MotorWeek | Retro Review: '96 BMW E36 328i Sedan

[@laweezemorton8884]

No, John Davis, I'm glad to have you with me.

[@fernandorocha-dx1wv]

BMWs 1990s and 1980s is beautifuls and nice classic cars

[@bilalahmed2123]

The 1996 BMW 328i was a true masterpiece !

[@sheld44]

Love my e36 328i, 270k and still runs like a champ

[@theacehd1742]

400km still gets rev to 7000+ daily ;-D

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

Would I can't believe that

[@michaelcosyngroup886]

My 2001 E39 has 243k miles and still runs strong!

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

any tips to make em last that long? keep driving them and never overheat them?

[@michaelcosyngroup886]

Honestly, just staying on top of oil and whatnot. I still drive the car the same way as when I bought it. The inline 6 from BMW is legendary because it was super reliable. I met a dude that had 320k miles on his.

[@ianclaudio777]

For me this is a perfect car in all senses. Proportions, design, engine, dynamics and personality.

[@myname9252]

Currently im working on a time machine. Wish me luck guys!

[@johnpearson492]

I purchased a 99 328is last year, it is a properly fun car to drive. The 6 cylinder engine in these things is just beautiful in every sense of the word. It sounds great and makes the the right amount the power to make the car fast, but not so much power that you can't fully wind it out when ever you want. I have liked the 328is so much that I am considering replacing my e39 M5 with an e36 M3.

[@MrStreetballer5Official]

+John Pearson The e36 m3, if you're living in America at least, is slow as heck with only 240 hp compared to the e39's 400 or so point. Plus e39s are going up in price too. But hey congrats on the 328is, mighty fine car.

[@johnpearson492]

+MrStreetballer5 I agree that the American e36 M3 is not necessarily the quickest car in the world, but that is exactly what I am looking for, something that you have to work at getting up to speed but is still fun and decently swift. The 400 hp of the M5 is absolutely great, on-ramps of highways are great fun, but other than launching the M5 quickly once in a while, it really isn't fun to drive since it is so stable and designed to be run so hard that driving it slow is boring. It goes right with the saying that driving a slow car fast is more fun than a fast car slow.

[@MrStreetballer5Official]

John Pearson I do get that slow car fast part. I have a e92 328i and it has roughly the same hp and torque figures as a e36 m3(circa 240 hp) and its deff a hoot to drive quick.

[@xXsupersallenXx]

Just text me if you selling your m5!! Even if I'm 5 years late haha

[@johnpearson492]

@@xXsupersallenXx You are late 😂 I sold the M5 in 2016, I replaced it with a 2013 Mini. Then in 2018 I replaced the Mini with a 1999 E36 M3, which I absolutely love.

[@eddieescobar4722]

Motor week is for real ...one of the best shows to watch

[@blacktallsmart1914]

"Can only hope that BMW reins in their pricing policy" God, if only they could see their current prices, they would have a heart attack.

[@antaeusx]

Exactly! 😂

[@alexmercer8042]

Well, 35 000 is 62 000 today, close to the 70 000 mrsp of the M3 of today haha

[@jaymum23]

BMWs were most expensive factoring in inflation in the 80s. 3-series was $60-70k in today’s dollars, 5-series $70k-100k, M3 $90K and M5 $150k. Oh and an E32 750il $193k. 😮

[@kirbyswarp]

If only BMW engineers loved their jobs today...The soul is gone and in are monstrosities like the X4.

[@pbfloyd13]

kirbyswarp DRAMA QUEEN!!!

[@JackBandicootsBunker]

kirbyswarp Agree wholeheartedly, I think they slowly started losing it with the launch of the X5 and after winning Le Mans with the V12LMR.

[@kz1000ps]

Ashley Wolf The beginning of the end for me was the Bangle-ized E65 7 series. The moment I saw that thing I knew something was gravely wrong in Munich.

[@JackBandicootsBunker]

kz1000ps That and the 6-Series were the biggest mistakes by Bangle, then I commend him for the E60 5-Series and the E90 3-Series, which for me looked nice (the E60 for me was the second best looking of its series and had the best M5). Probably the only cars that kept the flame alive, but their successors cannot deliver excitement anymore.

[@pbfloyd13]

You guys realize they make a 200 mph twin turbo saloon, a bonkers looking hybrid sports car that'l get to 60 in under 5 seconds while giving 40 mpg, and one of the fastest motorcycles in the world right? Stop being all butt hurt just because they expanded into SUVs, and stopped making the E30.

[@madcommodore]

Had two of these, in the Coupe format, including the lovely 325i improved engine from 1994 model. Both were really reliable, and even my 318is from 1997 was nippy enough. Such a great chassis.

[@speedsterautowerks1222]

I love this era of BMW , it reminds me of when I was a kids and got excited when I’d see the 3 or 5 series or even better got to rode in one… now I own my very own !

