Maintainence and reliability on E36s

[mwmorph]

I've never like BMWs especially the 3s, I always thought they were for badge snobs, but now after I drove a few E46 and E90/92 thanks to work, I've fallen in love with the E46, especially manual convertibles.

I've absolutely fallen in love with a Black on Black 2005 BMW 325Ci 5 speed manual with no options but powered seats. It's easy to drive while being involving and not quick enough to kill me or be a chore in traffic since it's so docile(unlike a E46/S54 M3 I drove earlier).

So anyways, I'm thinking of getting a fun daily driver so I don't have to burn gas all the time and put miles on my current V8 AWD Full size sedan DD and relegate that to weekend duty and major events.

I'm thinking of getting a 1996-1998 BMW 328Ci Convertible or maybe a 1994-1996 BMW 325Ci convertible if the price is right.

I don't care for heated seats or power seats, but I do want a 5 speed and the ~190hp Inline 6. How much can I expect maintenance and repairs to be over the life of the vehicle? Also, is it a easy car to work on? I'm pretty good with cars and I have a over a thousand dollars worth of tools but I haven't worked in a shop in a while and my ASEs expired a while ago so I'm rusty. How much can I expect the 328Ci to cost me to keep up and in good shape? Anything to look for when buying one?

Thanks in advance.

 

[halik]

You're a former ASE cert mechanic... common now. How hard do you think it is?

My brother has an E46 coupe and it's no more difficult or easy than any other german car. Hope your tools are metric and have triple-square bits handy.

 

[Arkaign]

BMW 2.5, 2.8, 3.0 are all very reliable, love those Inline sixes. Just be ready to open your wallet when the time for parts comes, things as simple as gaskets and hoses will be typically at least double that of a regular domestic or asian import.

 

[drnickriviera]

Convertible BMW's are for girls.

THe E36 seems to be a well designed vehicle. Only major work we've done is the rear control arm bushings

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
Convertible BMW's are for girls.

THe E36 seems to be a well designed vehicle. Only major work we've done is the rear control arm bushings

Would you turn down a free BMW M6 'Vert? :evil:

 

[drnickriviera]

I guess I should be more specific and say 3 series convertibles are for girls.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
I guess I should be more specific and say 3 series convertibles are for girls.

I could see that, along with the Z3/Z4 'verts 🙂

 

[mwmorph]

As a caveat, I should add I was a ASE certified mechanic in Suspension, Braking, Engine Performance and Engine Repair, no tranny or electrical(that's just black magic to me). Also, I worked on Asian and Domestic cars so that's why I'm hesitant to go European.

Originally posted by: Arkaign

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
I guess I should be more specific and say 3 series convertibles are for girls.

I could see that, along with the Z3/Z4 'verts 🙂

We have a 2007 BMW Z4 3.0i with 4k miles and I've fallen in love with that too. I guess I just like what I ride to be feminine. 😉

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
I guess I should be more specific and say 3 series convertibles are for girls.

Well, "girly" performance cars imho are the best you can get. Drive a Miata or be like me and drive a MR2 Spyder and see how girls come up to you and start a conversation about your car. Women don't care about Mustangs, Corvettes, EVOs, STis and 3000GTs. They like "cute" or expensive(golddiggers) and it's an easy jump from "hey that car's cute" to "let's have coffee sometime." 😉

I just think that if I had to run a car company, I would have nothing but a stable of Flat 4s, Inline 6s, V8s and V12s in my lineup. Nothing but buttery smooth, vibration free, beautiful sound note engines. I wish Toyota had never axed the 1/2 JZ-G(T)E series of engines.

So I have to watch out for RCA bushings? Anything I should look out for when I do a pre purchase inspection?

 

[drnickriviera]

Suspension bushings all the way around. Shocks need replacing around 50-60k mi. Cooling system has issues. Something with the water pump and the radiator can fail.

 

[Demo24]

I've heard the rear subframe is prone to failure after awhile, what exactly that means I can't tell so you will have to look it up. The car lounge can be a helpful place at times if you search for E36.

 

[ayabe]

Originally posted by: drnickriviera
I guess I should be more specific and say 3 series convertibles are for girls.

1 series too. Saw a 135i convertible the other day, meh to the extreme.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: mwmorph
As a caveat, I should add I was a ASE certified mechanic in Suspension, Braking, Engine Performance and Engine Repair, no tranny or electrical(that's just black magic to me). Also, I worked on Asian and Domestic cars so that's why I'm hesitant to go European.

If you can understand an engine, you can understand a manual transmission. It's only the automatics that are black magic.

As far as electrical, well, I'm with you there, but most of the problems with older German cars are switches, fuses, and motors that are basically plug-and-play parts. It's not likely that you'd need to re-wire the car or anything like that. If you can understand the basic analogy of electricity to water in pipes, you should be good to go.

ZV

 

[RFtesla]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
BMW 2.5, 2.8, 3.0 are all very reliable, love those Inline sixes. Just be ready to open your wallet when the time for parts comes, things as simple as gaskets and hoses will be typically at least double that of a regular domestic or asian import.

Ugh, bmw parts are not that bad at all. NEVER buy parts from the $tealer unless you can get some insane deal or online stores don't have the item. Personally I've always used pelicanparts.com because the prices are incredibly good.

Oh and I love my E36 328is, though if you could get a bit more cash, look for a 1995-1998 M3.

Bimmerforums.com and bimmerfest.com both have great E36 communities if you have anymore questions.

 

[mwmorph]

Originally posted by: RFtesla

Originally posted by: Arkaign
BMW 2.5, 2.8, 3.0 are all very reliable, love those Inline sixes. Just be ready to open your wallet when the time for parts comes, things as simple as gaskets and hoses will be typically at least double that of a regular domestic or asian import.

Ugh, bmw parts are not that bad at all. NEVER buy parts from the $tealer unless you can get some insane deal or online stores don't have the item. Personally I've always used pelicanparts.com because the prices are incredibly good.

Oh and I love my E36 328is, though if you could get a bit more cash, look for a 1995-1998 M3.

Bimmerforums.com and bimmerfest.com both have great E36 communities if you have anymore questions.

I don't want an M3 I already have a high maintenance German gas guzzling daily driver, I don't need another one. I figure the 328 will be easier to maintain, easier to drive and easier at the pump.

As for buying one, would you recommend buying one from Bimmerforums or Bimmerfest? I keep my cars in pristine mechanical shape and I'll want as well maintained and fully working (all accessories and power options) example.