BMW E36s Are Reliable (if you take care of them)

[@blizz_ny5167]

Im 17 completely new to the car world, I love the look of this vehicle and heard it’s also a good daily driver. I’m just completely in the dark on car parts and things I need to know as a car owner to not only maintain my vehicle but learn as I go and eventually get to a point where I am working on a project of my own! Basically looking for sources of information that’ll help me not just see a moving object, but to see the car in its entirety.

[@notime23]

How’s it going man? I’m now in your position and although i’ve watched tons of videos for information i still feel like there’s more to learn. What’d you do?

[@Planked]

Just bought one 99 convertible for less than $3k in mint condition, the paint still looks new, lived in the garage and drove only 91k miles until now, now she going to daily drive me to work! I’m osyched and your videos are helping figure out the top not working!?!?

[@mrlafayette1964]

I'm in NC too,got a 99 a few years ago w/ low miles and always garaged.I've upgraded the cooling but hearing others bad mouth them had me worried a bit but I see now that it just comes down to maintenance and not abusing the car.

[@edwardglatzmayer5466]

Have '96 328iC automatic with 72K. No problems since I keep up with maintenance. Due for coolant system change, and power steering flush. Enjoy all your videos. Have larger tires on them that throws off abs sensors. Not sure how to fix that. Love the way it drives. Not enclosed in a garage but it is garaged from the rain. Thanks for taking the time for doing these videos too.

[@johanburger4096]

Some very useful and accurate advice there for people new to E36s. Thanks Steve. Have used your videos multiple times to sort out some of these common issues on my 328i.

[@SweatyParadox]

Appreciate the videos and knowledge man keep it up! bought my first e36 (92 318i sedan with 70k miles) 6 months ago so far all minor diy things and running great

[@bookofjulio]

Driving a 96 328i as a daily with 178k miles. So far only changes I've needed are normal wear and tear changes nothing really abnormal tbh and honestly almost everything on this car can be done on your own.

[@thescoop5951]

I have the same specs but mines lowered respect

[@logonpierce8461]

Man I love this video I’m a new e36 owner and this video was so helpful💯💯

[@SFterps]

Personally I’ve never had my e36 break down on me. The engines are great if you take care of them and don’t redline every gear. I’ve had a lot of issues with the differential, bushings, suspension links and all sorts of interior/ door issues. Sadly even a simple door handle car ruin your day on an old e36

[@baronburgamot243]

I run an E36 drifter as a daily, M50 inlet mani on the M52 block, 170k on it. Runs like a dream. It's the same as any vehicle tbh, if you look after it it'll look after you

[@bendy1808]

My e 36 cooling system was done for changed everything in the cooling system including the little plastic coolant on side of block at 110 000 miles

[@calvinunroe2462]

I have had 7 bmws 3 which were e36s and they were all reliable even when I was hard on them

[@dreamsun69]

Super lovely to drive a 5 speed 95 316i so damn reliable just sort the common issues when you buy it and you are good for a long time

[@rick2tube]

Completely agree! Have over 180k miles on my 1998 328is...all work done so far are wear and tear and maintenance related...had no idea 20 years ago I was buying a DIY friendly car. KZbin, including your videos, have helped with all the work I’ve done. About to do my first oil filter housing gasket replacement ever. Having a hard time locating the vanos line crush washers. I’ve read reusing the old ones once is likely ok if I keep them in the same orientation...any real world experience if that works?

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

i wouldnt, there crush washers that r one time use, your local dealer should have some

[@e36fanatics29]

I have never reused the vanos line crush washers because they are supposed to be one time use. I would suggest getting them from your local dealer, its an annoying additional consumption of your time but they are only a few bucks and you don't want to have to redo the job.

[@redactedmind7115]

At this point you can count on ever piece of rubber needing to be replaced. Upgrade your cooling system. If you purchase a lower mileage the rubber is likely from the factory.

