CarCredo

BMW 3 Series Compact E36 (1993–2000)

4.0/5
Reliability score Good
Email-verified reliability report

Model and generation reliability insights from verified owners. Variants are selected when adding reviews.

1 Verified owner reports

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Most reported affected parts

View all parts

No affected parts have been reported yet.

Engine reliability summary

Petrol

Engine Score Reports Common issues
316i (102 Hp) (M43B16) No reports 0 No issues reported
316i (102 Hp) Automatic (M43B16) No reports 0 No issues reported
316i (105 Hp) (M43B19) No reports 0 No issues reported
316i (105 Hp) Automatic (M43B19) No reports 0 No issues reported
Show 4 more engines
318ti (140 Hp) (M44B19) No reports 0 No issues reported
318ti (140 Hp) Automatic (M44B19) No reports 0 No issues reported
323ti (170 Hp) (M52B25) No reports 0 No issues reported
323ti (170 Hp) Automatic (M52B25) No reports 0 No issues reported

Diesel

Engine Score Reports Common issues
318tds (90 Hp) (M41D17) No reports 0 No issues reported

Owner reviews

Verified owner Verified
Model not specified Mileage unknown

E38: My Dream Car's Reality Check

The E38 was my automotive dream, and I had high expectations. I bought the car in a mediocre state because I wanted to customize it myself and ensure everything was done right. It turned out completely differently, and I'm writing this as a cautionary tale based on my folly. Having some experience with cars of this class, I first inspected it myself, then had a mediocre mechanic look it over, and only then did I buy it. What followed was pure chaos. Ultimately, the car ended up...

Pros: Timeless design
Cons: Hidden issues can be costly, Requires meticulous attention to detail

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