328i Sport - Old Colonels - Opinions!

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:06 pm

Okay so since my car is more than likely going to the scrap yard I'm on the look out for a new car.. I enjoyed my E36 a lot and now decided I want a more powerful one..

Thing is, I'm not so hot on buying cars.. I get all hazy in a mist of want for any car I go visit...

To the point, does this look to be a good car for the money? Seems quite expensive compared to other examples... The amount isn't an issue.. Just don't want to chuck money away for nothing.

It's quite far away from me (2.30 hours) so got to be sure before I make the trip and some of you on here are rather wise when looking at car adds.

Here it is:

http://www.oldcolonelcars.co.uk/

It's the top E36 sport.

Opinions please!

Thanks.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 4:28 pm

I seen this car, its a proper straight example no questions. The price is high but i think the car can well command its premium here its a completely different league to council'd up tat on ebay and autotrader.

Only thing i would check is if the block has been changed under warrenty

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:04 pm

That does look a lovely example but a 328i coupe with a tow bar seems a bit strange

Top dollar too but they've got a good reputation.

As its a '98 car it may have come out of the factory with the later block if its built after 03/98.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:14 pm

I was attracted to this too, but the tow bar put me off, would want that removed and the bumper fixed up to show no eveidence of it being fitted...

M3 money now though, even with that mileage.

I see it like this, if it was mine, I wouldn't expect to sell it for that money, having said that, they do seem to sell alot.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 5:52 pm

Old colonels seems to have develped a rep for serving up what appear to be good cars, rust-less usually lowish spec or slightly un-desirable models or models with an odd twist.
Whether thy sell the cars they advertise at the prices I don't know but I've not heard a bad word about them.
I know some write ups are slightly less than factual but they wouldn't have known.
This sport seems to fall into the "odd twist" catagory for me, primarily because of that tow bar.
It looks a nice example and your money is probably safe but I wouldnt expect to see the same sort of cash as you paid straight away.

As said, check the mileage is genuine and check that it's got a later steel lined block and removal of the towbar

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:15 pm

That makes my mates on the smae plate 328i sport one with 80k on the clock with fbmwsh look very cheap , He only paid £2850 for it , Tow bars a bit odd ?

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:18 pm

whys the tow bar regarded as such an oddity? a 2.8 would be just right for towing a small boat, jet ski , trailer or even a small caravan.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:21 pm

And guessing by the fact that it only has sinlgle electrics on the towbar it is unlkikely to have towed a caravan as they normally have twin electrics to enable battery charging and fridges to be chilled etc when on the move

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:38 pm

328 sport, towbar? doesnt strike you as a bit odd at the least you'd get a removeable one.

2850 is a good price, cheap anyway my mate just paid 2 for one but it wasnt as clean as it looks

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:02 pm

That is something I would want rid of, the tow bar.... Any ideas how hard it is to get rid of it if I were to go for something like that?

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:06 pm

What car are you scrapping????

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:06 pm

usually can be unbolted from underneath although repairing any cut out might prove more difficult.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:13 pm

the tow bar will easily be removed, the black section will be cut on the bottom of the rear bumper but these can be replaced without needing a complete new bumper, ecp do genuine replacment diffusers or main dealer

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:19 pm

Ollie_bwoii wrote:What car are you scrapping????

See my other topic 'God Damn it!'

Infact here's a link: http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... c&t=131313

Well I've asked if the tow bar can be removed, rear bumper repaired.. All they can say is no.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:23 pm

id allow £100 for a replacement diffuser, offer them your price -100

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:28 pm

Good idea. Well anyway I've got to wait until my car gets sorted. I'm just looking about getting some ideas.

Set on a 328 sport though.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:28 pm

id keep the tow bar to give more protection in minor rear end shunts.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 8:30 pm

fuzzy wrote:id keep the tow bar to give more protection in minor rear end shunts.

Does the towbar not put anyone off? No impact on the car towing things about?

I suppose that's another thing to consider fuzzy but I just like it without the towbar.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:14 pm

Just another thing to bear in mind, as it as ASC traction control it will 99% not have an LSD.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 10:46 pm

Nice 328i M-Sport Tourer here

http://www.mainpricemotors.co.uk/cardet ... php?id=619

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:02 pm

GC318 wrote:Nice 328i M-Sport Tourer here

http://www.mainpricemotors.co.uk/cardet ... php?id=619

Looks like a nice car but no A/C let alone climate?

