e36 328i touring buyers advice

Post Sun Aug 31, 2008 11:43 am

hi all

had a look at a 98 328i touring yesterday.

just wondering what can go wrong in the future and any major floors in the design, its done 137k so i'm guessing the nikasil is not an issue?

the air bag light was on but its had an interior change from cloth to leather....

also the steering wheel/column squeeks constantly when turning.

also bubbling on rear arch lip.

anyhelp or advice is recommended.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/ww ... rch.action

its the 5th one down

Post Sun Aug 31, 2008 10:43 pm

That looks a bargain at that price.

I believe the owner is an E36coupe forum user.

Nikasil won't be an issue on that year of car, it was sorted by then.

Airbag light can be reset. Squeak should be an easy fix, just finding the source.

Also look for worn front wishbones, and sticky front calipers. Rust around the windscreen, and under the tailgate.

Post Mon Sep 01, 2008 1:20 am

check this out, relates to 328 saloon but the issues should (i imagine) still be the same

Post Mon Sep 01, 2008 7:59 am

Doesn't look too bad for the price but TBH the second one down looks more of an honest car and doesn't have all that council tat attached to it. If its as well maintained as the ad suggests I would still question why the airbag light is still on - surely such an enthusiastic member of the BMW owners club would have had such a trivial thing sorted.......if it is trivial of course.....

Post Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:37 am

Nikasil is not a factor for cars built after 03/98 but the airbag light and rusty arch are a bit worrying. No late E36 should be showing evidence of tin worm.

Check the cooling system is in good order - M52's don't take kindly to being cooked. Suspension parts (bushes, snapped springs) are another common casualty.

Post Mon Sep 01, 2008 9:03 am

The steering wheel is due to the column where it enters the engine bay gets a little seized.

Easy to fix, get some spray grease and give it a good going over. If you don't you'll find the steering wheel will start to lock up when you're turning... Scary stuff.

Post Mon Sep 01, 2008 11:53 am

might help if i bothered to add the link to the post eh else you will all wonder hat the hell i am on about

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... highlight=

Post Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:00 pm

robbo86 wrote:might help if i bothered to add the link to the post eh else you will all wonder hat the hell i am on about

Post Mon Sep 01, 2008 12:21 pm

what can i say it ws half past 2 in the morning