[@jw200]

I also had 5 E36 in my life. Currently driving 96 E36. But its getting old and looks pretty tired. Im tired of all the repairs and keeping it ok. New parts quality also is very poor. I think this will be the last year of driving it and I'm gonna sell it. Im planning to get newer BMW F10 or F11 Gran Coupe directly from Germany. Not brand new but used. Because I'm truck driver in Europe anyway and in a spare time I can look around in car sale yards in Germany and find something suitable.

[@lucasg3040]

Great video

[@jacksonduval4995]

Bought a broken 94 roughly 2 years that needed a new clutch and flywheel. Qas a good car until I had the spinning key problem. Got it back on the road and 3 days later had a strunt get pulled from the tower smh

[@tipaklong7073]

I’ve been digging the looks of the e36. Hey comments i need your help. Should i swap my 2001 e46 318i for a 1992 e36 325i? I know engines are different and manufacture date, its the looks that get me. What should i do?

[@DirtyMikeSlays]

This is true, change the oil every 3k and overhaul the cooling system.

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

6k with full synthetic

[@redactedmind7115]

New Oil Every 3-4 months or mileage whichever comes first.

[@bobvansand6346]

I love them cars bro!

[@jaybird9862]

My 99 E36 doesn't show the green fog light indicator on the dash when the fogs are on (fog lights work fine). Have you ever experienced this? Fuses are good and bulb in the cluster is good as well. I agree though E36's are reliable I love mine.

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

then u gotta check wiring to it

[@adriansandoval9352]

Can you do a automatic convertible top video

[@samsondo]

no strut towers or structural issues either? or is that more case by case

[@joshkiej6601]

the m40's have serious engine issues though. Fairly sure that they werent sold in the us, but they tend to snap their timing belts starting at 25k miles while they should last about 50k miles

[@e36fanatics29]

Not familiar with the m40, we had the m42 four cylinder engine and in my opinion it was excellent.

[@joshkiej6601]

@@e36fanatics29 yeah the M42's are great, the M40s are really unreliable, the oil squirters for the cams are usually clogged up too, and theyll ruin your camshaft

[@BmwMe-uh9sy]

driving a e36 in 2020 is getting harder n harder, the parts r sooo old

[@bendy1808]

Try E Bay for parts fairly cheap

[@norphes3865]

Help! My velocimeter and fuel consumption gauge sometimes don't work. Seems to be at random aswell, and I'm not sure which part of the whole circuit is failing. Anyone has got the same problem by any change? Any help is appreciated 🤗

[@observer7418]

92 325is with 109k drives like new

[@newyorkdragon]

Hey man I have a problem with my window on my e36 , do you have an email where you could possibly help me out with instructions on how to fix it

[@e36fanatics29]

What is the issue? Motor/Regulator? I have a video on replacing them, it is not the most enjoyable DIY I have ever done, but it can be done within a few hours.

[@newyorkdragon]

@@e36fanatics29 well I replaced the regulator but the when I put the slides into the little round sockets and press the button to lift the window up it keeps popping them out about half way up

[@detox2778]

@@newyorkdragon try pinching the black tabs that pop into the sliders just a little bit , i had the same issue , i also ordered new window tracks , waiting on the front guide now , the problem i have now , is the window needs to come out to replace them and i cant figure out how to take the window out ! 🤣😂💀☠😵 im about to pay someone , if replacing the motor doesn't fix my current issue

[@newyorkdragon]

@@detox2778 I actually fixed my problem. What worked for me was slightly bending the arms that hold the window in place forward. You need to be careful so that you don't bend them too much or they can break just enough to where the sockets that hold the slider push against the window and stop it from falling out. As far as taking the window out you need to remove the black trim pieces where the window comes out of the door on the top part. Then you also need to unbolt the metal pieces which hold the plastic sliders. After that you can slide the window up over and out, the glass can handle a little flexing if you have a coupe or sedan. Luckily I have a convertible and it slid right up. Let me know if I can help you out.

[@detox2778]

@@newyorkdragon thanks for the advice greatly appreciated, mine is a vert too , i was wondering about those bolts that hold the sliders on, now i know hahaha , thanks again man , much appreciated!

[@tariquetulloch6643]

Or just upgrade the car so u dont have those known issued and bullet proof it🤷🏽‍♂️