325i or 318i

[sithwarrior]

Hi Guys,It is about time I get myself a beemer. I am in the lookout for a e36, preferabaly a 325i. But then I saw coupe the other day and I like.......I was just wondering if you guys could give me some input on weather there is a major diffrence in maintainance and parts replacement between the coupe and the sedan.... I really like coupe, but I dont really want to get myself into a rutt and not be able to maintain my UDM. Also if you guys know of any coupe's out there that might be for sale ? Your inputs will much appreciated...CheersSithwarrior

 

[ichiwan2]

I would think the mechanical parts are the same or at least from the same parts bin as the saloon. What could be a problem are door trims, seals, some interior parts, window seals. However, these are seldom changed and should be available, albeit at slightly higher prices and later on, special order. Otherwise should be OK.

Always felt that the 3 series should be a coupe. AFAIK, the e21 was the only 3 series that came as coupe only. e30 onwards had 4 door models. 2 door cars not popular in Malaysia as most owners need 4 doors for family reasons.

Bonus point for 2 doors - stiffer body.

If I were you, I'd go for the coupe, i.e., 325i.

 

[2cents]

".... I really like coupe, but I dont really want to get myself into a rutt and not be able to maintain my UDM."

U really need to sort this out first, dude...better be safe than sorry. Coupe may hv lesser resale value, sometimes. :dunno:

 

[sithwarrior]

Not too worried about the resale value as I have no itention of selling it soon. I may even not actually sell it. My main concern is the availability of parts and how costly are they going to be. The coupe is very rare here in KL.

 

[2cents]

Originally posted by sithwarrior@May 3 2005, 10:09 AM
Not too worried about the resale value as I have no itention of selling it soon. I may even not actually sell it. My main concern is the availability of parts and how costly are they going to be. The coupe is very rare here in KL.

The answer u seek can only b determined by an objective study & I may b wrong but I don't think ther's one. :yes!:
If u care to consider, in my humble opinion, there's another way out of this situation. U may not b able to control the enigmatic external risks but u may b able to control your internal/ personal financial risks. :dunno: U can choose not to always live at the edge!

 

[535i]

1) Coupe fetched a better market price
2) Looks kewl ...
3) But careful on 'smuggle car' esp coupe.
4) Parts are quite easy .. Saw a few rear halfcuts - unsold ...

 

[tyke]

kev....(i think its u anyway?)...go fro the coupe....stiffer!
but bear in mind tht in tight parking spots its gonna be hell of a biatch to open the door and try to b like houdini!
apart from tht,its all sweet i tell u! :nyehehe:
regards,
-brad-

 

[3er]

The coupe shares NO body panels with the sedan. Its great cos it will be unique. But it also means that if you get in to a prang, you'll find it hard to get any replacement panels and you'll rely heavily on the panel beater's expertise if you want a dent sorted out. Good luck.

 

[sithwarrior]

yes Tyke/Brad,

Its me........ Thanks for the info. I actually never liked the coupe very much when I saw it when it came out a decade ago, but the other day I saw a black one down in ss2 and man......... it looked good. It had Racing Dynamics kits on it with acs rims and it was looking as sweet as hell I tell ya......... with angel eyes and shite.... really was a looker. So thats why I was thinking of a coupe.

Been shopping for a car for the past 2 weeks very seriously, but , most of it is like crappy and the owners are asking for too much money, the good condition ones are strting to cost even more... I tought the launch of the e90 should have brought down the price of older 3ers, but hell no. I am coming to a pint where dont care already weather its e30 or 36 318i or 325i...... Just gonna get a beemeer soon :yes!:

Thanks for the info though 3er... will seriously reconsider now... :hmmph:

 

[thinice]

very rare la , the e36 coupe. Might as well go for the m3...
as far as resale value, I think it holds better than the sedan.

 

[Slide]

There's one in the star today.

Only other problem i can see is if it came from Uk where they salt the roads. Look out for rust.

