E30 Zone

hi guys, been asked to look at the above for a friend of mine as im supposed to be in the know, un fortunatley my knowedgle is limited to the e30.
i have heard that the m3 gives trouble in the boot area with cracking of the floor pan. is this also a prob throughout the e36 range??
anything else i should look out for.
does this engine give bother
how can i be sure it is what it says on the tin?
any other flaws to look out for?
thanks in advance

The 323 used the M52 alloy block which had nikel lined cylinders and as a result suffered from nikasil. Ideally you want to check with BMW whether the block has been changed (if the seller doesnt have teh documents to show this) for the newer alusil ones.

Usual things to check then like rust etc - problem areas are the same as the e30.

Could check the buyers guide on e36coupe.com

if its not had nikasil problems by now it will be fine.. it was to do with sulphur content of the fuel at the time.. an issue thats now been sorted

will try that site so, is there any markings that i will be able to see that will tell me that it is a 323 engine still...
and thanks for the replys

Theres is a tab on the rear of the block on the passenger side if its an alusil - best thing is on that site it shows pictures of what your looking for there - its easier to see that explain.

thanks will do

spooky, i cam here to ask exactly the same thing! I have seen a 1997 R plate 323i and I am scared of buying it when I know nothing about them.

the e36coupe.com is a big help, cheers for the link maybe be enough to persuade me to go for an hours drive on terrible roads to see it!

i have an e46 323
and to be honest i wouldnt ever get another
its under powered thanks to bmw,s restricting techniques
also handles crap, traction drives ya mad

feels vague in any type of bend

i dnt know if all this applies to the e36 but if your friend enjoys driving then look elsewhere in my oppinion

this is not a drivers car at all
more ya fat business man cruiser that has a serious drinking problem

This was the one I was looking at :

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... %3AIT&rd=1

But its almost reached my budget with 3 days to go, and with the massive list of common faults on them on the e36coupe.com site, I think I will leave it well alone! shame, it looks a nice car

dazleeds wrote:i have an e46 323
and to be honest i wouldnt ever get another
its under powered thanks to bmw,s restricting techniques
also handles crap, traction drives ya mad

feels vague in any type of bend

i dnt know if all this applies to the e36 but if your friend enjoys driving then look elsewhere in my oppinion

this is not a drivers car at all
more ya fat business man cruiser that has a serious drinking problem

my mum has a 323i e46 and its a lovely car. ok not the most powerful, but its not designed to be, but can be derestricted easily and cheaply if you wanted.

it handles well also, albeit more weight to it than an e30, doesnt feel vague

Jhonno wrote:

dazleeds wrote:i have an e46 323
and to be honest i wouldnt ever get another
its under powered thanks to bmw,s restricting techniques
also handles crap, traction drives ya mad

feels vague in any type of bend

i dnt know if all this applies to the e36 but if your friend enjoys driving then look elsewhere in my oppinion

this is not a drivers car at all
more ya fat business man cruiser that has a serious drinking problem

my mum has a 323i e46 and its a lovely car. ok not the most powerful, but its not designed to be, but can be derestricted easily and cheaply if you wanted.

it handles well also, albeit more weight to it than an e30, doesnt feel vague

up for sale as of next week
once its motd its off

just had new wishbones and brakes all round
see if it needs anything else for test??
wanting around 4700

s reg full spec tipronic etc /abs/traction blah blah
just needs leather

my mums is an SE - S reg with clear indicators (factory), full leather, aircon etc and only 49k on the clock. Only other 3 series model (as in e46) i'd own