Possible straight swap for E36 325i SE

[BruceT]

I've been having the new (for me anyway) car itch for several months now.

I was looking at E36 318iS (Coupe) but the 1.8 4 pot isnt a real BMW and its performance/running costs are not that great.

The M50 2.5 6-Cylinder is only 1-2 mpg worse than the 1.8 4 pot and would be a lot more fun car. Its also one of the engine NOT affected by the Nikasil Liners issue.

So, bad points I can see is, I will be getting low 20mpgs on my commute (30 miles a week) whereas the Pug will get me near mid 35mpgs.

But.... the BMW is RWD, 6 clylinder, still looks classy (Apart from the 'L' reg number plate!)

Do apart from the fuel, does anyone know any other 'issues' with the 325i?

Link here: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/ ... ?logcode=p

I know its got a ripped drivers seat, but so has my pug and im sure a set of leather seats off ebay would fix that.

[eoin27]

OOhhh. If its in good nick then go for it. It'll be great fun to drive BUT it will be shockingly more expensive on fuel. Be prepared. You have a HDi 90 D9 right?

[BruceT]

Yeh HDi 90. £40 lasts me about a month of commuting, this 325i will be slightly better on fuel than my T5 and that £40 every 3 weeks.

[steve_earwig]

Tried Honest John?

[Welly]

That interior's horrid

You'll be wanting some grey levvers an' stuff (all extra cost) there's a place in Oxford called Fab Direct who specialise in BM parts off the shelf - have a look at their site it's very (very) good.

Things I know of:

Driveline shunt (caused by a bad 'doughnut' - seriously).

Gearbox output shaft seal leaks.

Wishbone/sussy wear

Air con condenser failure.

Climate control wobbly's (if it has that).

Oil consumption.

I think they're good cars to be fair but beware you WILL embark on spending on it with little upgrades - clear indicators, interior, wheels etc etc......

One good thing is that ALL BMW's come with mega, mega brakes as standard i.e. changing your braking distance habits type brakes

Best to go drive it first, oh and check how the tyres are wearing.

Have a snoop around in 'BMW Land' forum too it's good but don't say I sent you there cos they don't like me (after I criticised the marque following an unpleasant experience with our W-reg 316iSE ).

I, err, 'we' have had two in recent years an E36 318tds compact and an E46 1.9 petrol (my god that had a drink problem, more than the T5).

[BruceT]

That interior's horrid

You'll be wanting some grey levvers an' stuff (all extra cost) there's a place in Oxford called Fab Direct who specialise in BM parts off the shelf - have a look at their site it's very (very) good.

Things I know of:

Driveline shunt (caused by a bad 'doughnut' - seriously).

Gearbox output shaft seal leaks.

Wishbone/sussy wear

Air con condenser failure.

Climate control wobbly's (if it has that).

Oil consumption.

I think they're good cars to be fair but beware you WILL embark on spending on it with little upgrades - clear indicators, interior, wheels etc etc......

One good thing is that ALL BMW's come with mega, mega brakes as standard i.e. changing your braking distance habits type brakes

Best to go drive it first, oh and check how the tyres are wearing.

Have a snoop around in 'BMW Land' forum too it's good but don't say I sent you there cos they don't like me (after I criticised the marque following an unpleasant experience with our W-reg 316iSE ).

I, err, 'we' have had two in recent years an E36 318tds compact and an E46 1.9 petrol (my god that had a drink problem, more than the T5).

Yeh, the interior looks a bit tatty, but then again, any L reg car would be similar.

I want something I can tinker with, as you say, Clear rear lights, wheels, leather etc. Its all good fun and I dont mind spending money on it to make it better really, I love tinkering with cars.

Aircon, pah, my previous T5 and Pug all have Digital Climate and the condesnors/AC/Evaporators all packed in. Ive not had working AC since a C70 T5 I have back in 2007/2008 lol.

The oil consumption should be ok as its not the Nikasil lined blocks so the bores wont be worn, unlike the 6 pot 323/328 ;)

second person to mention to good brakes... Nice...