Looking at an E36 328i. Need tips/advice

[vandersar]

Hello all,

Been reading this forum religiously, but this is my first post so here goes !

Im interested in buying an E36 328i from an older person who's taken really good care of the car. Specs:

1997 328i
Mileage: 124K miles ( 198K Km)
exterior: while very clean, no rust
interior: Grey leather very clean
engine: super quiet
Transmission: 5spd

The car is completely stock and everything works. He's had the car for 6 months. He brought the car to canada from USA ( New York State)

Questions:

I was told this car was in a minor accident and had the driver door replaced

1) what is everyone's opinion on white? i've heard it's the hardest colour to match.
2) Opinions on Grey leather anyone?
3) any advice for driving these things in the winter/snow (canada)
4) anything else.. feel free. you guys are awesome

.. Will post up pictures soon..

[vandersar]

Dont seem to have permission (yet?) to post pictures or links else I would. anyone know when im supposed to get these permissions?


Vin check at least anyone? This is my only chance to get a Bimmer in my price range before i go back to school.. after this i have to wait at least another 6 months before i can even look at purchasing my first car.

anyone have experience having white body panels paint matched?

[jdc430]

welcome,
you can send the pics over to my email at lilsk8_69@hotmail.com and ill glady post the on the forum.:buttrock

[vandersar]

email sent!

[jdc430]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/jdubs-/DSCN01030001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/jdubs-/DSCN01070005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/jdubs-/DSCN01060004.jpg

[catch22]

i'd rather have black interior, looks nice tho, stick or auto?

[ModenaM3]

Well!

If it's clean/has records it looks pretty good. Those pics aren't the greatest!

You need to check for rust near the bottom of the doors on the inside. You also need to look at the rear shock towers/rear shock mounts. Take a look at the bushings to see if they have been replaced. Look at the brakes/suspension to see if they are in good standing.

The accident is kinda meaningless unless there was frame damage, sounds fine.

White leather is hard to keep clean, and you need to maintain your leather.

EASY to drive in the snow. Whoever says that RWD sucks in the winter has never driven a BMW in the snow. You will need snow tires though, do not use summer tires! Depending on how bad it is, you may want 15 inch wheels and chains, I don't know where at in Canadia you are.

Change the oil at regular intervals. Make sure water pump has metal impeller(should have).

Take a few driving event courses. This is the best thing you can do to learn the vehicle. Don't be afraid to test the limits of the car while in a safe enviornment.

Have fun, and welcome to the BMW club!

[smuggler]

depends on how much they are asking.

I can tell you, as a person who owns that same car, that bank value is about $8800, trade in value is about $7400, and private party value is high $7000s into the $8000s depending on options.

That being said, you can find nice 328i sedans for under $7000, like mine for example, which is for sale at $6500.

I am going to warn you that an bimmer over 100k on the clock is suspect for a lot of hidden problems like front wheel bushings, thermo cracking, the fan coming apart, head gasket failure due to overheating, cooling system trouble, rear shock mounts, unibody rust, leaky sunroof, saggy door panels, malfunctioning backlights, o2 sensor malfunctions, OBC errors, trunk wiring harness issues, control arms, bent rims, warped rotors, malfunctioning VANOS, MAP sensor malfunction, blwon shocks, power window failure, worn ignition, bad relays, bad climate control capasitor, factory amp failure, ASC issues, the urge to get one piece headlights, adding too much chrome, badging it as an M3, adding a coffee can muffler, or neon, or just plain ricing it out.

[vandersar]

depends on how much they are asking.
I am going to warn you that an bimmer over 100k on the clock is suspect for a lot of hidden problems like front wheel bushings, thermo cracking, the fan coming apart, head gasket failure due to overheating, cooling system trouble, rear shock mounts, unibody rust, leaky sunroof, saggy door panels, malfunctioning backlights, o2 sensor malfunctions, OBC errors, trunk wiring harness issues, control arms, bent rims, warped rotors, malfunctioning VANOS, MAP sensor malfunction, blwon shocks, power window failure, worn ignition, bad relays, bad climate control capasitor, factory amp failure, ASC issues, the urge to get one piece headlights, adding too much chrome, badging it as an M3, adding a coffee can muffler, or neon, or just plain ricing it out.

BTW..This car is 5speed.. would't be looking at anything else!

wow! That seems like a long list of possible failure points.. enought to turn off anyone from even looking at this car.

I can say however that out of respect for BMW and for myself, i will never entertain the urge to rice this vehicle in any way!

i know through friends who have 328i's that some of the points mentioned above DO happen, like sagging dash, climate control capacitor and dead pixels on the LCDs but there are DIY's on things like this and they're fixable.

As for the trailing arm bushings, i've read the horror stories but again, with a little mechachical inclination and patience i've heard you dont need the expensive custom tools to replace these.

The asking price is $7000, a little over my budget right now. if i can get it closer to 6.5K i'll take it and pray that nothing goes wrong with the car in the next 6 months as i'll be tight on cash while at university.

I live in Toronto so snow here isn't that bad but retarded drivers turn fun winter days on the streets into chaos.

[rdtx2005]

i know through friends who have 328i's that some of the points mentioned above DO happen, like sagging dash, climate control capacitor and dead pixels on the LCDs but there are DIY's on things like this and they're fixable.

if you have friends that can help you fix those annoyances.. the better.


As for the trailing arm bushings, i've read the horror stories but again, with a little mechachical inclination and patience i've heard you dont need the expensive custom tools to replace these.

I need to replace mine in my 1997 328i..... which i'll do soon.. it's $24/each from Parkview BMW


The asking price is $7000, a little over my budget right now. if i can get it closer to 6.5K i'll take it and pray that nothing goes wrong with the car in the next 6 months as i'll be tight on cash while at university.

