Bmw E36 325 Tds

[swordfish210 20]

Hey all, i'm starting a new job soon and it's a bit of a commute so i'm looking to keep a diesel as a daily driver, i have the 306 atm which is fairly good on fuel but its been pissing me off lately (fix one problem and 3 more crop up) so i've been thinking about making the switch to something german particularly the aforementioned BMW. I've seen you can pick one up for less than £1500 in decent condtion and surprisingly the insurance is only a few quid more per year than the 306.

 

So, has anyone ever owned one, what are they like to live with, comfy, reliable etc etc. Thanks for any info.

 

 

 

Edited August 8, 2010 by swordfish210

[Anthony 1,003]

Batfink on here had one until recently, and always raved about it - certainly I've been very tempted by one in the past

[swordfish210 20]

Batfink on here had one until recently, and always raved about it - certainly I've been very tempted by one in the past

 

Thats the one, i remember a member had one in his sig which is why i posted on here. They seem to be a lot of car for the money and i fancy a Touring with a manual box...possibly with a tow bar for lugging the 205 around

[welshpug 1,657]

nice to work on, very easy to service, steering racks are a doddle to swap.

 

Chain driven engines, generally pretty reliable, watch for misfires on startup and smoke, might need a set of injectors if they do.

 

The TDS seems quite rare from a quick look on ebay, though I'd definitely go for one over a TD, 30 bhp difference from essentially just an intercooler I believe (probably a different fuel pump)

 

Same engine used in the Omega TD, sound good with straight pipes

[Batfink 201]

it was a very reliable car for me. Didnt really need much in the way of repairs in 4 years of ownership.

Thinks to look out for seem to be rear suspension failure (oe dampers and springs seem to fail) and make sure if you replace things like wishbones to stay away from the cheap brands as they dont last long.

Its a very good chassis and you can get 46-50mpg on a cruise. Seats and driving position is brilliant on the E36, though the leather seats were hot in summer as I did not have air con.

Towing is effortless too, with good low down grunt.

 

I fitted mine with Bilstein suspension and it made it far more entertaining on the corners.

If you do get one, I have loads of bits I pulled off mine when it finally died. Wheels with newish tyres, the suspension and I think bits like the multichanger.

[Batfink 201]

nice to work on, very easy to service, steering racks are a doddle to swap.

 

Chain driven engines, generally pretty reliable, watch for misfires on startup and smoke, might need a set of injectors if they do.

 

The TDS seems quite rare from a quick look on ebay, though I'd definitely go for one over a TD, 30 bhp difference from essentially just an intercooler I believe (probably a different fuel pump)

 

Same engine used in the Omega TD, sound good with straight pipes

 

Ah yes servicing is a doddle. Everything is in a logical and accessible position

[welshpug 1,657]

My friend Richard said don't worry too much about finding a manual one, converting an auto isn't a massive job, though you still have to source the bits and I'm not sure if the box will be the same as any other with just a different ratio diff.

 

I do quite enjoy servicing a BMW, only job I struggled with was a seized water pump, much like an iron block TU engine, they have an O-ring and love to seize in the block.

Edited August 8, 2010 by welshpug

[swordfish210 20]

Thanks for the info guys, i'd probably be looking to buy around springtime of next year as i imagine i will have grown weary of the 306 by then. I've only worked on a BMW once but i remember it being really easy as the Germans seem to think about these things when they build a car so it's good to know they've continued the tradition.

 

The TDS's are harder to find (especially Touring ones) but they do crop up every now and again, it would be the one i'd want though as like you say, it's an extra 30bhp .

 

Thanks for the info, it's good to know they're what i was expecting them to be like. Anyone want to buy a 306 Sedan

[DaveW 6]

Rare car to find as many dont want to sell them, seems to be a good sign! im quite interested in getting one now

[swordfish210 20]

Rare car to find as many dont want to sell them, seems to be a good sign! im quite interested in getting one now

 

Yeah, can only be a good thing

[omega 82]

thinking out side the box why not go for a omega estate?

same engine[but i think its detuned but can be chipped easy],rwd and a lot cheaper!

[swordfish210 20]

thinking out side the box why not go for a omega estate?

same engine[but i think its detuned but can be chipped easy],rwd and a lot cheaper!

 

Not a bad idea, i've allways been a fan of the way the Omegas look. Arn't the Omegas heavier though, so may be worse on fuel economy. I'd also be concerned they're possibly not as well built as the BMW. Thats just speculation though

[swordfish210 20]

Actually scratch the Omega idea, i've just been having a look and it seems the Elite models are still fetching good money which puts them well out of my price range and i would have to settle for a lower spec one. With the BMW i can get one with all of the toys for around £1500 so i think it's the way to go.