Odd considering the rest of the spec.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:05 pm

bss325i wrote:
GC318 wrote:Nice 328i M-Sport Tourer here

http://www.mainpricemotors.co.uk/cardet ... php?id=619
Looks like a nice car but no A/C let alone climate?

Odd considering the rest of the spec.

hmm, maybe ran out of space to type that, can't tell by looking at the pics though but then I am not that familier with the E36

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:20 pm

GC318 wrote:
bss325i wrote:
GC318 wrote:Nice 328i M-Sport Tourer here

http://www.mainpricemotors.co.uk/cardet ... php?id=619
Looks like a nice car but no A/C let alone climate?

Odd considering the rest of the spec.
hmm, maybe ran out of space to type that, can't tell by looking at the pics though but then I am not that familier with the E36

If it had climate then there would be a digital display and buttons instead of the rotary knobs.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:23 pm

Why didn't everyone that bought an e36 get one in that colour!?!

It looks a fine thing, but the towbar looks suspiciously aftermarket which probably means a butchered floor pan / wheel well.

To remove it properly you could be in for over £200.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:24 pm

bss325i wrote:
GC318 wrote:
bss325i wrote: Looks like a nice car but no A/C let alone climate?

Odd considering the rest of the spec.
hmm, maybe ran out of space to type that, can't tell by looking at the pics though but then I am not that familier with the E36
If it had climate then there would be a digital display and buttons instead of the rotary knobs.

Ah another lesson learnt from the master

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:41 pm

Lol, i'm no master!

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:47 pm

Soon to be master mincer

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:51 pm

bss325i wrote:Lol, i'm no master!

Well judging by the work you have done so far and the cars I have seen on here, I think I can learn alot from you.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:53 pm

GC318 wrote:Nice 328i M-Sport Tourer here

http://www.mainpricemotors.co.uk/cardet ... php?id=619

Unfortunatly it's gotta be a coupe and it has to be a genuine sport.

Post Mon Apr 13, 2009 11:53 pm

DanThe wrote:Soon to be master mincer

Being the metrosexual type i am!

Post Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:07 am

The old colenels car is absolutely TOP money. Yet it will be a nice one and one with few miles as well. You will lose approx. half of the purchase price in months if you were to sell it on.

The one thing that bugs me with them is they quote a price with no warranty and another price with 3 months warranty:

A) if their cars are so good surely they'd whack 6 months at least on it if they had any confidence that their cars were the best????
B) EVERY TRADER HAS to warrant a car for 3 months regardless. Thats the law as I see it.. So he's trying to charge you 300 quid for something he is supposed to honour anyway!!!!

Post Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:53 am

B7 wrote:The old colenels car is absolutely TOP money. Yet it will be a nice one and one with few miles as well. You will lose approx. half of the purchase price in months if you were to sell it on.

The one thing that bugs me with them is they quote a price with no warranty and another price with 3 months warranty:

A) if their cars are so good surely they'd whack 6 months at least on it if they had any confidence that their cars were the best????
B) EVERY TRADER HAS to warrant a car for 3 months regardless. Thats the law as I see it.. So he's trying to charge you 300 quid for something he is supposed to honour anyway!!!!

That's what I always thought but I was informed otherwise... I'll see if I can find the post.

So these cars don't really retain their value at the moment?

Might give this one a pass if it's really only worth half of what he's asking.

Post Tue Apr 14, 2009 10:56 am

What they will do Trev is sell it as an UNROADWORTHY vehicle if you don't pay the extra £300? to get the 3 months cover. Even if you do go for the warrenty option, you need to find out what is and isn't covered.

An annoying practise taken up by traders for sub 5 bag cars of late.

Post Tue Apr 14, 2009 11:03 am

Nevermind, car sold anyway!...

Who said cars don't sell these days.. lol.

Post Tue Apr 14, 2009 3:26 pm

Jon_Bmw wrote:What they will do Trev is sell it as an UNROADWORTHY vehicle if you don't pay the extra £300? to get the 3 months cover. Even if you do go for the warrenty option, you need to find out what is and isn't covered.

An annoying practise taken up by traders for sub 5 bag cars of late.

Agreed but this is a 5k e36???? Do they really think that selling a top money car with no warranty or unroadworthy is acceptable? I wouldn't touch it with a bargepole if they did.

Agreed if your spending say a grand on a 12 year old mondeo fair enough. But for old colnel to expect (ask) top money they need to get real!