[@fredbreden2749]

I love my 98 328i E36! It's Killer , better than they say!!

[@Dpixtion]

Love this car, 1996 328i I've own it for 16 years.. 205,386 miles and still getting 25 city/ 28-30 hwy. regular oil changes full synthetic & change all other fluids every other year. Just did my valve cover gasket and it was so clean inside I was shocked.

[@FoolClanz]

I just bought one with 33k miles

[@Dpixtion]

@@FoolClanz keep the fluids changes and have fun. I’m officially jealous…. 33K miles, that’s a wonderful find..

[@FoolClanz]

@@Dpixtion thanks. its pretty sick forsure just a real pain electrically.

[@Dpixtion]

@@FoolClanz true, I had electrical issues with the trunk wiring harness on the rear drivers side. I had to clip/snip and replace about 6” of wire as it rubbed through due to the curve and the years of open/closet the boot/trunk…

[@FoolClanz]

@@Dpixtion Yeah i bet. the convertible lid wont latch down, and my trunk wont open unless i pull the fuse, and all the motors and wires on the driver side trunk are disconnected.

[@subeyguy66]

Guaranteed these hold up mechanically better than the high strung 4 cyl turbo newer 3 series.

[@zabielrese8622]

i own 323i e36... 177k.. still stand among the crowd and run like a champ

[@BJCRfilms]

MY first car back in 08 was this Black e36 238i with the same wheels and interior. Best car ever, im still looking for one of the same detail again.

[@hectorlozano1106]

Same here got mines after high school paid 5000 cash with only 80000 miles on it.

[@BJCRfilms]

@@hectorlozano1106 Love those cars! still looking for one with same specs.

[@777Balt]

I bought e36 316 with 2.8 swap and weilded diff few days ago. Love it so much! So fun to drive and very tailhappy

[@sanjsharma195]

2019 and my 97 328 is only on 80k so barely run in. I think it'll still be around in 2029.

[@mikevale7612]

2023 just bought a 96 328i with 88k, it needs a little TLC but she’s a beauty. It’s been 4 years what’s your mileage looking like on it?

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

my 96 328is Calypso red 5 manual is still my fave car I owned. Color changing paint 😍

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I also had the optional HK sound system. The sport model they should have tested. Very flat and neutral in turns.

[@patricklilly6628]

I had an 87 325i, at around 275k replaced the head and could still see the cross hatch, AMAZING. Noise is what BMW does...

[@Tom_Selleck308]

A lot of people moan about BMW reviews and the cars but it's clear that these people haven't owned BMW'S or tried and failed to do so....just accept it and drive something else....the more of you types, the more special the brand becomes...common sense!

[@kingshabazz5830]

Exactly. Mofos complaining and driving Accords

[@bilalahmed2123]

Gerhard Richter BMW is the best cars, I have ever driven. I only have BMW's in my household ! No car feels as good as a BMW, well maybe Porsche !

[@P.Galore]

The 1985-2000 era for BMW was their best work....more customers than cars available kept resale high and the brand special. Today they sell almost 4 times as many cars and the special driving characteristics have been diluted.

[@Wasabi9111]

Totally agree. I feel like that was the best era for many of the foreign brands - including Toyota and Honda.

[@FELIPE8226M]

I’d say up until 2006 before the dropped off

[@GeeEm1313]

I remember seeing a billboard ad for these in 91 and not being thrilled that the E30 was being replaced.

[@audiophanatic4331]

Owned a 97 328i. It was absolutely the perfect car.

[@Sphyn0x]

I own 97 328 now too :) Love it!

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

My 96 328is was my fave car. Calypso red with color-changing paint and five speed.

[@jamalwalker2104]

I have the same BMW in this Motor Week segment. After 24 years she runs just fine.

[@Samspianopage]

Love the mid-90's opening theme tune alot better than the original 80's one. This intro has alot more stereo separation and grander big hall feeling than the original. One of the best BMW generations this one.

[@richardwilliams5842]

I used to love this model when it first came out 👍

[@mega-hb4re]

Ahead of it's time for sure

[@MatrixDiscovery]

BMW have to bring back the square look. Today's BMW are for hair dressers.

[@just82much72]

smasila : Heyyyyyyyy...... Hairdressers?! Ouch.. That was a little harsh don't you think?? I'll have you know that I've had 2 other BMW's(all newer than 2014) and I will agree with everyone else in the comments that YES, BMW's were way better back in the 80's and 90's. But for hairdressers???!!!! Dang...

[@leslie7872]

there for rich asian women now :(

[@AVI.D]

Hair dresser is the worst insult in the car community

[@arttafil6792]

NO_EYES_ON_ME - LMAO!!!

[@potatopotato8360]

They look like Hyundai's now...

