Planning on buying e36 328 - convert to manual

[clovi5]

Hello everyone. I am planning on buying an e36 328. Was interested with jacky's car (manual). The dude gave me a joy ride and I have to say I actually fell in love with the torque and power of the car. But after reading what had happened to iceman and another bimmerclub forum, of course predictably, i backed off.So now I'm back to square one. I've been reading around the forum and got me thinking since the car on its own is possible to get to as low as RM20k+, will it be a good idea for me to actually try my luck and do a conversion to manual? How astronomical will the cost be to get back the car in shape etc (provided I actually bought one of those low Rm20k cars)? And from what I found out as well it is not easy to locate a 328 manual gearbox (mind you I have a pretty heavy right foot) and most of the ones i found is 325s and 318s. Can those gearboxes take the abuse of those 280nm of torques?Too bad If i had the cash I would've grab ssman's m3 in heartbeat. Would appreciate your suggestions and feedbacks. Thank you very much. note: of course I do notice that there are some other manual e36 328 on sale. but those are around RM35k-40k. Is it a better idea to just grab one of those and save myself from all the troubles?

 

[2wenty6]

note: of course I do notice that there are some other manual e36 328 on sale. but those are around RM35k-40k. Is it a better idea to just grab one of those and save myself from all the troubles?

Short answer: Yes.

Not so short answer: It actually depends on the condition of the car itself. But generally those priced around 20k had not been maintained meticulously, or perhaps even neglected. Those priced around 35-40k are generally well maintained, and most come with tasteful mods. You will have to verify the condition of the cars before deciding if it is worth the asking price. But generally, buying a 25k e36 and expecting to bring it up to speed will end up costing you more than just buying a well maintained example. The cost to replace worn parts will add up really quickly. Depending on what you want, bodykits, a decent paintjob, and upholstery could already add up to around 8k, at least. So you will wanna factor those in to your decision as well.

When I was looking for mine, I went for a maintained example because I did not wanna buy it and then have to end up spending months in and out of the workshop.

 

[clovi5]

When I was looking for mine, I went for a maintained example because I did not wanna buy it and then have to end up spending months in and out of the workshop.

You went for a maintained example, but still having to end up going in and out of the workshop?

So lets say the cheapest 328 i can find on the market right now is about 20k. Do you think 15k going to be enough for the auto -> manual conversion and also refurbishing everything (engine etc)?

 

[V-Man]

You went for a maintained example, but still having to end up going in and out of the workshop?

So lets say the cheapest 328 i can find on the market right now is about 20k. Do you think 15k going to be enough for the auto -> manual conversion and also refurbishing everything (engine etc)?

15K will not be enough in my opinion but yet again depending on condition you get.

 

[Apiz]

from what i heard(correct me if im wrong) the cost for converting to manual maybe around 6 - 8k but then the other thing is the wear and tear parts , radiator and all the need to change part , i just got my car last year problem keep coming from time to time , like the absorber , lower arm , radiator , steering coupling , fan belt tensioner , exhaust ,aircond kompressor , stering shaft , waterpump and soo on , but if ur budget is 30k or more there will be no problem heheheheh the sifu here will be racuning u all the way

 

[Tom328]

Getrags generally found in the 325s and 318s have a much lower torque rating than the ZF 5 speed manual in the 328... and a complete ZF is rarer and would set you back easily around 8-10k for the complete set... go for the ZF with higher torque rating since you're a heavy footer... my 2 cents.... good luck in your search !!!

 

[clovi5]

Thank you for the feedback guys. After got racun with Jacky's car I don't think i can look at automatics anymore. Need to get a manual. And from the looks of it, not gonna be easy either. Oh well, no rush I guess..

But i saw Ramsing is selling those m3 ZF 5 speed manual gearboxes. Should be able to fit into the 328 nicely right? I will definitely keep on a lookout on that.

I do believe in fate the right car will definitely come to me one day if I look for it hard enough.

 

[2wenty6]

You went for a maintained example, but still having to end up going in and out of the workshop?

