Time for a new car and I'm considering getting one of these, but thought I'd ask for some opinions on them first. I've seen a low mileage, 1998 reg, mint condition one for 15K, but there's a lot of other stuff I could get for the money. Any thoughts? Or anything else I sould be considering ( looks good, well built, goes, affordable insurance )?

Steve.

 

The 328 Sport is indeed a great car, the E36 BMW is a very strong and solid car, Ive had 4.

15k is a good budget, but remember you can get a very nice M3 Evo for about that, everything costs more on the M3 but there is a big difference, I went from a 328 sport to an M3 and the 328 was a cruiser, the M3 is a bruiser!.

Great cars and I recommend them all day but the E36 is starting to look a bit dated these days, if it looks dated now, imagine it in a few years. 15k will buy you alot of cars, Ive always loved the E36 Coupe and I run an M3 now which is awesome but Iam now looking for something a bit less common and something that looks a bit newer.

Dont get me wrong, the 328 Sport will give you many many thousands on miles with smiles, its just for 15k there are alot of cars out there!, you can pick up an E46 328ci for about 17-18k now, I would rather wait or borrow a few more grand to get the newer shape.

I have a 1988 320iSE which even after 14 years is tight and great to drive!, these cars go on for many many years and are fairly bulletproof, Iveprobalby had every problem you can get on an E36 Coupe and a few are expensive to put right, but mstly its not a bad car to run everyday, and the 2.8 engine is a peach (especially over 4k rpm!!)

 

I swapped my UK Scoob for a Schnitzer modified 328i coupe in order to get more of a compromise between performance and lower commuting costs...can't really fault it.

Agree with the guys above: get the revs up and it will shift, rest of the time it is a great cruiser. 32mpg average, mostly motorway and some A road ragging!

Depreciation seems fairly stable but like Tom says, £15k gets you a nice Evo so I would spend less on a 328. I picked up my P reg 50k miler last year for 10 grand.

 

Thanks for the advice, as far as the the "Nikasil" issue goes, I had heard about it, though I hoped it wouldn't affect such a relativly new car, still I can always ask the dealer about it when I go back.

The M3, damn nice car! In fact, the garrage had a new E46 M3 in as well and I spent some time drooling over that! Alas, the insurance would cripple me right now, but in a few years...

 

check out the engine carefully they still suffer from the nikasil or a similar problem, my 328i whent in a month ago to be fixed & there was a new m5 in with the same problem,try to buy with a bmw warranty as they cover for nearly everthing u can think of including breakdown recovery,& the service from them is excellent,had mine for 18 months it was a great car , watch out in the wet if u have no traction control as the back wheels like to be in front, check the service history very carfully with each garage it's been serviced with, good luck

 

I think the Nikasil issue affected the M52 engine (2.8) until Mar 1998. Thankfully mines a July 1998 build.

 

I'm on my second 328 coupe now. Currently running a 97P 328 coupe sport which I bought last year for £10k. You really don't need to spend £15k on an S reg. Is it from a main dealer? Depreciation is good on these motors but the one you speak of will be worth no more than £10k before you know it. On the other hand, you could pay the £15k and I might give then a call and see if I can make a profit selling them mine!!

As eveyone else has said, mpg is pretty good. I get around 30 too. The looks you can't fault - the 17" wheels really stand it head and shoulders above a standard coupe. Interior with sport seats also very tasty. They are definitely a cruise machine, not quick off the mark by any stretch. Quick enough for Britain though I would say.

Problems have been no worse than any other car. Just had the air-con fixed - £250. Servicing costs reasonable (inspection II hurts a bit though). Some w@nker stole my M3 side skirts and M3 rubbing strips from both sides (and carved holes in the bodywork) the other week and I don't recomment that. I got a few quid change from £800.

Any other owners have the same alloy problem as me? The lacquer was bubbled up on every wheel and is cracking. Can't see anything wrong with the actual alloy though. Do they just need reconditioning. If so, where do I get that done.

Alex

 

What about a ZM coupe? a future classic imo.Individual looks, storming performance and a real drivers car.Insurance would be steep though!

 

ZM Coupe = Awesome, dont touch cheaper early cars, they will be out of warranty and have no DSC. 20k+ and your laughing, a true Porsche beater with 0-60 in the 4.4 sec mark!!!! - Nice car, I love the looks, should imagine tyre bills will be horrendous, and as said, so will the insurance!!

