Deciding whether or not to purchase a 328is

[Adel]

I'm looking to buy an E36 328is as my first car, as I happen to be only 16. I've found a couple within my 10k price range, mid 90's with atleast 100k miles, manual tranny, and sport's package. The mileage is fairly reasonable for a mid 90's at that price, but this is the only way I'll be able to afford such a sexy car. I also understand that the mileage for city driving is around 20mpg, which doesn't go over that well since I'm only in High School with a soon to be mediocre job.

I happen to be pretty knowledgeable about cars and I'm just wondering if such a car as this would be a good buy for me. I've also checked out many other cars, such as American and Japanese, but I am feeling that a fairly new car, with a reasonable amount of miles, and great performance behind those sexy looks is well worth it. Please give me any input, good or behind, on the subject.

[Adel]

Wow... 48 views and no posts...
Shows how helpful this forum is...

[DeRath]

Buy one.

Things to look out for:

Radiators get weak at 60-90k replace it
Water pumps lose the impellers replace the pump.
water leaks into the compartment that hold the ecm and corrodes it, usually caused by windshield seals drying out.
a/c condensers leak.
a/c compressors lock up (especially if there is a leak)
reaction rod bushings wear out, replace them
use redline brand MTL in the manual trans.
flush the brake fluid regularly or the rear calipers get dicked up
valve covers are coated with the worst crap ever created by man and cause oil leaks that cause missfiring. scrape off the coating or strip it and get it powdercoated.
replace the coil insulators (things that go to spark plugs) they get oil soaked.
replace the plastic thermostat housing with an aluminum one, unless you like leaking coolant.
replace the thermostat every 30k.
power steering lines leak replace them.
the power steering bottle has a filter in it that you cannot change, replace it.(the bottle)
bulbs burn out in the dash and instrument cluster, replace them.
fuel pumps quit at 100k there are 2 replace them, and the fuel filter.


That's all I can think of right now....

on the up side:

NOTHING IN THE WORLD IS AS FUN TO DRIVE!!!

seriously, buy the car. be prepared to spend money to keep it running, chances are you can find one that someone has already replaced most of this stuff...my personal fav low buck: 94-95 325is w/90-130k.

[D[X]P]

but it or get a stang

dont get a civic

[Marknrom]

Posting for the sake of viewers who might have gotten, well, blown away from the post "scary" 328 probs. My 99 (98) 3281s has ONLY incurred the following probs, now 5 yrs, 60K miles

CD player - skipping (2 units)
Auto Drive shifter lights, warranty
Sunroof; recall warranty, I didn't notice it has a problem :-\
Just last week, passenger window frooze; under discovery???? Linkage?

Thats all, not bad eh? Regular oil change 5K, engine, frame, all still tight. I drive med hard too. Great car. Had a 320is, then 633ci and now subject.