So lets say the cheapest 328 i can find on the market right now is about 20k. Do you think 15k going to be enough for the auto -> manual conversion and also refurbishing everything (engine etc)?

No, I went with a maintained example because I did not want to end up going in and out of the workshop replacing worn and faulty parts.

15k will most probably be insufficient.

 

[ramsing]

clovi, e36 is a good platform for fun. if you can find a cheap model, make sure the chasis is straight. thats' the most impt. The other parts you can refurbish part by part, or at one go. i think you can even order a complete interior from some chop shops.

performance wise, the 328 is running obd2, so will be a little more difficult to mod for future power goals because of the ecu. i'm working on a solution, but this will come later. but if you're happy with stock performance from outta the box, then dropping in a zf or a getrag manual will do wonders. but as the others mentioned, the zf box is made for 328's, so that would be the better choice.

plus if you ever decide to up the power levels, then the zf can take the abuse. my zf has seen abuse for at least 6-7 years, from na to supercharge to turbo, and still hasn't skipped a beat.

it really depends on the car you buy. get a reputable mech to check it out, at least you will know what needs to be replaced/fixed, and you can estimate your budget.

or you can get a 325i with a vanos engine, and create a monster. but that's a topic I'll leave for another day. hahahaha..... good luck.

 

[John_Smith]

Get yourself a well maintained 328 and find a reliable mechanic as well.

 

[clovi5]

Thank you for the feedbacks and suggestions everyone. For now I have few leads for me to make phone calls to and test the car.

clovi, e36 is a good platform for fun. if you can find a cheap model, make sure the chasis is straight. thats' the most impt. The other parts you can refurbish part by part, or at one go. i think you can even order a complete interior from some chop shops.

performance wise, the 328 is running obd2, so will be a little more difficult to mod for future power goals because of the ecu. i'm working on a solution, but this will come later. but if you're happy with stock performance from outta the box, then dropping in a zf or a getrag manual will do wonders. but as the others mentioned, the zf box is made for 328's, so that would be the better choice.

plus if you ever decide to up the power levels, then the zf can take the abuse. my zf has seen abuse for at least 6-7 years, from na to supercharge to turbo, and still hasn't skipped a beat.

it really depends on the car you buy. get a reputable mech to check it out, at least you will know what needs to be replaced/fixed, and you can estimate your budget.

or you can get a 325i with a vanos engine, and create a monster. but that's a topic I'll leave for another day. hahahaha..... good luck.

Wah racun2... though I will definitely take on your and everyone's advice on the having a reputable mechanic to check on the car. Though finding the right car is gonna take a while.

 

[infinityKL]

there is silver 328i 98/99 just advertised today in mudah
stock rims, m3 kit, i think dealer ..

btw, e36 328 is a damn good car, kept me happy for 6 years ... but u must keep her happy first

 

[loafer]

If the Getrag 220 gearbox can't handle the torque rating then my gearbox would have blown up on me ages ago.

Please don't make silly assumptions especially when you don't drive a 328 mated to a Getrag 220 gearbox.

Personally I think the limiting factor for the gearbox is actually your flywheel+clutch setup. If you get the gearbox off a 318, then obviously you'll be running the 8 1/2" clutch and flywheel. That might not be able to handle the power of a 328 but if the gearbox comes off a 325 then it'll be a 9" flywheel and clutch which is more than sufficient. Of course there will be engineering limitations to the gearbox as well but it can handle the brunt of a lightly modified 328 without any issues.

While the ZF gearbox is nice to have, it's extremely rare and expensive to source. So for a 328 the next best gearbox would be the Getrag 220, with a 9" flywheel + clutch.

 

[pussy]

If the Getrag 220 gearbox can't handle the torque rating then my gearbox would have blown up on me ages ago.

Please don't make silly assumptions especially when you don't drive a 328 mated to a Getrag 220 gearbox.

