£3k to spend - e36
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 3 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 3 Series (E21, E30, E36, E46, E90, E91 & E92)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=37601
Printed Date: 26-April-2024 at 14:14
Topic: £3k to spend - e36
Posted By: quarryman
Subject: £3k to spend - e36
Date Posted: 10-June-2007 at 13:48
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ok i needed to revise my budget from here: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=37559&am p;am p;PN=1 I'm planning to go over to the uk and buy a 318 or 323 coupe, 95-98 plate. I'd like to get climate control and full leather. 1. Should I be concerned about a 318/323 with over 100k miles? I reckon I'll put 15k to 20k on it before i sell (maybe 2 years). 2. What things should I check for when looking at them? 3. Is maintenance expensive? assuming I picked up a 97 with 100k on it? 4. Private or trade? 5. Anyone want to help me buy?  I've imported a car from the UK before and it was pretty straightforward and got great value so eager to do it again. I plan on getting an RAC check done but someone in the area might be able to have a quick look and see if its a lemon first. Also, any recommendations on mechanics etc would be great. thanks! |
Replies:
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 10-June-2007 at 18:43
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Just need to check the nikasil issue on late 96 - mid 98 model 6 cyls. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: DSK328i
Date Posted: 10-June-2007 at 20:37
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They are not silly to maintain, decent qaulity aftermarket parts as well as some OE parts can be purchased via ECP and GSFCP. There are BMW breakers also littered all over the UK so thats handy. They are pretty tough, and in addition to the Nikasil issue mentioned above, I'd say check for leaks, the condition of the fluids and the chassis should feel tight and taught, if not chances are suspension bushes will need doing. ------------- Let The Good Times Roll |
Posted By: neileg
Date Posted: 11-June-2007 at 10:10
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I'd go for the best 318is I could find. The 323 is much the same in real world performance, and the 318is handles better due to the lower front end weight. No Nikasil issues with the four pot, either. A well looked after M42 or M44 engine should do 200k without major work. Check the timing chain + tensioner on the M42 - tensioner needs replacing at 90k and chains can wear if this is not done. Not sure if this is the same issue on the M44. As with any E36, expect suspension bushes and ball joints to need attention. Full climate and leather will impact on your budget. Don't turn down a good car for the lack of these. ------------- Cheers, Neil |
Posted By: fozzymandeus
Date Posted: 11-June-2007 at 12:31
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Don't get me wrong but I think the 323i does feel a lot quicker than a 318is. That's not to say the 4-pot isn't a great car though... quite the reverse, very happy to rev, and no nikasil to worry about... just not got the push of the bigger motor from torque. ------------- Beating around the bush. |
Posted By: quarryman
Date Posted: 11-June-2007 at 13:02
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Thanks for the replies. so 323 positives: better engine negatives: more expensive to tax (in ireland) tougher to re-sell (in ireland) nikasil handling maybe not as good due to extra weight 318 positives: more available within my budget. cheaper to tax and insure lighter car no nikasil worries easier to re-sell negatives: smaller engine |
Posted By: Peter Fenwick
Date Posted: 11-June-2007 at 13:20
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Maintenance isn't too bad, just bear in mind that your buying an older car that may well need bits replacing. Things like suspension bushes, dampers, brake discs etc can all add up and you could easilly find your self spending another £1k. Lots of reciepts for recent work can offer you a bit of piece of mind that your not buying a car that is feeling a bit tired in the suspension department. Also the E36 has a reputation for snapping rear springs which isn't as easy as you'd think to spot. When you test drive any car make sure you put it through it's paces as worn suspension doesn't always show up until you push it. ------------- Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel. |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 11-June-2007 at 15:09
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I personally find the 4 pot engines nippier round town, they're more revvy whereas the 6cyls need more revs to get things going.
Personally best advice anyones ever given me ( espec when I was looking at either 3L or Evo M3s) was to try as many of each you can ( bit hard if you're importing I know) and get the best car in your budget be that a 318 or a 323. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: Rossi
Date Posted: 18-June-2007 at 20:02
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Have you thought about an E36 318iS with M42 (1.8l) or the M44 (1.9l from 1996)?? Lighter front end with revvy engine, ideal for alot of around town/rural driving. ------------- |
Stone-IslandV8 wrote:Posted By: Mick525i
Date Posted: 18-June-2007 at 22:10
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Buy the best car you car for your 3K either 318 or 323. Personly id buy the 6 pot just for the noise alone. But If i had a choice of leather and air on the 318 and not the 323 id buy the 318. Mick
------------- Cheers Mick 
BMW E21 318 1980 BMW E39 525i 2002 MTech VW Golf Gti 2003 |
Posted By: quarryman
Date Posted: 22-June-2007 at 13:22
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hi guys, going to check out this car : http://www.carzone.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=629793 - 323i would it be a contender for the nikasil issue? edited link as it was getting messed up in the post. |
Posted By: steven.seed
Date Posted: 22-June-2007 at 14:15
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That looks quite a nice one. Don't know if your still looking to import but apart from the lexus lights (easy to change) this looks a nice one I spotted on Autotrader http://www.londonroadcarsales.co.uk/91234/stock.htm - 318iS page 2 half way down. Full leather too. From my own experience I would also recommend the 318iS.
