Hey guys started up a post a while back about the e36 compact which my brother was going to buy. Anyway that sell fell through because the owner already sold it.
Anyway my brother is still thinking about the e36.
My friend is offering his 318i saloon for to us for a grand with 104k on the clock. Needs a little bit of work done like change of brakes.... I once again have a few questions which Im sure a few of you can easily answer:
1. My friend is a bit heavy on the right foot and has done a few burnouts. Apart from wearing out the tyres what other damage to the car can be caused to the car by burnouts.
2. My friend says the e36 hasnt a timing belt but a chain. Is this true as I have seen an e36 advertised for sale with a recent timing belt being changed.
3. My brother is also considering to maybe just buy the Is coupe version, whats your thoughts on them, we have found one for 1400 with aproximately 71k on the clock and full bmw history. Theres quite a few on that price band, is this a decent price or are they just turds.
Thanks for this one guys, Im not too fond of the e36 myself thats why im not the best on advice on it.
My brother again---part 2
Moderator: martauto
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madaboutthe30
- E30 Zone Camper
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Stanmore, Harrow
Dreaming of the day I purchase an E30 M3
--- e30 motorsport cab-- in the process of becoming a trailer queen
--- Z4M Coupe - daily driver
--- e30 motorsport cab-- in the process of becoming a trailer queen
--- Z4M Coupe - daily driver
Early 4 cylinder 316i/318i's used the 8 valve M40 which does have a cambelt. Later ones (1993 onwards) use the vastly better M43 with a chain driven cam. I wouldn't touch a M40 engined E36 with a sh!tty stick - the M43 is just so much better. Not particularly quick, but nice and smooth, decent low down torque and DIY friendly. Their only real problem is the occassional head gasket but they're not too difficult a job.
The coupe version is better still, 16V M42/M44 with 140bhp and just enough power to make the E36 entertaining. The standard 318i is around 115bhp. If its in decent nick and well maintained, a coupe will handle lovely due to the M-Tech suspension.
Avoid crappy, traffic light raced E36's like the plague. There's so many out there at reasonable prices that you can afford to be picky.
The coupe version is better still, 16V M42/M44 with 140bhp and just enough power to make the E36 entertaining. The standard 318i is around 115bhp. If its in decent nick and well maintained, a coupe will handle lovely due to the M-Tech suspension.
Avoid crappy, traffic light raced E36's like the plague. There's so many out there at reasonable prices that you can afford to be picky.
I recently bought myself a 318iS coupe, and I'm really enjoying it... Handles well, goes well, looks nice (full m-tech pack, bar spoiler) and is very comfortable (I've got sport seats mind, don't know what boggo poverty ones are like). Full service history and you can't go wrong really!
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madaboutthe30
- E30 Zone Camper
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Stanmore, Harrow
How much did you get yours for Ian? and what was the mileage.....its just so that I could get a rough idea of your deal
Dreaming of the day I purchase an E30 M3
--- e30 motorsport cab-- in the process of becoming a trailer queen
--- Z4M Coupe - daily driver
--- e30 motorsport cab-- in the process of becoming a trailer queen
--- Z4M Coupe - daily driver
£3400 and it's just about to tick over 130k (I think most of 'em are motorway miles as it still drives like new).
Depends if you go with a trader or private though. I got three months warranty, a service, 6 months tax and M.O.T with mine.
My car has pretty much everything though, Aircon (still icy cold), Dual Zone Climate, LSD, M-tech styling, Rear view mirror dimmer, sports half leather, sport alloys (not the m-sport ones).
Here is a link to my thread: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=95660
I think you could probably get a more standard one for much less but as I'm going to be spending a lot of time driving I thought I'd pay a little more.
Depends if you go with a trader or private though. I got three months warranty, a service, 6 months tax and M.O.T with mine.
My car has pretty much everything though, Aircon (still icy cold), Dual Zone Climate, LSD, M-tech styling, Rear view mirror dimmer, sports half leather, sport alloys (not the m-sport ones).
Here is a link to my thread: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... ic&t=95660
I think you could probably get a more standard one for much less but as I'm going to be spending a lot of time driving I thought I'd pay a little more.
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AlexBaur325
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 685
- Joined: Fri Nov 02, 2007 11:00 pm
If anybody knows of an M43 head looking for a home let me know 
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madaboutthe30
- E30 Zone Camper
- Posts: 1392
- Joined: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:00 pm
- Location: Stanmore, Harrow
Thanks for the feedback guys
I'm wondering though, will the chain ever need changing or is it meant to last the lifetime of the car??
I'm wondering though, will the chain ever need changing or is it meant to last the lifetime of the car??
Dreaming of the day I purchase an E30 M3
--- e30 motorsport cab-- in the process of becoming a trailer queen
--- Z4M Coupe - daily driver
--- e30 motorsport cab-- in the process of becoming a trailer queen
--- Z4M Coupe - daily driver
mad,
for the money i would go for the 318is all day long, its a craking little motor, nice revvy engine, and such, but at the end of the day you get what you pay for.
My mate recently sold his blk 318is for approx £3k with 130k miles on the clock, but the car certainly didn't look or drive like a car with that much mileage, look at the condition rather than the mileage as if looked after these cars will go on for a long time.
for the money i would go for the 318is all day long, its a craking little motor, nice revvy engine, and such, but at the end of the day you get what you pay for.
My mate recently sold his blk 318is for approx £3k with 130k miles on the clock, but the car certainly didn't look or drive like a car with that much mileage, look at the condition rather than the mileage as if looked after these cars will go on for a long time.
Gurj
dont know about the iS? i have heard too many rattly engines.
got my e36 for nothing its a nice 320i 6pot and is smooth as you like. did some nice slides in the wet and its very smooth through the city and the motorways.
great day to day car
but am i moving the dark side of the e36??? 
i know i will have my e30 on the road soon
might sell it eventually but right now its the best thing i have drove for a while, smooth. £500's worth of car and its great
except at 1st i understeered and the inside wheel span up and i didnt notice! thats how much feeling you loose compared to an e30
got my e36 for nothing its a nice 320i 6pot and is smooth as you like. did some nice slides in the wet and its very smooth through the city and the motorways.
great day to day car
but am i moving the dark side of the e36??? i know i will have my e30 on the road soon
might sell it eventually but right now its the best thing i have drove for a while, smooth. £500's worth of car and its great
except at 1st i understeered and the inside wheel span up and i didnt notice! thats how much feeling you loose compared to an e30