As for the wheels on the 328 (cross spoke BBS), I tried for ages to find someone that would refurb them with no luck, let me know if you do find anywhere as I know others that need them doing. I got my M3 ones done at www.roadwheel.co.uk

 

the laquer on the wheels cracks because the bolts are over tightened there is a firm called monty's from reading i think that will referb.it's not just the older cars cars that have a compression problem it can affect any one of them. bmw warranties are extendable upto 100k for around £400 a year ,well worth the money as it covers pretty much everything.

 

Hey Grabber ,

Your right there.................

Cars still going really well, with no major problems. While working away in Europe for a few days I gave the car to WJ in Ascot and got some waranty work done. They did:

Radiator sensor
Powersteering rack
Rear bushes
Realignment
Doorseals.

Total £978. BMW found the issues and were great, they just did it, even offering a car as courtsey.

Now racked up 2100 miles in the Sport and the engines loosening up nicely. Amazing when it gets to 4k rpm.

Interior still gets comments, even from a new M3 driver at work



J

 

£15k for a 98 328 coupe sounds like an awful lot. Nice car, quick, but you can do a lot better.

As a benchmark my 330d Touring Auto is for sale at £20k. Performance on a par with a 328 but with 500/550 miles per tankful and slower depreciation. AND mine has c£6k worth of extras.

You could do a lot better for a 328 (less money for the car or newer car for the money)...of course if you wanted a 330d touring....

 

Stop trying to flog him a) an estate car and b) a diesel!!

Don't get me wrong, your 330d sounds like a very nice car, but if the lad puts up a post about a coupe, then surely that's the sort of thing he's after.

Sounds harsh having a pop at a BMW driver on this forum when most posts about the BMWs or BMW drivers get a slating and/or jokes. [Sorry]

 

Again, thanks for all the advice. Hmmm M-Coupe... nice and fast, but a little too ummm... highly styled for my tastes, not to mention the insurance would leave me unable to afford the petrol & tyre bills.

Yes, I have decided that 15K is too much to pay for the car. The garrage specializes in 'money no object' motors, in fact I think my car was the cheapest in there. Put it this way, it was parked next to a Bently Arnage T...

Sadly no, I do NOT want an auto diesel estate! ( Not that they are not very nice cars, Mr Moderator Sir! ) Simply put, I want a good looking, fast, affordable coupe. I'm also considering the Toyota Celica 190 & the new Hyundai Coupe V6, but alas both seem underpowered next to my friends 310 BHP Porsche 928, which he only paid 3K for...

Steve.

 

Celica - slow car and ugly in some eyes
Hyundai - The newer coupe is nice but...its a Hyundai!

Sorry, Iam very shallow when it comes to brand imaging!!

Both look newer than the BMW but the BMW will out drive and out perform the pair. You can pick up a almost new 3.0 406 Coupe for about 11-13k now!, not as mad an idea as it sounds! - drive one!, I like them!. Very horny loking car and the 3.0 is a nice engine, not a rocket ship but a very refined motor!!

 

Read it again - I was using my car as a guide as to how overpriced the 328 was.

The 328 coupe is a great car and can be had for c£10k - makes it a veritable bargain compared to other £10k cars.

406 coupe is nice, look great from the outside, but the inside is naff, just lifted straight from the 406 saloon.

What about an Fiat 20v (turbo or non depending on insurance), or an Alfa GTV. Both are great cars, great handlers and solid motors despite scare stories you hear. I had a 3.0V6 GTV a few years back - great car, faultless.

 

The 406? Can't say I've considered them, but the depreciation looks pretty steep.

I am considering the 3.0 GTV, but was put off by tales of poor wireing & reliability, that and the fact Direct Line won't give me an online quote on one for some reason ( bad sign I recon! ). Ditto reguarding the reliability of the Fiat coupe.

Which brings us back arround to BMW's. I test drove the 328, but didn't get a chance to put the hammer down. Is the handling realy that much better than celica/hyundai et al? Also, is the 2.8 engine the same in both the pre & post face lifted 3-series?

Thanks again, Steve.

 

Yes the handling is that much better, and yes the 2.8 lump is (virtually) unchanged from E36 to E46.

The 98 one you are looking at is an E46 (ie latest shape) isn't it?

The GTV/Fiat wiring scare stories were just that. Mine had absolutely no problems, and has been my most reliable car to date except the 330d. Once you've heard the 3.0 GTV's exhaust note you won't be able to say no

 

Actually, it was the E36 ( hence peoples queries on the price! ). The reson I was after the Sport model was it's M-Tech gearbox & suspension, plus it looks just like the old M3

Regaurding the handling, I've only driven smaller hatchbacks up until now so I've been looking for smaller coupes to keep the nimble driving feeling. To me the 3 Series is a big car, but clearly that 'ultimate driving machine' tag is somewhat justified.

