The '96 has the single vanos M52 engine. This block can have the dreaded
"sulphur problem", but if it's gotten this far I'm sure it'll be OK.
Especially as the UK has had low sulphur fuel for years now.

I recently bought a '95 328i touring and it's MUCH better put together
than the E36 318iS '93 I owned for 9 years.

At that mileage a lot of the wear parts such as bushings, shocks, tie
rods, etc. are likely to have been changed. I'd buy it with the idea
that if anything major fails just part the car out on ebay, and let that
be reflected in the purchase price. Expect to pay a bit now and then to
replace worn components and I'd change ALL the fluids when you buy it.

I'm guessing it's a manual car. If it's an automatic it's a miracle if
it's got the original gearbox!

I ran my last E30 318iS 1990 to 200k and it was fine. Only sold it as
too many Scottish winters had started to make it rusty around the edges.