E36 build quality

[BMracing]

I've heard that early E36's weren't particularly well made. Is it a good idea to avoid anything pre-facelift, or was it just the very first models that suffered? But then of course the engines arent as tough in the later models.
Also i think the general concencess is that e30 2 doors have a stiffer chassis than the more doors, apparently its vice versa on e36's? Can anyone back this up? Something to do with the rear seat backs? Is it noticeable?
I have driven e36's, but never hard!

[Gwynleym10]

I have heard that 4 door e30's are stiffer than 3dr

Some engines are they same - and all reliable from what I know. M40's get the same issues in e36's as they do in e30's. M50s are as reliable as m42s / m44.

Interior of early e36's is not the best electric windows especially are a night mare. Some of the "lower" trim can get a bit manky but IMO no worse than some e30s.

[Andyboy]

Today I saw a 1992 J plate 320i at a car auction. Not rusty, interior in one piece, looked and sounded like a decent car. Not worth a cup of cold p!ss but still better than most E30's body wise. I've had three early ones, two J's and a K and they were all okay. Not as solid as an E28/E34 but neither is an E30. Rust wise, the really bad ones are invariably imports from South Africa and Malaysia of which there are a surprising amount in the UK. Both are RHD markets and both had BMW assembly plants.

E36 front electric windows are utter shite however, bloody terrible design. Every E36 I've had has needed work to get them to work properly.

[Gwynleym10]

E36 front electric windows are utter shite however, bloody terrible design. Every E36 I've had has needed work to get them to work properly.

Andy - do you know what any common problems maybe with my coupe? Passenger window doesn't work.. Sounds like the motor is trying to do something but doesn't. It also doesn't adjust when you shut the door like the drive one does.

Is it just adjustment?

[Andyboy]

Not sure about Coupes because of the anti trap mechanism. You need to get the door trim off and see what's what. If all you can hear is a clicking noise, the motor is probably shagged.

[lance1a]

A common issue on these was the main regulator arm which was too long and being made of compressed toilet paper, bent easily. The BMW fix was a rather heavy duty black item that cured the problem. Coupes doors are a piece of pi55 to take apart and with a drill and a few 8mm nuts and bolts you should be done in about an hour or so.
I think E34's age well then E30 then E36 but not much in it. Though I think the trim on the earlier cars was better.

[Gwynleym10]

Cool thanks!

[harry_p]

a few e36s seem to suffer from rot, but then there are a lot of tidy non rotten ones out there. they certainly don't all seem to suffer. if they are going, it's almost always the rear arches that show first. i've yet to see one that's needed welding for an mot.

arely small engine cars had the m40 from the e30, around 95 they changed to the m43 chain driven engine which seems to be almost indestructable!

from memory, the coupe e36s had folding rear seats, whilst the 4 door had a fixed rear seat with a ski hatch, which in theory makes the 4door shell more solid. however, i've not seen any figures to back it up.

[Jhonno]

My 328i didnt have a single squeak or rattle

the only thing it did do was let a little cold air in somewhere to chill the rear drivers footwell

[fingerman]

I picked up a J reg 325 last weekend for £400 and I quite like it

It's my first E36 as I've never liked the shaped from the outside but inside it aint that bad

Anyway, everything works (including electric windows) and it shifts

The auto box is one of the smoothest I've had and the M50 sounds great - in low gears or when I boot it

There's some rust on the os rear arch and boot but it's not that bad

The cabin is a nice place to be and nicer when it's dark with more amber bits lighting up! And smooth fade in fade out action on the map lights

The standard sound system is actually very good - but I'll be upgrading front speakers and already got some 6x9's for the rear (with adapters)

If you don't mind what it looks like from the outside (although mine is growing on me) then they're good little cars

[Andyboy]

My first E36 was a K plate 320i Automatic in Mauritius blue. It had done 243k and was really a bit of a ratbag although it was absolutely rust free. I changed the autobox oil and filter, replaced the lower front balljoints and it drove really well. On a run the economy was impressive due to the tall gearing. I sold it on and it's now in Lithuania.

[BMracing]

Thanks for the views and info.
I asked because i've been considering one as a runaround. They're often cheaper than e30s these days, plenty to choose from, and theyre no doubt more reliable/economical too.
I've thought about having one as a track car too, think we'll stick with the e30 for now though.
Were LSD's less common on e36's? The only ones i've ever come across with them were 328 sports and M3's obviously. Surely some 325's had them too?

[e36boy]

Thanks for the views and info.
I asked because i've been considering one as a runaround. They're often cheaper than e30s these days, plenty to choose from, and theyre no doubt more reliable/economical too.
I've thought about having one as a track car too, think we'll stick with the e30 for now though.
Were LSD's less common on e36's? The only ones i've ever come across with them were 328 sports and M3's obviously. Surely some 325's had them too?

I think the early 328i sports had LSD's but I dont think the late ones did.....Dont think any 325's did though !?

Ps, Ive had 3 E36's and never come across rot...Infact never had a problem with any of them.
The best car Ive ever had the pleasure of owning was a 97 'R reg 316i coupe...Great on fuel...Very slow but it took 4 1/2 years of hard abuse from me and never missed a beat....My mums had loads of E36's also and the same sort of thing, Bloody brilliant cars....And alot better than the E30's weve had.

[Andyboy]

LSD's are very rare on E36's. It was an option, but they have much better traction anyway so it wasn't high on many buyer's lists. 328i Sports without traction control have LSD's.
E36 slippers are rare - you'll pay £350 for one. M3 ones don't fit. Evos need the whole rear axle and the 3.0 M3 diff needs the pinion flange changing.

[darkchild]

Never had a pre-facelift model but all the later models I've had ('97 onwards) have been superb. I've had a 1997 316i as my daily driver for 6.5 years and have added 82K to it. It still feels as tight and fresh as the day I got it and apart from regular servicing/tyres etc its cost me only a few suspensions parts (mainly bushes). Build quality is superb - zero rust and a rattle free interior thats still factory fresh. The only real fault is a slight movement in the seats which is quite a common problem due to the runners.

[e36boy]

Never had a pre-facelift model but all the later models I've had ('97 onwards) have been superb. I've had a 1997 316i as my daily driver for 6.5 years and have added 82K to it. It still feels as tight and fresh as the day I got it and apart from regular servicing/tyres etc its cost me only a few suspensions parts (mainly bushes). Build quality is superb - zero rust and a rattle free interior thats still factory fresh. The only real fault is a slight movement in the seats which is quite a common problem due to the runners.

My first e36 was a 97 R reg 316i coupe and Id have to say the same as you said.....Ran it for 4 - 4 1/2 years with no probs....I really wish I still had it as a daily because it was like brand new and I think I sold it way to cheap.