You need this: An already-imported, Euro-spec BMW E36 wagon

$12,100 with two hours to spare.

What do we think it’ll hammer for? 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

$15-17K

In reply to Rodan :

$1.

Okay, can’t argue with your range. 

$19k... better than I expected!

Well, I can't say I'm unhappy if values on these continue to climb.  

How well does the 320 touring keep up with modern traffic?  I had a 318ti for a while with a little less power and a little less weight.  It was just barely fast enough.  Downshifting to accelerate up hills was a thing.  I am curious how the extra torque feels in the small 6 cylinder.

In reply to ojannen :

You know, I have done that same math. I’m guessing a 320i will more or less accelerate like a 318ti–or let’s say closer to a 318ti than a 330i.

I drag raced our 318ti a few times. With a tailwind, my best was a 17.0.

Not BMW but I only have another 15 years to wait until I can import one of these. 
 

I haven't driven a 318Ti, but my 320i Touring is about on par with our NB Miata (stock engine - for now).

In reply to Rodan :

Yeah, so not an M3 as far as acceleration. Still way, way cool, though. 

Everyone deserves a second chance so.... https://carsandbids.com/auctions/rNMx8E6w/1993-bmw-316i-touring

Not an E36, but an E30 with an S52 swap.  Tasty!  I'm guessing this one will bring considerably more $$$$.

In reply to dean1484 :

Thought that was a concept, did it ever actually get made?

I'm guessing the E63 estate will be significantly depreciated within the next 15 years as well...

And the C&B seller of the E36 that started the thread just listed another one!

https://carsandbids.com/auctions/KY5oA75E/1998-bmw-320i-touring

In reply to Rodan :

Whew, it’s not Techno Violet. 

In reply to David S. Wallens :

There is a Technoviolet mtech 320 wagon in Atlanta that I am working hard to ignore.

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to ojannen :

I drag raced our 318ti a few times. With a tailwind, my best was a 17.0.

Makes me feel better about running 14.6 spinning through 2nd in my M3Ti!

In reply to buzzboy :

Oh, yeah, 17.0 with a tailwind. I’m sure someone’s gone faster in one, but I never could.

Still, a way fun car on track. I recall a fun outing at Sebring. 

I want to say fifth gear was barely an overdrive–or was it 1:1?–so a bit buzzy on the highway. 

So, what’s slower: 320i Touring or the 525tds Touring?

In reply to David S. Wallens :

The strongest 2.5 TD available that year had 143hp/192tq, and the E34 Touring with the diesel is about 500lbs heavier than the E36 Touring with the gas 6.  I found a 0-62 (100kph) of 11.6 seconds...

So... they're about the same level of slow.  I'd put money on the E36 being more fun to drive than a diesel E34.

David S. Wallens said:

In reply to buzzboy :

Oh, yeah, 17.0 with a tailwind. I’m sure someone’s gone faster in one, but I never could.

Still, a way fun car on track. I recall a fun outing at Sebring. 

I want to say fifth gear was barely an overdrive–or was it 1:1?–so a bit buzzy on the highway. 

I ran sebring at 80whp and 3250lbs I understand...
5th in a 318ti should be 1:1 with a 3.45 rear end. Mine had been 3.73 swapped which made it hell on the highway. Now it's got 2.93s though, which are much better.

In reply to buzzboy :

Oof, a 3.73:1 gear does sound horrible on the highway. 

David S. Wallens said:

Whew, it’s not Techno Violet. 

Uh, oh...

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1997-bmw-320i-wagon-2/

High miles, and some issues, but... factory M Sport, no reserve, and Techno Violet! 

248k miles, seller put on 1k miles.  That's not enough to shake out any of the issues that a high mileage car could have.  Doesn't say anything about a coolant system refresh, or a head gasket or rust....

I'd be worried to buy that sight unseen unless the price was really spectacular

In reply to docwyte :

Cheapo coilovers, 'driftastic' parking brake handle, some obviously replaced suspension parts, inop HVAC blower...

Definitely some issues.  Rust is the big question.  It looks pretty good underneath, but who knows what lurks under the undercoat.

Could be a bargain though with the high miles and no reserve.

The purple wagon was listed for $15.5K on facebook marketplace for a while.  With the 2.5 or 2.8, I think it would have been a good buy at that price even with the mileage and questionable suspension.

Any idea what the wagons weigh?  Some quick googling suggests they are 150-200lbs lighter than a similar year M3.  That doesn't really make sense to me unless the euro cars are missing cats and safety equipment found on US cars.

In reply to ojannen :

My Touring weighed 3000lbs on a local transfer site scale.  The Euro M52 had aluminum blocks, but the American market E36 M52 engines were iron block.  S52 engines in the M3 were also iron block.