E36 Info.

[M_Hunter]

I am in the next up and coming weeks will be purchasing an E36.

this will be a monster project for myself as the modding will begin more or less straight away.

All I need to know really is which model to go for engine wise.

328 is a no no for insurance reasons. so im stuck with the 316, 318, 320, 323 and 325.

What sort of milage should i ideally look for in an E36? I have heard the 6 cyl engines in the E36 are prone to BMW's real meaning "bring my wallet"
is this true or is it only if the car has been thrashed and not looked after?

Is there anything i should look out for when veiwing them or driving them on a test?

Many thanks

///M

[mystic sport]

Mate, just buy a decent straight car. I doesn't matter if it is a 4 or 6 pot, an iffy car will hurt your wallet however many cylinders it has. Just buy the best you can afford. Listen for any banging from the rear indicating worn trailing arm bushes, knocking from the front could indicate worn wishbone bushes. Anyway, I thought you had owned an E36 (and e46) before so should know the good and bad points and what they drive like. You obviously know what you can insure so just buy the best example. IMHO avoid the 316, it is a little gutless.

[h4pry]

^^^

Agreed. Just buy a clean and unmolested example. What do you have planned for your "monster modding project"?:)

[BigFas]

318is would be an awesome base car. coupe looks, sport setup, LSD and huge modding potential

[MistaSmiff]

Definately a M-tech 318is, this is my old E36.

Everything is standard apart from the 18" BK Alloys, M3 Evo Vader Seats, Full Scorpion Exhaust and Genuine M3 Mirrors, it sounded awesome, had ths car for 3 years with no trouble whatsoever.

11947

11948

11949

[Pontio]

personally i'd go for a nice 323 coupe. there are some cleans ones about and it also has a lot more potential power wise.
depends on how much modding you are looking to carry out on it. if you are totally going to transform it then it would be an idea to get a real mint one regardless of the engine as long as the body is good.

[mikem]

Munter, I thought you had an E46 cab ? :confused:

[mr sideways]

as the others have said if you want a coupe go for a 318is.
140bhp as standard,twin cam,16v,m-tech suspension,m-tech kit, and with a few mod's as fast as a 325i because it is a lot lighter. running costs and insurence is also alot cheaper
if i did'nt need a saloon i would have one.
here is a pic of mine how it is now

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/mrsideways/2007_1222pics0013-1.jpg
and with MV2's and a CF bonnet.

http://i237.photobucket.com/albums/ff153/mrsideways/DSC00060.jpg

[Stock323iSaloon]

is 328 that much more to insure over the 325? i thought you had a hook up with your insurance broker that got you a stonking deal? in any case, i'd personally get a 328 Sport for that straight 6 power band

[mystic sport]

318is came as a saloon in 1997 from R reg as a runout model for the E36. Rare but they are out there. Most are in avus blue. There is a bloody nice one in my village.

[SYE]

mikem wrote


Munter, I thought you had an E46 cab ?

didn't that get written off the night he nearly got date raped :) .

well if you cant get a 328 get the 325

[mr sideways]

318is came as a saloon in 1997 from R reg as a runout model for the E36. Rare but they are out there. Most are in avus blue. There is a bloody nice one in my village.
yeh i was looking for one for ages!
I found 2, one was very tatty and the other was pristine but they wanted 5K for it! so settled on a 318i:(

[BMW JAY84]

As above go for a 318is this was my first BMW and I run it almost problem free for a year and a half all it had done was a new lambda sensor

http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z92/jwin169/DSC00045.jpghttp://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z92/jwin169/DSC00042.jpg
Awesome cars and a lot faster then people give them credit for :D

Also a lot cheaper on insurance. You can get a saloon 318is but as already mentioned pretty rare

[mr sideways]

you also dont have to worry about nakisil on a 4 pot

[M_Hunter]

I am planning to make an "uber" LightWeight version of what ever i get,

It must be drivable daily but will be extremely lightweight, my ultimate goal is it to either munch or keep up with m3's and bigger players.

the car will be gutted and replaced with CF or equivalent parts but a hell of alot lighter.

I know the 318is has alot of tubby potential thats why im more pushed that route. We shall soon see :-)

Thanks for all the advice.

[SYE]

It must be drivable daily but will be extremely lightweight, my ultimate goal is it to either munch or keep up with m3's and bigger players.



:D aim low first and just get a car :D

M3's and bigger players a 318 Zonda eater giovanni and Roy better watch out :p

[BMW JAY84]

M3's and bigger players a 318 Zonda eater giovanni and Roy better watch out


:eek:

ROFL :D

[Pontio]

the 318is didnt have bore problems like the 6 pot however they do run lumpy alot due to head getting coaked up + burnt valves. if i'm not mistaken early 328's also came with lsd's but reason i said go for 323 because with big bore throttle + manifold and remap near 200bhp easily achievable. mate has this done to his 328 with stock exhaust system and seems to be keeping up with 330's. Not expecting him to have as much power as them but it feels much stronger then use to.

[mr sideways]

I dont want to piss on your chips but you are never going to keep up with a
M3! unless you supercharge a 328i, which is not going to happen is it.
making it light weight is a good idea but you realy want to concentrate on suspension and grip.
power is nothing without control.
I can keep up with alot of cars in the twistys but not on the straights.

