A '96 328 with 202k...am I crazy...

[miller25758]

...to be thinking of buying it. Only $4k...looks real clean, at least from the pic's, and I pulled a car fax.

http://www.keithautogroup.com/96bmw328i.html?IID=276648

Purchased a '98 323ic last year with 108k for summer cruising so I am getting to know BMW's a bit. This would be my daily driver. I am an Acura diehard, weekend gearhead, and know they last forever, mine is a '96 with 216k. So if you buy the right car, it should last for quite some time.

Thoughts?

[B/\/\W]

Diff, valve gear, gearbox and clutch (must already have been replaced?) will all have done a lot of work. I don't see how the car won't feel loose at that mileage, definitely go for a lower mileage one! The age will mean other non-mechanical things should be fine though. I'm sure it drives, many cars are okay at that mileage, but if you can afford lower mileage then do so.

[miller25758]

It is an automatic, so at least I don't have to worry so much with clutch, etc.

[Chris S]

Id check to see if the engine runs well and that the gears shift smoothly for the AT since itd be expensive to replace. Also make sure you do the other checks and stuff to make sure its in good condition etc.

I personally wouldnt buy a car over 150000 kms but thats just me...

and also the cigarette lighter seems to me missing :p

[miller25758]

Nothing over 150km's?....maybe becuase I am an Acura/Honda believer I have no problems with buying a quality built car with high miles. I have to admit, after researching alot of sites over the past month or so, and even last year prior to purchasing the 323, I was/am hestitant in purchasng a BMW. Everyone states a great car to drive, but at times can be extremely expensive to drive. Again, I am a wekend gearhead of sorts, and know my way around cars pretty well...just replaced the brakes on my Acura.

Speaking of Honda's, that poor guy with the other post who stated he just purchased a Honda...you guys are tough. Might not be the complete driving experience as a BMW, but when it comes to longevity...they last forever and don't cost an arm and a leg to maintain.

[Xeek]

It looks good, but man I am afraid of those miles. BMWs are probably great up to 200,000 miles, after that I imagine there maybe a lot of things due to break down.

It looks identicle to my car, but mine is a 1998 328i and only 113,000 Miles. Of course I was so hungry for a 3-Series that I bought mine for 10,600, but it seemed most of the BMWs at this year was around that price here. I think I paid a bit more than value, but I'm happy to finally find one.

I would look around on these forums, have a list of things that tend to break down on the E36 then go back to that car and go down your check list. Id really look at the components intensely due to the miliage.

[ianiac]

That milage should be no problem as long as the car's been kept up.

I just got rid of my '96 at 299,950. The engine was still going good too.

I'd be scared of the auto trans on that car lasting though.

[Xeek]

GOOD GOD lol

[B/\/\W]

That milage should be no problem as long as the car's been kept up.

I just got rid of my '96 at 299,950. The engine was still going good too.

I'd be scared of the auto trans on that car lasting though.

Wasn't there a strange period where your car gained 30k in 3 months? Was the cluster original?

[nowack500]

My '96 328i just went over 270 000 Kms and Im the 4th owner!! Steering needed lots of work but other than that no problems

[Xeek]

My '96 328i just went over 270 000 Kms and Im the 4th owner!! Steering needed lots of work but other than that no problems

That's only 167,778 Miles. So I'm not impressed hehe. :rofl:

[ianiac]

Wasn't there a strange period where your car gained 30k in 3 months? Was the cluster original?

It gained 108k in a 5 month period.

It appears to have the original cluster.. But I don't know

[E36 Phantom]

GUYS, don't scare the OP.

Actually, miller, the one thing you're not worried about is the big trouble point. The Auto tranny is made by GM. I wouldn't buy anything made by GM that had 10 miles on it. Its already past its expected lifespan! :rofl:

But seriously, I sold my E36 with 191k on it. I bought her for 4k with 175k. Put a grand of mods, not hardly any maintenance, in to her over the summer. Sold her 9 months after I bought her with 16k more miles on her for........
$6200.

And she was worth every penny. Ran wonderfully, absolutely trouble free, pretty much a perfect example of what an E36 should look like. A car that's been taken care of well and runs well should give you 300k+ miles of service. YES - YOU WILL HAVE TO DO MAINTENANCE. These aren't like Honda's in that way, sadly. Germans design parts for better performance (usually, with the exception of the cooling system) and make longevity take a back seat. So your suspension will last less time, but will ride better and perform better during that time. You get the idea. You will spend some money on it, but the engine isn't just gonna blow up on you at 200k for no reason. Remember, its not an American car...lol.

Also, you'll do best to find one that has been well maintained, regardless of the mileage or price. BMW's aren't like Honda's in that regard, either. One with about 125k could be ready to cause you loads of problems if you have deferred maintenance, whereas a well kept car with twice the mileage will last you forever. Find one with maintenance records and an owner who cares about it.

Here's what my car looked like. By the time I had commuted back and forth a few times from SD to LA and then driving around the mileage had found its way to 191k, that ad was a bit out of date, but it didn't take much effort to sell quick. Of course, it depends on your area. I had it for sale for 5800 in the San Francisco area where I'm from, which is saturated w/ Bimmers. A few people interested in about 3 weeks on the market. Came back down to San Diego (not as many Bimmers) and had 4 people call me within 10 hours of posting. Sold very quickly:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=911175

Anyway, your page just finally loaded for me. Lol. Looks like its in good condition. Any maintenance history?

[Chris S]

yea 150k kms means that I wont have to worry about it breaking down or having probs too much in my opinion.... i do prefer getting cars under 100k kms tho... which is what i did with my 323i (98100kms) and it runs smooth. As some of the fellas have mentioned here the AT is a bit of a worry but mine seems to be working fine so far and hopefully it will keep working for a long time to come.

[miller25758]

Thanks for all the responses. E36, I totaly agree in that a car that is maintained should last a very, very long time. I perform my own maintanence and light repairs. I am a car salesman worst nightmare for I hold my cars real long.

I don't know the service history of the car and I am generally new to BMW's, so I am suspect, especially when sold through a dealer. I am going to pass on this one.

Thanks again everyone.

[MPT 328is]

The ad says leather but that looks like leatherette to me.

There is a guy on another E36 forum with over 600,000 miles on his 92 325i with the original automatic transmission.

[nowack500]

That's only 167,778 Miles. So I'm not impressed hehe. :rofl:

Thanks Xeek...Youre right, its not alot. Let me rephrase: At about 250 000 KM the steering needed alot of work so Miller should keep that in mind.