n00b Questions!!! Please help!

[clumpymold]

Hiya fellas!

I'm pretty new here and am sort of wondering what the trim lines are to the e36 (?).

I'm looking to purchase a used BMW in the next few months and don't want to spend too much money but want a good car to modify.

I ideally would like a car that's got some minor dents/damage (I plan to repaint it) and maybe some mods.

Any suggestions? I'm looking to spend maybe $6-8k.

Also, what about salvage titles? How difficult is it to register one in California? How does salvage titles work? Is there anything I need to know?

As for what I know, I believe the body started in 1992 and went to 1998. There's the 318i and 323i, right? Also the ci and xi?

When did the 328s come in?

Thanks for all your help!

[parisparkjob]

I ideally would like a car that's got some minor dents/damage (I plan to repaint it) and maybe some mods.

I'm not to sure of the AUS - US dollar exchange right now, but for that price I'd say you'd be able to get a very plain E36 318i... 92-94 possibly.

However, for that money you could probably get a reasonably good E30 323ci.

[Suneal]

The E36s were made between 1992-1999 (more on that later)
1992: 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is
1993: 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is
1994: 318i, 318is, 318i Convertible, 325i, 325is, 325i Convertible, 325is M-Technic
1995: 318i, 318is, 318i Convertible, 325i, 325is, 325i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 LTW
1996: 318is, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe
1997: 318is, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Sedan
1998: 323i, 323is, 323i Convertible, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Sedan, M3 Convertible
1999: 323is, 323i Convertible, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Convertible

E36 Convertibles also are called iCs (not officially)
For example= 325iC= 325i Convertible

1999 Was the introduction of the E46 (Current generation 3-Series) sedan; E36 coupes and convertibles were still produced

Also, if you want an E36 325i or is, 94-on is the way to go.

A salvage-titled vehicle is any title bearing vehicle that has been declared a total loss from Fire, Vandalism, Collision, Theft or Flood.
Some people fix these cars again and sell them. Most people shy away from them because they could have problems in the future.

And to find a car, check out http://autotrader.com/?ac_afflt=none
You can define many of the search parameters.

I hope this helps
PS- parisparkjob, please don't flame other members of DTM

[clumpymold]

Originally posted by Suneal
The E36s were made between 1992-1999 (more on that later)
1992: 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is
1993: 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is
1994: 318i, 318is, 318i Convertible, 325i, 325is, 325i Convertible, 325is M-Technic
1995: 318i, 318is, 318i Convertible, 325i, 325is, 325i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 LTW
1996: 318is, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe
1997: 318is, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Sedan
1998: 323i, 323is, 323i Convertible, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Sedan, M3 Convertible
1999: 323is, 323i Convertible, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Convertible

E36 Convertibles also are called iCs (not officially)
For example= 325iC= 325i Convertible

1999 Was the introduction of the E46 (Current generation 3-Series) sedan; E36 coupes and convertibles were still produced

Also, if you want an E36 325i or is, 94-on is the way to go.

A salvage-titled vehicle is any title bearing vehicle that has been declared a total loss from Fire, Vandalism, Collision, Theft or Flood.
Some people fix these cars again and sell them. Most people shy away from them because they could have problems in the future.

And to find a car, check out http://autotrader.com/?ac_afflt=none
You can define many of the search parameters.

I hope this helps
PS- parisparkjob, please don't flame other members of DTM

Wow, Suneal, you are AWESOME!!!

That is EXACTLY what I was looking for. Perfect!

A few questions that come to mind now:

Why the 94 and on 325i (which is the model e36 I would "like" to get)?

Also, what are the hp/torque of the 318i, the 325i, and the M3s (or even 325is, 318is, etc.)?

THANK YOU!

That helped TREMENDOUSLY!!! Members like you make people like me appreciate going to forums like this. Great!!!

[petar7408]

Also, what are the hp/torque of the 318i, the 325i, and the M3s (or even 325is, 318is, etc.)?

[/b]

you should be able to find all that on a simple google search. keep to the 325, 318's are ......

[clumpymold]

Originally posted by Suneal
The E36s were made between 1992-1999 (more on that later)
1992: 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is
1993: 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is
1994: 318i, 318is, 318i Convertible, 325i, 325is, 325i Convertible, 325is M-Technic
1995: 318i, 318is, 318i Convertible, 325i, 325is, 325i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 LTW
1996: 318is, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe
1997: 318is, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Sedan
1998: 323i, 323is, 323i Convertible, 328i, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Sedan, M3 Convertible
1999: 323is, 323i Convertible, 328is, 328i Convertible, M3 Coupe, M3 Convertible

E36 Convertibles also are called iCs (not officially)
For example= 325iC= 325i Convertible

1999 Was the introduction of the E46 (Current generation 3-Series) sedan; E36 coupes and convertibles were still produced

Also, if you want an E36 325i or is, 94-on is the way to go.

A salvage-titled vehicle is any title bearing vehicle that has been declared a total loss from Fire, Vandalism, Collision, Theft or Flood.
Some people fix these cars again and sell them. Most people shy away from them because they could have problems in the future.

And to find a car, check out http://autotrader.com/?ac_afflt=none
You can define many of the search parameters.

I hope this helps
PS- parisparkjob, please don't flame other members of DTM

Hey Suneal,

Sorry to bother you but I'm wondering as to why you recommend 1994 and on for a 325i? I checked some websites and the engine is about the same, right? What are the other recent upgrades from 1992-1994 for the 325i? The price is considerably cheaper for a pre-1994.

Thanks!