buying an E36

BMWGermany · 11-07-2007, 07:57 PM

Oh well, there are many used E36s out there, and I would appreciate if you could tell me some stuff that are needed to be checked before I buy.

Thanks

Zeeman · 11-07-2007, 11:15 PM

have you tried searching the e36 forums for some common problems issues:

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...splay.php?f=14

Socom · 11-08-2007, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMWGermany

Oh well, there are many used E36s out there, and I would appreciate if you could tell me some stuff that are needed to be checked before I buy.

Thanks

Cooling system is a POS. Inquire about when the last time the h20 pump was replaced and if radiator has ever been. Rear-sub frame was a weak spot too!

Good Luck.

btw..I saw a beautiful red E36M3 this morning.

lbernielu · 11-08-2007, 10:37 AM

Rear upper shock absorber mounts tend to break and plastic parts of radiator should be checked.

keysopendoors · 11-08-2007, 07:09 PM

What kind of E36, an M3 or 318/325/328? Sedan, coupe or hatchback?

Hopefully one day I'll get to build one of my favorite project cars, a 97 318ti with a supercharged M3 engine and Dinan stage III suspension.

good luck in your search, check out the E36 boards, ebay and craigslist.

BMWGermany · 11-09-2007, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keysopendoors

What kind of E36, an M3 or 318/325/328? Sedan, coupe or hatchback?

Hopefully one day I'll get to build one of my favorite project cars, a 97 318ti with a supercharged M3 engine and Dinan stage III suspension.

good luck in your search, check out the E36 boards, ebay and craigslist.

I am not really sure, but it could be an M3 I hope.

But thanks for all these, guys

omg516 · 11-09-2007, 04:42 PM

why an e36?

bimmin · 11-24-2007, 12:44 AM

My first BMW: '96 318ti ///M sport. Loved that car.

vladinecko · 11-24-2007, 01:31 AM

hmm, a few things, mainly depending on mileage.

first off, tranny fluid. if the car is automatic, especially. bmw says the tranny fluid lasts "forever" but they really mean 100,000 miles. i had to flush mine at 90,000.

2. AC. make sure the refrigerant is still there and that the car is blowing *cold* (not cool) air. this can be easily overlooked (especially in the winter) on an older car and can be quite pricey to refill.

3. moonroof. there have been some problems with them on E36s. make sure it opens fully both vertically and horizontally (whenever just the back of it opens up).

4. if the car has power windows, make sure you try them multiple times. same goes for power locks and seats. i had some major problems with mine when i found the window mechanism (especially in the winter) can easily break.

5. other stuff you'd check on any other car. ask if/when the clutch was replaced (if manual car), shocks, brakes, etc. those are the things that you'll immediately feel are worn out when you test drive the car. you don't have to ask to replace them but you can bargain the price a bit more.

good luck!

ElCapitan · 11-28-2007, 09:50 AM

Check the rear subframe.

11-07-2007, 07:57 PM	#1
BMWGermany The Ultimate Driving Machine Drives: Black BMW 323i Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: German town Posts: 30 iTrader: (0)	buying an E36 Oh well, there are many used E36s out there, and I would appreciate if you could tell me some stuff that are needed to be checked before I buy. Thanks
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11-08-2007, 07:09 PM	#5
keysopendoors Captain Drives: 10' Mini S Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Pebble Beach Posts: 633 iTrader: (2)	What kind of E36, an M3 or 318/325/328? Sedan, coupe or hatchback? Hopefully one day I'll get to build one of my favorite project cars, a 97 318ti with a supercharged M3 engine and Dinan stage III suspension. good luck in your search, check out the E36 boards, ebay and craigslist. __________________ 2007 328i 6MT w/ ZSP - SOLD 2010 MINI S - 6MT w/ LSD Pure-Euro - We Haters

11-24-2007, 01:31 AM	#9
vladinecko Brigadier General Drives: '11 E92 M3 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 3,892 iTrader: (1) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [4.50] 2008 BMW 335i [0.00] 2006 BMW 330i [0.00] 1994 BMW 325i [0.00]	hmm, a few things, mainly depending on mileage. first off, tranny fluid. if the car is automatic, especially. bmw says the tranny fluid lasts "forever" but they really mean 100,000 miles. i had to flush mine at 90,000. 2. AC. make sure the refrigerant is still there and that the car is blowing cold (not cool) air. this can be easily overlooked (especially in the winter) on an older car and can be quite pricey to refill. 3. moonroof. there have been some problems with them on E36s. make sure it opens fully both vertically and horizontally (whenever just the back of it opens up). 4. if the car has power windows, make sure you try them multiple times. same goes for power locks and seats. i had some major problems with mine when i found the window mechanism (especially in the winter) can easily break. 5. other stuff you'd check on any other car. ask if/when the clutch was replaced (if manual car), shocks, brakes, etc. those are the things that you'll immediately feel are worn out when you test drive the car. you don't have to ask to replace them but you can bargain the price a bit more. good luck! __________________ 2011 E92 M3 - IB/Beige/Sycamore Wood/6MT/EDC/ZPP2/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/iPod-USB/Enh. Audio 2008 E92 335i - Montego Blue/Black/Gray Poplar/6MT/ZPP/ZSP/Nav/PDC/Heated Seats/HDRadio/iPod-USB - *Sold* 2006 E90 330i - Mystic Blue/Black/Aluminum/6MT/ZPP/iDrive/PDC/Heated Seats/Sat. Prep - *Sold* 1994 E36 325i - Boston Green/Beige/Automatic/ZPP/Heated Seats/Premium Sound - *Sold*

11-28-2007, 09:50 AM	#10
ElCapitan Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2007 E91 328xi & 2008 E90 335i Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: North Bay, ON Posts: 1,762 iTrader: (2)	Check the rear subframe. __________________ *2008* E90 335i \| Silver Grey \| Terra \| Piano Black \| ZSP \| ZKO \| ZAT \| ZKI \| ZPL \| ZKL \| *2007* E91 328xi \| Black Sapphire \| Terra \| ALuminium \| ZKO \| ZKI \| ZPL *Past Cars:* 2004 ///M3, 2002 E46 330xi, 2003 GTI 1.8T, 1996 Neon

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11-07-2007, 11:15 PM	#2
Zeeman Captain Drives: E90 335 SG Join Date: May 2007 Location: Vancouver Posts: 660 iTrader: (0)	have you tried searching the e36 forums for some common problems issues: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...splay.php?f=14

11-08-2007, 10:37 AM	#4
lbernielu Private Drives: 2006 330i, sp, Bilstein, H&R Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 71 iTrader: (0)	Rear upper shock absorber mounts tend to break and plastic parts of radiator should be checked.

11-09-2007, 04:42 PM	#7
omg516 Colonel Sanders Drives: 07 e90 335i Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Francisco Posts: 573 iTrader: (0)	why an e36?

11-24-2007, 12:44 AM	#8
bimmin Private First Class Drives: 330xi Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Vermont Posts: 139 iTrader: (0)	My first BMW: '96 318ti ///M sport. Loved that car.