Potential E36 owner in need of help =)

[shaunng]

Hello all,I'm new to this forum so go easy on the comments ya! =). Anyway, here's my story. I've been driving a honda civic EG9 with a B18C (Type R) engine and I think I've finally out grown the car - very tired of the loud exhaust and bumpy ride. So now I'm thinking of moving over to continentals. Been looking at my budget and some cars and finally concluded that I could only afford E36s. Been testing out some cars (a mixture of 325s and 328s) and done some research so I think now it has finally boiled down to 2 choices - 325i manual or a 328i auto.The problem is, 325i manuals are really hard to come by and I believe it was discontinued after 1993 which means even if I find one, the car will be 17 years old. 328i autos are all over the place but I'm really worried about the auto gearbox as out of all the 328is I've test drove, most of them had gearbox problems (not changing gears). So the questions are:-1) Should I just get a 328i auto? What are the costs associated with maintaining the gearbox? Is the gearbox problem a common problem on E36s?2) Or should I get a 328i auto and change the transmission to manual? What would be the costs associated here then? Will the current sensors that I have for the auto gearbox work for the manual gearbox or do I have to change them altogether?3) Fuel consumption between 325i manual, 325i auto and 328i auto?Thanks in advance!

 

[anaksarawak]

get a good 328 coupe!

There are a few on sale here. 325 if they are well taken care of it is bless to own.

This one is SWEET!

http://www.mudah.my/BMW-E36-328i-MANUAL-5500551.htm


Good luck bro

 

[loafer]

1) Should I just get a 328i auto? What are the costs associated with maintaining the gearbox? Is the gearbox problem a common problem on E36s?
Yes gearbox failure is a common problem. If it's well taken care of it might last a little longer, but most don't survive past 150,000 kms travelled. A full rebuilt costs somewhere between RM3k-4k. Don't know the maintenance cost because I change to manual not long after I got my car.

2) Or should I get a 328i auto and change the transmission to manual? What would be the costs associated here then? Will the current sensors that I have for the auto gearbox work for the manual gearbox or do I have to change them altogether?
Swapping to manual in the E36 is a really simple job. All you need it the manual gearbox, pedals, slave pump, right clutch/flywheel, gearshift/knob with the linkages/piping and you're good to go.

3) Fuel consumption between 325i manual, 325i auto and 328i auto?
I was getting 380km +- on a full tank of gas on auto. I drive a 328i. After changing to manual I'm getting roughly 430km +-. Have hit close to 530km on a full tank of gas with mostly highway travel.

 

[cmohdnazri]

E36 M3...3.0 , manual , 280+Bhp.....hehehe,to share the information...pm me..
now i drive this MPower....

 

[ICEMAN 68]

1) Should I just get a 328i auto? What are the costs associated with maintaining the gearbox? Is the gearbox problem a common problem on E36s?
Yes gearbox failure is a common problem. If it's well taken care of it might last a little longer, but most don't survive past 150,000 kms travelled. A full rebuilt costs somewhere between RM3k-4k. Don't know the maintenance cost because I change to manual not long after I got my car.

2) Or should I get a 328i auto and change the transmission to manual? What would be the costs associated here then? Will the current sensors that I have for the auto gearbox work for the manual gearbox or do I have to change them altogether?
Swapping to manual in the E36 is a really simple job. All you need it the manual gearbox, pedals, slave pump, right clutch/flywheel, gearshift/knob with the linkages/piping and you're good to go.

3) Fuel consumption between 325i manual, 325i auto and 328i auto?
I was getting 380km +- on a full tank of gas on auto. I drive a 328i. After changing to manual I'm getting roughly 430km +-. Have hit close to 530km on a full tank of gas with mostly highway travel.

for item no 2 : cost of obtaining a manual box would set you somewhere around rm 5~7K as it highly depends on what's the asking price from the seller ...but all i know it usually starts from 4K onwards ....no you may not require any sensors there ...it's just that you need to re-wire for the reverse light to pop out " a little wiring work needed "

 

[ICEMAN 68]

E36 M3...3.0 , manual , 280+Bhp.....hehehe,to share the information...pm me..
now i drive this MPower....

woweee great ..share some pictures larrrr ... TQ

 

[shaunng]

Gee thanks guys!

geoffreylee: Looked at the ad, love the car but i think the owner might be asking for a rather high price.

I checked out a 325i auto today, loved it although the interior is a little dirty. But, after two rounds of test driving the gearbox stopped changing gears again lolz!

