Where can I find a Nice e36?

"M-Powwerr Drives a Ford" (straight6fun)
08/04/2014 at 09:48 • Filed to: None

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I showed my dad the e36 first car article on oppo...he seemed very open to the idea. Now where can I find a nice e36 for under $5k (+/-k) My local craigslist has very few and across the boarder in Chicago the selection is not much better. Requirements: Manual transmission, I6, no rust, reasonable miles, and working A/C

DISCUSSION (15)

duurtlang > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 09:54

I believe rust is an issue with these as well, right? I was looking into an E30 and it looked very clean. It turns out it did have some rust problems. So be wary and don't buy sight unseen.

This is a picture from the ad. Looks clean, right?

Kinja'd!!!

Here's a detail, front left tire featured. You really can't spot it in the picture above. I believe the seller used older pictures:

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > duurtlang
08/04/2014 at 10:00

Considering that rust was an issue on my old E46 I would imagine that E36s have the same sorta issues.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 10:02

You could check Bimmerforums.com, I haven't been there in a few years but they have a pretty active classified section. If you're going to spend $5k you could look into getting a E46 as well. I bought a 2000 323i with the sport and premium package & ~85,000 miles for $7500 in Dec. of 2008, they've gotten even cheaper you should be able to find a better selection of E46s than E36s.

Mattbob > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 10:05

check CL south of you. Don't bother checking northeast of you, it's a wasteland of rust. Trust me. When you get one, let us know there are a few of us with them, and we can help you start to fix all the things that will need to be fixed.

*edit* I read that as you were in chicago. Where are you? If in indiana, my advice still stands. How far are oyu willing to go for a car? (distance)

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
08/04/2014 at 10:06

My concern with the e46 is the subframe and the fact the car is much more computerized.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Mattbob
08/04/2014 at 10:12

I'm an hour north between Chicago and Milwaukee...I'm willing to go 250 miles to get one...but not much farther.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > duurtlang
08/04/2014 at 10:13

that sucks...I hope I don't run into that

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 10:14

I think the subframe issues finally got taken care of by bmw no? The computerization actually is a plus to me, after jacking around with an e30 and dealing with obd1 stuff on my stealth I prefer having OBD2. And to be honest there is very little difference between the engines in the E36 and E46, especially the early E46s (323/328s)

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK
08/04/2014 at 10:17

fair point on the computer...BMW I think fixed the subframe in the design for 2002, but anything older is a crapshoot.

Mattbob > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 10:24

Hows the rust out there? I imagine it is bad, but can't be worse than here (Michigan). My advice is Craigslist and patience. Get an app to alert you to new postings of BMWs and just wait. Things to watch out for: Very loud ticking of VANOS unit ($200 to send it in to get rebuilt), Clunks in the rear end. Lots of bushings back there that can be a huge pain, Check cooling system (Replacing most of the cooling system is pretty standard preventative measure), check that the seat recline gear works (there is a plastic $35 gear that tends to fail). Once you are able to really dig into it, check the flex coupler on the drive shaft for cracks (a complete failure on these is pretty catastrophic), check the spark plug holes for oil (its a sign that the valve cover gasket is going, nbd). I'll post more things if I can remember them. Most of these things are easy to replace (except bushings) and well worth it. It's a great car, so don't let this dissuade you.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 10:28

I would also check autotrader, you'd be amazed at how many small dealers don't put their cars up on craigslist. eBay too can be good.
It's an auto but this one has the sport and premium package, and is dirt cheap.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BMW-3-Seri…

You should also consider E39s, sometimes you can find a manual trans one. The 318ti was also a lot of fun.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 10:29

Just make sure to have the subframe inspected prior to buying, I think there were some warranty repairs done. I didn't have any issues with mine.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > Mattbob
08/04/2014 at 11:26

I don't need convincing...my mom does...but this helps

Thanks!

5-Speed Gangsta > M-Powwerr Drives a Ford
08/04/2014 at 11:27

I just bought a 1994 325i Convertible on Saturday for my first car. Mine fits all of you requirements except maybe the miles (199,898). I paid $3800 for it. I found it by just driving around to different dealers, which were less advertised on the web, and looking through their inventories. I spent 4 hours looking around on Saturday and i was about to go home when i saw this on a lot. Not the best advice, but if you have time then go check out some smaller, local dealers.

M-Powwerr Drives a Ford > 5-Speed Gangsta
08/04/2014 at 11:39

the only issue with that is that most of the small dealers are the buy here pay here type that just sell overpriced beaters...there are a few small local dealers that are worth looking at, but few and far between