buying an e36 coupe

[wallyengles]

I'm on the search for a 4 door 328i, but i've come across a neat 325i coupe for 35k. I know its not the motor i want but i like the coupe. Are there big faults to look out for on these cars? What price bracket do they lie in roughly? Is it worth settling for the m50 motor?

 

[Raybimmer]

I have a 325i M50 non vanos and a 328i M52 with vanos . The 325i revs ok but as revs go over say 4000 it picks up speed quickly and races to the red line . The 328i picks up speed from say 2500 and pulls up to red line . Difference is 328i pulls to 105 or so in 2nd and 155 in 3rd but is quicker than 325i with shorter gearing .
Driving both is about same in other aspects .
Car magazine tested a 325i coupe in July 1994 , 0-100 in 8.3 , 228 top speed at 6363 rpm.
Remember coupe uses different window winder mechanism to 4 door models .

 

[wallyengles]

Ok so i'll be losing out on the speed side quite badly...is there anything you can do to get the 325i to shunt like the 328i or isn't it worth it?

 

[msm]

If the condition is really good, I would take the coupe, just because it's a bit more rare.

Yes, the 328i is going to be quicker, but how often do you see an E36 coupe on the roads. For a car > 15 years old, I would place performance as a 2nd factor to overall condition and maintenance.

 

[wallyengles]

Yeah that is true and by the looks of things there is a performance difference but its not so big that you'd notice it much in the real world, unless you're standing next to a 328i and racing outright. I just want similar performance to what I had in my old 2.8 cabrio...

 

[calypso]

Check for rust inside the rear fender flares and under the boot seal, under the rear numberplate.

 

[Raybimmer]

Collectors value of coupe makes buying it ok , but upkeep as a daily drive may be high if needing to replace body items .
Do you have space for two cars if buying 328i in a years time ?

 

[wallyengles]

I got used to that way of life with my 'vert and that still had a floppy roof to look after too. This coupe i've found really looks neat, got full working electrics. No rust that I've found so far, needs a touch up on the bonnet and front bumper (gonna drop an M item on anyway), but for paint we've got a fully kitted spray booth at my dad's workshop :rollsmile:. I am looking for something more unique but if it's going to let me down badly in the performance department I'm rather gonna go for a sedan.

 

[Raybimmer]

Go for the coupe if you are a bm enthusiast . :thumbs:

 

[ETTIENNE]

Coupe FTW!:thumbs:...seriously.

 

[328ii]

i say go for the 325 because it seems a good find i.e. you like it. also 35K is very fair price

only issues i know of (wrt coupes) are the window winding mechanisms
and rubbers wear quicker due to no guides for the glass.

also a bit easier to break into. what year was it made..?

8?>

 

[///MALCOLM325]

I would go for the coupe as its so rare. These cars come up for sale over a certain period in the year and then none seen for a while, so snap it up. Most I've seen over the past years were around R30 - R40k, 1992/1993 and all I've seen were autos and in fair conditions. Still for R35k its alot of car!

 

[wallyengles]

I viewed it now again but it was cleaned properly this time and you can see the paint has been redone...also the service indicator has been reset but the air filter and oil filter look years old. I'm not so sure anymore

 

[sclass]

If it's in good condition DO EEET!! :thumbs:

 

[Yuvan]

If the condition is really good, I would take the coupe, just because it's a bit more rare.

Yes, the 328i is going to be quicker, but how often do you see an E36 coupe on the roads. For a car > 15 years old, I would place performance as a 2nd factor to overall condition and maintenance.

Agree:thumbs:

 

[Doomsdaya]

I viewed it now again but it was cleaned properly this time and you can see the paint has been redone...also the service indicator has been reset but the air filter and oil filter look years old. I'm not so sure anymore

Totally agree with MSM.... and even if you do buy a sedan, you still gona end up spending money on it.

That being said, if you feel the car is a lemon then stay away. I've seen a burgandy 325i auto coupe at a garage sometime and the owner spent more money on fixing it then what he actually paid for the car.

 

[Phumi]

If it's in great condition go for the coupe, it’s a head turner & extremely rear.