Newbie Looking At A E36 - Couple Questions

[NitrousJunkie]

I'm looking at a 1992 320is.

The only reason I haven't went and picked up the car is the price and the mileage.

It has 168K On it.

He wants $2800 W/O The 18" Wheels.

Now I'm new to the BMW world but this seems like a lot of miles, how reliable are these engine's? I know it's a matter of how the previous owners maintained the car of course.

It looks to be in good shape, came from cali so no rust anywhere, 5 speed two door.

He says it runs and drives good, no problems except the drivers side window sometimes will only go down 2" or so, said its common.

What should I know about these cars? What to look for when buying ect.

Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[Cuahtemoc1]

Hey the E36s' are very reliable cars if you take care of them..my 325is 95 has 166*** just like the one you are buying..i maintenance mine all the time...but what you want to look for is previous jobs done to the car...is it serviced regularly? is the motor runing strong like its supposed to be?check compressions with your mechanic... also check springs and struts/shocks bc he was runnign on 18's...but seemes to me thats a pretty good price..i wouldent let my is go for that cheap so it should be a good buy!

[PhilipWOT]

Post us some pics. Exterior/interior/engine

[E36 Phantom]

Now I'm new to the BMW world but this seems like a lot of miles, how reliable are these engine's? I know it's a matter of how the previous owners maintained the car of course.


Bingo.

Owners? Records? That's the big thing. Mine was at 195 when I sold her. Had a 3" binder of all receipts/upgrades, from everything from spark plugs and oil changes to wheel bearings and shock mounts. The guy before me had maintained it meticulously, and it didn't ever give me the tiniest bit of trouble.

BMWs aren't like most Japanese/Korean cars. You can totally neglect Asian cars and they'll just keep going. BMWs get their feelings hurt easily. ;) You don't treat them well, they're bitches. If it's been maintained well and has records, I wouldn't have to think twice about buying it with those miles.

Also, are you sure about 320? If it's a CA car and you're in Iowa........none of us in the states ever got the 320, that was outside of North American markets only.

[NitrousJunkie]

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah I was planning on testing the compression, what's some good numbers to look for and what's perfect.

I'm guessing the timing belt has been already replaced (I hope)

I'll go take a look at it, it just makes me nervous because he has no records for the car and has had it for two years, I always keep all my reciepts and service records so it makes me wonder.

[E36 Phantom]

I don't know off the top of my head on compression #s, but if there's any more variance than 5psi between cylinders, watch out. Of course, if you're going to go do the test yourself you probably already knew that.

Timing chain on these cars, and they don't ever really have problems with tensioners/chains breaking. No records would make me very worried, too.

Edit, Bentley lists minimum compression at 142-156psi, max variance 7psi btwn cyl. It doesn't specify which engine, so it appears that applies to all engines in the E36 (which surprises me a bit).

[NitrousJunkie]

Here's what the ad consist of, no pics of engine or interior yet.

And My mistake, it's a 325is not a 320.

1992 bmw 325is 6cyl 5spd
168k
5spd
6cyl
cruise
ac
heat
lsd rearend
sunroof
manifold back exhaust / catback technics exhaust
new flex joint
new carrier bearing

newer - yokohoma tires, brakes, k&n, other misc

The car is from california so there is no rust or never was. The clear coat is getting then in spots on the hood and there is a ding in the pass door. I would say it has normal wear for a 92.

Dont leak nothing

Has wires in the trunk for cd changer but no changer is there

Drivers window is acting wierd sence it has got cold sometimes it only goes up and down 2" when you hit the button. I looked on e36 forum and i guess this is common sometimes.

Drives seat is wore and no heated seats

Clean title

$3000 with stock rims (He lowered to $2800)
$3500 with Ruff racing staggard 18" rims (Lowered to 3300)

And when I asked about records, previous owners ect he said this.

1. I dont know how many owners.
2. I always kept the oil changed and maintenance
3. I have owned it about 2 years. I drive it everyday.

http://a4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/92/l_a93bbb74757e0ce8280c32c9b22ecacb.jpg

http://c1.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/41/l_69a031e9a508450496667a8b3914bbb0.jpg

http://c2.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/51/l_ab3924a8615944148f09c6e1a2b56305.jpg

Waiting on pics of interior and engine.

-Chris

[PhilipWOT]

Wait a minute.
I just noticed your username.
Go away immediately.

[E36 Phantom]

Cool, good info. Those are HIDEOUS wheels. Wow.

