Buying an E36 - BMW Forum

Gsabe · 07-23-2006, 01:16 AM

Hey, new to the site, know a bit about bmws, I hav ebeen looking at them for quite sometime now. Im 18 and im looking to buy a reliable e36 for about 6k. i was looking at the 325s and 328s. Are the e36s reliable cars? I wont have time for a ton of problems in college. Also, is around 120k miles alot for these cars? Thank you very much for all who reply!

mmclaren · 07-23-2006, 02:01 AM

reliable umm sure :S
Depends some are some arnt, usually depends on how they have been treated.. the only problem you will mainly find with e36's is the price on getting them fixed if you dont DIY

Find one you like, MUST HAVE IT CHECKED OVER BY A BMW MECHANIC "best money you will spend"

Then Buy or download the Bently Manual

If you do run into problems, just post in here, and there is usually someone that can help

Gsabe · 07-23-2006, 02:48 AM

thank you for ur repsonse.

preyash · 07-23-2006, 06:01 AM

Hey welcome

Yea sure they are really reliable cars if u find one which is very well taken care of, you wouldnt have major problmes later, just find one in nice condition, dont buy cheap ones to save money, becuz cheap bmw's are prolly treated bad and the condition itself is bad so just stay away from those..

Good luck finding the car

Preyash

Gsabe · 07-23-2006, 06:00 PM

are 318i good cars, im looking at a 1995 looks very clean, alot of the problems i see on the site tho are with the 318,

nukeduster · 07-23-2006, 06:10 PM

3 series are generally reliable, the 5 and 7's are the ones that have more gadgets, and hence are more trouble proned.

bmws are well made, and e36's got more and more reliable the later into the production ytear they were.. 92's had alot of interior quality problems, and some minor things here and there, try to buy the newest one you can possibly afford.

Lunardc · 07-23-2006, 09:18 PM

hey, i got a 1993 325is for sale. It's got some problems but that's why I'm selling it for $2,000. It should leave you with plenty of money to fix it up. It's got 107k miles on it, manual, green, and tinted windows. Email me if your curious for more.

Lunardc19@Yahoo.com

Gsabe · 07-24-2006, 12:36 AM

Thank you for all your guyes input, still wondering about the 318!!

mmclaren · 07-24-2006, 01:54 AM

318i are great
Handle very Well, very Fuel Efficient, but lack in power when compared to the 6 Cyl models.

Really Depends on what you are after, if its a run about for Colledge go the 318i and spend the rest on alcohol

preyash · 07-24-2006, 09:16 AM

+1 to mclaren's reply, 318's are infact very realiable and fuel efficient.

Preyash

paco1076 · 07-24-2006, 01:40 PM

+1 see above. the 318's are good cars. Be sure to have a BMW check it over for you.

e36surge · 07-24-2006, 01:42 PM

My 1994 318is gave me 2 years of great service. The usual bushings, RSM's, shocks and rear control arm bushing issues but engine wise she worked great. Sold her with 350 000 kms on the clock and she's still on the road with 425 000 kms on the clock.

You just need to make sure that the vehicle was taken care of and as was said above, have a BMW shop take a good look at her, it's worth the $$ for the inspection.