BMW RELIABILITY: My AWFUL 1 Year Experience
2018 ж. 1 Ақп.
260 937 Рет қаралды
With the higher costs related to repairs of German vehicles in the US, people seem to have a lot of questions around the topic of reliability. Today I let loose all the details on what has gone wrong with my BMW E36 M3 in the last one year of ownership, and how much it cost to fix. Thanks for watching. Remember to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!!!
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Lol at all the haters who can't work out that the video nametag was made in jest. Sarcasm anyone? I had an E36 Euro spec Evolution model before my current E46 M3 cabrio and miss every second without that car now. As much as I love my E46, the E36 Evo is now a timeless classic icon, not to mention it has more than doubled in value since it went 2 years ago!
+sarcastixx74 haha I'm glad you understood the sarcasm, and appreciate the e36 as much as I do 👍
sarcastixx74 click bate or sarcasm??? Click bate
I made the exact same mistake (trading my E36 for a 46). Regret it every single day.
Unfortunately I had no choice in what happened to my E36. Driving to work in fog/frost at 4am and I hit an oil patch at the exit of a roundabout, spun but at first I caught it. Next thing I see a pair of headlights coming towards me as I was on the opposite side of the road so I threw it into the side and ran it off the crash barrier. Rather see a crashed car than potentially taking out innocent people but yeah I do miss it, especially when I see similar spec models as they are so rare now. Another 5 accidents happened at the same spot that day before I found out it was due to a transporter leaking oil. At least I can happily say I had the pleasure of owning one!
Why m3 cabrio and not coupe? Im only asking cuz the e36 was very specific not like u had automatic us spec e36 lol then i wouldnt ask.
I've been daily driving my e36 for 21 years now and it's the best car I've owned so far... right now it has a little bit over 500,000k miles and still runs strong
Hell yeah man!
That is good to hear
207k miles on mine!
260k on mine but I bought it that way because the motor was rebuilt at 200k.
my 330ci has 330k
Agreed. The straight sixes tend to be solid state when you keep them properly maintained.
This is a 20+ y.o. Car and only 300 bucks! Bloody reliable if you ask me
+JavierCR25 I agree!
Nothing reliable about BMWs
Just $300? How much did that Mishimoto radiator and second water pump cost? That wasn't included in the repairs.
That's because they weren't repairs. Nothing broke, I just upgraded because I wanted to.
@@TreatsOnTheStreets gotcha! How much did all of the parts cost? I am looking into 1997 as we speak, 130K miles, same color like yours. What can I expect from that mileage, what type of preventive maintenance do you recommend?
Any used cars are going to have problems. So I think its better if you're prepared for them knowing what they are. I'm even more inclined to buying one after this video
My 99 E36 M3 (US) has been frackin bulletproof. I whale on that thing every time I drive it. This guy's guide is spot on, other than reinforcing the sub frame if you wanna get really nasty. Also check the shock mount points on the body if you're looking to buy one (BMW sells reinforcement hats for cheap, they came on my 99, I hear they might have came on 98's). The other thing I would toss in if you got the time is a full suspension bushing refresh/upgrade (lower control arms at least). Especially recommend the Mishimoto all aluminum radiator. When I bought mine it came in at 10$ less than an OEM plastic tank piece of garbage, and even came with the hoses. The thing is pretty easy to work on to boot. Also, put an OBD1 manifold on that pig. Also also, make sure to get a water pump with a metal impeller.
Thanks for the extra mentions!
you are a very lucky man to not have many problems with that m3, my 328i had all those problems and many more within the first year, its holding up quite good now but oh boy the things i had to do to get it where its at is crazy so just remember you are one lucky man
Great video and thank you for sharing. I've heard of several m3 cars going into the 100's of thousands of miles as well. Hope yours lasts that long.
Thanks man. Really helpful info. Thinking of getting one. I'm all the way in South Africa👌🏾🇿🇦. Keep it up
e36 is my all time favorite bmw
Same
@@jamesrodriguez4189 same
Agree
This is the only decent video for those looking for actual tips, thanks!
my e36 has 243,000 miles and the only thing it ever needs is tons of oil and tires, other than that i've never had any issues aside from a fuel pump I replaced myself
I hope your title is sarcastic. Any used M3 if they haven't had cooling system redone, power steering system and vanos. You just have to take that into account as immediate maintenance after buying the car.
+sump22 if you watch the whole video you'll definitely be able to tell the title is sarcastic. I love my M3! It's been great!
Why am I just finding this channel, and I was expecting a few hundred-thousand subs not 4.5 thousand. Keep up the amazing work. You earned a like and a sub.
+Clay Dellinger haha thanks man! Someday! Welcome to the channel👍
I sent a message on instagram if you could reply when you have the time that would be great.
+Clay Dellinger just did 👍
Great channel bud ! Always good to see real world BMW owners who drove them like they’re meant to be driven and maintain them. E36 is the cheapest way to get into an M car and from experience, it’s cheaper to own than a 540i E39. And I consider both my E39 540i and M5 really reliable, despite internet claims. Keep her safe !
+BimmerMann thanks! I love the e39. I'd like to pick up an m5 someday when it's time for another BMW. Definitely had a great time with the e36 so far.
I daily a sedan m3 it has 193k miles still strong everything works.
+Gab Marty that's awesome! I love hearing about stuff like that.
@@TreatsOnTheStreets I meet a guy who have 94 325i 5speed whit over 600k on stock M50 engine He still drives it daily :D
Small youtuber, but good content, your channel will grow!!!
Love the E36. I had a 328is with the M50 intake manifold conversion, simota carbon fibre induction kit, and M3 front & rear bumpers/splitters. It was such a sweet looking, fast enough, and very reliable car. It's a shame that over there in the US, you didn't get the proper E36 M3, and instead only got what was basically a 328i with better cams. I did read that yours was Euro spec though, which was the full-fat one same as we got here in the UK.
very good video, thanks man.. i have a 98 323is coupe wit 120k miles im in the process of bringing bac to life. Previous owner put a push to start and it ended up giving me some trouble
Very informative and great to mention prices of the repairs.
Do e46 front lower control swap, you'll get some nice camber, i think e46 is like an inch longer. It will help the turn-in at the start if the corner. Also it's great mod for daily drifter, or if you want to track a drift car, coz most of race tracks do not allow bent tube design suspension parts like SLR...
Great stuff man, love ur channel. Keep up good work 🙂
+Tanascco thanks dude!
Love your channel! Amazing content!
Thanks man!
We've had one in the family for like 25 years now it's got 460.000 on the clock and it just won't die two of my uncle's used it and now it's in my hands I've replaced all the cooling system it does wonders on the road.
You have to love bmw to ignore the costs. My E46 has cost me more the last six months than my Toyota daily with 200k has in ten years ..the misses keeps pointing this out as parts arrive
It's still worth it
As someone who's driven both BMWs and Toyotas, the miniscule difference in maintenance is totally worth it, dude.
Mario might have got me there. 46 is my project and i can't kill the Toyota for trying. I'll get a new daily one day when it dies
I have the opposite experience with a 160k miles Toyota Celica. So far the most reliable old car I have ever driven are the Porsche 944 and 968 until major repairs come up.
The BMW cooling system are always the most troublesome among cars that I have driven. It is always better to upgrade it with performance or better aftermarket parts.
about to buy a european e36 323i with supposedly 50.000 miles on it. I'm so excited!
My E36 i drove for 360k Miles on the original engine, and it only gave out because of an engine oil leak i didnt notice, Most reliable car Ive ever had, switched to an Audi a4 Quattro since then, Would go back to the E36 any day
I have had a M3 since 1997 and it has always started first turn of the key. Last week it did the same after 3 years in the garage. Only time it hasn`t started was when the battery was flat.
I've had my e46 318i for a year now and spent €1500 on repairs. Cooling system, head gasket, rear dust plates, handbrake, plus a few minor things like front disks and pads, oil change, window regulator, filters, battery
Thanks for the helpful content!
I've had numerous e36 m3's and never had a problem apart from the usual wear and tear, in my opinion bmw went down hill from around 2005! And I'm saying this being a big BMW fan!
7:53 The moment we’ve all been waiting for. YEAH BABY! I mean after seeing how much mpg the e36 gets. Man can’t wait!
My e36 has not given me a single problem for 2 years since I redid the head gasket and got fresh valves and springs. Only thing that happened was a thermostat leak and I changed it for 40 bucks. I drive it hard as a daily and so far so good.
iv got a e46 msport coupe 320i original ,but always loved the e36s this silver one is a beauty tho love it well clean
My 98 328i convertible has 298,000. Bought it from a friend a month ago. Came with a HUGE folder with receipts from work that had been done. I love the car. Doing a m50 manifold swap in a few weeks :-)
Heck yeah man keep taking care of it and it will last forever!
Man this guy deserves more subs and K’s sedan looks exactly like mines it’s sick Mines also has the Sports leather interior package
+Greatest King thanks man! Nice car 👍
my e36 328i manual been my most reliable car to date, only done oil and filters and 5 years hard driving no trouble giving it a birthday now by choice but no troubles at all, fingers crossed it stays that way
My mother drove an e36 sedan for 20 years, drove it across the country (Canada) from BC to ontario when she moved, and sold it a couple years ago. She says the worst she ever had was an oil pan gasket gave up other than that she absolutely loved driving it
I've had my 328i for about a year now. There's only been one big issue, which was my Radiator cracking. Ended up replacing it with a Mishimoto Radiator and hasn't been an issue since. I've done my preventative maintenance but still need to take care of some things. Most things were already done by the previous owner so there isn't much I need to do.
I have a late 2006 E36 328i. Love that car. 240000km (149000 miles) and still has the factory clutch and exhaust, never had a Vanos problem, did replace the front control arms at 150000km. The only problem at the moment is a jammed rear door lock (the actuator is stuck in the locked position). I have a spare that I will install as soon as the actuator decides to unstick.
Julian Radowsky 06 is the e90 chassy
I have the same exact car (color and M3) only the convertible version and I had exactly all the same problems you describe and the only one that I haven’t done is the engine mounts. The prices you quote are amazingly low - I was not as fortunate with these deals but this car is worth it and lots of fun! Mine is 1999 with 195,000 miles!
Prices are low because they are not accurate. The aluminum radiator alone is like $500
The radiator is 308 online today.
Think I’ve seen your car around before I found your channel. I live in Utah and also own an e36 m3 I remember seeing it and thinking damn that’s super clean haha
Haha small world! See you around!
Very insightful. 👍🏿👍🏿
Hey dude, awesome video as always :). Quick question, what power steering refresh kit did you get? I know I'm gonna have to do it for my 328i. Thank you.
+Car Skillz I went on ecs tuning's website and bought the kit. It came with a reservoir, cooler, and lines. Been great!
I rebuild the whole colant system of my e46 in like 1 year. Hopefully now everything will be ok for some years.
Shouldn't have any problem with cooling after that!
Love your car mate. its mint by the looks of it
Love the M3 sedans. You've gotta try one, they're a good time! Me and my fiance have a 328i sedan daily and my father has an M3/4/5. E36's are sweet cars to own and drive.
+Brandon Leitz haha quite the BMW family 👌
If a shortshiftkit isnt done yet, do it! new bushings for the linkage and a new lever with shorter throws. Buy original bushings for bmw, shifter, ebay works
Mine had 300k my motor mounts were original and were torn to shit when I took them out. The car needed so much love and still needs a lot. Especially rust. I plan on rebuilding the whole car from body onward. Hopefully I can revive this thing and have it live for another 300k
doing the same atm, mine is at 300k kms, lots of rust, im fixing it atm, should be repainted in a few weeks. everything had rust, wheel arches jacking points wheel well, ...
Very reassuring video, thank you big time
No problem 👌
I love how e36 coupes look in that silver color. If i had one I'd have the same color, only gold or bronze rims. There is one around me but I'm so afraid to buy it. For 1. I'm afraid of the repairs it might need and 2. e46 coupes have been my dream car for a very long time
I have a e36 with over 300k miles, still works great, A\C and everything else...✌👍
1995 e34 with the m50b25tu , put on 15k miles past 12 months and never left me stranded, never had any problems just basic maintenance like .. 3 oil changes, oil filter housing gasket, spark plugs, differential oil, these cars are fucking great
Yes they are 👍
I guess ive been super lucky, my e36 323i has been in the family for 23 years for almost its whole life. Only reliability issues where the car overheated once (radiatior) and we had been in a crash with a sprinter van once which meant replacing the door. Apart from that, it has been amazing. It was an auto though, My mum used to drive it normally in eco mode and my dad used to love to floor it in sport since he was used to his sluggish 1999 Mercedes e class
Great car, only issue I have is the fact I have to put coolant in every 3 weeks. And there’s no leak and it’s been bled
the perfect BMW E36 front end E46 back end fight me
The only quirk I hated most was replacing those plastic gears in the seats, besides that it's a amazing car
I have my 325is and 318ti for more than 10 years and still kicking
its mostly only the 3 series, like the vanos pump, and also like you said, the power steering. With the E46, it was mostly only the vanos that would go bad.
E36 is a GREAT daily driver I drive about 40 miles every single day with regular maintenance. Fun daily and I just replace most things before they even go out 👌🏾 planning on getting an e92 M3 at the end of the year and I’ll continue to use my e36 328i as a daily driver until the wheels literally fall off 😹
I have bought my e36 about 1.5 years and the only things I’ll have done is oil change and changed the filters! Pretty reliable. The only thing I can say about if you look to daily a e36 especially the 6 cylinders they need a lot of gas ⛽️ so be prepared
I just discovered your channel today and I love it, been watching through quite a few of them and you have earned my sub! Also I love e36s and I’m looking into getting one soon 😁 PS: What’s the status on the 6 speed?
+Kuruma Designs welcome to the channel man! E36's are great cars 👌. Still accumulating parts for the swap. Crazy that the transmission isn't even the most expensive part...😬. Looking forward to getting it in though! You can see the transmission sitting behind the car towards the beginning of the video haha.
Ah alright, yeah I remember you saying the clutch and flywheel was like $1600 or so! The 6 speed is the same ratio as the 5 speed 1st-5th, but 6th is a longer gear for cruising correct?
+Kuruma Designs looks like the clutch and flywheel is actually going to be 2k lol. And yes that is true about the ratios.
Daamn that's costly! Alright, will be great I reckon!
So I finally got an E36 and here is what I have had to do so far in the 5 months of owning it: -master cyl, slave cyl, tranny mounts -clutch -2 lock actuators -drivers side door lock & handle replacement -changed all the fluids (diff, trans, etc) -steering rack, tie rods -oil pan gasket -engine mounts Still need a new drivers side door (door was replaced at some point and the one they put on is slightly warped so it doesn't seal properly), sunroof repair that i will probably do myself (also doesn't close/seal properly but no leaks from that either thankfully), headliner's fucked, wiper linkage probably needs to be replaced, blower motor and wiper cowl too... oh and also probably higher up on that list is body work that the car needs since it's been in canada for 20 years, plus paint correction/detailing or better yet a paint job altogether. And throw in some miscellaneous trims/emblems in there too. Now don't get me wrong, I may have not been the luckiest but then again pretty much all that stuff needs to be replaced on any 20+ year old car, give or take a few items. The one thing you may want to add to this list of things you will potentially have to do is the entire cooling system; the previous owner did it on mine not long ago so at least that is one thing I can leave alone (for now). Also the driveshaft, which the previous owner did too fortunately. And all of my window regulators actually work! (knock on wood) I just wanted to put this out there for anyone considering buying into this, you better get ready to throw some money at it, especially if you're not gonna be doing all of this yourself. E36s are great but take this video with a grain of salt as it's not all sunshine, rainbows, and a couple hundred bucks here and there, especially in the first or second year of ownership. But with all that being said this car is fun to drive, can't deny that. Now, is it a worthwhile investment? Well, depends. Mine isn't because it's a 328i with a shit ton of miles and it's my daily. But if you buy a low mileage M3, do preventative maintenance/repairs, and take good care of it, it might pay off because these cars are starting to appreciate in value. P.S. I forgot VANOS!! 🙃🙃🙃 Mine will probably need a VANOS rebuild at some point because the idle feels a little rough and I did all the other diagnosis/repairs for a rough idle. It really is a love/hate relationship with this memebox
Thanks for the insight man. Looking at an E36 328i w/176k for a dd. But sounds like I should def keep my Jeep Wrangler for a back up.
What kind of camera are you recording with? Super smooth, my guess would be a gopro on an electric gimbal stabilizer
as of any car it would last if you take care of it , great video
You didn't mention any sensor issues, suspension or control arms rebuilds, fuel pump and lines/relays, engine gasket covers... this video is pure fantasy 🌟
Its a 20+ year old car that was stickered at 60k... sorry u cant afford it?
I know whats in the box.. you beat me to it lol! Ill pull the trigger once I see your fitment ;)
+Bimmer Dude haha yeah the fitment is always something to worry about, especially since I'm picky about that stuff. Installing it tomorrow along with some other stuff then it will be up in the next video 👌.
I have the exact same car and I'm talking right down to the color and everything except mine is a convertible and I love it! And oh yeah…. I'm from Michigan myself.
+Jamie Cox haha that's crazy.
In Germany we have a term for such BMW conditions: BMW - Bring Mich Werkstatt (get me to the workshop)
Daily a E46 Coupé for the last 6 months. Spotless & immaculate. Thank the lord.
+DynamicGaming haha sweet man
Man I picked up an e36 sedan for 500 bucks recently. I live in SLC and have been piecing it together into what will hopefully become a killer drift car. Thanks for the heads up about quirks.
Oh I'm up in Ogden! Nice man, should be a fun car!
awesome video
Hell yeah I have those same BBS wheels on my 36! Picked up a 4 set for $80 believe it or not 😂
Likewise... love to take a look
I’ve got a 94 325i convertible with 69,000 miles on it, I paid $3 grand for it in excellent condition. I replaced the radiator, water pump, thermostat, struts and shocks, all for less than 2 Grand so for a total of 5 Grand I’ve got a new car. It’s 25 years old and I’ll be showing it in car shows this year. It’s hellrot red with all new black interior and looks showroom clean.
I’m looking into an e36 for my first car , because of my love for the old bmw body styles and their performance.. but is it worth it when your on a budget?
Had my 99 m3 5-6 years. As soon as I got it I change every single fluid in the car. Full tune up change the entire heating system just as a Precaution only thing that broke and wasn't even broke just had a tiny play. Was tie rods and end links
+STEVEN MALVASIO nice man! Not a big deal at all. Take care of them and they'll last forever!
I bought a beautiful red E36 328i when i was 20 years old for around 2500 dollars. Didn't last long as it was my first car and didn't have much experience driving (And zero experience with RWD) . Too much throttle mid corner and off the road it went into a tree... Luckily didn't get hurt, but damn do i miss that car.
looking at this video is like looking at my car, but mine is a 320. E36 are vehicles for who really likes to drive. Low and light, also with a "soft" suspension it sticks to the road and inside a lot of room for the driver also if 190cm tall. I just love it, but I have to change it. Hope to find another one.
leaky water pump you need to fix immediately and that's an easy fix... you can do it yourself in a couple hours... the water pump leak can expose your casing to rust and you don't want those threads getting rusted
*Nice car bro!!*
+Reborn BMW thanks man!
Not too long got mine and just started working on it
Would it be crazy if I bought one of these bad boys as my first car or should I get something else? Maybe a normal 3 series? Biggest reason is because I want that feeling of an old bmw or car in general, I feel like older cars resonate more with me.
Great video, very informative, Will you recommend it or some of the newer gen m3s?
+Elvis Car Reviews both the e36 and e46 are great generations.
Treats On The Streets cool.
I've had my E36 328ci for about a year and just found your channel. Thanks and for the record I had to change that ps hose week 2. Do you think a non M3 3 series is worth doing any performance mods on?
Welcome to the channel man. Sure! The 328 and other e36's are still great cars to modify!
bought my e36 touring 325 two years ago, and guess what, leaky powersteering, fan clutch went bad, vanos got stuck. fixed and upgraded seals in the vanos unit, went for mishimoto electric fan, got a new OEM power steering line. in these two years 273K - 309K KM's I drove it very hard (once warmed up). its still running like brand new. i am myself a mechanic and i must admit: parts are expensive, yes. but rarely does it ask for them (other then regular services). im quite happy with my 1.500 euro rocket. mines a high option model, and compared to todays standard its actually still quite luxurious.
Awesome man! I think they're really solid and nice cars. Not much to worry about once you replace the usual things that tend to go wrong.
I'm not really a German car guy but I would have an E36.
+Maranello Santiago they're great cars 👍
Never had an issue with my e36 cooling. All orginal with 150k on the dial and just came on the hottest summer on record
New viewer! And Subscribed! Question: do you rent a storage unit for the sole purpose of storing your toys? I ask because I have been apartment living for a while and haven’t pulled the trigger on a nice car because of lack of parking and storage.
Welcome to the channel man! And to answer your question, yes haha. I recently moved out of a house into a town house where there isn't enough garage parking, so I have the unit to keep things there 👍.
Treats On The Streets that's awesome! Do you split the bill with others? Do you work out of it as well?
Yes a few friends went in on it and we keep our weekend cars there. It makes a nice shop to work on cars as long as the sun is out and the weather is nice.
The only other little issue is the trunk latch seem to get bent and crack due to its geometry. I have had two E36s and both cars had a broken trunk. Not a deal breaker but annoying.
My $1,200 1995 e36 325is has cost me $6,000 in my one year of ownership.... I think I've made a mistake.
Your mistake was buying a $1,200 BMW. Not going to get a very well taken care of Bimmer for that cheap...
@@TreatsOnTheStreets Well, if I am to be completely honest those we're all performance upgrades that I chose to buy for the car. The only thing that actually failed was the water pump.
Haha cars are not a cheap hobby are they? 😂. Have fun with it man!
I’m a college student on a budget who recently purchased a 2000 BMW 540i. Body and interior are in great condition . Unfortunately there is oil smell in cabin accompanied with oil leak , coolant leak , check engine light , needs a new coolant reservoir. Codes that arose are P0440 and P0011. Mechanic says one of the parts I need to replace is about $350 plus $55 to degrease oil . Forgot to mention pixels are half out in speedometer dash (found diy videos showing how to replace LCD screen and ribbon) . She’s my baby 🍼 but it has been recommended I immediately sell her 😢 😭
Which M50 manifold kit did you use? Is that the stock fuel-rail cover?
I am sorry you got a bad one. I have had two E36 coupes which I bought when they were 4-5 years old and both were in the top 3 most reliable cars I have owned. One was the later generation 1994 double Vanos 325i the other was a 1998 318is. I have had two E46 328 coupes since them and they have both been a nightmare. I still have my 318 coupe I might put back on the road but it's been off the road for years.
So would I be able use this car like a everyday car ? Like driving from school and back
1998 e36 328is approaching 190k miles...I'm just halfway there!
I’ve owned an E46 and an E39. As much as I loved them, I don’t think they were reliable. Having to replace the radiator AND thermostat AND water pump AND the power steering lines on a car with less than 200,000 miles is definitely higher maintenance than most Japanese or American cars. For someone without technical skills, this could result in several thousand $ in shop labor costs.
I mean it’s much more than my 2004 Miata. Only have 77k miles and it’s been great for 4 years but in the last 8 months i replaced twice Alternator and radiator and i’m gonna need a new ECU soon. But everything has only been $450 for parts and labor
What maintenance have you performed yourself on the vehicle? Meaning, not taking to the shop for someone else to replace/repair.
I get a lot of vacuum leaks, apparently that's a common problem on E36
You had a great year !!!! Idk what you mean by awful !!!! For the age I would say your in goood shape .... I would change the title
+Gerald Cotton the title is supposed to be sarcastic. As I explain in the video it's been really reliable, and I think the e36 is a great platform.
Treats On The Streets hahaha okk I guess I didn’t hear it
You're so lucky. I hate not driving my BMW for half the year. Alaska sucks
+Cordell Ruzewski haha that's a long time man!