Fair enough about the GTV, will try and get a test drive in a 3.0 soon.

 

When I bought my 328 Sport I considered the same options (well, maybe not the Hyundai). I would be interested to see opinions on the GTV 3.0. Definitely a head turner. Would just be a little worried about reliability though, no matter how many times it's dismissed as scaremongering you speak to too many people who've had horror stories.....

If you go Alfa - how will you get on re-selling with a good few thousand miles on the clock? I went for BMW rather than Fiat Coupe or Alfa GTV because I know that even six figure mileage cars will sell no matter what (as long as they have a good BMW history). High mileage on an Alfa/Fiat will scare off too many buyers I reckon.

The Celica is a bit girly I'd say but only an opinion.

Get a 328. E36 shape still looking good/not too dated compared to the E46. Won't bring a second gear-clog down smile to your face like a Fiat or Alfa but the all round smoothness of engine, looks, interior will more than make up for it.

Example costing - mine's a 97P, bought at 84k for £10k last year. Got original receipts for almost £32k new from a lease company. The car with that engine, full leather, full BMW history, practicality, nicely looked after etc etc is still going to be worth £6k+ as long as you run it - it's done most of its depreciating.

Example Fiat - well, I reckon you will be able to pick them up for £3-4k within a year. Example Alfa - just the worry of trying to sell a high miler. No doubting a beautiful car though.

 

Alex, couple of questions, the 0-60 time I found on Parkers for the 328 was 7.3, but I've read other times for the coupe & sport coupe, some as low as 6.2. Any idea if the sport coupe is faster than the saloon, and if you've driven a non-sport coupe, does the M-tech stuff make much of a difference to the handling?

Steve.

 

YES!!!

The Sport pack actually allows the car to go round corners well, try that in a normal 328 coupe and you will find yourself in the passenger seat!!!

As for the Coupe / Saloon comparison - the coupe wins every time unless you need 4 doors. The 328 sport is as close to the M3 as you will get, its a great car!. The sports seats in the 328sport in white leather are gorgeuos!!

Do it do it do it!!!

 

You know Tom, I somehow sense you want me to buy one

Yes, the interior is gorgious, the one I test drove had the full silver leather interior, climate control & the on-board computer. I almost bought it there and then as it certainly 'felt' like a 15K car ( even though I now realise I can buy one for much less ).

Steve.

 

0-60 in 6.2 is a little over ambitious. 7.3 I would say is more accurate.

I had a 328 coupe (normal one) before the 328 sport coupe. The combination of sport suspension and lower profile tyres gives you a harder ride. It is no quicker off the mark or top speed though. The sport seats have more position adjustments and are more "huggy" which helps if you are chucking the car around a bit.

Can't comment too much on the extra grip of the sport because I'm perhaps not brave enough to push it to the limit. I bought the sport after selling the normal coupe mostly for its looks (call me vain). The 17" wheels really add to it. Mine doesn't have a rear spoiler for some reason but I'm not trying to pretend it's an M3 - just a great car and the roads are not full of them.

Happy hunting. Let us all know how you get on.

Alex

 

Sorry, just noticed you wanted to know if it is faster than a 328 SALOON. Can't comment. Pretty similar I'd have thought - even though it's a coupe, it is still quite a big car. The boot is cavernous compared to other coupes.

The saloon is ugly compared to the coupe. End of story.

 

I sold my UK94 last Christmas, and bought a 1998 328i Coupe (none sport model). To be honest I really like it. Mine had 31K on it when I bought it in the new year. Cost be £12000. Its VERY smooth, good for the travelling I do. Commuting I get 28MPG (almost double my modifed Impreza) and on a Manchester > Heathrow run the other day I got 33MPG.

Leather, Air con.. I can't fault it. Maybe just a tad on the slow side, but give it plenty of revs and it sounds lovely.

Very torquey engine, pulls like a train.

The only thing I would be wary about is the "Nikasil" issue which was a special coating that BMW used.

http://www.lestac.co.uk/bmw/nikasil.htm

Have a read... Mine was one of the last E36 to be produced so thankfully isn't affected.

As TomM says over 4000rpm its fantastic



[Edited by Blackscooby - 10/11/2002 12:47:21 PM]