e36 28i tourer

Post Tue Aug 24, 2010 6:09 pm

i'm looking at buying one basically, if it has a full service history and has had regular oil changes is a high mileage example going to cause any hassle? i've been looking at one on pistonheads but it has done 192k. other than that and a slightly camp colour its sounds quite a nice car.
Failing that does anyone know of a fully loaded sport tourer for sale anywhere? and how much should a very tidy one go for? sorry for all the questions but i'm after one asap. i can't keep using my e30 for work its bringing tears to my eyes seeing it full of empty bottles, hi viz vests and a coating of grime all the time.

Post Tue Aug 24, 2010 6:16 pm

A well looked after M52 will go on and on....

My 98 323i is bordering 248k now and still sounds and goes like its done 60k.
Uses approx .5lt of oil roughly every 3k which is acceptable IMO.
Mine has mega service history from new and no mention anywhere of major mechanical work!

Post Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:08 pm

eko wrote:Uses approx .5lt of oil roughly every 3k which is acceptable IMO.

BMW's tolerance for oil consumption is 1ltr per 1000km/621 miles for non M power engines and 1ltr per 600km/372 miles.

My mrs 323i which has done 180000 miles is still on the nikasil block and is quiet as one with a 3rd of the mileage and performs just as well.

It uses oil but is above BMW's tolerances.

The M52 is a superb engine as long as oil and coolant have been changed regularly!

My 328i Coupe has done 118000 miles, has a steel liner replacement block and has used, 1ltr of oil in 9000 miles!!!!

Post Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:40 pm

the guy is saying that its got a full history and has had its oil changed every 3000 miles. i guess if he's right i wouldn't have any issues then.
I don't know if any of you have seen it, and i'm not sure if i'm allowed to put a link up? (if i knew how!) but he says its calibrated as a 3.2 evo i.e m3 EVERYTHING apart from engine. m3 suspension, diff, roll bars, prop, driveshafts, bottom arms etc. how do i tell if it is m3 stuff? I'm an e36 novice. He has owned the car for 9 years apparantly so possibly did all this stuff himself

Post Tue Aug 24, 2010 7:57 pm

I have seen it. Its silver.

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:18 pm

yeah kind of, i thought it had a kind of lilac tinge to it? maybe i'm going blind! what do you think of it? you guys are more clued up. if i'm honest i'd prefer a darker one like montreal or similar

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:40 pm

MattTheHat325 wrote:yeah kind of, i thought it had a kind of lilac tinge to it? maybe i'm going blind! what do you think of it? you guys are more clued up. if i'm honest i'd prefer a darker one like montreal or similar

Got a link?
To do so just right click on the page and copy and paste the url into here.

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:44 pm

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1933051.htm

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:47 pm

it might not even be for sale still! its been on there for 22 days already

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 4:51 pm

Looks nice thats for sure.
Airbags alround?....doubt it in a E36.
Still nice spec though and obviously had money spent on it,worth a look in my opinion.
As previously said,dont be put off by the mileage

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:17 pm

thanks mate, might be worth having a gander then, oxford isn't a million miles from me. as i mentioned before, how do i tell that all the stuff underneath is actually M3 stuff? i've never really looked at a 'normal' e36 in that much detail so haven't got much to compare with

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:21 pm

Poly bushes all round are a concern.

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:26 pm

in what way? ok i wouldn't have but why does that ring alarms bells mate? or do you just mean it will be stiffer/noisier?

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 5:37 pm

Well my car has M3 brakes and Koni adjustables but doesnt mean the suspension is `M3`.
Think the easiest way of telling is the front antiroll bar on an M3 bolts directly to the suspension leg whereas on mine and all standard E36`s they bolt to the wishbone.
Think that is right but sure Barry will confirm?
M3 brakes are easy to spot as they are around 20mm bigger than standard and //M is visible on the caliper when looking through the wheel.
Polybushes wouldnt concern me really,at least it shows good maintenence and money spent in right place.As for stiffness and noise then thats a personel opinion I suppose.

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 6:45 pm

yeah i don't mind a little extra stiffness

thanks for those pointers mate, i just thought Blitz was suggesting it meant something untoward had gone on. what about the lsd/driveshafts etc? would the drive shafts be any different to normal 28i ones? all in i think it sounds like a decent motor for the money. as long as it holds up to me putting some big daily mileage on it, it sounds like it might be a nice place to be. plus if all that stuff is real //M stuff then it will make a tidy little breaker once ive done with it!

Post Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:53 pm

Tony/eko is correct, the front anti roll bar bolts to the strut on M3's but not on normal E36's.

E36 M3 Evo's use a different subframe with a bigger diff and drive shafts than normal 6 cylinder E36's and M3 non evo 3ltrs. This maybe what the seller has fitted, the evo parts.

As for airbags, drivers was standard from about '94, passengers front an option.

front side airbags were an option on coupes and cabrios for sure so probably available on saloons and tourings to.

Im not a fan of poly bushes but again as Tony said, it shows money has been spent and work has been done.

I want to build an E36 M3 touring as my next project!