Hey all,
I've never owned a bimmer before, and I have been very much interested in getting on for quite a few years. Now that I'm moving away from New York City, I figure it's as good a time as any.

I've found myself a sweet 1996 BWM 328iC with around 89K miles with a Hardtop. It's in that beautiful cherry red color. They are asking 10K, but have all the service records and the car has a clean carfax and clean title and it's been adult owned. I am going to check it out this weekend. Is there anything that I should look out for? I've only owned Honda made vehicles in the past, so I don't have much experience with bimmers.

Also, the car is located in Morristown, NJ. Does anyone know of a good mechanic in that area where I could get a pre-purchase inspection?

Thanks everyone. I look forward to being a proud BMW owner. :)

I would get the pre-purchase inspection done at either Morristown BMW or JMK in Springfield. The Hardtop is a great option to have, just ask me how I know :) Keep in mind that convertibles aren't as rigid as their coupe and sedan cousins. Though being a BMW in itself gives it a ride quality unlike any other. Some weak spots on the 3 series of that vintage is the cooling system, glove box door and convertible top straps. Where are you relocating to if you don't mind me asking.

Good luck!
-Al.

Going to be moving from Brooklyn back to my parents house in Orange County, NY for a brief stint. Don't know where I'll go after that.

Great find. Welcome to the boards. You will find pretty much anything you are looking for BMW related here. For example in the E-36 section there are several parked threads that are very helpful. The following is from one of them. It should answer most of your pre purchase questions.

http://www.unitedbimmer.com/kb-e36-common-faults-faq.php

Whoa...that's a bit more information than I needed :)

Thanks so much. That'll be quite helpful. I'll let you all know how it worked out and provide pictures of my new Bimmer if that ends up being the case. Thanks!

check the soft top for thread wear and how it closes that will tell you about the condition of the "straps" in the top. welcome you will love the car especially w/hardtop i do

check the soft top for thread wear and how it closes that will tell you about the condition of the "straps" in the top. welcome you will love the car especially w/hardtop i do

Can you elaborate on this for me? My cars threads (on the top of the roof) are starting to fray a little bit and I have to pull the rear window section up after I start retracting the top. Does this have anything to do with the straps? Thanks

Clarke

Sounds like your straps are well stretched. you need new ones, or you can opt for a fix that can be found in this forum.

I have to pull the rear window section up after I start retracting the top. Does this have anything to do with the straps? Thanks

Clarke

yes. think of the tension straps as bungee cords that no longer stretch. the straps have worn to point where they are no longer strong enough to fully pull up the rear section of the soft top.

the threads on the top have nothing to do with it though.

Make sure that the coolant was changed regularly. Also, see if they changed the water pump. If not, it will be a ticking time bomb. Also, have the person remove the hardtop and ensure that the softtop is working properly, and no damage to the rear window. Check the brake pads and make sure that it's not due for a change. If so, have the person deduct some money. Check the tires make sure it has some thread left, if not, have them deduct. Run the wipers make sure they work correctly, if it streaks, it liner may need to be swapped. Ask them when was the last time spark plugs were changed..air filter.. interior micro filter, fuel filter, tranny fluid, differential fluid. Also, check if they used dyno or synthetic motor oil during the ownership. Oh, and the water pump, thermostat, and the thermostat housing.


Hey all,
I've never owned a bimmer before, and I have been very much interested in getting on for quite a few years. Now that I'm moving away from New York City, I figure it's as good a time as any.

I've found myself a sweet 1996 BWM 328iC with around 89K miles with a Hardtop. It's in that beautiful cherry red color. They are asking 10K, but have all the service records and the car has a clean carfax and clean title and it's been adult owned. I am going to check it out this weekend. Is there anything that I should look out for? I've only owned Honda made vehicles in the past, so I don't have much experience with bimmers.

Also, the car is located in Morristown, NJ. Does anyone know of a good mechanic in that area where I could get a pre-purchase inspection?

Thanks everyone. I look forward to being a proud BMW owner. :)

yes. think of the tension straps as bungee cords that no longer stretch. the straps have worn to point where they are no longer strong enough to fully pull up the rear section of the soft top.

the threads on the top have nothing to do with it though.

You can unscrew these and pull them tight again, then screw them on again.

Make sure that the coolant was changed regularly... Run the wipers make sure they work correctly, if it streaks, it liner may need to be swapped. Ask them when was the last time spark plugs were changed..air filter.. interior micro filter, fuel filter, tranny fluid, differential fluid. Also, check if they used dyno or synthetic motor oil during the ownership.

Good thing is coolant flush, wipers, spark plugs, air filter, micro filter, fuel filter, tranny fluid, diff fluid, etc... are all pretty easy to do yourself with some basic tools and shadetree mechanic items. The DIY section and search are your friends!

I'm talking about whether the previous owner had this done religiously...
[quote=Brashland;8338490]Good thing is coolant flush,

you lucky bastid to find one with a hardtop for 10k.

I'm closing the deal on my 96 328iC tomorrow - except no hardtop and $8200. The car does need a couple things fixed (cup holder, rear headrest, stere).

Just wondering - any of you guys in areas where it snows have more probs with your bmws?

I'm talking about whether the previous owner had this done religiously...
Good thing is coolant flush,

at 89k miles, the only things that ideally should have been done religiously are oil changes & coolant change. everything else is just a little overdue, which isnt really that big of a deal. there are lots and lots of cars that are running on old fluids. i would be surprised if a transmission failed because the fluid should have been changed 20k miles ago. i would definitely have these things taken care of ASAP but i dont think they should be a dealbreaker, especially if the rest of the car has been well cared for and is in good shape.

there are lots of strong cars out there that are overdue on some maintenance items.

Just wondering - any of you guys in areas where it snows have more probs with your bmws?
as opposed to areas where it doesnt snow? or as opposed to cars other than bmws?

you lucky bastid to find one with a hardtop for 10k.

I'm closing the deal on my 96 328iC tomorrow - except no hardtop and $8200. The car does need a couple things fixed (cup holder, rear headrest, stere).

Just wondering - any of you guys in areas where it snows have more probs with your bmws?

No.... you might want to get a set of snow tires for the winter tho as an extra measure.... remember people used to drive RWD cars in bad weather before FWD, so just take caution and mind yourself in bad weather conditions.

-Al.

Hey all,
I've never owned a bimmer before, and I have been very much interested in getting on for quite a few years. Now that I'm moving away from New York City, I figure it's as good a time as any.

I've found myself a sweet 1996 BWM 328iC with around 89K miles with a Hardtop. It's in that beautiful cherry red color. They are asking 10K, but have all the service records and the car has a clean carfax and clean title and it's been adult owned. I am going to check it out this weekend. Is there anything that I should look out for? I've only owned Honda made vehicles in the past, so I don't have much experience with bimmers.

Also, the car is located in Morristown, NJ. Does anyone know of a good mechanic in that area where I could get a pre-purchase inspection?

Thanks everyone. I look forward to being a proud BMW owner. :)

I was looking at that same one for a while, good package:: car + hardtop + winter wheels + maint papers + low miles ('96) + low price!! It was hard to pass up but I found a '98 M3 5 speed Vert closer in MD, sould get it by the begining of next week. Good luck if you buy her - the color was very nice!

Honda-Made vehicle? Sterling? Acura?
I've only owned Honda made vehicles in the past, so I don't have much experience with bimmers.