Hi folks, i'm just about to buy a bmw e36.
Is there anything in particular problem wise i need to check, obviously most of the cars are gonna have 85.000+ mileage but in there anything i need to look out for?

thanks for time.

make sure that it shifts easily into all the gears, make sure the gas door opens properly. make sure the brakes works and isn't rusted to the point it no longer works, make sure that all of the features like cruise control work. check the oil filter to make sure that it doesn't have a layer of grease or something on it, if it does its a dead give away it hasn't been changed in a long time. a fairly clean oil filter is a good sign they kept up on maintaince on it.

When driving check the car responds immediately when applying the throttle, any 'dead' spots or 'faltering' may indicate a worn fuel pump or poorly set timing. Fuel pump situated drivers side under rear passenger seat pad,  to be sure lift the seat pad, unscrew the cover plate and listen when you turn the ignition key, also check the pipes + connections are good. Don't bother with the car if it looks messy!!!

BimFox & badgerman thanks for help Nice to meet you all

hi, we have very active bm nuts in malaysia too:

bmwclubmalaysia (dot) com ....go to the forum thread on e36 or search on a nick called "anxious" with his cracked cylinder head. Educating!

most important u shld go for a compression test b4 u fork out the $$$$$

as u wld know bm parts r not cheap any where in the world!!

test drive it, observe temperature, pressure, noises, open the oil filler cap and look for sludge formation. sludge indicates engine interior problem. have the service records to know if it has been taken care of meticulously.

goodluck.


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