 

[hitman]

gor for the coupe.
it looks unique and timeless and with bodykit - awesome.
mechanical parts are all the same. only difference are body panels and some interior fittings. not really a big deal as you can buy them used or new locally.

go for a 6 cylinder.
or, if you can get one at a very cheap price, even a 318 and then do the conversion yourself later as and when budget permits.

things to look out for include
- sunroof mechanism
- door windows (they drop when you open the door and shut when you close it. if you're unlucky this trick mechanism will fail.

you should not be paying more than rm80k for a coupe regardless of its engine model as most u find in the market will likely be pre 1995 cars. i have heard of people selling a 318i coupe for as low as rm50k. i personally came across an auto bavaria imported brand new 325i coupe (manual but no sunroof) at rm60k in december last year.

take your time. if you're lucky you'll end up buying one with everything done up...even better.
check the registration of these cars against jpj and customs.
have the car inspected as puspakom.
check overall condition. minor problems are ok as you're bound to repair any used or second hand car anyway. check against accident repair.
then buy.

check last week's star classifieds. if not mistaken there's a 325i coupe for sale. latest motortrader has one but i think it's a 318i. a few issues ago there were two m3s for sale - a yellow converted one and a black ori 3.2 litre. not sure of the yellow but the black one was around rm170k. (too much)

cheers!

 

[2cents]

Originally posted by sithwarrior@May 4 2005, 04:44 PM
yes Tyke/Brad,

Its me........ Thanks for the info. I actually never liked the coupe very much when I saw it when it came out a decade ago, but the other day I saw a black one down in ss2 and man......... it looked good. It had Racing Dynamics kits on it with acs rims and it was looking as sweet as hell I tell ya......... with angel eyes and shite.... really was a looker. So thats why I was thinking of a coupe.

Been shopping for a car for the past 2 weeks very seriously, but , most of it is like crappy and the owners are asking for too much money, the good condition ones are strting to cost even more... I tought the launch of the e90 should have brought down the price of older 3ers, but hell no. I am coming to a pint where dont care already weather its e30 or 36 318i or 325i...... Just gonna get a beemeer soon :yes!:

Thanks for the info though 3er... will seriously reconsider now... :hmmph:

E30? e30? sure you can settle foah e30? :yahoo: :lol:

 

[sithwarrior]

Greta tip Hitman... Cheers.... Yeah I guess I can look for it slowly. 2cents are you trying to convert everyone into getting an e30 but I must say tho' the e 30 is a nice car.... fixed your rear diff yet ?

 

[c-square]

judging from the ubiquotous e36s, the coupe gives you a tinge of exclusivity due to their scarcity :yes:

 

[wkwoo69]

Good luck, I really hope you get it. The coupe, with its longer front end and more sharply raked windscreen looks a lot more cohesive than the sedan. I heard the manual 318is is a blast to drive. Also, if it is a 6-cyl, make sure you get one with Vanos. Financing could be an issue with a non-Vanos model anyway.

Always remember that its strictly a buyer's market now. How I wish I was in your position!!!

There's a black coupe around with AC kit and Type II 2-piece. Absolutely stunning!

 

[sithwarrior]

Thanks wkwoo, does anyone know of a good coupe 318i or 325i ? 320i also can lah ! Standard I dont mind. Hopped up even better. Just want to get a UDM soon lah thats all. Leaving options open..... any other suggestions would be much appreciated.

Cheers Dudes

 

[wkwoo69]

Scour Autoworld and Motortrader once every couple of days. Check out The Star too. A couple will come up sooner or later. Just remember, its a buyer's market, so don't be afraid to offer what YOU think its worth. A lot of Bimmer owners are too optimistic, just like yours truly. WTF....

 

[2cents]

Originally posted by sithwarrior@May 5 2005, 10:38 AM
Greta tip Hitman... Cheers.... Yeah I guess I can look for it slowly. 2cents are you trying to convert everyone into getting an e30 but I must say tho' the e 30 is a nice car.... fixed your rear diff yet ?

Convert everybody? Nah, jus those whose values are almost aligned with ownership of dis model in der face of other competition.

 

[sithwarrior]

Cool 2 cents, I just found out that there is a 84 e30 with a m50 engine inside. dont know if its a 2.5 or a 2.0, but will go check it out this Saturday, White and full m tec kits. Owner asking for 22k neg. Maybe just maybe I may go for that.........