RichieL

Been reading and hearing a lot about the 328i E36. This is what has now interested me in to buying a 328i. I have a 316i (1.9 8v M43) engine BMW 1999 Compact prodcing an earth shattering 105bhp!

The 328i is around 195bhp. I started a thread earlier about fuel consumption, well from what I have been told a 328i E36 can achieve 400 miles from a tank of petrol. These are the stats......


BMW 316i Compact.....400 miles to a tank. Cost of petrol @ £1.31 per litre. Total cost of filling up the tank £67.00


BMW 328i.....400 miles to a tank. Cost of petrol @ £1.31 per litre. Total cost of filling up the tank £80.

RSGARETH worked it out that mine is doing 35mpg and the 328i is doing 29mpg. I think 29mpg from a 2.8 6 cylinder car with almost 200bhp on tap is rather impressive. There again this is what I have read........Anyone owned a 328i E36, if so what did you think to the running costs, are they really as good as many are saying?

Graceland

Had an E36 328i Sport Coupe for a few months around 5 years ago, was a great car and went well too.

Fuel wise, was a bit juicy but it isn't going to be a hyper-miler with the engine in it

20004x4

you dont buy a 328i with fuel economy in mind!

i loved mine and wouldnt think twice at buying another

personally wouldn't buy a 4 cylinder beemer apart from the e30 m3, as bmw focused more on the 6 cylinder engines

booner999

I could get over 36 mpg out of my E36 M3 Evolution Convertible. Around town, looking at 22 mpg.

I would go for something smaller to be honest. The M3 was great but it has over 100 bhp more. Get a RS Turbo with around 200 bhp, that would be a quick car.

Sunil_FiestaRS1800

iTrader: (1)

Ive had a 328i sport, std 328i and two 325i's and they were all quite bad on fuel to be honest.

Also i preferred the 325i's as they were more revvy. Down to the more free flowing inlet.

RS 5tu

iTrader: (2)

i had a E36 estate 2.8 with a M50 inlet (much bigger ports) and use to get low 30s mpg

Rob_DOHC

iTrader: (4)

Got one at the moment.

Try to find a nice low miles sport, with the origional bbs alloys.

Mines an auto and is rather juicy around town (i drive to chiswick everyday which is pretty trafficy!) and get 16mpg.... but on a run have had 40mpg.

Goes well, nothing to maintain tbh a good yearly service should keep you reliable. They eat suspension, but will still pass MOT's.... but bank on changing drop links and rear top mounts every 15-20K. Shocks every 80K and front top mounts every 100K. The tourings like to snap rear springs too. IMO you can't get a better car for sub £2000. I've concidered upgrading to an e46 330i but after a test drive I decided it wasn't worth the extra money.

Mines done 180,000 miles and still drives well. M52 was on the wards best engine list when released. But watch out for low miles nikasil engines, the high milers will most likely be okay. After 98 they switched to a steel linered engine.

If i were looking for one I would get a 99 touring sport, they had the nice Mtec steering wheel and M3 saloon leather seats.

Good luch

Rob,

Rob_DOHC

iTrader: (4)

TBH mate, gien the choice of driving an rs turbo to work or the old shabby 328..... I would go for the 328i 9/10.

They are still good fun, and tbh I find mine nicer to drive than an m3, I've driven a few e36 m3's and they were a right hoot. But for every day pottering the 328i is great. I didn't even find the m3 that much faster tbh below 5000 rpm....

PS, a 328 is miles ahead of a 325. The 325 do rev better but the 328 is better on fuel and faster.

Rob

booner999

If I was driving alot the BM would get the vote everytime. I have a 330i Sport and its a great great car... but raw and fast it is not. All depends what people want. I am lucky as I have the best of both worlds and HK is a must

I have dusted a few 328i in my M3 ownership, around town its not going to be a massive amount in it as the Evo is restricted in 1st and some say part second as well but get it out on the open road and the Evo will leave a 328i with ease. You do have to ring its neck as its a N/A engine but get the revs up and they are amazing cars. Most people think they are not quick because they are used to turbo power where you get a massive lump of it. The BMW surprises alot and on a top speed run you have to have a serious car to get passed one.

If it was me OP. I would go for a M3. They cost a bit to maintain etc but you will never be sat at the lights and one pulls up along side thinking, I wish I got one now.

What about a 330d? get a map and it leaves everything else behind in its class except for the M3 and on a sensible drive will get you well over 40 mpg

rickbartlett

ive got a 96 bmw e36 convertible 328i, swapped my rs turbo for it exactly a year ago. didnt think id keep it long but have had it ever since, ive replaced camshaft and crankshaft sensors with genuine parts,replaced the tyres and discs and pads all round in the year ive had. its a brilliant car, i do 45 miles a day in it with very hard driving. its not very often i change gear below 5000rpm on the open road, and the noise it makes with a closed off k&n induction kit and stainless is immense.ive just done 14,000k miles in it in the last year and its been spot on.the car has done 143,000k miles i drive it hard and still get an average of 24mpg, if i drive very carefully ive had it up to 37mpg. im a massive ford fan at heart but i cant fault this car at all.it really does shift when the revs go up too. mines silver in brilliant condition with all the m3 kit etc,also have a hardtop for it. id like another ford but the car has been so good to me so its staying put.plus id find it hard to find another car that puts up with the way i drive. IMO a very good car to own with the reliability, power , and how cheap you can pick them up.