[@BigEightiesNewWave]

I had the is version...loved it. Fave car ever in Calypso Red color changing paint.

[@borninhk1]

25 years later, horsepower has doubled to 382 hp in the modern taken - M340i!

[@MunkyShaffer]

This intro is too 80's to be '96 lol

[@patrickmichaellangan576]

I think they created this Motorweek intro in the late 80s and used it until late 1996 for the 1997 new car model year.

[@tonyhancock3912]

Had mine for 23 years now. Just never been able to bring myself to sell it

[@Maximilian0011]

thats The Music to my ears!!! I thought only I might be crazy :)

[@Maximilian0011]

YES! I have E36 328i the same year '96 yet in cosmic black, this car is truly special and nearly as good as M3, after over 22 years my car is just like rocket and never let me down, Thanks God for DEUTSCHLAND !!!

[@TheTardis76]

Love these reviews! I always hear about how the 1997-2003 BMW 5 series (e39) became the benchmark for all sport-luxury sedans when it came out. How about one of those reviews?

[@mr.boostang2064]

I drove one of these and it felt way faster than my 190hp 3.8 Muatang at the time

[@mikeb2496]

98 323 194,000, M3 mid section, UUC exhaust. Runs and sounds like great!! Have yet to find a corner I can't take at full speed. Except the one I spun around in, lots of antiskid down. Buy one now before they become e30 priced.

[@sphillyfanatic7451]

Love that theme music so much...brings me back man!! ☺️

[@Dragunov302]

I’ve had 2 cars from the 90s and most from the 2000s. I miss the nostalgia they had and their unique interior and fabric designs in the seats (99 forester)

[@BryanChance]

I had one of these in high school. It is more fun than my current 335i. :-)

[@Sanpedranoazul]

When cars had soul, specially BMW!

[@drgonzo1963]

Woohoo, another Bimmer review :-)

[@soundseeker63]

Over 20 years later the 328i is still considered a great drivers car and one of the last truly reliable BMWs. Not sure if today's F30 328i will stand the test of times quite so well....too complicated, over computerised and fussy styling. I hope one day BMW return to making clean, elegant and understated designs like this.

[@bvedant]

Love my 2022 BMW 330i. As James May from Top Gear put it the 3-series is all you need if you had to have just one car.

[@bilalahmed2123]

I like the opening theme !

[@hoesay2463]

i’m still loving my e36 328i , has 46k miles on it!

[@n40798]

3:47 Ah, no silver or chrome accents. Beautiful!

[@Glee73]

2020, my 328 is still going strong and still gets to the redline often.

[@richardprice7763]

John sure did wear some interesting jackets...

[@Dragunov302]

Would love a 4 door 328i e36 someday

[@SavageBunny1]

Back when they had no idea that BMW was going to come out with the E46 M3 with 333hp from an NA 3.2L.

[@tommydogsdad]

The way JD has always pronounced "Bimmer" cracks me up. "BEH-MA" I had a 1995 325i Convertible, 5 speed back in the day. Kept it a long time too. Well over 100k. Then I decided to go Mercedes and traded the BMW in for an SLK. What a bad move. I instantly regretted it. In 2007, I ordered the E90 Hardtop convertible. It was a gorgeous car, but the car had many issues with that top and BMW ended up buying it back from me. I ordered a 335i BMW Convertible to replace the 2007. Kept that until I got a Porsche.

[@GarthLovesTRAVEL]

love my 318is 195k going strong

[@tgiggf]

Loving all the BMW review's.

[@timfordfalconxf7714]

As a Merc owner and fan, i welcome the Merc's brother. E36 ( great cars ) No hate To Bmw at all .Even if am merc guy.

[@jamiecox2256]

love my 96 drop top with 140k !

[@lukeiamyourfather3511]

E 36 , 4 door and 5 speed manual. Also know as 3 4 5 .

[@carsinruin6102]

Bilstiens with Eibachs fix all the handling short comings. I love my 328i, it's perfect after 24 years.

[@ahoneyman]

Did the Eibach/Koni thing back in the day. The handling increase wasn't worth the decrease in ride quality. Ended up going back to OEM and mid tier Bridgestones.

[@carsinruin6102]

@@ahoneyman personally I found the difference to very mild. Perhaps it’s the difference between the Konis and the Bilstiens? Maybe you had the Konis on the stiffest settings?

[@ahoneyman]

@@carsinruin6102 I'm in New England so the roads aren't what one would call table smooth. Mid corner bumps that the OEM setup sucked up the Eibach/Koni setup would bang and the car felt like it would skip in the back. It was rare but felt really creepy. You'd have grip, then it would go light for a split second, then back to grip.

[@emiliobarrera830]

Love that e36 reason I I got one

[@Glee73]

still own a '97 328i as my weekend car.