The thing that makes me a bit worried is the grammar in the ad (yes, really, lol) and the wheels. Combines with the lack of records, it makes me wonder how well the person took care of it. It just looks like your typical 20-yr old who drove it, and probably didn't care for it all that well. Obviously I don't have anything solid to base it off of, but those are my first impressions looking at the car.

I'd be very surprised at a true mani-back exhaust. Those aren't common or cheap for E36s. Also, unless it was very well designed, chances are you're losing power over stock. And, K&N shouldn't really be on these cars, not good for MAFs.

But, if he says he did all the maintenance regularly, and seems like a stand-up guy when you meet him and seems like he knows his way around the car well, then that is some bonus credit there.

[E36 Phantom]

Wait a minute.
I just noticed your username.
Go away immediately.

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

You're terrible.

[NitrousJunkie]

I use this username on all the forums.

No I'm not some riceboy.

I've owned many cars with nitrous including my most recent 11 second camaro, ran 11.80 @ 120 on 100 shot and M/T Et Streets.

Yes I like nitrous, is that a problem?

I'm not buying this car to put nitrous on, just want it for a nice DD for work ect.

Thanks for the replies, I really need to speak to this guy in person and feel him out, I'll be taking a look at the car this weekend sometime.

God you BMW owners are rude! ;o)

-Chris

[E36 Phantom]

I use this username on all the forums.

No I'm not some riceboy.

I've owned many cars with nitrous including my most recent 11 second camaro, ran 11.80 @ 120 on 100 shot and M/T Et Streets.

Yes I like nitrous, is that a problem?

I'm not buying this car to put nitrous on, just want it for a nice DD for work ect.

Thanks for the replies, I really need to speak to this guy in person and feel him out, I'll be taking a look at the car this weekend sometime.

God you BMW owners are rude! ;o)

-Chris
We've been told that from time to time.....it doesn't really bug us anymore. :rofl:

Nitrous has it's place, we'll all agree, we just get sick of the 16 year olds that want to buy a stock E36 with no clue what condition the car is in, and just throw a 150 shot of "NAWS" on it as soon as they get it.

Impressive Camaro, BTW! LT1, LS1, or other?

[NitrousJunkie]

Just an old 84 Z28 I picked up.
11:1 355
TH350/3500 Stall
Some aluminum heads and a nasty cam
3.73's - 26x10.5x15 ET Streets.

Quick little car and ran those times on pump gas, never got around to dumping in some 110 and spraying 150-175+ like I planned.

And NO I don't have a mullet! Ha

I hate the word nawws with a passion, it's like nails on a chalkboard for me.

[FenderBender]

I'm glad you found what you're looking for. I would take the rims personally, since he's not charging that much more. Then I'd sell them and get some nicer ones.

Oh and one word CARFAX!!!!!

[E36 Phantom]

Oh and one word CARFAX!!!!!

I'd like to add a few words....


"......should not be relied upon!"

[FenderBender]

I'd like to add a few words....


"......should not be relied upon!"

Why not? I mean it doesn't show everything, but it's still nice to see what comes up.

What if you were about to buy a car and you put it into carfax and see that it shows two major accidents.

Does that change your mind on your purchase?

[E36 Phantom]

No no, I use it too, but believe me, everything does NOT show up. It can lull you into a false sense of security when there could be problems. It can definitely be helpful for some things, ie owners, location, etc. But to rely on it solely for accident history is just asking for trouble.

Cars I've had have things that didn't show up on CarFax. My E36 had a small thing (just rear bumper) that was expensive enough it should have shown up (>$750). Dad's E38 had TWO accidents that should have shown up that did not (both >$750). My E39 had CLEARLY been in an accident, so much so that I begin to wonder if it had been salvaged, but by transferring it through multiple states perhaps it was able to dodge it. Clean CarFax.

OTOH, it was nice because it showed that my Jag had 1 Bay Area owner, and luckily that person used a shop that reported service, and it proved that it was serviced every 4k miles.

It's helpful, but it's no substitute for having things looked at closely. To think that a car has never had any body work done to it or something like that just because it's got a clean CarFax is ridiculous.

What about if I was about to buy a car that DID have 2 major accidents, but had a clean CarFax, so you don't inspect it carefully? Does that change your mind on CarFax?

Just sayin'. ;)

[FenderBender]

No no, I use it too, but believe me, everything does NOT show up. It can lull you into a false sense of security when there could be problems. It can definitely be helpful for some things, ie owners, location, etc. But to rely on it solely for accident history is just asking for trouble.

Cars I've had have things that didn't show up on CarFax. My E36 had a small thing (just rear bumper) that was expensive enough it should have shown up (>$750). Dad's E38 had TWO accidents that should have shown up that did not (both >$750). My E39 had CLEARLY been in an accident, so much so that I begin to wonder if it had been salvaged, but by transferring it through multiple states perhaps it was able to dodge it. Clean CarFax.

