Who else are just keeping their e36's?

[ver328i]

So in general e36s are now considered "cheap" cars and they are among many that are selling cheaply so regardless of the condition yours, its monetary value already has taken a knock and this got me thinking...

My little e36 is not bad and is actually in a very good condition when compared ...however at times it really, really gets to me...I mean it will feel fast enough all day long until anything else pulls up beside me :rollsmile: partially due to the fact that I have very tall ratio's but also due to the car just being generally slow right? :sorry: slow by today's standards.
Then the fact that its a 90's car and looks like one sometimes gets to me as well-You can only do so much the aesthetics of an e36 and its all been done to death so nothing that will re-excite me.
Then, E36 owners will know about the constant maintenance...Im always thinking about the likelihood of something breaking despite the car being very reliable. Diy jobs are becoming less exciting and more of a chore while workshop quotes are just unjustifiable for a 90s car.
Lastly the rattles and drive noise...like yesterday my pedals started to squeek - combine that squeek with my squeeky leather seats and hardtop and you have a recipe to drive any man crazy.

This is not a rant, in fact, despite all this I really struggle to even think about selling this car but do wonder if the cash injections required to maintain them in general are actually wort it. Maybe I want something else...but I just dont see that happening while owning this :dunno: ....guess im curious about who else feels the same way...you want to sell but you dont...you hate the cars , but not really...

 

[danieljames]

I have all the niggles you're experiencing.....

I just haven't owned my e36 long enuf to hate her....be irritated.....etc.....

But I know where you coming from

 

[Vinny]

I have all the niggles you're experiencing.....

I just haven't owned my e36 long enuf to hate her....be irritated.....etc.....

But I know where you coming from

Because of the niggles I now have an E36 so im not complaining :=):

My old man handed it down to me because he couldn't handle the squeeks and niggles.

The car spent some time at APS and its truly like a brand new machine. Think i'll keep her........ especially now since she can keep M135i's in her rear view mirror :blowheart:

 

[Major]

I feel exactly the same way you do, even considering selling, but still ultimately enjoy the car and the project.

 

[hoosain]

i love my E36 to bits no intention of ever selling her
so far no rattles and squeeks
still runs the shit out of a lot of the newer cars so i wait for them to try their luck

 

[tinovittee]

i can totally relate! sometimes the niggles and the maintenance can get a bit tiresome but it still puts a smile on my face the way no small new car will ever do... still feels like a proper beemer!

 

[danieljames]

i can totally relate! sometimes the niggles and the maintenance can get a bit tiresome but it still puts a smile on my face the way no small new car will ever do... still feels like a proper beemer!

+10

 

[wikked]

Life with an E36

 

[Peejay]

i love my E36 to bits no intention of ever selling her
so far no rattles and squeeks
still runs the shit out of a lot of the newer cars so i wait for them to try their luck

Plus 1

 

[///Moose]

Honestly I've had quite a few E36ers and only one drove me insane but it was a bad example to start off with coz I knew it had loads of issues but this was back in the late 90's.
Every E36 I've owned since then I've loved to bits and can't say I've had any serious issues (touch wood), usually the maintenance and replacement costs are far more cheaper than the newer cars.
I look at my daily 1997 328 sedan, the car is 18yrs old, starts without a glitch every morning and has served me well on a daily basis.
Yes there's probably a 1.4 turbo charged hatchback that will leave me for death on take-off but do I care, no.
For me the lines and look of the E36 still makes me look back at it every time I park.
I drove the Cabrio to work today and that exhaust tone was enough for me to turn off the radio and just listen.
I love my E36ers so much that I still can't bear parting with any of them even for an E92 V8 because of the sheer classic look and feel along with the exceptional value for money it brings...

Just my 2c

 

[Maljan]

Life with an E36

Oh that's a good one! :roflol:

I though it was an E39/E46 thing only.

 

[Chavoos]

I always used to say best BMWs ever built . Love my E36 M even though some creature comforts have been removed. Always makes me smile and is fast by today's standards


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[KPM3_30]

Life with an E36

Oh that's a good one! :roflol:

I though it was an E39/E46 thing only.

Compared to the e46, the e36 is coke and chips money. :bin:

 

[Redline]

I only do 300km or so in mine per month so the rattles & the like I chalk up to character.

Thing is what do I replace her with & at what money?

Whenever I think of selling I drop the top & head out to Franshoek/Camps Bay/Hermanus (you get the idea) & all such thoughts disappear.

 

[KarshS]

I just got mine for a few weeks and i have to say i am really enjoying the drive.

Having an e90 which is much more faster than the e36 i have to say its a different feel.

As quick as the e90 is i enjoy jumping in the e36 every morning.

There isnt much issues on the car but every step i take to fixing her is so exciting.

As for the value. I paid more than retail for mine. Look at the current retail and try finding a good example in that price range. I have seen and driven a few and let me tell you there are some bad ones that are asking book value.

I can say now that i will be keeping my e36 until such time i can hand it down to my son as his first ride.

 

[Denzel]

hi there i owned a few e36s love ther look and the raw feel of power on the m3

i currently drive a Golf as my daily drive and admire the FEW NEAT e36 bmws i see on the road today i acctually want to get a e36 316 now

i drove Peejays e36 M3 a month or 2 back and it still feels good and still gets heads turning on the roads

 

[E30 Freak]

I really miss my E36, that smell, that taught feel, those seats, the SOUND!!!

They are such bargain cars, a 325i for R35k, Cabrio for R60k & a an M3 for R100k, there is basically an E36 for every budget. For that money in each of those categories you cant find much that can compete in terms of looks, performance & reliability

 

[Luis Malhou]

My brother has had his E36 325i since 1996 when he bought it as a demo with 9000km. Its always been looked after, serviced and not mutilated.

He is very much OEM spares and look only, wont even change the rims.

since he bought a 330i E90 the old girl does'nt drive much, except on the occasional outing. He wont budge on selling it though and keeps it as an emergency car.

Recently I asked him to bring it over to me for some TLC, stripped it down of whatever I could remove, trims, lights, rubbers etc. Started with a good detail wash outside and in engine bay, clay-bar treatment and a hand polish.

Done a oil change to Liqui Moly, car has 320000kms, last serviced in 2011 on 310000, (10000kms in 4 years) New fuel hoses front to back, replaced all door handles, rear windscreen rubber trim and serviced all the window rails with new plastic guides.

Engine bay got new tappet cover gasket, and a detail clean. Car has a full service record and still drives like new, with only slight start up puff of smoke( early sign of valve seals). Engine has never been opened, with only the g/box recently been overhauled when a syncro gave up in second. Interior is stock original with no leather damage. Only the original radio was replaced with a JVC head unit.

I agree with my brother, the E36 isup there iwth the e39's as one of the best built BMW's , quality build and materials. We have had a number of BMW's and our E90's dont compare with regards to quality and materials, testament to this is at 320000 she's ready for the million.

 

[Raymond R31]

Hold onto those e36's. Even if you out grow it you might feel the need to build a track car one day and then might be difficult to find one..

 

[Major]

What, that E36 is so clean you can see paint on the inside of the fenders