------------- 1998 E36 318iS Saloon 1989 E30 318i. Coupe 2000 E39 520i Touring 
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Posted By: quarryman
Date Posted: 22-June-2007 at 16:01
| yeah spotted that one. looks decent. |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 23-June-2007 at 18:49
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Yeah that 323 is a contender for Nikasil unless the engines been swapped. Ask the guy who's selling it. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: quarryman
Date Posted: 23-June-2007 at 21:05
| assuming he doesn't know and has done nothing about a swap if i got it compression tested and it passed it would be a safe purchase? |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 24-June-2007 at 20:16
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Hmmmm jurys out on that 1. If the blocks been changed then there is a way of telling and a search under 'nikasil' will reveal a thread somewhere with the pictures how to. Remember some early units were changed for other nikasil units.
There are nikasil units running with no problems but my thoughts would be that it could happen at any point.Simple as that. I got caught on a 1998 520 with 130k on the clock......should've been ok but wasnt. I just kept topping the oil up til the consumption got silly and bought a 2nd hand unit, £1800 fitted. Don't bother with compression test, get a draw or leakdown test done instead. ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: quarryman
Date Posted: 24-June-2007 at 20:46
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wow, so it can still happen after 130k on the clock? I'm going to see the car tomorrow so will be doing the door test. I'm not sure what a draw or leakdown test is but i take it a mechanic will, or will have have to bring it to a BMW specialist. Also, my own car sold today for my asking price so need to get a new motor soon! |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 24-June-2007 at 21:58
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Door test is a good'un. Also try with the engine running pop the bonnet and watch the silver fins on engine cover......problems will cause the fins to vibrate and appear blurry when looked at.
If it helps I had a compression test done on the 520 which showed no real issues!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!11 ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: quarryman
Date Posted: 24-June-2007 at 22:09
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ok cool. another one: http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/179967.htm was speaking to the owner and he seems very genuine. only drawback is that is an auto, i've an automatic before for a week and it was ok, just not sure about owning one. |
Posted By: Stone-IslandV8
Date Posted: 25-June-2007 at 19:29
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Lol. they are the most pointless replica wheels I've ever seen!!!!!!!
Seems ok. Shouldnt have any real issues with the auto on a 328 If you're looking at UK cars these turned up on a search round here: http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=10&distance=20&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200726290298309 - 318iS http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=7&distance=18&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200724105602866 - 318iS http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=3&distance=18&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200723287672944 - 318iS http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=4&distance=18&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200725290252860 - 318iS http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=2&distance=38&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200724105548428 - 328 http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=4&distance=35&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200721285808196 - 323 http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=5&distance=30&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200724105606954 - 318iS http://atsearch.autotrader.co.uk/www/CARS_popup.jsp?searchform=&modelexact=1&lid=search_used_cars_full&photo=1&state=none&sort=&hassearched=Y&make=BMW&min_pr=75&source=0&model=3+SERIES&max_pr=4000&miles=40&agerange=&mileage=8&postcode=BS21+6JA&variant=&bodyid=0&trim=&fuelid=0&colour=&transmissionid=0&keywords=&ukcarsearch_full.x=47&ukcarsearch_full.y=5&start=3&distance=15&adcategory=CARS&channel=CARS&id=200724288737449 - 325 I know the 325 is older but the pre-1996 E36s had iron blocks and no nikasil ------------- Gentlemen I may not have a brain but I do have an idea Past; E39 540T/E46 328CI/ E39 535/ E39 520/ E36 M3/ E36 318iS jet black Mtech/ E46 320d/ E36 318iS diamond black/ E36 318iS blue Mtech kit |
Posted By: quarryman
Date Posted: 27-June-2007 at 13:26
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UPDATE: Hey guys. Went to the 323 yesterday, I'll attach some pics. Excellent outside, ok inside. No AC though, despite being advertised. And no service history. In fairness it seemed he had got it serviced but "by a friend" as mechanically it was sound. No sign of any of the Nikasil symptoms. All in all though I wasn't really happy as the interior was a bit tatty and without the AC and FSH it wasn't exactly what I wanted. Also, after having taken it out i think i still prefer the 318is. The drive seemed more enjoyable and "lighter". Anyway's looking at another 318is later...    |
Posted By: Peter Fenwick
Date Posted: 28-June-2007 at 18:14
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I would not touch a car without any history unless it was very cheap. ------------- Entering an age of Austerity and now driving a Focus Diesel. |