Hello

[frankzen]

Just registered so I can finally post!


I'm looking for an E36...that I can afford. 92 to 94 I guess, preferably two door and must be manual. Seems all the one I have run across at Maxbimmer in Toronto and here on the various classified ad sites are too rich for my blood , at the moment anyway..that may change after I win the loto :)

I'd like to spend up to $4500. Is it possible to get an E36 in reasonable shape for that money ?

Thanks

fmccormick@videotron.ca

[Emre]

I'd like to spend up to $4500. Is it possible to get an E36 in reasonable shape for that money?Not really. You might be able to find an E36 318is for under $7-8,000 but I wouldn't expect miracles. Even beat-up E30 325is's are selling for $5,000 these days. I think it would be nearly impossible to find an E36 for that kind of money unless it's a wreck.

Have you considered the E28 535is? It's a pretty sweet handling little car and has the same power as an E36 325is in a lighter chassis. Good 535is's are changing hands well under $5,000 so you should have a little buffer to get the car sorted. A nice E28 535is will be a hell of lot more fun to own and drive than a clapped out E36 318i. Something to think about.

Emre

[frankzen]

Even beat-up E30 325is's are selling for $5,000 these days. I think it would be nearly impossible to find an E36 for that kind of money unless it's a wreck.



Well that's strange - I can find all sorts of E30's for less than 4 grand....a guy on Maxbimmer is offering me a well maintained 87 325 with all sorts of mods (like cross-drilled rotors new pads, new suspension etc etc) for $3600..and he'll deliver it to Montreal! Its the e36s which are stilll pricey.



Have you considered the E28 535is? It's a pretty sweet handling little car and has the same power as an E36 325is in a lighter chassis. Good 535is's are changing hands well under $5,000 so you should have a little buffer to get the car sorted. A nice E28 535is will be a hell of lot more fun to own and drive than a clapped out E36 318i. Something to think about.

Emre

I'll look around but I find 535's are few and far between. Thanks for the advice!

[Emre]

Well that's strange - I can find all sorts of E30's for less than 4 grand....a guy on Maxbimmer is offering me a well maintained 87 325 with all sorts of mods (like cross-drilled rotors new pads, new suspension etc etc) for $3600..and he'll deliver it to Montreal!That's a great price. I know at least 2 people who gave up looking for E30 325is's because there just weren't any decent ones under 5 grand. Maybe there are more in the Toronto area?

Anyway, good luck finding an E36 for that money.

Emre

[f|ame]

be ware of the evil 325is e30's.... they will be rust buckets if they are from quebec...

[TritonX]

You won't believe me but I think a miracle happened, lol. I can say it now that the deal is closed, I paid my 318is '94 almost rust free, lot of highway mileage , minor underneath stuff to patch before winter, 4500$. I changed the muffler for a better used one(125$), brake job 500$, manifold still to repair, just slightly pierced so I'll weld it. So for the guy who is looking for an E36 in good shape not too expensive, it is possible. You won't find it on the net though, I found mine in the local newspaper. you can see it at http://tritonx.monchar.com .

[frankzen]

You won't believe me but I think a miracle happened, lol. I can say it now that the deal is closed, I paid my 318is '94 almost rust free, lot of highway mileage , minor underneath stuff to patch before winter, 4500$. I changed the muffler for a better used one(125$), brake job 500$, manifold still to repair, just slightly pierced so I'll weld it. So for the guy who is looking for an E36 in good shape not too expensive, it is possible. You won't find it on the net though, I found mine in the local newspaper. you can see it at http://tritonx.monchar.com .

Thats good to know - since I posted this I have found two 318's...but rather have a 325 in decent shape. Don't trust that profile gasket problem..heard too many people losing coolant and half destroying their engines over it.

Gonna check out a '95 318 that seems to be a good deal.Wish me luck!!!

[Emre]

Thats good to know - since I posted this I have found two 318's...but rather have a 325 in decent shape. Don't trust that profile gasket problem..heard too many people losing coolant and half destroying their engines over it.The timing case profile gasket failures were not a problem with the M44-powered E36 318's. They were only an issue on the 1990-92 M42-powered E30 318's.

Emre

[Silverblades181]

The timing case profile gasket failures were not a problem with the M44-powered E36 318's. They were only an issue on the 1990-92 M42-powered E30 318's.

Emre

And if the engine is still running now then there is a good chance it's been changed for the newer better one.

EDIT: Btw, M42 are a lot of fun for daily drivers. I bet the M44 is too.

[frankzen]

Well guys another miracle- picked up a 95 318i with 165k on it for $4500. VERY minor rust on the right rear fender...and it need new struts in the front...but inside is mint. Love it!

Now a question: what is the best/and or cheapest struts to put on the front? Is Midas stuff any good? Or should I stick with OEM?

Thanks