BMW 3er-Reihe E36 320i, 150 PS, 5-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive (1990–1999)

Research for this car

Generation guide BMW 3 Series E36 (1990-2000): known problems and buying guide
Cheap and simple to run, but rust and the cooling system decide the price. Check the body and the cooling system before you pay.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost	Source
Body rust	All E36, worst on early builds	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Cooling system	All engines: pump, thermostat, radiator, expansion tank	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Suspension and steering wear	All E36	Front shocks 40,000-50,000 km (Kolesa.ru)	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Automatic gearbox wear	Automatic cars: 4L30E (4-speed), 5HP18 (5-speed)	About 300,000 km (torque converter, Kolesa.ru)	No confirmed price	Generation guide
Window regulators and interior trim	All E36	Not stated	No confirmed price	Generation guide

Lift the car and check the sills, the floor under both footwells, the rear arches, the boot lid and the strut towers. Bad result: holes, soft metal, or new paint over rust.
Check the radiator and expansion tank seam for leaks, and watch the temperature on a warm test drive. Bad result: a leak, or a rising temperature.
Check the rear strut mounts and front ball joints. Bad result: loose or cracked mounts, or clunks over bumps.
On automatics, test every gear and ask for the gearbox service record. Bad result: slipping, harsh shifts, or limp mode.
Test every window and check the door cards and dash for cracks. Bad result: slow or dead windows, or cracked plastic.

Operational	€305
Workshop	€114
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€120
Total per month	€539
New-car depreciation (not included)	€48

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de in this generation with this fuel, gearbox and power.

First registration	Listings	Median price	Median mileage
2000	4	–	–
1999	5	€4,750	212,000 km
1998	5	€5,500	230,000 km
1997	11	€7,000	175,000 km
1996	8	€6,000	138,900 km
1995	3	–	–
1994	4	–	–
1993	2	–	–
1992	6	€5,500	188,250 km
1991	3	–	–

Medians only for years with at least 5 listings. Many cars are first registered after production ends, so years can run past the build years.

Month	Listings	Median price	Middle half	Median mileage
Nov 2026	51	€5,500	€4,750 – €7,500	187,000 km
Oct 2026	51	€5,500	€4,750 – €7,500	187,000 km

Median asking price at the last snapshot of each month.

All 12 ADAC versions

Version	Power	Body	Doors	Production years	Running cost per month
320i Automatic	150 PS	Saloon	4	1990–1998	€528
320i Comfort Edition Automatic	150 PS	Saloon	4	1997–1998	€530
320i Sport Edition Automatic	150 PS	Saloon	4	1997–1998	€539
320i Exclusiv Edition Automatic	150 PS	Saloon	4	1997–1998	€530
320i Coupé Automatic	150 PS	Coupé	2	1992–1999	€539
320i Coupé Comfort Edition Automatic	150 PS	Coupé	2	1997–1999	€539
320i Coupé Exclusiv Edition Automatic	150 PS	Coupé	2	1997–1999	€539
320i Coupé Sport Edition Automatic	150 PS	Coupé	2	1997–1999	€539
320i Touring Automatic	150 PS	Estate	5	1998–1999	€535
320i Touring Comfort Edition Automatic	150 PS	Estate	5	1997–1999	€535
320i Touring Exclusiv Edition Automatic	150 PS	Estate	5	1997–1999	€535
320i Touring Sport Edition Automatic	150 PS	Estate	5	1997–1999	€546