BMW 3er-Reihe E36 328i, 193 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive (1995–1999)

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.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Check the rear strut mounts and front ball joints. Bad result: loose or cracked mounts, or clunks over bumps.
4. Test every window and check the door cards and dash for cracks. Bad result: slow or dead windows, or cracked plastic.
5. On a 323i or 328i built before March 1998, ask for a leak-down test. Bad result: low pressure in one or more cylinders.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions