Looking to buy an e36?

[stewartfan]

I have read around a lot of posts about e36 reliability, and most of them are older than '05. I'm wondering if I would be better off getting a manual e36 325/328 coupe preferred, but also sedan; or a maunal 98-02 Civic coupe. Now, of course, not everyone here will have nice thoughts about a Civic, but as they tend to last forever with good maintenance, consider that bit when comparing it to the e36. Now, an e36 would be A LOT nicer, with climate control, leather, and 60+ more horsepower (I know the e36 would be heavier, but still.). If you e36 owners could put in your opinions on the following format:

Maintenance on a (-) basis
-Daily
-Weekly
-Monthly
-Every 3 mos
-6 mos
-Yearly

It looks like there are a few to be had with 80-90K miles, and some others at 120K all the way up. I read about the water pump, radiator, rear shock mounts, etc. I know most maintenance goes by mileage, and weekly, probably some cleaning mechanical parts and checking fluids, monthly an oil change, etc. I plan on driving it about 10 miles per day, plus whatever other travelling I do. What should I look for when buying, of course maintenance records, but what else? It would have to be in cosmetically good shape, or at least a shape where I could revive it with some elbow grease. After reading around, I got a lot of mixed opinions about which years are the best, but all in all, I want a good daily driver, that isn't in need of repair all the time...

thanks in advance!

[stewartfan]

Anyone? I would really appreciate your feedback!

[johnnyBgood]

edge motorworks - 3 Series 1992-1999 (E36 & M3)

BMW Inspection 1 & 2



There are a lot of E36 diy sites to help.........

Doug's Domain :: BMW DIY Articles


BMW E36 DIY (Do It Yourself)


jb

[theluis]

7 quarts of syn oil every 3 months about 50$
at about 200,000 miles your most likely gona have to get the cooling system replaced like water pump hoses thermostat etc... cost me about 400 bucks including everything from the fan clutch to waterpump
other then that i havent done anything else to my e36
about reliability you will not go wrong wit an e36 mines great never left me on the side of the road... and the best thing is that theyre fast

[stewartfan]

Originally Posted by theluis

7 quarts of syn oil every 3 months about 50$
at about 200,000 miles your most likely gona have to get the cooling system replaced like water pump hoses thermostat etc... cost me about 400 bucks including everything from the fan clutch to waterpump
other then that i havent done anything else to my e36
about reliability you will not go wrong wit an e36 mines great never left me on the side of the road... and the best thing is that theyre fast

Sounds awesome. Definitely will be looking into one. I might be getting a really really good deal on a Civic. That's all I know about that though. No other info. But if that doesn't pan out, and I don't get a good deal on any other car, an e36 will be my 1st choice.

[theluis]

Haha yea im telling you, you wont go wrong wit a bmw "The Ultimate Driving Expirience"