Gregmeister
Member
Ok, so some of you would have seen my post hinting at buying this vehicle, asking advice on Code 3 issues and the like. (Thanks to those who did offer some opinions) Well, yes, I have gone ahead with the purchase and took ownership of this little E36 for the princely sum of R22k.
SO WHAT DID YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY?
A 1992 BMW 325i MEX with 239 000km on the clock. Code 3 written off by insurance. Re-registered, with RWC, licenced and papers in order. Fair condition overall for price. Engine running fine, brakes, transmission and suspension ok. Body ok, despite a few patch-jobs here and there and some rust on bootlid where wing meets body. The interior is in a surprisingly nice condition, and has very nicely fitted tint on the windows.
WHAT'S BEEN DONE SO FAR?
Since buying the car almost a week ago I have done an oil service, replaced the spark plugs, cleaned her up a bit, fixed some of the OBC buttons which were broken, repaced a few bulbs, repaired a faulty break light switch, replaced the wiper blades, repaired a small radiator leak and replaced the 16" rims it came with, with some really excellent condition original 15" rims, thanks to James. :thumbs:
WHAT IS NEEDED?
At this price I am ready to do some spending, and as explained, my plan with this car is to take it to the track and thrash it around a bit. So some things I plan to replace or upgrade anyway. But having said that, I have run the car now for nearly a week and I have to say the car has surprised me.
Having said that, aircon is not working. Feels like it kicks in, but no cold air. Could need service and gas. If anything more, might just rip it out. It needs a new clutch. This one's taking almost on the floor, but does not shudder and is drivable, but will be upgraded. Brakes work well, but discs are at the limit. Uprated discs and brakes are on the cards. Suspension seems okay, but a bit soft and could do with new shocks, but we are planning upgrading here too. No strange knocking sounds etc.
Engine-wise, considering there is no history to go by, seems within the limits to work with. Starts and idles from cold no problem. Slight bit of blue smoke from cold, clearing and only puffs a bit of blue smoke if bliped to the redline. She pulls quite well and cleanly to redline. So for now am assuming valve-stem seals, but we'll do a compression test on her too. The head would come off anyway to do a preventative maintenance head-gasket change and possible head, valve and cam modifications. Valve cover gasket leaking and depositing some oil in spark plug wells in 2 of the cylinders, but a nice surprise is that the car does not drip-leak oil. Have run about 400km now and average consumption is sitting on 10.5l/100, and that's with a pretty mixed bit of driving.
Body-wise she seems pretty solid with no noticable rust to worry about besides, as mentioned, the bootlid rusting where the wing meets the lid on either side. Having my mech's Dad, who's now a retired body restorer have a look at that for me tonight to give me a quote. Panels seem to fit okay, doors close snugly and no strange windnoise at speed. Had the exhaust system checked over this morning for leaks at Powerflow in Salt River, with no problems. had a chance to look under the car and all looks pretty normal on first glance. The mech's indepth check will be the ultimate test, however. She tracks fine, maybe a slight pull to the left on some roads, so an alignment will be done, and runs straight on hard breaking.
I would love to know how a well kept one feels to drive, as I am already impressed with this old banger. I am very chuffed with my E36 project car. Really fun drive. Right car for the job methinks! Was hoping to have her in a ready-to-roll state for the BMW Fesival, but not sure if everything's going to be done by then. If not, I'll just do the parade lap (hopefully no idiots arounds this time) Will keep you guys posted on the trials and tribulations of das Scheiße-boxen (pronounced sheize-boxen)
Some Pics Below: (This is before I did some L100 rubbing here and there, followed by a nice wax.)...yes yes, the pampering stops here...:rollsmile:
SO WHAT DID YOU GET FOR YOUR MONEY?
A 1992 BMW 325i MEX with 239 000km on the clock. Code 3 written off by insurance. Re-registered, with RWC, licenced and papers in order. Fair condition overall for price. Engine running fine, brakes, transmission and suspension ok. Body ok, despite a few patch-jobs here and there and some rust on bootlid where wing meets body. The interior is in a surprisingly nice condition, and has very nicely fitted tint on the windows.
WHAT'S BEEN DONE SO FAR?
Since buying the car almost a week ago I have done an oil service, replaced the spark plugs, cleaned her up a bit, fixed some of the OBC buttons which were broken, repaced a few bulbs, repaired a faulty break light switch, replaced the wiper blades, repaired a small radiator leak and replaced the 16" rims it came with, with some really excellent condition original 15" rims, thanks to James. :thumbs:
WHAT IS NEEDED?
At this price I am ready to do some spending, and as explained, my plan with this car is to take it to the track and thrash it around a bit. So some things I plan to replace or upgrade anyway. But having said that, I have run the car now for nearly a week and I have to say the car has surprised me.
Having said that, aircon is not working. Feels like it kicks in, but no cold air. Could need service and gas. If anything more, might just rip it out. It needs a new clutch. This one's taking almost on the floor, but does not shudder and is drivable, but will be upgraded. Brakes work well, but discs are at the limit. Uprated discs and brakes are on the cards. Suspension seems okay, but a bit soft and could do with new shocks, but we are planning upgrading here too. No strange knocking sounds etc.
Engine-wise, considering there is no history to go by, seems within the limits to work with. Starts and idles from cold no problem. Slight bit of blue smoke from cold, clearing and only puffs a bit of blue smoke if bliped to the redline. She pulls quite well and cleanly to redline. So for now am assuming valve-stem seals, but we'll do a compression test on her too. The head would come off anyway to do a preventative maintenance head-gasket change and possible head, valve and cam modifications. Valve cover gasket leaking and depositing some oil in spark plug wells in 2 of the cylinders, but a nice surprise is that the car does not drip-leak oil. Have run about 400km now and average consumption is sitting on 10.5l/100, and that's with a pretty mixed bit of driving.
Body-wise she seems pretty solid with no noticable rust to worry about besides, as mentioned, the bootlid rusting where the wing meets the lid on either side. Having my mech's Dad, who's now a retired body restorer have a look at that for me tonight to give me a quote. Panels seem to fit okay, doors close snugly and no strange windnoise at speed. Had the exhaust system checked over this morning for leaks at Powerflow in Salt River, with no problems. had a chance to look under the car and all looks pretty normal on first glance. The mech's indepth check will be the ultimate test, however. She tracks fine, maybe a slight pull to the left on some roads, so an alignment will be done, and runs straight on hard breaking.
I would love to know how a well kept one feels to drive, as I am already impressed with this old banger. I am very chuffed with my E36 project car. Really fun drive. Right car for the job methinks! Was hoping to have her in a ready-to-roll state for the BMW Fesival, but not sure if everything's going to be done by then. If not, I'll just do the parade lap (hopefully no idiots arounds this time) Will keep you guys posted on the trials and tribulations of das Scheiße-boxen (pronounced sheize-boxen)
Some Pics Below: (This is before I did some L100 rubbing here and there, followed by a nice wax.)...yes yes, the pampering stops here...:rollsmile:
