AlunJ
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 07
Location: Newport
User status: Offline
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Just a few questions for BMW E36 owners past and present.
Seen an L reg Black 325i SE 4dr up for sale at a used car lot - only 84k on the clock! My corsa is on 82k lol. Managed to get a half decent insurance quote on it so I'm very tempted, might go have a look at it.
Just curious really of what I should look out for on it as I know next to nothing about BMW's  other than that the engines are good for well over 100k.
Also parkers states 31mpg... is this at all realistic?
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lozarus
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Registered: 29th Oct 06
Location: Walderslade, Kent
User status: Offline
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not really advice on what to look out for, just saying awesome cars u wont regret it!
But start it up from cold see if you can hear the timing chain rattlying for a few seconds....can normally be sorted by putting thinner oil in aslong asit doesnt rattle like a snake.
Make sure diff doesnt whine etc
[Edited on 12-09-2009 by lozarus]
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AlunJ
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Registered: 3rd Apr 07
Location: Newport
User status: Offline
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Thank you, i've a feeling I may go take a test drive in the week haha. The only things putting me off are obviously it's a much older car and also selling mine.
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CORSA NUT
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Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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I had a 325i coupe and it was a good car  until it overheated and cracked it's block 
If you get a BMW make sure you have the cash to fix it when it breaks..won't be often but when it does it's mega ££££
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CORSA NUT
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Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by AlunJ
Thank you, i've a feeling I may go take a test drive in the week haha. The only things putting me off are obviously it's a much older car and also selling mine.
Just as a guide for you when i sold my coupe i got my second scooby.
After a few weeks the guy i sold it too let me take it to a garage for him (long story) and it felt so much better than the scooby!!!! So tight..rattle free and a lot more quality feel.
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Ben-B
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Registered: 28th Jul 08
Location: the lovely Nottingham
User status: Offline
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i think on the earlier models you need to be carefull with, think it was the material they was made out of.
but yes, brilliant cars and can probs make 31mpg, my old mans 328i managed around that iirc.
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AlunJ
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 07
Location: Newport
User status: Offline
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perhaps i'd be better waiting and getting a later 328 coupe when I can insure one?
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Ben-B
Member
Registered: 28th Jul 08
Location: the lovely Nottingham
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by AlunJ
perhaps i'd be better waiting and getting a later 328 coupe when I can insure one?
in my opinion, if your gonna wait for a 328i, wouldnt you be better off waiting and getting an m3?
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sigibbons
Member
Registered: 10th Feb 04
User status: Offline
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No, some some real BMW enthusiasts have a 328 over an M3!
They are pretty quick and don't have the costs related to a M car.
Yes mate get yourself a late 1998+ 328i and you'll be laughing, just google BMW Nikasil Problem before you buy one.
[Edited on 12-09-2009 by sigibbons]
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CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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I never got about 25 around town in mine! Got 35 on a long run once though
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AlunJ
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 07
Location: Newport
User status: Offline
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i've got a decent quote from my insurer for my 21st on a 328 but they wouldn't quote on an m3. Whilst no doubt the m3 is a good car, coming from driving a 1.4 corsa to a 328 is going to be plenty of power for me haha!
Think i'm going to wait, it's only til june i'll be waiting and it's the coupe I'd like and running cost across 323, 325 and 328 seem not far apart.
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CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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Yeah they are pretty much the same engine in the 323 and the 325 mate.
If it was me though i'd be going for an M3....just because it's an M3
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AlunJ
Member
Registered: 3rd Apr 07
Location: Newport
User status: Offline
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lol if I can get a quote on the m3 around the time it will be an option I assure you! Sat in an estoril blue? m3 not so long back and that was nice so I can imagine driving it!
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CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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Was looking at this last night..only a few miles from me..
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1233626.htm
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sand-eel
Member
Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
User status: Offline
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Get a coupe, so much cooler and have better less soggy suspension.
Look for a metal tag beside the starter motor on the block, if its there the block has been changed to alusil (steel liners)so the fuel won't corrode the cylinders.
There was also a steering rack recall as they used to rust very easily and break 
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sand-eel
Member
Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
User status: Offline
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metal tag
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CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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Arrrrrrr the Nikasil issue..knew there was somthing i forgot to say
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John G
Member
Registered: 18th Jul 05
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
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i like my salloon 320, cracking cars, going from a corsa to the e36 will feel like a massive step, do it, have a look in my garage for pics of my salloon and current coupe
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sampayne21
Member
Registered: 3rd Sep 08
Location: Sidcup Kent Drives: BMW E46
User status: Offline
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i downgraded from a corsa to a bmw and much prefer it to use daily
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Sean-B
Member
Registered: 1st May 07
Location: Wolverhampton Drives: 200SX S14a
User status: Offline
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When my dads clutch went it cost him over £1000 as the dual mass flywheel setup has t be replaced aswell
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Adam-D
Member
Registered: 11th May 02
Location: Cheshire
User status: Offline
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im looking for a bmw, dont know what to get, so many ppl saying get the m3, and others say get the 328
can you get a 328 in a coupe?
dont wanna buy as dog either.
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CORSA NUT
Member
Registered: 3rd Aug 01
Location: Wirral
User status: Offline
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Yep you can Adam
Buy this one...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1233626.htm
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John G
Member
Registered: 18th Jul 05
Location: Wirral, Merseyside
User status: Offline
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if your gonna go for an m3, go for the 3.0 over the 3.2 as vanos services are costly.
you can get all models in coupes adam.
as for the comment on the clutch that isnt true the dual mass flywheel setup doesnt need changing everytime.
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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vanos will be fine so long as you warm the car up before giving it death. Replacing the filter will help too.
Vanos service/repair is appx. £1500, not that bad really.
328i sports look fantastic imo. Easy to gain an extra 30bhp out of iirc
Get one, cheap as chips now
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sand-eel
Member
Registered: 15th Mar 07
Location: carluke/braidwood--IRNBRULAND
User status: Offline
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Over £1000 
flywheel £150
clutch £120
labour £730+
defo main dealer material.
suppose genuine parts are hugely more expensive but genuine parts are made by sachs etc and you can by genuine parts without the bmw sticker.
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