E36 328i Sport - thoughts?

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:13 pm

Been offered a direct swap for my '94 M plate Mercedes C280 Sport Auto against a '95 N plate red E36 328i Sport Auto.

Worth it do you think?

Hopefully doing the deal tomorrow...

Auto may not be my first choice, but any excuse to move the Merc on is good... especially at this time of year!

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:23 pm

Nice cars, being an n reg it should be an M50 engine too, so no bore wear issues. Not a massive fan of mercs so personally i'd go for it!

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:33 pm

Good choice! I now have a P reg 328i 'Loon. Great cars, very well built, good mpg, quick, great mile muncher. Little boring compared to an e30 but you currently have a Merc sooo. Steering is better than an e30's tho the quicker rack helps alot. hth

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:35 pm

Stonking engine - could certainly think of worse to bolt an auto box to.

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:38 pm

Yeah i'd go for it. Bit of a bummer its an auto though.

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:48 pm

hmm giles. dont do it- get an e30-you've been away too long!

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 5:50 pm

My Mate had an 328 sport on a N plate and that had the nikasil problem.
Think best to check tel BMW Cust service 01344426565 they will tell you straight away if it has a nikasil block

Post Fri Dec 22, 2006 6:22 pm

Swap it!

Dont worry about the auto issue, you can sort that when you drop the engine out for the E30 conversion

Post Sat Dec 23, 2006 12:13 pm

swap swap swap!!!!!!!! go for it! i just sold my mates 328i for hime on an R reg, lovely motor, went like shit off of a shovel. watch out for the nikasil problem!!!!

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:19 am

Deal is done.

Drove home 100 miles with no problem, and what a difference it makes from driving an 'old-before-my-time' Mercedes... it feels great.

Pics later when it's a) clean and b) light outside!

Couple of things need to be done (washers don't work, which is a MAJOR issue this time of year!) like a few bits of paint, there's a funny noise from the engine bay somewhere that needs to be found and remedied at some point, side strip needs a new clip, etc, but overall it's a superb piece of kit.

(so far...)

Better change my sig pic now too...

323i_rare · Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:21 am

Why do you think this guy wanted to change his car

LOL @ YOU

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:23 am

f*ck off if you've got nothing constructive or positive to say.

Ignore this post... the post I was replying to has been deleted... so this is a pointless one!

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:26 am

323i_rare wrote:Why do you think this guy wanted to change his car

LOL @ YOU

Why do you think 323i's are rare? LOL at you.

Oh, and

!

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:26 am

Geeman wrote:f*ck off if you've got nothing constructive or positive to say.

Whats all this about?

E36 Giles. Are you mad?.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:27 am

323i_rare wrote:Why do you think this guy wanted to change his car

LOL @ YOU

Sounds like a quality deal mate, i certainly know which id rather have

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:28 am

gazza325cab wrote:
Geeman wrote:f*ck off if you've got nothing constructive or positive to say.
Whats all this about?

E36 Giles. Are you mad?.

See the post above his!

It might be an E dirty sick, but it's a step up from an old man merc...

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:30 am

gazza325cab wrote: E36 Giles. Are you mad?.

says the man with the oil burning old mans snail meister

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:31 am

The geezer gave up his BM as he liked the Merc. Simple! Not sure what the condition was on the C Class but I would've also taken up the E36 depending on its condition. Good choice!

Look forward to the pics!

Regards, BJ.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:32 am

he has been stirring alot of shit on this forum

E36.... well its a start

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:33 am

Yeah... the E36 was the easiest route out of Mercedes ownership. At least the 328i Sport will be a lot easier to sell on if and when the need arises.

E30's are okay, (I still love them) but now I'm doing a fair few miles with business and taking clients out more regularly, I've begun to think that E30's are probably only good for me as a second car... which is a shame. After having 15 E30's, it's time to move on!

I've bad-mouthed E36's in the past, but when it comes down to it, they're actually bloody good cars. (I would say that now I've got one!)

A little work to bring it up to perfection is no bad thing. Gives me something to do...

Still would like an E39 540i Sport... yum yum.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:36 am

Bet it's a lot quicker!!!

Regards, BJ.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:37 am

Same size engine, both 24v's both auto's... but the E36 feels so much quicker, though I bet it's not. Both about the 200bhp mark...

The BMW is a much better drivers car... you feel more in touch with what's going on.

Pics taking tomorrow hopefully.

Merry Christmas to me!

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:37 am

Message from Joyce.

You like changing your cars Giles.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:38 am

Geeman wrote: I've bad-mouthed E36's in the past, but when it comes down to it, they're actually bloody good cars. (I would say that now I've got one!)

Hasn't everyone on here?! I'd have one for sure. Mate of mine's dad had just what you've bought while I was at school - I loved it then & I'd have one now... He's got a 330i now - I've driven that & I wouldn't say no either!

Don't you miss having a cab though?! That's a major factor for me hanging on to the E30 - decent E36 cabs still fetch very decent money & I'm trying to buy a house!

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:38 am

Gareth... 6th one this year!

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:43 am

I was just counting them up with Joyce.

I got to 5.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:54 am

This year... sorry, count 8!

1 ) E28 525e - sold
2 ) E38 728i - sold
3 ) C280 Sport Mercedes - sold
4 ) E36 328i Sport - current
5 ) VW Golf GTi - current project
6 ) E30 316i - project - sold
7 ) Peugeot 205 1.6 GTi - current track car / investment
8 ) Ford Fiesta XR2 - sold

Enough now.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:57 am

you sure you can't fit one more in Giles

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 1:02 am

There is another E30.

Sold to the Irish lads.

You go through cars like your women.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:31 am

Gareth... that was the 316 that's on the list dude.

Wierd about the women. A whole year without ANY... then they all come along at once. Still, who am I to complain...?

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:38 am

Sorry Giles

Isn't your old man as bad as you Giles?.

Maybe a problem in 'Geeman Genes'.

Would you believe a zoner wants to swap his E36 for my touring!.
I nearlly pissed my pants.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:48 am

Yeah... this year Dad's swapped his MGB for a TVR, traded his '64 Mk2 Jaguar for a '97 Mercedes CL500... (9 years old... new price Ã‚£86,750 and he got it for Ã‚£7,495 - what a depreciation drop!) and he's now on the look out for trading his Discovery in... he's worse than me.

Signing off now. Have a good christmas fella! Love to the family!

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 10:53 am

very good cars the e36 i dont knock em at all me mums got a 325i coupe e36 soon to have a e36 m3 convertable , my m8s have got e36s 325i coupe and 328i sports coupe original very very good cars dont blame you for wanting that , and id tell you wat giles , it isnt hard to convert her to manual!!

then you got a proper 328i sport great engines good overall cars i hate mercs though.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 12:20 pm

better choice than the old man merc! Mate used to have one, great cars very smooth specially if its been unabused.

Post Sun Dec 24, 2006 7:55 pm

good choice, especailly if it has a LSD ?

there is a quick check on www.e36coupe.co.uk in the FAQ's to find out if it has a nikisal block or not.

whether it has or it hasnt got the original engine, if it drives ok, then stick with it. if it is on the original engine, try and limit the short journeys.