Need advice urgently on buying a 328i

[LPM320]

Hi guys.

After some deliberation and alot of test driving, i have decided to take the manual.

I am fully aware now of the engine block problem, but i will take a chance as the mileage is
174000km.

The complexity of an auto gearbox combined with a mileage of 230 000km just does not give me much peace of mind.

The manual is just that much more fun. I feel it suits the car better, although i suppose it comes down to personal preference.

Many thanks for the advice guys.

Much appreciated

 

[ekseniks]

Hey Guys,

I'm looking to get an E36 328i in the next month or so, are there places in Cape Town that you can get it serviced and/or parts for cheaper than the agents?

Also, anything i need to be on the lookout for?

Thanks

 

[rick540]

I had a 96 328i with the alu block and it was fine, sold the car on 237000 km and it used no oil, ran perfect.

Around 95 petrol "quality" (relative in this country) improved a bit in SA, most damaged alu engines V8's and I6's were pre 95, after that there were not many problems. If an alu engine is in good condition today it will stay that way

 

[ekseniks]

The one i was looking at is a '97 so it should be... not alu... can't remember what they replaced it with. You didn't have too much trouble with the vanos did you? i can't really afford to throw money at the car, what are the running costs of the e36 328i's?

 

[rick540]

The one i was looking at is a '97 so it should be... not alu... can't remember what they replaced it with. You didn't have too much trouble with the vanos did you? i can't really afford to throw money at the car, what are the running costs of the e36 328i's?

I actually had very little trouble with the car at all, the vanos on these is fairly reliable as long as it's been fed clean oil and the E36 328 is a tough beast.

My only complaint was the crazy Jatco ( Nissan) auto transmission BMW for some stupid unknown reason used on some of the 328's, never knew which gear it wanted and used to "flare" (Slip) during changes which made it feel like the transmission was damaged but after researching it, they are just like that and it ran for two years no problem. The later ones all have ZF transmissions.

 

[ekseniks]

The one i was looking at is a '97 so it should be... not alu... can't remember what they replaced it with. You didn't have too much trouble with the vanos did you? i can't really afford to throw money at the car, what are the running costs of the e36 328i's?

I actually had very little trouble with the car at all, the vanos on these is fairly reliable as long as it's been fed clean oil and the E36 328 is a tough beast.

My only complaint was the crazy Jatco ( Nissan) auto transmission BMW for some stupid unknown reason used on some of the 328's, never knew which gear it wanted and used to "flare" (Slip) during changes which made it feel like the transmission was damaged but after researching it, they are just like that and it ran for two years no problem. The later ones all have ZF transmissions.

That's great news! because my dad is giving me grief left, right and center about buying an old BMW and how much i'm going to pay for parts on it, etc, etc...

 

[Doomsdaya]

Yoh its been ages since i last been on this site and thats because i finally found my dream car..... yep thats right its a 96 E36 328i :excited: probably gona have it by next month if things work outimp:

Not too sure about the cast iron/aluminium engine block story though :dunno: as far as im concerned aluminium is a stronger metal then cast iron :hammerhead:

ekseniks dont worry about maintenance :clap: the guy im buying the car from said he spends less on the bmw then on a vw polo :thumbsup:

 

[Sankekur]

Its very dependent on the type of alloy that you are using, but in general iron is stronger than aluminium, of course aluminium is lighter than iron.

 

[Phoenix]

If the aluminium block hasn't k@ked yet then it will be fine. Had something to do with quality of the petrol or something back in the day that was effecting the cylinders.

 

[Doomsdaya]

Ok because the one im buying got 242,000 km on the clock and had it checked by a bmw mechanic and he said everything is OK except the shock tower mounting needs panel beating and found a little bit of oil on the body (he's not sure if its coming from the engine or power steering pump)

Just a little curious though, the car comes with a mechanical warranty, what does this cover ? :thinking:

Is R615.00 a month acceptable for comprehensive insurance for such an old car ? :mmm:

 

[Phoenix]

Mechanical warranty covers Engine, gearbox, that sort of thing.

That insurance sounds about right, my 'vert was R1095(but my age is a big factor). these are "high Risk" vehicles so insurance is quite a bit higher than a Tazz or Corsa.

 

[zabbo]

That insurance seems a bit high - I am paying R315pm on my 1996 328i Individual (insured value =R58k)

 

[ekseniks]

When i got a quote it was around R750 but it could be because i'm 23 and had my drivers for 4 years...

 

[Phoenix]

Yeah, and i was 20 with my drivers for 3 years.

 

[Doomsdaya]

Im 26 with no insurance history what so ever :mmm: either way i think its worth afterall its a bmw 328i

 

[Raybimmer]

328i and some other motors had aluminium blocks with " nickasil " lining for cylinders . This reacted with high sulphur in petrol causing bore wear . Bmw overseas replaced plenty under warranty , but if wear was not a problem by 100K km then all should be ok. Auto boxes seem to be good or bad , suppose owners had love/hate relationships with them .
Land Rover Defender had overheating with 2.8i bm motors so could be radiator issue there .

 

[Doomsdaya]

My friend got a 98 e36 328i auto, he just recently touched 300,000km without any gearbox issues. The only major problem he had was something to do with the diff/rear axel. Apparently its a common problem with all the autos and costed him around R7,000.00 to fix

 

[bimmer330]

take the manual.
Best car I ever had, easy to work on.
take it, check :
control arm bushes , propshaft coupling, engine mounts, radiator and expansion tank.
check exhaust pipes for black resin.