Thinking of buying an e36 328...

[iDreamBeemer]

I am being very bad and thinking of getting a 328i 2-door for my next car.

I've had a little look and there seems to be a few around (although not that much that is nice and close) but still can't make up my mind.

I need something a little more of a 'work' car that can do some motorway miles etc, is cheap (most I've seen are between £1500 and £2500) and has some nice goodies (like sports seats etc).

The moment I think of £2k though I think I could get a nice e30 but then my sensible side says be practical and stick with the e36 idea.

What would you do and why? e36's look a good buy just now but and I expecting a load of problems?

I was looking at '95 Sports only for LSD or a '98-'99 standard coupe, not really much in between?

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Go for it mate. Lovely cars. Probably would try for a later Coupe though the sport morsels are tempting.

Inlet from the 325i and a remap sees an extra 20bhp. These were strangulated to meet German insurance requirements.

Where are you living now? Back in Taunton??

[iDreamBeemer]

Hey Nathan,

Flew back in today and back in Taunton, think I'm feeling depressed already!! Going to start looking for work anywhere in the south like Bristol or Southampton - its one of the reasons I need a car.

Figured the sensible one would be a late coupe and then have a lsd fitted later

A good spec one that I can then play with later was a tempting idea or just enjoy a little more grunt. Having only had the iS before and Oz was a piss-arsed-slow campervan its finally time for some 6-pot love!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

Good lad!!!

Best of luck with the job hunt, we'll catch up when you're settled!

[iDreamBeemer]

Drove one today.....

Took it back after a massive total 7 miles.

Hated the clutch pedal position and failed to put a smile on my face. Sticking with an e30 thank you very much!

Now off to look at the for sale section...

[daimlerman]

E36 328i would make a good engine doner for a 'proper' car....good to see you back home...

[Jhonno]

I wasn't keen on my 328i at 1st, but ended up gutted to sell it, it isn't an e30, but in some ways that is a good thing

[iDreamBeemer]

Don't get me wrong, it is a good car, nice and torquey, would be a good motorway cruiser but it just did nothing for me. For the money (this one was £3k) I felt I would get back loads more from a 325 (I am already sniffing over for half of what was being asked.)

It felt so much more like an ordinary, newer car. Life's too short.

[78dude]

Why not look for the last generation E34 525i then? (face lift version with V8 grille)
But be perfect for what you are looking for...

[oldroydsr4]

I have a 1995 328i sport as my daily and for a daily drive is in a different league to an e30.

I paid £2400 for mine, it had full bmwsh and only 85k with a new alusil short engine in 2005(@55k)

Hunt for a tidy one and go for a sport due to the better resale value etc.

There really is alot of dogs out there, i test drove one 134k and wasn't impressed, however mine felt noticably quicker + tighter and really is a joy to drive.

Budget for a water pump change as soon as you buy it and you'll have a ball.

[robbo86]

My old man has an e36 328 four door, some might not like four doors but I think its a bit of a sleeper and he loves it, hes become like a teenager again!

Go for it

[steerfromtherear]

Find a clean e36 325i coupe before you completely head back to e30s, even though I am on my 2nd 328i I much prefer the characteristics of the m50 to the m52.
Saying that if you like the 328s but feel they are a little unrewarding then apparantly the m50 manifold/bbtb kit transforms them into much more eager motors.

[iDreamBeemer]

It was much less the performance of the car over the position of the clutch pedal that made me say no. I kept hitting the side and had to move my foot over to be able to fully press the pedal down. It would drive me nuts if I had to put up with that.

I don't see the point in putting myself through something I don't enjoy! I do appreciate the suggestions and if the clutch pedal did not bother me then I would still be thinking about it but it just did not feel like a natural fit.

[steerfromtherear]

Odd, I have owned 4 of each and havent noticed them being particularly different.
But yeah if you dont feel right in it why force it.

[iDreamBeemer]

Don't know if it was just me then but it felt like the foot well was just a bit smaller and skewed to the right (if that makes sense) and the pedal was close to the left fire wall.

I may try another one just to be 100% but I know I still love e30s and would have one over an e36.

Fancy taking me out for a spin in yours to prove me wrong? You're only up the road...!

[Rosc0PColtrane]

How was the e30 you looked at?

[iDreamBeemer]

No good for the project car I want. Still hoping I might get a friends but not 100% if she will sell anytime soon.