1997 BMW Serie 3 problems
Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 1997 cars, such as corrosion of the lower steering shaft (BMW recalls).
1997 BMW Serie 3 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 5 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- EngineNot analysed
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension7.72 faults and ITV (technical inspection)
- Brakes6.8Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.3 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering7.51 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Electrical system9.31 fault
- Headlights and lights8.0Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment10.0No documented faults
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior8.11 fault and ITV (technical inspection)
- Airbags and safety10.0No documented faults
What changes compared with the 1996 BMW Serie 3
- Score: 5.8 → 6.2
- No longer affected by: steering lock cam breaks on 1995-1996 E36s (rest of the car)
Faults outside the engine in the 1997 BMW Serie 3
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalSteeringCorrosion of the lower steering shaft (BMW recalls)Yes: in the United Kingdom BMW recalled hundreds of thousands of 3 Series built between 1990 and 2000, because corrosion of the lower steering shaft could weaken it to the point of failure, and it is replaced with a modified shaft. The records do not distinguish the generation, but the dates almost match the E36.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonBodywork and interiorRust on the rear wheel arches, sills and suspension mounting pointsCorrosion is the most repeated weak point in the E36 guides: it appears mainly along the rear edge of the rear wheel arches, on the sills and at the jacking points, and fiches-auto.fr also cites it on the rear subframe and suspension mountings. According to one guide, cars built before 1994 rust more.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWear of the front suspension arm bushes and ball jointsWith age the lower arm bushes and ball joints wear out: a British guide links worn bushes to vibration when braking from high speed, and fiches-auto.fr records 6 mentions of bushes and 5 of ball joints out of 160 accounts. It is normal wear, with no dedicated campaign.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionPremature failure of the rear wheel bearingsRear wheel bearings feature among the faults in the accounts (7 out of 160 on fiches-auto.fr, with replacements from around 120,000 km), and in 1995 the DVSA recorded a campaign for 152 British 3 Series whose rear bearings may have been fitted without the correct preload.
- Low severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemPlastic clips break on the front electric window regulatorThis is a common E36 fault: the plastic clips on the front window regulator break, and the glass comes loose from its carrier or rises with difficulty. 16 of the 160 fiches-auto.fr accounts (10%) mention window regulators, and a British guide records the same defect on early cars.
Buying a 1997 BMW Serie 3?
We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 BMW Serie 3 reliable?
Outside the engine, 5 documented faults affect 1997 cars, such as corrosion of the lower steering shaft (BMW recalls).
Is the 1997 BMW Serie 3 better than the 1996?
Our score goes from 5.8 in 1996 to 6.2 in 1997. No longer affected by: steering lock cam breaks on 1995-1996 E36s (rest of the car).
What is the best year for the BMW Serie 3?
According to our score, the best are 2000, 1999, 1998 and 6 other years with the same score (6.2/10). The year with the worst score is 1995 (5.8/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 1997 BMW Serie 3 have?
The most important ones documented for 1997 cars are: corrosion of the lower steering shaft (BMW recalls) (steering, critical severity), rust on the rear wheel arches, sills and suspension mounting points (bodywork and interior, medium severity), wear of the front suspension arm bushes and ball joints (suspension, medium severity), premature failure of the rear wheel bearings (suspension, medium severity) and plastic clips break on the front electric window regulator (electrical system, low severity).
Own a 1997 BMW Serie 3? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.