OTOH, it was nice because it showed that my Jag had 1 Bay Area owner, and luckily that person used a shop that reported service, and it proved that it was serviced every 4k miles.

It's helpful, but it's no substitute for having things looked at closely. To think that a car has never had any body work done to it or something like that just because it's got a clean CarFax is ridiculous.

What about if I was about to buy a car that DID have 2 major accidents, but had a clean CarFax, so you don't inspect it carefully? Does that change your mind on CarFax?

Just sayin'. ;)

That's all perfectly true and believe me I am the exact same way.

I wasn't saying you should rely on Carfax, but I think it is a necessity when purchasing a used car. But no don't ever rely on it, talk to the owner, get history and maintnence info, then get carfax and you'll be pretty much set.

[E36 Phantom]

That's all perfectly true and believe me I am the exact same way.

I wasn't saying you should rely on Carfax, but I think it is a necessity when purchasing a used car. But no don't ever rely on it, talk to the owner, get history and maintnence info, then get carfax and you'll be pretty much set.

:thumbup: Agreed.

I just said my piece because I know too many people who try to rely solely on CarFax.

[FenderBender]

:thumbup: Agreed.

I just said my piece because I know too many people who try to rely solely on CarFax.

Yup, I know it.:thumbup: Too many people just buy cars because they're *Pretty* or *Custom*or *OOOO look at the fartpipes* without a good backround check. :thumbdwn:

[bimmerblack]

We've been told that from time to time.....it doesn't really bug us anymore. true

[PhilipWOT]

We've been told that from time to time.....it doesn't really bug us anymore. :rofl:

Nitrous has it's place, we'll all agree, we just get sick of the 16 year olds that want to buy a stock E36 with no clue what condition the car is in, and just throw a 150 shot of "NAWS" on it as soon as they get it.

Impressive Camaro, BTW! LT1, LS1, or other?

Exactly.

Ok OP, as long as you promise not to post pics of your super dope NAWZ setup on this E36 so you can tun 10's yo, I suppose we'll let you hang around. :rolleyes:

(ps-we're being sarcastic, it's how we weed out the people who really suck. You seem to take it well, that's good. Also, it's how Chad and I entertain ourselves as we sift through 100's of threads asking the exact same dumb questions every week. You can only give an honest, serious, helpful answer to a question so many times.)

[PhilipWOT]

PS CarFax is a turd.

[E36 Phantom]

(ps-we're being sarcastic, it's how we weed out the people who really suck. You seem to take it well, that's good. Also, it's how Chad and I entertain ourselves as we sift through 100's of threads asking the exact same dumb questions every week. You can only give an honest, serious, helpful answer to a question so many times.)

+50.

And, the OP gets bonus points for saying that "naws" is like nails on a chalkboard to him. That was relieving when I heard that.

You'll notice in one thread I posted a link to a thread about searching by the admin of Supramania. I loved that guy, no *****footing around. I'm going to start posting that link more.

OP, it's a bit disappointing that people don't have much innovation here. It's also hard to work with this platform, and most people here don't want to spend much money on serious performance upgrades. So we see a lot of "Why is my car making a beep", "What oil should I use", "What's a good CAI", "What's a good cat back", and "I found this cool new thing, will the Turbonator really give me 60 more horsepower, 80 more ft-lbs of torque, and 55MPG?".

I like a lot of the people on this board, and it's nice to be helpful for genuine questions. I don't have the technical expertise of a lot of the guys on other boards (like Supramania), so I don't know all the answers, obviously. And if you did your own work on your Mullet-mobile, then you likely have the same level as a lot of those guys. I try to learn as much as I can and use common sense, though, and that's what I wish a lot of people would do instead of wanting to be spoon-fed. But we stick around for a lot of the fun questions and the people. Just the stupid questions really piss us off.

[bimmerblack]

Speaking of Supras i saw a mint red 94 on the way home yesterday, and its the nuts. The rear fenders JUST LOOK exotic, it was unlike any of its peers on the roadway which were a Nice Audi, a wheel sporting Scion, and an AMG Merc sedan at the time....that car is TIMELESS...

[NitrousJunkie]

+50.
And if you did your own work on your Mullet-mobile, then you likely have the same level as a lot of those guys.

Hey now :p

[Corey Milne]

Also, are you sure about 320? If it's a CA car and you're in Iowa........none of us in the states ever got the 320, that was outside of U.S. markets only.

Edit: They did import the 320 to canada throughout its production.