +/- 5000-8000 more than the owner so there is still room to bargain.

 

[c-square]

Originally posted by darkymra@Oct 28 2005, 04:08 AM
dear bro DanPromote.... can tumpang your topic ahhh?

actually i also plan to buy e36.... after went to jb and done a survey + help from friend.... found 1 e36 year 99... still in stock condition... dealer said car still in good condition + accident free + bla bla bla.... price between 85k - 90k... is it a good buy or not?

yups, that's about the price of the e36 99'

 

[c-square]

Originally posted by DanPromote@Oct 27 2005, 08:25 PM
Finally getting the car this coming Monday so officially I'm a newbie owner of an e36. Thanks for all your advises.

Can I check with e36 owners here , I find that the leather seat squeks whenever there is some movement. Is this normal or is there something that I can do to fix it?

Also, my next small modification will be exhaust, CAI (racecraft Carbon fibre CAI kit with air filter), 17in rims & RG coilovers (RGs are related to H&R & Bilsten). For the exhaust system, do early BMW models come with catalytic converters? If they do, I am thinking of removing it and changing the exhaust to 2 inch straight piping with a silencer. Next comes to rims, will 17 inch rims make the car go significantly slower? Considering it is only 1.8 manual, but I do prefer 17inches though currently it's 15 stock alloys and it looks small. As for suspension, does anyone have experience with coilovers and are they recommended over just changing eibach springs (which will shorten absorber lifespan)?

wow, DanPromote.... you move really fast, don't you. Just got your ride and want a makeover already-ar? hhahahhahahhahaha.
yups, leather squeaks are common and yes, I do believe the 17" will put more stress on the 4-potter engine (even with the standard 15" you will feel it to be under-powered). If you cannot do without the 17", try to get those light-weighted original ones.

 

[ICEMAN 68]

Originally posted by Lionel_Koh+Oct 12 2005, 09:28 AM-->QUOTE (Lionel_Koh @ Oct 12 2005, 09:28 AM)

Originally posted by ICEMAN 13@Oct 12 2005, 01:21 PM

Originally posted by Lionel_Koh@Oct 12 2005, 03:15 AM

 

[c-square]

Ice... stay cool