Personally I think the limiting factor for the gearbox is actually your flywheel+clutch setup. If you get the gearbox off a 318, then obviously you'll be running the 8 1/2" clutch and flywheel. That might not be able to handle the power of a 328 but if the gearbox comes off a 325 then it'll be a 9" flywheel and clutch which is more than sufficient. Of course there will be engineering limitations to the gearbox as well but it can handle the brunt of a lightly modified 328 without any issues.

While the ZF gearbox is nice to have, it's extremely rare and expensive to source. So for a 328 the next best gearbox would be the Getrag 220, with a 9" flywheel + clutch.

very true... mine was a 318i M43 manual box when i did a 3.0L set up during the early years but had a 9" clutch/dual mass set up... no slipage...
but with the 6speed M3 box, it was a gem of a box...super wonderful...sub 6.7sec car...

 

[tehyw]

If the Getrag 220 gearbox can't handle the torque rating then my gearbox would have blown up on me ages ago.

Please don't make silly assumptions especially when you don't drive a 328 mated to a Getrag 220 gearbox.

Personally I think the limiting factor for the gearbox is actually your flywheel+clutch setup. If you get the gearbox off a 318, then obviously you'll be running the 8 1/2" clutch and flywheel. That might not be able to handle the power of a 328 but if the gearbox comes off a 325 then it'll be a 9" flywheel and clutch which is more than sufficient. Of course there will be engineering limitations to the gearbox as well but it can handle the brunt of a lightly modified 328 without any issues.

While the ZF gearbox is nice to have, it's extremely rare and expensive to source. So for a 328 the next best gearbox would be the Getrag 220, with a 9" flywheel + clutch.

i got a spare getrag 220 + 9" flywheel set. PM me if interested.

 

[tehyw]

very true... mine was a 318i M43 manual box when i did a 3.0L set up during the early years but had a 9" clutch/dual mass set up... no slipage...
but with the 6speed M3 box, it was a gem of a box...super wonderful...sub 6.7sec car...

hey, u said sub 6.7s? wahh... thats fast.. anyway, what axle did u use?

 

[pussy]

on the 5 speed was a 2.97 and the 6 speed was a 3.15 or the 3.23(ori e36 3.0L m3 diff ratio)...

on the why the 5 speed i used the 2.97 not a 3.15 was the large torque 350NM ++ was good enough to pull on every gears and a 240km/h top speed.
Somemore, the ori e36 328i manual uses a 2.97 final drive...but the M3 5 speed ZF box used a 3.23 ratio, but can reach 270++km/h....

 

[pussy]

hey, u said sub 6.7s? wahh... thats fast.. anyway, what axle did u use?

aiya... that's slow la... there is soup up e28 manual with a 3.5L heart that's below 5.0sec.... it's always sleeping...then there's Ramsing's monster also...

 

[Tom328]

Getrags generally found in the 325s and 318s have a much lower torque rating than the ZF 5 speed manual in the 328... and a complete ZF is rarer and would set you back easily around 8-10k for the complete set... go for the ZF with higher torque rating since you're a heavy footer... my 2 cents.... good luck in your search !!!

If the Getrag 220 gearbox can't handle the torque rating then my gearbox would have blown up on me ages ago.

Please don't make silly assumptions especially when you don't drive a 328 mated to a Getrag 220 gearbox.

Personally I think the limiting factor for the gearbox is actually your flywheel+clutch setup. If you get the gearbox off a 318, then obviously you'll be running the 8 1/2" clutch and flywheel. That might not be able to handle the power of a 328 but if the gearbox comes off a 325 then it'll be a 9" flywheel and clutch which is more than sufficient. Of course there will be engineering limitations to the gearbox as well but it can handle the brunt of a lightly modified 328 without any issues.

While the ZF gearbox is nice to have, it's extremely rare and expensive to source. So for a 328 the next best gearbox would be the Getrag 220, with a 9" flywheel + clutch.

Hmmmm.... now my manual conversion plans are starting to play in my mind again...

 

[tehyw]

aiya... that's slow la... there is soup up e28 manual with a 3.5L heart that's below 5.0sec.... it's always sleeping...then there's Ramsing's monster also...

aiiih... good lah u all.. my car is 0-100 in 9sec... boo hoo..