[@Samspianopage]

Much prefer the 1996 opening theme, has far more big concert sound and stereo separation. Some might disagree but I love it.

[@anthonymascolo5519]

I was just thinking the same thing. I totally agree. This music is so much better!

[@Peppermint1]

4:07 guy must be breaking car systems for a living

[@hotlunch4415]

Yes the wallow is bad, but for most types of driving it’s a worthy trade off for the comfortable ride. Rare these days

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Boy how times have changed! 0-60 rapid!! Now 0-60 in 4 sec. Is slow!👋😆👍

[@JuanCatalan-sl6ts]

There a classic you can’t beat it

[@bilalahmed2123]

Beautiful

[@markflanagan8595]

95 328i sedan, Both back doors are stuck locked inside and out. One door lock peg wont stay up. No manual

[@lukasnevidzan5523]

Awesomeeee

[@ryanm.3681]

please upload the Acura Vigor review!

[@iwan-wr7gn]

my dad had this car with custom exhaust it had 220 hp

[@fedeled6282]

Hey when your done with the BMWs can you post a video review of older GM B-body cars?

[@NJW1973]

How about those older B body reveiews w/the 350 diesels???????

[@1995RangeRover]

Still a good ride!

[@matthewbowen5841]

I came here as a palate cleanser from Doug Demuro's review of the disgusting, Vegas casino-themed new i7.

[@driveri1435]

"Hottie cop likes you. Think she pulls over just anybody? Make a move."

[@burakilbasan1]

Looks better than F30

[@mwinarinvestmentdevelopmen5739]

I'm exchanging my bakkie a 2010 Mazda Bt-50 For one plus the guy is topping up a 40k should I open a channel for it...

[@thetechlibrarian]

Who remembers the movie the chase ?

[@MetikalMan]

I can guarantee this engine made 200hp when new. Too bad the SAE didn’t reflect that. Would have looked good.

[@bmwe36brasilspagudos92]

SHOWWW

[@brendanwalsh4588]

a friend of mine just got one of these a few days ago for $400

[@b.sh.1941]

+Brendan Walsh I doubt it's in any good shape.

[@brendanwalsh4588]

Ya. Its got some rust. Its also an auto

[@rjetta8v]

Where is the e36 m3?!

[@iiskandarable]

i own an e36 328i with 331k km mileage..and man it smoked a civic by a length of a semi truck

[@billjones4512]

should be 93 nor 83 surely

[@TheM3csl]

Ok, I'm a BMW fan but there has been way too much BMW throwbacks already...

[@pbfloyd13]

TheM3csl _"have"_ _"many"_

[@kennyurdanofuall534]

I want onee

[@TheHalo4News]

do 323is

[@JeffCD77]

Try and put "imitation leather" in today's BMW's.

[@rahulvinalnarayan9743]

I own one

[@kuyb]

how much do these cost now?

[@TheCatMilton]

+Tyler Moree 500-6000 depending on condition. 500 can get you a barely running beater whereas in the 3000+ range, you can find a low mileage clean example.

[@kuyb]

+TheCatMilton thanks man I think I really want one

[@claponlamps]

+Tyler Moree I bought mine for $1,200.00 flat. It had 203k on it M50 intake and S52 cams and lifters. Fully loaded with every option. Boston Green 5 Speed Manual. Fan Clutch delete.

[@kuyb]

Where would you look to buy one? claponlamps

[@claponlamps]

+Tyler Moree Craigslist homie

[@6SpeedTA95]

15.3 seconds at 83mph? That doesn't sound right...

[@kanalnamn]

@@hondata974 I measured a stock 323i to 15.7s and 87mph last year. So 93mph sound more like it.

[@SolamenteVees]

15.3 at 83 mph? That trap speed seems awfully low.

[@rastarican89]

Enough with the 3series already. Do a 850i

[@pbfloyd13]

rastarican89 Or a Z1

[@KiloByte69]

+pbfloyd13 Ew no.

[@pbfloyd13]

KiloByte69 ?

[@KiloByte69]

pbfloyd13 Z1? *HURL!*

[@pbfloyd13]

KiloByte69 ??

[@AS3R1US]

i got my 328i 2.8 Now guess my age...

[@SearchEast2069]

If an American luxury brand made imitation leather standard at that price there would be anarchy, but when the Germans do it its ok...

[@dininjaronin2002]

+Antwon Jenkins it isnt pure imitation it is a special hybrid bmw uses for long-term durability...

[@KiloByte69]

+DININJA RONIN Yeah right.

[@andersonfirmino8925]

👏👏👏👏👏👏🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@andersonfirmino8925]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇱🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@arcaudyespinal1047]

0:13 5:32

[@pbfloyd13]

Bimmer, bimmer, bimmer...

[@richardprice7763]

Best not mention the US spec E36 M3...