E36 325 TDS Everything i need to know...

[AS97TDS]

Hello all,

Im new here and im new to bmw. Just acquired a 1997 325 TDS Estate M Pack with only 69K Miles (112k)

I have been looking for information on this car. But since i'm american and most stuff so far has been in german its been a pain in the ARS! Being american im used to auto stores having everything i need and lots of information on my car or to be able to just buy a haynes manual with all my DIY information. Surprisingly the internet doesn't really have a lot on the TDS just about every other E36 on earth!

That said only major issue right now is the turbo is failing still runs and drives fine just no power.And i found a Kinugawa turbo that should work fine. Since this is an english speaking forum has anyone found all the good ways to take care of a TDS BMW.

I am out of my element with BMW, Turbo and Diesels...
Thanks in advance :ty:

 

[DieselFan]

325tds are even very scarce here in SA. Maybe look at some of the other diesels in the e46 range and that may help you out. As maintaining them well will more than likely be the same.

What I can recommend. Is frequent oil changes. Every 10 000 kms.

The 325tds didn't come out with loads of power as far as I know.

 

[Nikhil]

Welcome bud!:thumbs: The 325tds is not all that popular in S.A. but probably one of bmws most reliable diesel engines as they run forever. :rollsmile:

 

[Gizmo]

I personally have maybe seen 2-3 total, very rare indeed!
UK forums will be more helpful.

 

[abharoochi]

Hey and welcome!!!

Well it looks like you have quite a rare model!! And fyi...

:ttiuwp:

Enjoy the car

 

[samman325]

Welcome. Would love to see pictures of your car

 

[Luis Malhou]

Funny story. When they were released in SA my mate then a BMW dealership owner had one the very first units. He asked me to go to Margate to fetch a 316 they bought and drive it back to JHB. Free weekend so I jumped at the chance.Now my friend being a race car driver didn't hold back driving the TDS balls to the wall, I was scared shit less but none the less , 22 years old what did i care. My brother had just got a e36 325i demo and this felt just like this. Only when I got to Harrismith and he started putting in diesel did I realize I was in a diesel BMW. Never seen on or even heard of diesel other than the Isuzu's and 2,4D toyotas and the smoking snail Merc. I must say I was impressed with performance, I drove the car to Margate, what a pleasure and frugal.

I heard a story that before the car was launched Journalists in Germany were picked up at the airport for a demo of the new car. From airport till hotel most did not even pick up they were in the diesel powered car since all the cars were de-badged.

I have seen only a handful of them in my life and it was the start of diesel as an alternative in cars which BMW started leading, not many manufactures have good diesel power trains compared to BMW, maybe Audi.