[MrG 3]

don't dismiss the e39 525TDS either, not as quick ultimatley but incredibly comfortable and they have loads of space inside. I sold mine with the miles knocking on the door of 200k, I may even buy another if a decent one culd be found.

[swordfish210 20]

don't dismiss the e39 525TDS either, not as quick ultimatley but incredibly comfortable and they have loads of space inside. I sold mine with the miles knocking on the door of 200k, I may even buy another if a decent one culd be found.

 

I've been in one before and it was pretty comfy. I checked the insurance price though and it's a lot higher then the 3 series and i'm guessing the fuel economy would be worse due to the extra weight.

[welshpug 1,657]

Funnily enough driving through Bristol earlier today I saw an E36 325 TDS Touring !

[swordfish210 20]

Funnily enough driving through Bristol earlier today I saw an E36 325 TDS Touring !

 

Should have asked him if he wanted to do a Part-Ex with a 306 Sedan

[MrG 3]

mine would do an indicated 48+ to the gallon on a run though. however I used to do 130+ miles a day and that was all motorway.

[Tesstuff 222]

I ran an E36 325 Tds for 18 months , it was 3 years old and had 85,000 on the clock, and it was far from economical if you drove it normally.

 

Only a concerted effort to be economical can extract over 40mpg or motorway cruising like the previous poster mentioned.

 

It was low 30's to mid 30's in normal driving, no different to the petrol car it replaced for me, i was very disappointed.

 

It is nothing like the modern BMW diesels that can hit 55mpg with ease in normal use.

 

Not a car to buy if you are choosing it for economy reasons.

[Tom Fenton 1,541]

Only a concerted effort to be economical can extract over 40mpg or motorway cruising like the previous poster mentioned.

 

It was low 30's to mid 30's in normal driving, no different to the petrol car it replaced for me, i was very disappointed.

 

Same story really with my old A4 2.5 V6 TDi quattro.

 

Best ever on a run was 44mpg, but as above it really is a concerted effort with one eye on the trip computer to get this.

 

Around town 28-33-ish mpg.

 

In its defence, it would do 30mpg towing a trailer which isn't bad.

[Batfink 201]

The key to getting good fuel consumption is to only drive at part throttle. Thats where the fuel gains are to be had. Driving briskly i'd get high 30's, low 40's, but a smooth driving style is still needed to get that. On economy mode i'd see 50mpg and if I could slipstream lorries down the motorway 56mpg was possible. Not bad for a 12 year old car thats over 1 1/2 tons

[swordfish210 20]

I'll be driving nearly all motorway in the commute (nearly 100 miles a day ) and i shouldnt be in any particular rush so economy shouldnt be a problem. Actually the 306 isnt all that economical on the motorway if you start to stray over 65 and it's pretty crap in town so it probably wont be much of a difference.

[Rob_the_Sparky 9]

I ran an E36 325 Tds for 18 months , it was 3 years old and had 85,000 on the clock, and it was far from economical if you drove it normally.

 

Only a concerted effort to be economical can extract over 40mpg or motorway cruising like the previous poster mentioned.

 

It was low 30's to mid 30's in normal driving, no different to the petrol car it replaced for me, i was very disappointed.

 

It is nothing like the modern BMW diesels that can hit 55mpg with ease in normal use.

 

Not a car to buy if you are choosing it for economy reasons.

 

Certainly the modern BMW diesels are better (I have a 54 plate 120d Sport) but don't believe the official fuel figures. They are very good on a warm day doing 60mph (50-55) but this drops to ~40mpg with higher speeds and cold weather. I believe I drive it quite gently as well so these figures are certainly not being unfair (I get 30-35 in the 205). Tis a nice car but not a mega economical one.

 

Rob

[swordfish210 20]

Certainly the modern BMW diesels are better (I have a 54 plate 120d Sport) but don't believe the official fuel figures. They are very good on a warm day doing 60mph (50-55) but this drops to ~40mpg with higher speeds and cold weather. I believe I drive it quite gently as well so these figures are certainly not being unfair (I get 30-35 in the 205). Tis a nice car but not a mega economical one.

 

Rob

 

My friend says the same, he has a modern 525d and he struggles to get within 10mpg of the book figures unless he is driving at 55mph on the motorway and drafting trucks all of the time.

[MrG 3]

also depends on weather conditions, windy etc, I was very surprised at mine at times and disapointed at others. My brothers VW Golf TDI for eg returns really good figures, always over the 50mpg mark to. But mine would do an easy mid 40's mpg on the way from Norwich to Cambridge everyday.