In et 6/10 we looked at what you should expect to repair or replace when buying an E30 BMW 325i. This time, we take a look at the E30's successor, the E36, which was produced between 1992 and '99. From '92-95, the straight six-cylinder engine in the 325i was governed by OBD1 (on-board diagnostics) engine management and was capable of 189hp.
In '96, when the vehicles switched to OBD2, the engine was stroked to 2.8 liters, gaining slightly more torque. At the same time, the M3 3.0 was given a 3.2-liter motor from '96-99, while the 1.8-liter OBD1 318i four-cylinder was stretched to 1.9L as well.
Since horsepower remained the same on all these engines, none of the changes made the cars faster in a drag race, just torquier to drive around town.
While the E36 3-Series is a great car available at cheap prices (you can find a decent M3 under $10k), high-mileage does take its toll. If cared for properly, these cars can last a very long time, and their timing chains means you don't have ever have to worry about broken timing belts.
Our highly-modified Project M3, which sees 7000rpm all the time and puts down over 260whp has 160k miles on the odometer, yet doesn't burn oil, has equal compression on all cylinders, no visible rust and all the electrics are working. A great buy? You bet!
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Every BMW owner should have a Peake Research fault code reader to quickly diagnose a check
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Replace the factory radiator with an all-aluminum aftermarket unit such as this PWR unit f
For this guide, we're focusing on the popular 325i/328i, but most of what you see also applies to the 318i and M3. There are a variety of things to watch out for, but thanks to the involvement of the aftermarket industry, the E36 BMW can have a long life, including highly-modified ones.
To help you, we spoke to the experts at Bavarian Autosport (BA), BimmerWorld (BW), BMP Design (BMP), Turner Motorsport (TMS) and UUC Motorwerks (UUC). Their combined knowledge will help you keep a car on the road for many years to come.
Engine
Anybody with an '87 or newer BMW should buy a Peake Research scan tool to diagnose check-engine lights, saving diagnostic bills. It's easy to use and takes seconds to operate.
• The first thing you'll probably hear about from most tuners is the cooling system. While the radiator core is aluminum, the plastic end tanks are prone to crack. BW and UUC sell all-aluminum radiators that should last the life of the car and provide better cooling.
• The water pumps on all OBD1 cars were equipped with plastic impellers that commonly fail. In '96 all OBD2 cars had a longer-lasting metal impeller, but thanks to the aftermarket you can order the robust, high-flow EMP pump through most tuners listed here. We used one on Project M3.
• Cracked plastic water pump pulleys are notorious on high mileage E36s. BMP sells replacement iron pulleys, or you can use lightened underdrive pulleys from BMP, BA, BW, TMS and UUC.
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Most companies carry cooling products such as Samco upper and lower coolant hoses, EMP wat
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Broken water pump pulleys are common but most tuners have sturdier replacements right
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140amp alternator from BA replaced our malfunctioning 80amp factory unit
• Over time, rubber coolant hoses become brittle and crack. BW sells Samco silicone replacements as used on Project M3.
• Thermostats commonly fail but BA, BW, BMP and TMS sell low-temp thermostats to help the car run cooler. The housings on OBD1 cars were plastic, so the same companies sell alloy ones that last the life of the car. BW recommends European-spec expansion tanks particularly on hard-driven vehicles. BMP also has brass bleeder screws to replace the plastic ones.
• BA reports the auxiliary fan can often seize. What you can do is remove the wires from the radiator fan temp switch and jump them together to ensure the fan runs with the ignition on.
• Hydraulic valve lifters can become noisy and need replacing around 200,000 miles. You can get them through BMP, BA, TMS and BW. Valve cover gaskets can leak, causing oil to fill the spark plug galleys and cause misfires. BMP, BA, BW and TMS sells replacements.
• Both BW and TMS report the Vanos variable cam timing units become noisy and fail due to incorrect oil change intervals. Aftermarket companies such as Dr Vanos sell rebuilt units for less than the dealer and make them sturdier. As used on Project M3.