Need help! Looking to buy an E36

[monkifoto]

Bought One. Work in progress..

[monkifoto]

i drove the 92' for -4800 the transmission was girding in every gear. and the car has 44k more miles than advertised

the one from Portland sold in 2 days.

Im still trying figure out what is a good price for a decent condition e36 328i or 325i.
Apparently KBB is way off on this one. there are people asking M3 prices for some of these.

Any suggestions? Know any good ones for sale?

[Alpine 318is]

Have you considered an E34? There is a great one on craiglist right now

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5100542478.html

[Andres]

I was in your situation about 2 summers ago. I was looking for a clean body daily driver with a couple of mechanical things wrong. I came from a decently modded E36 M3, was a BMW tech, and know the used/aftermarket parts game very well for E36s. I specifically wanted a clean title, clean body, late production car 98+. I also wanted painted bumpers/side skirts so I was looking for 323/328s only.

It took about 4+ months but I ended up with a '99 328is, 5 speed, black interior, clean title, sport package (M3 bumpers/skirts, 3 spoke M steering wheel, M shiftknob), 215k miles for $3650. The car had a lien on it which was annoying to deal with but not too bad. It also had about 5+ years of service records which made me feel more confident in my purchase. The mileage didn't concern me too much as I've always had the intention to swap a S52 when the times right.

The only things I've had to replace over 2 years are:

O2 sensor
upper/lower radiator hoses
replace worn Bilsteins
tires
muffler hanger
hood struts
final stage resistor
hood release cable (by far the biggest pain in the ass labor wise)
camshaft position sensor

Everything else has been purely optional/upgraded. I hope you can take away something from my experience.

[RightYouAreKen]

Have you considered an E34? There is a great one on craiglist right now

http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/cto/5100542478.html

Wow that's a beauty.

[downandout]

stay way from 1992's they tear the rear subframe mounts out of the body.

[goinstrong]

True about the subframe mounts. The plus about 92 is that it is the only year of the E36 that has a non-vanos engine.

[Talperian]

I've got a 1993 325i Granitesilber-metallic. Paint is in great condition. Dove interior is in good condition, just has some wear on the seats as would be expected from an older car. 177k on the car.

I swapped in a 100k s52/Zf/driveshaft about 2 months ago. Also has headers, OBD2 midpipe, and a modified stock M3 catback exhaust. Have a maintenance list a mile long of everything I did "while I was in there" since the engine was out. Car is solid and tight, no leaks.

Comes with color matched SSR Type Cs 17x8.5, with brand new tires 235/45/17. Also has a 3.15 LSD :).

Currently sits on almost brand new Raceland coilovers (previous owner installed) which honestly are fairly comfortable for DD duty. This statement comes from the experience of having had ASTs, GCs and other suspensions on some of my other e36s. I also have a set of stock m3 struts/springs/shocks that I could provide if preferred.

I'm currently having the front nose piece and hood repainted. Then I can send some pics.

It's a cool car, an OBD1 sedan with a S52. Just passed emissions fine. Looking for $6500.

Let me know if your interested.

[monkifoto]

Talperian thanks but 6500 is out of my budget. I will wait it out and try to find something like Andres did.

I'll keep looking. I'll try not to rush it.

[Talperian]

No problem, I would sell the car for $5500 on stock sport basketweaves if you are interested without the SSRs.

If not, good luck in your search! :)

[jakeE36325]

I've got a 1993 325i Granitesilber-metallic. Paint is in great condition. Dove interior is in good condition, just has some wear on the seats as would be expected from an older car. 177k on the car.

I swapped in a 100k s52/Zf/driveshaft about 2 months ago. Also has headers, OBD2 midpipe, and a modified stock M3 catback exhaust. Have a maintenance list a mile long of everything I did "while I was in there" since the engine was out. Car is solid and tight, no leaks.

Comes with color matched SSR Type Cs 17x8.5, with brand new tires 235/45/17. Also has a 3.15 LSD :).

Currently sits on almost brand new Raceland coilovers (previous owner installed) which honestly are fairly comfortable for DD duty. This statement comes from the experience of having had ASTs, GCs and other suspensions on some of my other e36s. I also have a set of stock m3 struts/springs/shocks that I could provide if preferred.

I'm currently having the front nose piece and hood repainted. Then I can send some pics.

It's a cool car, an OBD1 sedan with a S52. Just passed emissions fine. Looking for $6500.

Let me know if your interested.

If this was a coupe I would be all over it!

