craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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Looking at buying one or the other, both would be in m-sport guise, to be used as a fairly cheap but still practical weekend and occasional track car
Got a decent local e46 to go see soon but the only e36 I've seen that I like is in Essex so a fair trek, other issue is the e46 doesn't come with a lsd, anyone got any experience with either car?
[Edited on 18-11-2012 by craig8]
E36 328
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shane_o
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Registered: 15th Sep 05
Location: Yeovil, Somerset
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I was contemplating the same thing last week, i went for the e46 330, only because one come up locally with a lot of options but it does seem like a real nice cruiser, make a fairly poor track car though.
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Jambo
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Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
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Underneath they are very similar, but out of the two I would pick the E46. Younger and a better built car.
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cpcrampton
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Registered: 16th Feb 07
Location: Stirling
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Iv got a 2004 80k mile 330 that I am on the verge of selling if you fancy a look ? Next service due is an oil change in 15k miles. Just had inspection 2 on Wednesday.
[Edited on 17-11-2012 by cpcrampton]
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Corsa_Sport21
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Registered: 13th Apr 08
Location: Leven, Fife. Drives : 205 GTi
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Out of the 2, would have to be the E46 330i. The E36 are starting to look very dated now.
Also, on the subject of the LSD, unless you get a 95/very early 96 328i Sport, it won't have an LSD. They can be retro fitted mind you (3.0 M3 bolts right up iirc). The standard LSD in them is also quite tame. Pretty shit ratio's.
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SteveoBC
Premium Member
Registered: 22nd Feb 07
Location: Bucks
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u2u'd you craig
but also look out for the cooling system on the 330/328 engines on E46
waterpumps- check if this has been chaged if its high milage (earlier has a plastic impeller, later aftermarket replacements are metal and dont break)
expansion tank - plastic and can go pop (again depends on age)
front lower wishbone suspension bushes go, make sure you check on those (can hear with a clunk when you pull away of arms hitting when bushes perish)
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kennySRi
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Registered: 12th Nov 10
Location: Lancashire
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Not sure on your budget but i MIGHT be selling my clubsport soon if you're interested?
If it was just for track days i would go for the E36 as they're cheaper to fix and will feel better imo. If you'll be using it for road use aswell i'd 100% go for a 330, i've had a couple now and they are great.
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
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Budget is only £3000 so clubsport will most likely be out of budget.
Tbh the car will only be used on the road to pop to the shops or doing bits and pieces on a Saturday, her car is used for most other things
Would prefer that I could buy some decent suspension within the budget, possibly some poly bushes too, dont mind high mileage cars and can do most maintenance myself
I'm thinking more along the lines of the e36 as it will be cheaper to repair or replace if I smash it
[Edited on 17-11-2012 by craig8]
E36 328
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kennySRi
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Registered: 12th Nov 10
Location: Lancashire
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I would find a 328 for around £1500 and spend the rest on suspension, cage, etc. I've had E36s at the same time as a 330 and they are more fun to drive, the 330 is much more refined so not really what you need.
As said with parts, wings, bonnets, and everything really can be bought for next to nothing for an E36. Could you insure an M3? £3k can easily get you an EVO now.
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
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I can but don't really want to go back to paying over a grand for insurance again, the 328 is fairly reasonable
E36 328
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
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Both engines are peaches, but, I'd rather spend a little over the odds and get a nice low milage well specd E36 over a high milage, abused, low spec E46
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jimmy 2.1
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Registered: 17th Oct 05
Location: Shipley, West Yorkshire
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Buy a cheap but good 323/328 shell then buy the M3 engine I have for sale! 
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
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That's future plans there, if it ever needs an engine it will get a conversion
E36 328
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
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Well got one now, high miler and I little bubling on the rear arches but good in every other aspect, too dark for pics though so here's a few from the ad
[Edited on 18-11-2012 by craig8]
E36 328
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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Genuine sport?
Looks nice
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Tomnova16
Premium Member
Registered: 21st Jan 06
Location: Gerrards Cross Drives: Porsche 911
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My wheels 
Looks good
http://www.lemass.co.uk/ for all your automotive/bodyshop needs
Located in Chalfont st Peter
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craig8
Premium Member
Registered: 31st Dec 04
Location: Glasgow
User status: Offline
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Yeah genuine sport, been kept really well, floor pan is spotless as is the engine bay and inside and has less sqeeks and rattles than my astra with half the mileage. Brilliant car to drive too just want to turn in to corners
[Edited on 18-11-2012 by craig8]
E36 328
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Jambo
Member
Registered: 8th Sep 01
Location: Maidenhead, Drives: VXR Arctic
User status: Offline
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Mine has zero rot underneath. Very good cars.
If you do any suspension upgrades, get an Xbrace and Powerflex lolly's
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