E36 BMW Coupes

FWIW

Back in the days when my dealer had 36 loan cars, they often gave me a 323 Coupe. I thought it was a brilliant car with a power output that was just right for the running gear. It was more than quick enough for the real world and had leather sport seats – among the best I’ve ever had to spend the day sitting on.

I think the E36 was the last of the great 3s and the proportions of the Coupe were spot on. But beauty is in the eye and all that….. The interior was the last of the driver focused, ergonomically correct set ups, which was watered down for the E46 and is now a distant memory. But it was the handling that really did it for me. Poise and dynamic ability that flattered the average driver and inspired great confidence. It was like being welded into the chassis. The down side was lift off oversteer which could be an absolute bastard. I’m not a nutcase and I don’t drive on the limit on public roads, but I had a couple of spectacular moments in E36s which I would not want to repeat.

I had two E36 four doors (both with 4 cylinder engines – shame but they were company cars) and did about 35,000 a year in each of them. Easy to drive, easy to park and above all easy on the old body. No aches or pains after long journeys. Later ones were well specc’d – the one on eBay looks like it’s got most of the toys and all the essentials.

Early E36s were very well built in terms of fit and finish, but did suffer quality problems, particularly with electrics. My first one spent a lot of time waiting to be recovered but finding a decent dealer (who I still use) got the job done in the end. Later ones ran like clockwork but the fit and finish could be very hit and miss. My late E36 was less sharp and riddled with little niggles that were too minor to get worried about and didn’t detract from the driving experience. But they irritated. The 6 cylinder models still tended to be built to a high standard, being built in Germany.

My third BMW was an E46 Coupe. Overall a much better package but softer than its predecessor and lacking that dynamic edge that made the E36 such a hoot. The car in question looks like a good package at a good price, provided it’s mint and has history. As you will be aware, a good independent (of which there are many) will knock hundreds off servicing and maintenance. If I was in the market for something in that price and size range I’d be heading straight for a late model 6 cylinder E36. Although I’d probably be looking for a 328. My dealer also had a 328 loaner with the full M-Tech pack. That was a bloody mad man. I loved it!

Thanks. I've done a little digging and keep coming up with "nikasil block" issues on pre 98/99 cars, not sure how much of an issue this is.

I think I'll take a look tomorrow if the guy's at work.

The thing that has surprised me trawling a few BMW forums is how cheap you seem to be able to pick up these things, OK a lot of them seem to be pimped up "boy racer" cars, but to me £4k which seems to be what you can get good untouched cars for doesn't seem like a lot of money for that sort of performance and goodies/toys?

Paul

Nikasil is a big potential issue. First port of call is BMW UK HQ. If you supply the VIN they will tell you if the block has been changed. To visually check a car there are a number of tests:

If it smokes, runs rough, doesn’t start easily or lacks power it COULD be the block.

The door test. Open a door fully with the window up and look at the top trailing edge. There should be no visible vibration whatsoever.

In addition, a compression test will provide definitive evidence of any problem.

If you have a car with a failing block then it’s a time bomb – no question. But not all nikasil blocks will fail and if it’s in good nick now then it’s likely that it won’t fail. But never say never.

I run a 528 with an original nikasil block. It’s about to hit 100k and although it hasn’t been compression tested there is no evidence of sub optimal performance. Because it’s under extended warranty it will be replaced should it ever need it, although the higher the mileage gets the more likely it becomes that I’ll have to contribute from my side – but I should be good this side of 150k. Cars not under extended warranty but with FSH (dealer or BMW independent) do not ‘officially’ qualify for free replacement but good will gestures from dealers abound, up to all parts and labour in some cases. I guess it depends on the dealer and prior relationship.

A compression test will cost in the order of £100. It’s not uncommon for the prospective buyer and the seller to go halves (although the buyer stumps up the full cost in the first instance), on the understanding that if it fails it’s no sale and the seller foots the bill. But as I said at the top, if BMW UK confirm a block replacement it’s a non issue. They are very helpful – just get the VIN.

Hope that helps.

Good though it is, the E36 is now two generations old and this means that decent ones (as well as nails) can be had for reasonable money. If you haven’t been there already I highly recommend bmwland.co.uk.

Cheers

Harry

quote:

Originally posted by Paul Hutchings:
I'll fully admit to being an indecisive f**ker and right now I'm thinking that for £3-4k this might be a fairly sensible way of scratching an itch?

You're right about the financial side, but about this particular car... I've never been too fond of recent x23's, since their engine is really a slightly tuned down 2.5 litre. Marketing purposes or something.

Cheers,

Edo

quote:

I've never been too fond of recent x23's, since their engine is really a slightly tuned down 2.5 litre. Marketing purposes or something.

Is that why it is a 323 although it has a 2.5 engine, like the 318 has a 2L one?

Howard

Yes. Although I think the 318 was variously a 1.8 and 1.9 through the years, the 320 2.2 litre being the first of the sixes. There is or will be a 2 litre four in the new E90 range. If I'm wrong about the E30 318 I'd much appreciate being put straight on that - another hole plugged in the knowledge base.

The 323i is a 2.5l - the same size lump as the 325 and the 328 - the others are set up differently to get the additional horses out.

I ran a 1999 323iSE saloon for three years and found it great fun to drive. Fuel economy was quite good for a 170bhp beast - I could get the best part of 40mpg on a run - equally I could get it down much lower if I added some yaa-hoo time to my driving. At £3-4k for a fun car, it has to be an option for you. Why not check out some of the BMW forums - each full of officionados in the same way as us lot what likes our green/black boxes.

I now have a 530i Sport and it runs rings around its little brother.

have a look here