High mileage E36 318i

So in my ongoing search for a replacement car, I'm focusing in on the E36. I know the E46 is a much better car all around, but LeMons racing is the most car related fun I've had in my life. I'd rather use less available resources for my street toy and more for racing. I absolutely flat out refuse to take on any debt for racing or a weekend toy, so I'm looking at the lower price point.

I've seen a few 318i convertibles that peaked my interest, but they have high miles. I know the E36 has weak points in the plastic pieces of the cooling system and the suspension. I also know about the meh interior. Specific to the 4 banger in the 318i, anything special to watch out for? Are they fairly bulletproof? I know they're somewhat anemic, but that's OK, so are all the NA Miatas I loved so much.

when a model has cheap plastic pieces that can become problematic, that's when I stay away from the convertible version

My impression is that the 6-banger is pretty much indestructible in daily driver usage, other than the aforementioned need for a water pump and radiator every 6/60,000. I would settle for a 318i if the car was super-clean otherwise but I'd try to hold out for a M50/52.

The 318i isn't worth it when 325/328s can be had for the same price. It is fairly slow in the z3 or 318 coupe/sedan, the extra weight of the convertible really makes it a dog. It's a nice motor, but it is best in an e30 or earlier

I have a 328 so I don't know how reliable the 318s are, but based on the heavy maintenance mine has needed, I wouldn't even bother with a droptop due to the added expense. Not to mention the reduced performance you would get. Stick with the hatchback.

Yeah, the tintop is a definite no go. I know they're lighter, more solid, etc...but I've really grown to like droptops, as does Mrs. Klayfish. Miata will no longer serve as the best answer, though I'd love another. My commute to work is now heavily highway based, and I now transport multiple kids to practice in the evening, which Miatae can't do. So that leaves me with shopping 4 seat 'verts. Have no real interest in Solara, Sebring wet noodles. On the "sporty" side it leaves me with 9-3 or E36.

Murano

Klayfish wrote: Yeah, the tintop is a definite no go. I know they're lighter, more solid, etc...but I've really grown to like droptops, as does Mrs. Klayfish. Miata will no longer serve as the best answer, though I'd love another. My commute to work is now heavily highway based, and I now transport multiple kids to practice in the evening, which Miatae can't do. So that leaves me with shopping 4 seat 'verts. Have no real interest in Solara, Sebring wet noodles. On the "sporty" side it leaves me with 9-3 or E36.

Others to consider are Mustangs, Camaro's, Volvo C70's, MINI's, A4's, and Celica's.

Although for me, I ended up back at BMW's. Mustangs still enter consideration every once in awhile, but I'm 90% certain my next car will be a BMW 'vert.

Oh yeah, M42/M44 are pretty bullet proof engines. Cooling systems, blah blah blah.

Sonic wrote: The 318i isn't worth it when 325/328s can be had for the same price. It is fairly slow in the z3 or 318 coupe/sedan, the extra weight of the convertible really makes it a dog. It's a nice motor, but it is best in an e30 or earlier

All of this. The only convertible that can get away with being a budget friendly "performance" convertible is the Miata IMO.

E36 convertible tops are a lot more complex than Miata tops. If I were to get another E36 convertible, I'd opt for a manual top; the power top on mine has gotten stuck several times.

I agree that the M42 and M44 engines are probably more bulletproof than the M50 (no vanos) but with 3200 to 3400 pounds to move around in a vert.. 140hp is not going to cut it. Most are probably automatics too

Get an early car with the semi-auto top. These will have a twist handle at the windshield. The later full auto tops are much more complex and almost never work right. The semi-autos can also be rigged to a manual top (as mine has been) without too much effort. Also, if you're going to be carrying kids I would hold out for a car that has roll over protection. Its pretty easy to tell, there are two plastic covers over the bars that sit right behind the rear headrests.

Be aware, the cabrio's only have 2 rear seats.

The rest is standard E36.