Should I buy a '95 325i 5MT as a project/track toy?

whoismorggan · 05-13-2022, 02:30 PM

I recently traded my 6MT F30 335i in for a F15 X5. The X5 is a great daily, but I'm finding myself wishing I had something a little more nimble that I could drive on weekends/to the track. I also am moving into a new rental property that has a giant workshop/garage and it would be the perfect space to work on an older car.

I found a red 1995 325i manual sedan with around 215k miles. Has had recent maintenance such as water pump, radiator, hoses, driveshaft, and alternator. Clear coat is peeling on the hood/bumpers and roof. Seller is asking $3,500.

Anyone have experience with the E36 chassis and/or the M50B25TU motor? Is this a nice price or crack pipe?

Chihuahua · 05-13-2022, 04:43 PM

pics?

whoismorggan · 05-13-2022, 04:46 PM

Pic

Chihuahua · 05-14-2022, 10:11 AM

Looks decent, I'm not sure if 3500 is the right number though. what are your plans for it? for me that's something I'd gut and turn into a track rat. I'm sure you're already familiar with all of the M5X pitfalls, the big one is cooling system/water pump. other than that it's the usual BMW stuff: valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, etc. Interior build quality on E36s is sub-par, that's why I'd gut it and track it. If you're looking for an M5X powered car to turn into a nice street car, go for an E46.

the other thing to check on any E36 or E46 for that matter is the rear floor where the subframe mounts. The floors have been known to tear from stress (I have seen this firsthand). There are reinforcing kits out there to prevent this from happening, I'd say it's a must on a track car.

good luck with whatever you choose to do.

whoismorggan · 05-14-2022, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Looks decent, I'm not sure if 3500 is the right number though..

Thanks for the info! What would be the right number to you? I'd probably do exactly what you're saying. Track rat, bucket seat, LSD, m-tech bodykit, etc

Chihuahua · 05-17-2022, 04:51 PM

2000 to 2500? non-M E36s are throwaway cars.

hoki06 · 05-18-2022, 07:59 AM

Yes! Buy it and build towards racing with Spec3. Great group of guys in a race class that has exploded recently.

https://drivenasa.com/road-racing/spec3/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/spec3/
https://www.instagram.com/nasaspec3/

TaylorGoesFast · 05-18-2022, 09:55 AM

100% yes.

You're in the epicenter of the NASA Spec3 class. Join us and 30+ other people in Virginia and NC that are building/racing the 325i.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/spec3

https://community.drivenasa.com/topi...ructors-guide/

https://www.instagram.com/nasaspec3/

https://www.facebook.com/NASASpec3/

EdCarGo · 05-21-2022, 09:01 PM

Yes. Yes you should. Come be my '95 Hellrot sedan Spec3 twin!

Maxmil982 · 05-21-2022, 10:21 PM

98

whoismorggan · 06-03-2022, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TaylorGoesFast

100% yes.

You're in the epicenter of the NASA Spec3 class. Join us and 30+ other people in Virginia and NC that are building/racing the 325i.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/spec3

https://community.drivenasa.com/topi...ructors-guide/

https://www.instagram.com/nasaspec3/

https://www.facebook.com/NASASpec3/

Quote:

Originally Posted by EdCarGo

Yes. Yes you should. Come be my '95 Hellrot sedan Spec3 twin!

How much (average) do you think it would take to build it out? Is a trailer necessary or could I drive to/from the track?

M-technik-3 · 06-06-2022, 08:12 AM

They make great track cars but have issues so do some reading on them. First thing to be done is cooling system and head studs and new gasket.

OBD1 car you can put a second fuel pump in with ease to prevent fuel starvation in the corners. Building it to what spec? At today's prices your looking at 5K at low end. Nice thing is there are tires for it on stock size. The bad part is find e36 parts these days is getting tougher, they used to prevalent on craigslist all day for 500 bucks now anyone that has one thinks they are worth $$$. Do a good underbody inspection for rust.