I think this gearbox failure is a pretty common problem and being an ex-TypeR owner i love revving the engine till it redlines. So, guess I would have to get a manual (FC benefits here too!). Now it all boils down to 325i and 328i.

A few more questions though,

1) What is the difference between M50 and M52 engines? I know about the VANOS inclusion post 1993 in the M50 engines. A close mechanic friend of my dad told me that M50s are cast iron and M52s are aluminum. I'm guessing he was telling me about the engine block. Nevertheless, what are the implications if the engine block/pistons are made from aluminum? From the tone the mechanic told me about the aluminum block, I'd take it that M52s are shite.
2) What kind of gearbox should I be looking at assuming I'm going for a 328i? Anything in particular that I should be aware about? LSD? Non LSD? Any particular brand? Gear ratio? Or the standard gearbox will do?

Thanks again!

EDIT: I actually read up on the M50 and M52 more and found out about the aluminum sleeves around the pistons of M52 engines that eroded due to high sulfur content in fuel. However, this mainly happened in the US and UK. Maybe this explains why almost all of the 328is I've tested has this greasy sludge attached to the top of the engine near the hole you put engine oil in. Is this sludge associated to the aluminum piston sleeve I mentioned above? Or is this due to poor maintenance in Malaysia?

EDIT yet again: Gah! Forgot something else.. Considering that it would be nigh improbable to crawl under cars to look at the engine type every time I test a car, is there any other way to see what engine the car is having besides looking at the vehicle registration card? Any visual details that I should be aware of? ie: M50s have a cute bunny tail attached to the pulley cover, M52s have horns sticking out from under the intake manifold etc.

 

[loafer]

1) What is the difference between M50 and M52 engines? I know about the VANOS inclusion post 1993 in the M50 engines. A close mechanic friend of my dad told me that M50s are cast iron and M52s are aluminum. I'm guessing he was telling me about the engine block. Nevertheless, what are the implications if the engine block/pistons are made from aluminum? From the tone the mechanic told me about the aluminum block, I'd take it that M52s are shite.

Depends on how you see it. M50 is a great platform for stroker kits and forced induction due to the strong cast iron block but that doesn't mean the M52 is a pussy either. Do a youtube search and you'll find plenty of souped up E36 328i overseas especially in the US and parts of Europe. All comes down to what internals you use. If I'm not wrong the only thing the M52 is really afraid of is overheating.

2) What kind of gearbox should I be looking at assuming I'm going for a 328i? Anything in particular that I should be aware about? LSD? Non LSD? Any particular brand? Gear ratio? Or the standard gearbox will do?

Not toooooo familiar with what gearboxes can be fitted to a 328 but if I'm not mistaken all the gearboxes is interchangeable. Gear ratio is different for all but you'll need to research that yourself. I'm currently using a 325 gearbox with a non-LSD rear diff with 3.15 ratio on my 328. LSD rear diffs can be found from other models of the E36 but not all fits with our long shafts. LSD rear diff can be found easily overseas but they're all very rare here in Malaysia and cost ranges between RM2k to RM2.5k. In the US it's roughly around USD350ish for a LSD rear off, mostly taken off the E36 M3. Some European models comes with LSD as well.

What is your budget btw? If you want a car that comes fully loaded, try looking at this.

http://bimmersclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=5004

Price is steep but you basically don't have to do anything to the car anymore. Just buy and drive. The value of the mods on that car probably costs more than the car itself.....

 

[shaunng]

Budget is actually around 30K plus minus. Btw, I came across a 325i manual its quite ok but I don't really like the Johor registration plate. Anybody know where I can change the plate to Wilayah or Selangor plate?

http://www.mudah.my/B-M-W-325i-E36-MANUAL-94-5501817.htm

Also, what is up with the gills at the front fenders? Really hate those. Anybody know how much both fenders will set me back? I'm thinking of replacing them if I get this baby.

EDIT: One more thing, what exactly are stroker kits? I've been prowling the internet searching for stroker kits but from what i understand stroker kits = changing the piston arms? changing the cam? How much power gain are we talking about here?

 

[loafer]

Budget is actually around 30K plus minus. Btw, I came across a 325i manual its quite ok but I don't really like the Johor registration plate. Anybody know where I can change the plate to Wilayah or Selangor plate?

http://www.mudah.my/B-M-W-325i-E36-MANUAL-94-5501817.htm

Also, what is up with the gills at the front fenders? Really hate those. Anybody know how much both fenders will set me back? I'm thinking of replacing them if I get this baby.