7000... not a bad price, would be nicer at 6500.. try to talk the guy down a bit.


I live in Toronto so snow here isn't that bad but retarded drivers turn fun winter days on the streets into chaos.

yes, i agree.. the GTA ain't that bad in the wintertime.

as for the car, check for rust near the battery and under the spare wheel, check for rust on the side skirts and check for any hint of damage or rust in the engine area.

Check the oil, ask him when he/she last changed the spark plugs. Test everything from the A/C to the OBC to the heater, everything. The pics show that it is a VERY CLEAN car, but the pics don't really do it justice. Whereabout is the car.. from the background, looks like it's near downtown

[rdtx2005]

join www.maxbimmer.com (http://www.maxbimmer.com) for the more GTA-friendly group ;)

btw, have you check the price for insurance?

[vandersar]

as for the car, check for rust near the battery and under the spare wheel, check for rust on the side skirts and check for any hint of damage or rust in the engine area.
Thanks for the tip. i'll have to do a full rust inspection on this.
hopefully the machanic inspecting it will lend a hand

To be honest, I have yet to see the car in person for 2 reasons :1) I dont want emotions clouding my judgement about whether i can truly afford this car.
2) I work full time right now and the car is about 100Km away in the suburbs. I sent my dad to look at the car. his wisdom on these things is infinitely greater than mine even tho he's never owned a BMW.


7000... not a bad price, would be nicer at 6500.. try to talk the guy down a bit.

Youre right.. i'll try my best. still have to get the vin check done.

As for Maxbimmer.com, i check that site too.. load of winter driving tips on there for the canadian weather..


btw, have you check the price for insurance?

just checked on kanetix.com.. Belairdirect is quoting me 150-160 per month b/c of my student status.. man i wish i was on my parents insurance before. i've been driving the family minivan ( illegally?) for the last 2 years.

[BeMyWitness]

mine is an "import" from canada. a little rust on bottom of car...verrrrry little and trunk lid.

best thing you can do to a car, is take it to a trusted bmw mechanic BEFORE you buy it. they normally charge like 50 usd to check it out and all but it'll give you an idea of what your getting into. mine is at 160 THOUSAND miles. runs STRONG. rear bushing went out...water pump....alternator around 123k.fan clutch around 150k.

and try to find out more history on the car. i got mine for 6000 but its a 96..."yours" sounds pretty good. if elderly driven even better.

good luck, they're AMAZING cars.

[TIMSGT]

mine is an "import" from canada. a little rust on bottom of car...verrrrry little and trunk lid.

best thing you can do to a car, is take it to a trusted bmw mechanic BEFORE you buy it. they normally charge like 50 usd to check it out and all but it'll give you an idea of what your getting into. mine is at 160miles. runs STRONG rear bushing went out...water pump and alternator around 123miles.

fan clutch around same time or a little later. and try to find out more history on the car. i got mine for 6000 but its a 96..."yours" sounds pretty good. if elderly driven even better.

good luck, they're AMAZING cars.

only 160 miles on a '96 that's amazing, you only use your car to get the mail or something?

[MrKevko330i]

I would not expect you not paying than $8,000 on that car lets put it that way.. If i were you bring a diagnostic tool or tell the private seller to take it to autozone or checkers auto parts & get the car diagnosted because to me i would never buy a car without having it done especially with that kind of mileage. Of course the car may run strong but you never know how it may last 2-3 months down the road.

[vandersar]

mine is an "import" from canada. a little rust on bottom of car...verrrrry little and trunk lid.
Import from Canada? Dont hear that every day. Rust and low(er) mileage is expected from the canadian market in my opinion.


and try to find out more history on the car. i got mine for 6000 but its a 96..."yours" sounds pretty good. if elderly driven even better.

The elderly (well he's a doctor) person who currently owns the car bought it from a dealership in NY for $10000 6 months ago. i personally think he got ripped off.. my dad told him that and he seems to agree. Question is.. who drove it before him? carfax should clear this up

[BeMyWitness]

carfax ftw. i knew quite a bit abuot mine so i decided not too.

but yea supposedly it was imported. its in kilometers and celsius\has the winter package and what not(which isn't restricted to canada) but i tell girls i imported it from germany when they ask about the kilometers:devillook :stickoutt

[vandersar]

Hi guys.. update on this vehicle.. I just found out it's a SALVAGE title but i've decided not to give up hope... yet..
so here's the story as the current owner tells me:

here's the pertinent info from the carfax report

<table style="width: 100%;" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td align="left" valign="top"> 09/16/2004 </td> <td align="right" valign="top"> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> New York
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Rochester, NY </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> Title issued or updated
Registration issued or renewed
Correction to record
New owner reported
Registered as
personal vehicle
Passed safety inspection </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> 01/30/2006 </td> <td align="right" valign="top"> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> New York
Motor Vehicle Dept. </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED </td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top">
</td> <td align="right" valign="top">
</td> <td align="left" valign="top">
</td> <td align="left" valign="top">
</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" valign="top"> Not Reported </td> <td align="right" valign="top"> </td> <td align="left" valign="top"> Ontario
Ministry of Transportation
</td> <td align="left" valign="top"> SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED
Registered as commercial vehicle</td></tr></tbody> </table>

Car was bought for 10K from the dealer in New York as a Salvage title vehicle and WITH Damage to the right door. He fixed the damage/replaced the door for $1500

he told me it was salvaged because the dealer quoted a ridiculous amount of money to fix the damage ( as they typically do)

I see the guy to be trustworty ( he's a doctor afterall). But if thats ALL there is to the damage.. i still dont see why anyone would salvage a vehicle for a simple door replacement costing $1500

Either case i'm going to have BMW do a thorough inspection before i buy it

any opinions?