[SYE]

sideways wrote


piss on your chips

Urban Dictionary says

1. Piss on your chips

Putting a dampner on something

ie. I don't want to piss on yer chips mate but I've already thrown one up 'er.



2. Piss on Your Chips

To piss on ones chips.

Applicable in the context of a internet discussion forum where impostering has taken place.
The impostering forummer then forgets to revert back to their personal moniker and makes a separate post which may or may not be such that their true identity is revealed.

just wondering what definishion you was referring to:D

[mr sideways]

sideways wrote



Urban Dictionary says

1. Piss on your chips

Putting a dampner on something

ie. I don't want to piss on yer chips mate but I've already thrown one up 'er.



2. Piss on Your Chips

To piss on ones chips.

Applicable in the context of a internet discussion forum where impostering has taken place.
The impostering forummer then forgets to revert back to their personal moniker and makes a separate post which may or may not be such that their true identity is revealed.

just wondering what definishion you was referring to:D
eerr the first one i think:confused: :D

[R4VSE]

I am in the next up and coming weeks will be purchasing an E36.

this will be a monster project for myself as the modding will begin more or less straight away.

All I need to know really is which model to go for engine wise.

328 is a no no for insurance reasons. so im stuck with the 316, 318, 320, 323 and 325.

What sort of milage should i ideally look for in an E36? I have heard the 6 cyl engines in the E36 are prone to BMW's real meaning "bring my wallet"
is this true or is it only if the car has been thrashed and not looked after?

Is there anything i should look out for when veiwing them or driving them on a test?

Many thanks

///M


Have you considered a E46 diesel coupe? as you will get the best out of both worlds and running costs im sure would be cheeper

The one thing is that the Coupe Diesels came out on 2003 onwards..really depends on your budget ;-)

[Mikey_Bwoy]

I would definitely say 318is

I have one. Originally bought it as a runaround, which I was gonna stick an M3 kit on just to sharpen up the looks a bit. Now it's just a project/plaything/show and shine beast. Have got a set of Jenvey throttle bodies which have been waiting for ages to go on, just not had the time lately. With the handling mods, I'm hoping with around 200BHP on tap it should be a nice, light-engined 4-pot, good on the twisties, kinda like an E36 version of an E30 M3.

[MEGA]

lmao how appropriate that a spam bot would decide to play its game in a munter topic.. :)

[alpina527]

If you are going for a lightweight theme, remember, the 323/328 uses the light alloy block. The 325 uses the heavy iron block.

[Moe]

SYE- your a funny guy lol

[ShaanK]

I'm confused? What spambot?

[Jazz]

I would definitely say 318is

I have one. Originally bought it as a runaround, which I was gonna stick an M3 kit on just to sharpen up the looks a bit. Now it's just a project/plaything/show and shine beast. Have got a set of Jenvey throttle bodies which have been waiting for ages to go on, just not had the time lately. With the handling mods, I'm hoping with around 200BHP on tap it should be a nice, light-engined 4-pot, good on the twisties, kinda like an E36 version of an E30 M3.

How much power can be had from the 318 NA? Once you put a blower on it, the sky's/wallet's the limit.

[dodgyken]

The main problem is that the engine is not specically setup for forced induction.

Unless you through a lot of money at it a 318 will never be very quick, and he will end up spunking a fortune on custom made parts.

Despite all that he still wants to proceed.

The advantage of the Volvo T5, 200SX, Fiat Coupe, Scooby are that they already have turbos - which not only can be boosted but they also have created a huge market in all the required bits to really crank the power up - large units, intercoolers, pipework etc etc

The guy is utterly deluded but fortunately he fills the role of the forum idiot - the 21st century version of the village one.

[adood84]

first time I've ever seen a bot spam a thread :confused:

[kpkpkp]

I still say 200SX - strip it and run it light and it will be quick, wind up the boost and do a few other bits and you may get clost to an older M3 on the straight if it is properly mapped but - they are good for arse out action but will never come close to any sporty BMs handling unless you are gonna throw a truck load of money at it - at which point buy a good car on finance and then keep the mods subtle and stylish.

Kp

[mr sideways]

I still say 200SX - strip it and run it light and it will be quick, wind up the boost and do a few other bits and you may get clost to an older M3 on the straight if it is properly mapped but - they are good for arse out action but will never come close to any sporty BMs handling unless you are gonna throw a truck load of money at it - at which point buy a good car on finance and then keep the mods subtle and stylish.

Kp
yeh thats a good idea if you realy have £20k to spend on a car but somehow i think munter might be telling porkies.
I hope he proves us all wrong and does build a full carbon fiber bodied 318i turbo but somehow i doubt it.

[jurka]

yeh thats a good idea if you realy have £20k to spend on a car but somehow i think munter might be telling porkies.
I hope he proves us all wrong and does build a full carbon fiber bodied 318i turbo but somehow i doubt it.


why not??
i honestly believe Martyn can do it. well at size 1:18?

[MunterWhyDoYouDoIt?]

why not??
i honestly believe Martyn can do it. well at size 1:18?

:D

@ Ken. :D

[MunterWhyDoYouDoIt?]

But the question is, for the love of god "why" does he do it?