e36 323i sluggish

[curryp]

just test drove a 97 323ise for the old ball and chain (she didnt drive for insurance reasons) and when accelerating the car was very sluggish low down the revs and seemed to be missing slightly when flooring it in 5th at about 65-70mph.

if i floored it from a standing start it seemed to give up straight away when you think it should be lighting the tyres.there was no clutch problem,it just couldnt be bothered if you know what i mean.

shes only done 112000k and sat at idle no problem.nice and smooth and sounded lovely.

is it a case of just needing a good service with plugs leads and filters changing or somthing sinister lurking?

any help much appreciated

[Steve-E30]

Someone will correct me im sure , Dont they have a 2.0 inlet manifold so changing that will make a fifference as they are actusally a 2.5
Heard that somewhere .

[darkchild]

I've never found the E36 323i particularly quick. They go well enough, are lovely and smooth but do take a lot of revs to be moved quickly. Most of the power is at the top end and they're more of a motorway cruiser IMO. The 328i is simply in a different ball park.

As Steve-E30 says, its strangled by the 2.0 inlet manifold (mainly for insurance reasons to restrict power) and fitting the 2.5 bits makes it a very different beast - a very easy 20bhp boost when done correctly.

Being a '97 car it will have "originally" had nikasil coated bores and would be worth contacting BMW with the chassis number to see if this was replaced. You'd have to be unlucky to get a nikasil problem now though if its still on its original block. The fact you state it idles well is a good sign.

Personally, if you've got doubts I'd try another and see how that compares. The market is flooded with E36's and its definitely a buyers market. They're a superb car thats not that far behind an E46 and IMO look far better and sleeker than an E46 is saloon form. Check balljoints and the rear springs (known to snap at the bottom coil). Being a relatively late model, rust shouldn't be a problem.

[clubfx2]

May be worth checking the AFM.

My 325i did the same thing, changed it and was a different animal again.

[curryp]

thanks very much gents

its was still missing very slightly though at higher speeds.hope its just the plugs because iv bought it anyway.