Old School BMW E36 320i

[Gtrviper]

hi ppl, im considering to get a e36 as my nxt ride. Reason for my decision

 

1)50-50 weight distribution

2)powerful engine 24v 6cyc

3)FR and tons of mods available

4)depreciation is dirt cheap

5)might be the onli chance i will get to own a bmw =P

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...354&DL=1103

 

any previous/current owners are welcome to share their exp. n views on this

 

thks for readying

 

 

[Santav]

great car but heard the fuel consumption for this model is quite high. i used to drive the 318i, great car, fuel economy but a 4 cyl engine. use timing chain....but the 320i uses timing belt (i think) and thts probably 1 of the 1st thing u muz change if you're buying this (for peace of mind).....good luck!

[Chickenbackside]

It's really nice to drive when everything's working.

 

However being such an old car, you do have to put aside time and money to regularly fix ongoing wear and tear parts. Don't expect it to be trouble-free. Don't expect it to be refined and quiet. There will be squeaks and rattles. Small things like plastic trims and rubber seals will drop off or not work properly. Engine mounts, suspension bushes...etc are prone to being worn out if the ex owner hasn't already changed them out.

 

Be prepared for something big to go. Owners don't usually let these go unless something really expensive to fix goes. Best to bring it to one of the specialist BMW workshops to have an inspection. If the seller refuses to let you, walk away. The $80 or so for an inspection will be well worth your money.

 

If you're ok with the extra time and $$ needed to keep the car going, sure thing...

[Enduro25]

ya..condition can be passed outside but wat is more impt is the engine and those suspenstion etc..definitely need to b changed..

[Weiming]

I think it better if you seek advice from the bmw-sg.com forum.

 

The general consensus is that although the vehicle is a dream to drive but it will cost a fair bit to maintain its road worthiness due to replacement parts cost, parts failure/replacement etc. If you buy from the direct owner will also be a better bet especially if service history and receipts on work done are kept.

 

Don't forget the 150% road tax on the engine capacity and also 3rd party insurance only.

[Throttle2]

hi ppl, im considering to get a e36 as my nxt ride. Reason for my decision

 

1)50-50 weight distribution

2)powerful engine 24v 6cyc

3)FR and tons of mods available

4)depreciation is dirt cheap

5)might be the onli chance i will get to own a bmw =P

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...354&DL=1103

 

any previous/current owners are welcome to share their exp. n views on this

 

thks for readying

 

 

Dude, I think you may just be buying it becos it carries the famous black blue propellers badge.

So please dont.

 

1. not sure if the wieght is 50-50

2. engine is by no means powerful (any jap nowadays is more powerful)

3. plenty of mods , yes , but why waste money especially when it is not even an iconic model

4. depreciation for this car should be no more than $2k a year otherwise dont bother.

5. there will be other chances to own a BMW

 

 

[Niteblu]

 

i agree with most of the above.

Esp. Throttle's & Chickenbackside's advice. Good to heed.

 

The perceived annual depreciation, is deceptive.

As wear & tear might easily outstrip the annual depre.

 

Plus, the E36 320i is a pretty sluggish machine, at the low end.

You'd be better off getting the 318is, if you're opting for manual.

 

The perf. mods available for this model.

Are not significantly more than most of the other subsequent cars.

 

 

[Longhorn]

5)might be the onli chance i will get to own a bmw =P

 

if u r stretching yourself to buy this car, just remember to budget for regular maintenance costs and the occasional big ticket item to go kaput!!

Edited July 27, 2009 by Longhorn

[Albeniz]

I have witnessed quite a few BMWs from the early 90s caught fire on the expressway.

Does anybody know the reason, is there a design flaw for this batch?

[Albeniz]

Would a W124 be a better buy?

[Davc]

Cars from the early 90s, I would go for a Merc. It is not uncommon that W124 can go for 1.2-1.4 million km in Germany, used as taxi. Of course there would be wear and tear but this thing will just go on and on. They almost never use BMW or Audi as Taxi, always the Merc.

 

Cars from late 90s to around 2006 I'll go for a BMW.

 

From now on, I would think Audi, BMW and MERC are on par.

[Xtrocious]

I think the E36 is a very handsome car...

 

Maybe I am biased (cos I used to own 3 different models previously)...hahah

 

But seriously, the car would be feeling its age - the repair cost for the gearbox would be at least S$10k and suspension and mountings would also need to be replaced if the previous owner has not already done so...

 

A better choice may be the E46 - also a handsome looking car :)

 

As for power - I think the E36 320i is not that bad - a lot of modern Japanese cars only look good on paper and are nowhere near the beemer on the road...

 

 

 

[Gtrviper]

thks for the advise but im nt going for the badge.. i test drive the car.. its pretty ok but definitely needs some touch up n stuff.

i do noe a few e36 owners personally and it is fun to drive the car. handling n stuff is properly 1 of the best i had tried includes super done up wrx n eg. ek.

 

if im nt mistaken all bmw car are 50-50 =)

 

by the way.. its manual and nt auto. thus doing up the gearbox nt so ex

 

Dude, I think you may just be buying it becos it carries the famous black blue propellers badge.

So please dont.

 

1. not sure if the wieght is 50-50

2. engine is by no means powerful (any jap nowadays is more powerful)

3. plenty of mods , yes , but why waste money especially when it is not even an iconic model

4. depreciation for this car should be no more than $2k a year otherwise dont bother.

5. there will be other chances to own a BMW

 

[Qr25vet]

hi ppl, im considering to get a e36 as my nxt ride. Reason for my decision

 

1)50-50 weight distribution

2)powerful engine 24v 6cyc

3)FR and tons of mods available

4)depreciation is dirt cheap

5)might be the onli chance i will get to own a bmw =P

 

http://www.sgcarmart.com/used_cars/info.ph...354&DL=1103

 

any previous/current owners are welcome to share their exp. n views on this

 

thks for readying

 

If its an automatic....Chances are the gearbox is @ the end of its lifespan liao...seen far too many cases...I'd rather get a manual...much more reliable...and if u want it to drive properly (as in good condition...not those which can move arnd can liao) u'd have to throw in @ least like 3-4k to do it up properly to replace the wear and tear parts....oh and this car is notorious for overheating if the cooling system is left unchecked...heres a tip...if unsure of the condition...replace...old car is like this one...and esp when Beemers cooling system operates @ 1.5 bar as opposed to the conventional jap car's 0.9-1.1 bar...any leak thats found will soon become worse over a very short period of time...

Edited July 28, 2009 by Qr25vet

[Throttle2]

thks for the advise but im nt going for the badge.. i test drive the car.. its pretty ok but definitely needs some touch up n stuff.

i do noe a few e36 owners personally and it is fun to drive the car. handling n stuff is properly 1 of the best i had tried includes super done up wrx n eg. ek.

 

if im nt mistaken all bmw car are 50-50 =)

 

by the way.. its manual and nt auto. thus doing up the gearbox nt so ex

 

 

cool.

 

did i mention, i used to own a 318is Coupe Manual until end of COE, car exported

 

[Qr25vet]

cool.

 

did i mention, i used to own a 318is Coupe Manual until end of COE, car exported

thats one sweet ride...and if i had the extra $$ I would have dumped in the m52 engine into tt car

[Eternity_gal]

I do not think it's smart to buy this model.

[Ryosuke]

Would a W124 be a better buy?

 

used to have both W124 E200 and E36 320I in my household.

the beemer 6 cylinder is sweet , W124 feels more sluggish.

going for comfort, get the W124.

going for driving pleasure, get the E36.

as simple as that.