EDIT: One more thing, what exactly are stroker kits? I've been prowling the internet searching for stroker kits but from what i understand stroker kits = changing the piston arms? changing the cam? How much power gain are we talking about here?

LOL shark fin gills. Yes it's ugly. Not sure how much the fenders would set you back though but you can source them easily from chop shops. Won't be expensive I presume.

Stroker kits basically increases the displacement of your car's engine. There's plug'n'play kits and then there's kits which require you to increase the bore of the engine.

For M50B25 you can stroke it to become a 2.8 by using the piston, conrods and crank from a M52B28. For M52B28 you can stroke it to 3.0 by doing the same thing as well. Do bear in mind you'll need proper management and tuning to extract every single bit of power from these stroker kits.

As an example, a M52B28 with M3 3.2 cams, M50 inlet manifold and open pod filter should be around 200bhp/239nm on wheel. The same engine if stroked to a 3.0 would be pushing out around 225bhp/300nm on wheel.

All this information can be googled if you want. All tried and tested.

 

[turbology]

>>Anybody know where I can change the plate to Wilayah or Selangor plate?
When you register your car, you can request for new number. I think.

>> One more thing, what exactly are stroker kits?
If I am right, it basically have shorter rod thus increase the displacement.
Mostly block is unchange.

 

[shaunng]

Hey guys.. got the bimmer! 325i Manual. Though lots of things to fix:-

1) The plastic cover covering the top of the engine is loose.
2) Gear shift lever bushings are 'kaput'. Need to replace.
3) Air con vents are all cracked or either not working - I think i need to replace the entire console -> I know chop shops sell entire consoles but is there anywhere cheap and good that I should be aware of?
4) Some bulbs in the car are not working
5) Back passenger power windows are all not working
6) Both front fenders have to be replaced - the car came with fugly shark gill fenders -> Same as 3), any place that I should be aware of that sells cheap and good?

Will post some pictures when I get it tomorrow.

 

[Lionel_Koh]

Congrats to ur E36 manual.....Seems like d car need sometime to refurbish.....But if u got d car cheap then its fine...just slowly do up....just let me know if u need any help....might be able to help u ...my no is 0122207630...

 

[shaunng]

Found the front fenders. I was looking at Mr. Mizhan's restoration project and I think I got a few names of shops that I should visit. INNER POWER! Think they sell M3 accessories there? Ie: Gear knob, carpet etc.

 

[wilsonlim]

Check with your local car dealer. They will teach you what to do in order to get a new number plate.............Good luck!

 

[shaunng]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23940517@N03/4435124489/

Pictures as promised. Btw, I know the M50B25 comes with single vanos. I read somewhere that single VANOSes work by increasing the flow of the intake valve at two distinct RPMs. Is there by any chance someone here would know what are those two distinct RPMs?

 

[shaunng]

Hey guys, found out at what RPM VANOS will engage. 4000rpm. Just thought to share. Anyway, I noticed something strange today: very hot air is blowing out of the gear shift knob cavity/hole. Is there a plastic cover for it?

 

[loafer]

Hey guys, found out at what RPM VANOS will engage. 4000rpm. Just thought to share. Anyway, I noticed something strange today: very hot air is blowing out of the gear shift knob cavity/hole. Is there a plastic cover for it?

Yes. There's a piece of plastic thingy there that looks like those toilet plungers you use on the toilet when it's stuck, albeit bigger in size.

I was missing that piece when I did my manual conversion and without it the noise and hot air transfer is CRAZY.

Btw, if you need to look for part numbers and such you can try www.realoem.com.

 

[SpeedaddicT]

Wow...congrates bro do share the picture of ur new baby. Also thanks for this very informative thread...thanks to all sifu's...

 

[maxxsp]

Hey guys.. got the bimmer! 325i Manual. Though lots of things to fix:-

1) The plastic cover covering the top of the engine is loose.
2) Gear shift lever bushings are 'kaput'. Need to replace.
3) Air con vents are all cracked or either not working - I think i need to replace the entire console -> I know chop shops sell entire consoles but is there anywhere cheap and good that I should be aware of?
4) Some bulbs in the car are not working
5) Back passenger power windows are all not working
6) Both front fenders have to be replaced - the car came with fugly shark gill fenders -> Same as 3), any place that I should be aware of that sells cheap and good?

Will post some pictures when I get it tomorrow.

congrats on the new car!
come join us on 21st march 2010 for the frasers hill drive, theres gonna be a few other e36s there.