05-13-2022, 02:30 PM	#1
whoismorggan Bimmer Nut + Software Dev 561 Rep 802 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi S3 IE Stage 1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW X5 xDrive35i [0.00]	Should I buy a '95 325i 5MT as a project/track toy? I recently traded my 6MT F30 335i in for a F15 X5. The X5 is a great daily, but I'm finding myself wishing I had something a little more nimble that I could drive on weekends/to the track. I also am moving into a new rental property that has a giant workshop/garage and it would be the perfect space to work on an older car. I found a red 1995 325i manual sedan with around 215k miles. Has had recent maintenance such as water pump, radiator, hoses, driveshaft, and alternator. Clear coat is peeling on the hood/bumpers and roof. Seller is asking $3,500. Anyone have experience with the E36 chassis and/or the M50B25TU motor? Is this a nice price or crack pipe? __________________ Current: 2018 Audi S3 IE Stage 1 Past: '08 Infiniti G37S, '87 Porsche 944 Turbo, '13 328i, '15 M235i, '15 F80 M3, '16 M235i, '15 335i, '17 X5 xDrive35i @whoismorggan
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05-13-2022, 04:43 PM	#2
Chihuahua Brigadier General 4555 Rep 3,381 Posts Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: TBD iTrader: (0)	pics?
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05-13-2022, 04:46 PM	#3
whoismorggan Bimmer Nut + Software Dev 561 Rep 802 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi S3 IE Stage 1 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW X5 xDrive35i [0.00]	Pic Attached Images __________________ Current: 2018 Audi S3 IE Stage 1 Past: '08 Infiniti G37S, '87 Porsche 944 Turbo, '13 328i, '15 M235i, '15 F80 M3, '16 M235i, '15 335i, '17 X5 xDrive35i @whoismorggan
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05-14-2022, 10:11 AM	#4
Chihuahua Brigadier General 4555 Rep 3,381 Posts Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: TBD iTrader: (0)	Looks decent, I'm not sure if 3500 is the right number though. what are your plans for it? for me that's something I'd gut and turn into a track rat. I'm sure you're already familiar with all of the M5X pitfalls, the big one is cooling system/water pump. other than that it's the usual BMW stuff: valve cover gaskets, oil pan gaskets, etc. Interior build quality on E36s is sub-par, that's why I'd gut it and track it. If you're looking for an M5X powered car to turn into a nice street car, go for an E46. the other thing to check on any E36 or E46 for that matter is the rear floor where the subframe mounts. The floors have been known to tear from stress (I have seen this firsthand). There are reinforcing kits out there to prevent this from happening, I'd say it's a must on a track car. good luck with whatever you choose to do.
	Appreciate 1 whoismorggan561.00 Quote

05-17-2022, 04:51 PM	#6
Chihuahua Brigadier General 4555 Rep 3,381 Posts Drives: E30 329iS, E65 Alpina B7 Join Date: May 2012 Location: TBD iTrader: (0)	2000 to 2500? non-M E36s are throwaway cars.
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05-18-2022, 07:59 AM	#7
hoki06 Lieutenant 249 Rep 461 Posts Drives: 2010 BMW 128i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: VA iTrader: (2)	Yes! Buy it and build towards racing with Spec3. Great group of guys in a race class that has exploded recently. https://drivenasa.com/road-racing/spec3/ https://www.facebook.com/groups/spec3/ https://www.instagram.com/nasaspec3/
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05-18-2022, 09:55 AM	#8
TaylorGoesFast Registered 3 Rep 1 Posts Drives: 2008 128i 6MT, 1995 NASA Spec3 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	100% yes. You're in the epicenter of the NASA Spec3 class. Join us and 30+ other people in Virginia and NC that are building/racing the 325i. https://www.facebook.com/groups/spec3 https://community.drivenasa.com/topi...ructors-guide/ https://www.instagram.com/nasaspec3/ https://www.facebook.com/NASASpec3/
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05-21-2022, 09:01 PM	#9
EdCarGo Registered 2 Rep 1 Posts Drives: Spec3 #417 Join Date: May 2022 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	Yes. Yes you should. Come be my '95 Hellrot sedan Spec3 twin!
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05-21-2022, 10:21 PM	#10
Maxmil982 Private 23 Rep 77 Posts Drives: 2010 e60 535i xDrive Join Date: Apr 2021 Location: Atlanta Georgia iTrader: (0)	98
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06-06-2022, 08:12 AM	#12
M-technik-3 Lieutenant Colonel 2538 Rep 1,693 Posts Drives: E30 M3, E36 M3, 328iT, 335i Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: western Ma iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 M3 [9.00] 2007 E91 [7.25] 1988 M3 [9.50]	They make great track cars but have issues so do some reading on them. First thing to be done is cooling system and head studs and new gasket. OBD1 car you can put a second fuel pump in with ease to prevent fuel starvation in the corners. Building it to what spec? At today's prices your looking at 5K at low end. Nice thing is there are tires for it on stock size. The bad part is find e36 parts these days is getting tougher, they used to prevalent on craigslist all day for 500 bucks now anyone that has one thinks they are worth $$$. Do a good underbody inspection for rust.
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