BMW Serie 3 E36 problems (1990–2000)

Outside the engine, the E36 3 Series has a history of recalls for corrosion of the lower steering shaft (UK figures), and of age-related faults recorded in owner accounts and buyers' guides: window regulators with plastic clips, suspension wear, rear wheel bearings, and rust on the wheel arches and sills. We have found no Spanish data.

Outside the engine, the E36 3 Series has a history of recalls for corrosion of the lower steering shaft (UK figures), and of age-related faults recorded in owner accounts and buyers' guides: window regulators with plastic clips, suspension wear, rear wheel bearings, and rust on the wheel arches and sills. We have found no Spanish data. The most important documented faults are: corrosion of the lower steering shaft (BMW recalls) (steering, critical severity), steering lock cam breaks on 1995-1996 E36s (steering, critical severity), rust on the rear wheel arches, sills and suspension mounting points (bodywork and interior, medium severity) and wear of the front suspension arm bushes and ball joints (suspension, medium severity).^[1][2][3][4]

According to our rating by year, the best are 2000, 1999, 1998 and 6 other years with the same rating (6.2/10); the worst rated is 1995 (5.8/10). Each year's rating counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those units: open each year to see what changes.

Yes: we have documented 5 campaigns for the BMW Serie 3 E36, such as r/2021/268: damage to the anti-corrosion coating of the lower shaft (2021). Check with your VIN at the official service centre whether yours has been done.^[2]