3-Series (E36)Chat relating to the BMW 3-Series from 1992-1999. Autodoodad
Specific models include: BMW 316i, BMW 318i, BMW 318iS/ti, BMW 320, BMW 323, BMW 320, BMW 324, BMW 325, BMW 328.
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Right now I have an 03' WRX. I am wanting to keep it in good condition and keep low miles on it. My job is about 30-40 minutes away. The miles are adding up fast on the wrx and I am looking into getting a daily driver to combat the miles.
I was looking at a civic or something of that nature. I came upon a 325ci (something like that), and it caught my eye, because it was handsome and affordable. It was a 93' and only cost around 4 grand.
My question is would this be a good daily driver? Are there any downfalls with these cars? Is the gas mileage good? Are the fun to drive and kind of peppy? Just fill me in on the basics.
Also which years and models should I look for? I am wanting a coupe and manual 3-series.
Good choice. BMW's have durable engines which will last easily up to 150,000 - 200,000. But for gas mileage, you might want to consider a 318. I drive a 328, which should get about the same gas mileage as a 325, which is about 25-30 or so freeway, and maybe 17-20 city. Moreover spirited driving will get me around 12- 16 mpg. So I dont know what kind of mileage you are looking for, but this should give you some idea from a 328 (or 6 cylinder 3 series) point of view.
Also, our cars (328is) are plenty peppy, but you really should research the the 318. They are not as peppy, but I know get better gas mileage, and they are still bimmers... they have the same body style as the same year m3 or 325 or whatever.
There is a guy (in a different forum) who has a 99 m3 2 door silver, and for his daily driver he has a 96 318 4 door silver. Besides the 2 extra doors (and bumper styles) they look exactly the same. Also if you ever carpool to work, you might want to consider the 4 doors, like this guy did.
My '94 325i is a daily driver. I get about 21-22 mpg combined. On road trips, I get approx 27-28 mpg keeping it constant at around 75mph.
If you get one in reasonable shape, should last you a long time. Very sturdy cars...regular maintenance is a must and it's not cheap...but well worth the investment.
__________________ <span style='color:green'>1994 325i </span>- - - 75,000 mi.
No mods - - - very happy as is!
<span style='color:green'>1995 525i </span>- - - 154,000 mi.
No squeaks or rattles... unreal!
Thanks a lot for the responses guys. The gas mileage on the 328 seems plenty good for me. I just want freeway mileage to be in the mid twenties. The extra pep of the 6 cylinder is probably worth the lower mileage.
Any years that are better then others? Anything I should be looking for?
the 328's (e36 body style) are made from 1996-1998. A 1998 328is stock runs 0-60 in 6.2, and quarter mile in 14.7. That is pretty decent, and as a driver I would agree with you that the extra pep is worth the lower mileage. By the way, what kind of gas mileage does your twin turboed all wheel drive road monster get. (I'd love to own an sti)
Find the cheapest, good lucking, reasonably in shape E36 318 you can find, then turbo or supercharge it. You will have a car with great driving performance, and a good responsive motor for the road. Gas mileage won't be that bad either. And latter you can sell it to a young man who is looking for a performance car.
Originally posted by chr328is@Mar 23 2005, 04:01 PM the 328's (e36 body style) are made from 1996-1998. A 1998 328is stock runs 0-60 in 6.2, and quarter mile in 14.7. That is pretty decent, and as a driver I would agree with you that the extra pep is worth the lower mileage. By the way, what kind of gas mileage does your twin turboed all wheel drive road monster get. (I'd love to own an sti)
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I guess I will look for the 328 then. My wrx is out in pheonix arizona right now. I just got a new motor put into it. It is the motor out of the JDM STi RA Spec C wrx (I don't expect you to know what the hell that means .) It puts down around 300whp stock, so it does feel very peppy. That is the main reason why I do not want to drive it everyday to work. Gas mileage is pretty good until you get into boost. I get in the low twenties average without spirited driving.
Originally posted by rsn48@Mar 23 2005, 04:06 PM Find the cheapest, good lucking, reasonably in shape E36 318 you can find, then turbo or supercharge it. You will have a car with great driving performance, and a good responsive motor for the road. Gas mileage won't be that bad either. And latter you can sell it to a young man who is looking for a performance car.
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Since this will be my daily driver I don't know if I want to tinker with the engine on it. What kind of power can the 1.8 make turboed? What kind of money are we talking also? It might be a possiblity.
Originally posted by Subyman@Mar 23 2005, 03:30 PM I guess I will look for the 328 then. My wrx is out in pheonix arizona right now. I just got a new motor put into it. It is the motor out of the JDM STi RA Spec C wrx (I don't expect you to know what the hell that means .) It puts down around 300whp stock, so it does feel very peppy. That is the main reason why I do not want to drive it everyday to work. Gas mileage is pretty good until you get into boost. I get in the low twenties average without spirited driving.
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I drive a 328is. It's a '98. It drives comparable to my friends WRX wagon, but feels more 'solid' than any Subaru i have been it. Don't get me wrong, i think the Subaru's are cool looking and have good performance, and would consider owning one if i didn't have a bimmer. The bimmer's however, are at least 5 years younger than the Subaru's and get comparable engine performance, but are naturally aspirated.
If i were you, i would look in to a later model 328 (which is the highest model you can get without stepping into an M3 in the E36 body style) - like a '98. I love mine to death. It's really a driver's car and i get at least 28mpg on the freeway, sometimes even 34 depending where i am going and how i am driving.
Originally posted by chr328is@Mar 23 2005, 10:01 PM the 328's (e36 body style) are made from 1996-1998. A 1998 328is stock runs 0-60 in 6.2
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It does? You must have very low drag tarmac, teflon wheel bearings and a sticky stop watch!
Seriously......I thought it was more in the high 7's or low 8's......although I must admit I havent looked at the figures recently.....I will tomorrow though! LOL
Originally posted by Boxbrownie@Mar 23 2005, 04:19 PM Seriously......I thought it was more in the high 7's or low 8's......although I must admit I havent looked at the figures recently.....I will tomorrow though! LOL
Your original post indicated you were looking at a 325 for around 4 grand. If you go to the latter 328's, you'll be spending a heck of alot of money.
Keep in mind, bmw's are built to last - so you can go with an older one with higher mileage. I always figure that if I divide a bmw's mileage by 2, it gives me a good representation of how any other car would perform (that is, a bimmer with 150,000 miles on it performs like pedestrian cars with 75,000 miles on them).
btw, 4k for a 93 is a pretty good price. I paid 7500 for my 94 325 (but it only had 56,000 miles on it...unreal).
__________________ <span style='color:green'>1994 325i </span>- - - 75,000 mi.
No mods - - - very happy as is!
<span style='color:green'>1995 525i </span>- - - 154,000 mi.
No squeaks or rattles... unreal!
Originally posted by frank3@Mar 23 2005, 07:03 PM Your original post indicated you were looking at a 325 for around 4 grand. If you go to the latter 328's, you'll be spending a heck of alot of money.
Keep in mind, bmw's are built to last - so you can go with an older one with higher mileage. I always figure that if I divide a bmw's mileage by 2, it gives me a good representation of how any other car would perform (that is, a bimmer with 150,000 miles on it performs like pedestrian cars with 75,000 miles on them).
btw, 4k for a 93 is a pretty good price. I paid 7500 for my 94 325 (but it only had 56,000 miles on it...unreal).
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Yeah, that is what I am looking to spend. A 328 seems a little steep for a car that will just be my work car.
Where do you guys look when buying a new car? I looked at auto trader and ebay. Any others?
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.) It puts down around 300whp stock, so it does feel very peppy. That is the main reason why I do not want to drive it everyday to work. Gas mileage is pretty good until you get into boost. I get in the low twenties average without spirited driving. 
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