[Talperian]

If this was a coupe I would be all over it!
Honestly, I've had 2 sedans, and 4 or so coupes now. The sedan is a MUCH more practical car. It's between selling this car or my '95 Hellrot M3 coupe, and I almost decided to sell the Hellrot. It's just that I love the Hellrot color and my chances of finding another one are slim at this point.

[jakeE36325]

Ya I am with you the Hellrots are amazing. I saw a 97' Hellrot coupe on CL for $7800. Slightly more then I really want to spend but it's tempting. The hard part is I will need a car loan to get one but I'm fine with that since it will help me build my credit and I'll have a sweet car. Right now I have a 325 sedan already so it's a good DD just need more power and I would like a coupe. Actually I think I bought a 3.23 lsd from you that's now in the 325.

[Talperian]

Met at the O'Reilly's in Redmond?

[jakeE36325]

Yup that's me. My cars gotton some cosmetics since then but still needs paint work. Also has an m50 stroker in the works. Crazy how many tools are needed for a rebuild lol.

[Rhino7200]

Honestly, I've had 2 sedans, and 4 or so coupes now. The sedan is a MUCH more practical car. It's between selling this car or my '95 Hellrot M3 coupe, and I almost decided to sell the Hellrot. It's just that I love the Hellrot color and my chances of finding another one are slim at this point.
Also, I have owned a coupe and sedan version of the 1997 M3. Sedan is MUCH MUCH more practical. 4 doors and fold down rear seats transform the car. It really does. The sedan also has factory rack mounting points the coupe does not. Plus, people say the 4 door is stiffer because of the strength of the b pillar. Good luck finding a manual sedan, folding rear seat m3, but I'm sure there are other E36 models with the same options

[RightYouAreKen]

Good luck finding a manual sedan, folding rear seat m3, but I'm sure there are other E36 models with the same options

According to the build numbers thread, only 1,665 manual sedans came with the folding rear seats. I've got one, and really glad it has them.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?1862635-Production-numbers-North-American-spec-sedans-w-manual-transmissions

[monkifoto]

So I'm back. I ended up picking up a 328i that I'm going to try to bring back to life.
She needs lots of work.
I'll start with some photos from the first day i got her home.
542035542036542038

2 days later, Oil Change Mobil 1 with Bosch Filter and DEXtron 6 Transmission fluid. The car has 229k miles. Despite all of that the engine has plenty of power but god knows how much longer it will last.

Next i had to get rid of the flashy wheels. Not my thing.
The previous owner did a stud conversion.. :( One Lug per wheel.
542039

- - - Updated - - -

542040
After the guys at Les Schwab had a blast trying to get them off i'm finally back on a set of stockers.

542041
New Depo M3 Tails On order

542042
As she sits today.

Also waiting on the Blower Motor Resistor as that's not working and working up my courage to start the 18 button OBC conversion.
Next and to get rid of the following Codes.

228 Mixture Deviation Cylinder 4-6
76 O2 Sensor 4 After Cat
10 Coolant Temp Sensor
203 O2 Bank 2 Control Limit
221 O2 Sensor Control 2
245 Secondary Air System Cylinder 1-3
246 Secondary Air System Cylinder 4-6
233 CAT Efficiency Bank
230 02 bank 2 Control Frequency
236 O2 Sensor 4 Heater After Heater

Slowly but surely this will be a fun track car. But before she will get beat on she has to get restored.
Looking to for a suspension upgrade also. I have a 600 - 700 budget. Im looking at the H&R Sport CUP Suspension Cup Kit.

Anyway, i know nothing about BMW. I'm doing this for fun and to learn so take it easy on me.
Im coming from this.

BTW i specialize in rolling shots and I don't have any BMW's so if you guys are interested feel free to PM me.
https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5453/17013381697_4eeda0ffe4_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/rVq2Dc)
_MKY5129-Edit-2 (https://flic.kr/p/rVq2Dc) by Alex B (https://www.flickr.com/photos/toxicsanity/), on Flickr

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5332/17171456653_a549dc9162_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/saocPt)
_MKY7741-Edit (https://flic.kr/p/saocPt) by Alex B (https://www.flickr.com/photos/toxicsanity/), on Flickr

[rathersmart]

One super cool thing Alex didn't mention is that this car has no sunroof.

[Rhino7200]

One super cool thing Alex didn't mention is that this car has no sunroof.
Saw this the other day, seems like a good deal now that there are stock wheels and a better condition steering wheel. Interesting to have a non sunroof model

[monkifoto]

Oh hey, it was nice to meet you Casey.
Do we ever have any NW meets?