1992 BMW 325 SEi - Update Pg2

[swedishmax]

Hi all,

I've just become the proud owner of an E36 BMW 325 SEi. It is the 192bhp, straight 6, 24v engine. I've been a big fan of BMW for a while mostly due to my Dad having a E36 320i and now a E46 323i.

I bought the car about 2 weeks ago after seeing a small ad in the paper. Wasn't even looking specifically for a car but the advert just stood out. Went to see it and after a long test drive and a look through the pile of history, the deal was done.

The car itself has had 3 owners but has only done 91k miles. The car has a really interesting history, originally owned by a Colonel who bought it through BMW Tourist & Diplomatic Sales and it was exported to Germany where it lived until it was eventually brought back to the UK. There are piles and piles of receipts (some I can't read due to being in German!) and a full service history.

Plans for the car:- First thing is to get the 3 tiny bits of light surface rust fixed (booked in to bodyshop already). After that, then I don't know. I've had a few modified car (Corsa 16v, Punto GT Turbo) but this one is fast out of the box, is in great condition and I don't think I want to mess with it. The grey bumpers don't look great but its now a choice between keeping it Standard or doing a few bits and bobs. What do you guys think?

Enough chat, here are some pics:-

















Original Sticker on back window:-



Original Receipt for car (with a 7% Special Forces Discount)




Thanks from BMW:-



Original Brochures, complete with "x" marks the colour and interior spec:-





Nato Certification anyone?


History Book Stamped Up:-



An example of some German and Italian Receipts:-




German Labels in the engine bay




Thanks for reading and all comments welcome.

[том]

very clean

[bstardchild]

Nice history...... Funily enough my Monza GSE was a Tax reduced overseas sale ;D

[reanimation]

Hey I like that, it packs a punch and is so descreet and down to earth, black bumpers and non leather seats and 4 doors is ace. I'd usually waffle on about 'giving it the treatment' but i quite like it understaded. not sure what to suggest this time. V smart though indeed.

[mrj]

nice car, a pure, unbarrified E36 is rare these days.... i didn't like them when they were new, these BMWs grow to me when they are old... hopefully the day i like the 1series is far away ;D interesting history , too... if you need translation of the german receipts, let me know ....

[swedishmax]

mrJ, I may take you up on that! Thank you for the offer.

Cheers for the comments guys - I really don't want to modify it at all now. I think it is rather stealth and it plenty quick. My objective over the next few weeks is to get the bodywork A1, then clean it to a really high standard. Going to be tough as it is my daily drive but I'm managed it on other cars I've owned.

[vicsmith]

Your`e on the right lines there, don't do anything to it except mint its gonads off (though it looks mint enough in those pics) an unspoilt E36 with 6 cyls is a rare and splendid thing these days and it looks a lot classier for having black bumpers due to nearly every other one having colour coded ones. Mileage is absolutely curse word all, too, if you think about it.

[trg1984]

looks like a cracking motor. for some reason i really like looking at bmw engines.

[suffolkpaul]

what a great looking car! and what a fantastic I'm intrigues by engine! can i ask that really rude question adn ask what sort of money it cost you?

[swedishmax]

Thanks for the replys all:-

Been thinking about it and I've decided to pretty much fix the couple of bits of rust then thats it. It'll be kept as is, 90k miles is nothing on a 15yr old car. I've looked at newer ones with double that!

Without saying exactly how much I paid, what I will say is that I got a LOT of change from £2k.

[vicsmith]

I`ve sold newer ones with double that mileage and they`ve been sweet as a nut. Its barely begun its life in real terms.

[BenzBoy]

Sweet. 192 horsies and straight six silky smooth delivery... cool. 8)

[Stu]

Looks really good, understated looks but I didn't realise these had so much power - it must go pretty well!

[swedishmax]

It is pretty fast for the size of the car. When it hits 3k rpm, it really takes off. I've never needed to thrash it, it pulls from any revs, any gear. Superb cruiser.

It is off to a BMW specialist to get a wee rattle from the back end looked at. Fingers crossed it isn't anything too bad.

[metty]

all i can say is please strip out the engine and dump it in an e30 and you will have the time of your life!!!!!!!! please!!!!!!

[swedishmax]

erm, I don't think I'll bother! Prefer it where it is for now.

[reanimation]

With that last comment i was starting to recall it was 5 series, but its not! 192Horses in 3 series, cant be bad at all! An E30 track car as an addition would be a good idea too so this one does not get scuffed

[metty]

I'm trying to hunt for 24v engine, iron block 2.5 for my touring. I'm bored with 125 hp, need more ponies, new engines are the way forward

[hitman]

metty said:

I'm trying to hunt for 24v engine, iron block 2.5 for my touring. I'm bored with 125 hp, need more ponies, new engines are the way forward

ive got a 325i coupe l reg manual hit in front not bad £495 ovno

[Stu]

swedishmax said:

It is pretty fast for the size of the car. When it hits 3k rpm, it really takes off. I've never needed to thrash it, it pulls from any revs, any gear. Superb cruiser.

Sounds good! I seem to recall having a little race with one of these in a standard Golf GTI years ago and being impressed (well, upset actually) that I couldn't keep up, now I know why!