Simply said, I’m ignoring all automatics. 4 days. You ought to easily surpass 250.
In This Article...
Fluid System
Leaks in the coolant system can and will cause the engine to overheat, which results in blown head gaskets and engine rebuilds if they are not properly maintained. As a preventive maintenance measure, it is advised to rebuild the entire system every 70–80K miles because there are a lot of cheap plastic components. Replace the water pump, which has a cheap plastic impeller that breaks and distributes plastic shards through the cooling system, as well as the radiator, thermostat, sensors, hoses, and belts. Instead of buying genuine OEM parts, look for high-quality aftermarket alternatives because they are frequently less expensive and actually work better. For about $400, aftermarket parts may be purchased, and a skilled do-it-yourselfer can finish the project in four to eight hours.
Comment
I don’t regret any of the high mileage purchases of my BMWs. My ancient 325ix coupe e30 had 750,000 miles on it and was completely restored.
Some things, I’ve discovered, last longer when used than when they just sit. High milers shouldn’t be disregarded if you want the car to drive it. Some of the high milers also have more recent service histories.
Suspension
The suspension is the second bmw e36 upkeep issue I want to talk about. Due to the fact that E36s were produced between 1990 and 2000, whether the car had 40,000 or 140,000 miles on it, the suspension should have previously been rebuilt. One of the best aspects of the BMW E36 is its excellent suspension, which is widely recognized as one of its best qualities. However, rubber bushings wear out just like in any other car, and faulty struts result in a severely uncomfortable ride.
If an E36’s suspension hasn’t been rebuilt by this point, it probably feels more like a tiny boat on the open sea than a fast automobile. E36s have struts up front and shocks in the back. The struts may be changed quickly and easily, just like the shocks. A simple suggestion when buying struts: Rather of just buying the strut and reusing the coil spring, buy “quick-struts” to spare yourself the bother.
The control arms, tie rod ends, sway bar links, RTABs (Rear Trailing Arm Bushings), and other suspension-related components need to be changed as well.
Your E36’s suspension can be rebuilt to give you the sensation of driving a brand-new car. After switching out my blown out struts and RTABs, I first noticed the biggest change in my car.
Advice: Rather than just buying the strut, get the “quick-strut” version when replacing the front struts on an E36. The issue being that they claimed the strut coil needed to be compressed substantially more than in other cars, so I had trouble finding a local repair who would do it. Having compressed the coil earlier by myself, I believe that using the loaner compressor tool from the nearby auto parts store is quite risky.
Contrary to popular belief, strut coils DO eventually go bad, therefore purchasing the quick strut makes the assembly go much more quickly.
A BMW can it last 300k miles?
When properly maintained and driven cautiously, the BMW 3 Series can endure between 200,000 and 250,000 miles. It will last roughly 13 to 17 years if you drive 15,000 miles per year before needing pricey and uneconomical maintenance. In some cases, the 3 Series can travel up to 300,000 kilometers.
How old are E36 BMWs?
From 1995 until 1999, the E36, a second-generation M3, was sold in the US. The majority are coupes, however sedan variants were produced from 1997 to 1999 (when the coupe’s auto gearbox option was eliminated), and convertible versions were produced from 1998.
How far can a BMW engine travel?
When maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule, which includes regular oil and filter changes, you can anticipate that BMW engines will last well over 200,000 kilometers.
Owners that neglect the aforementioned routine maintenance are typically the ones who complain the most about engine reliability. However, there are a few extra things to consider all during your ownership.
Because BMW engines are known to burn oil more quickly than those in other vehicles, it’s important to always maintain the oil level topped up in between repairs to prevent damage and prolong the engine’s life.
There have also been a few cases where parts in certain BMW engines have failed earlier than anticipated, and some models have had more issues than others, but overall, BMW makes durable, dependable engines.
Engines frequently last longer than many other automotive parts, and many complaints about breakdowns of BMW vehicles focus more on the electronic systems than the mechanical parts that make up the engine.
What kind of vehicle is a BMW E36?
The German carmaker BMW produced the third generation of the 3 Series line of small executive vehicles from 1990 to 2000. It is identified by the model designation E36. The four-door sedan body style was used for the first models, then in subsequent years, the coupe, convertible, wagon (“Touring”), hatchback (“Compact”), and the uncommon four-door convertible Baur TC4 were added.
The first 3 Series to be made available in a hatchback body configuration was the E36. It was also the first 3 Series to be offered with a four-cylinder diesel engine, a five-speed automatic transmission, and a six-speed manual transmission (in the 1996 M3). Comparing the current generation of the 3 Series to earlier models, the multi-link rear suspension was also a considerable improvement. The E36 did not have all-wheel drive, in contrast to the preceding (E30) and following (E46) models.
Every year the E36 was on the market, it was included in Car & Driver magazine’s 10Best list.
The powerful BMW S50 or BMW S52 straight-six engine powers the fast E36 M3. 1992 saw the release of the E36 M3, which came in coupe, sedan, and convertible body types.
Since it was the first time BMW coupled the incredibly amazing 6 cylinder BMW ‘M’ engine with one of the finest all-around chassis modifications, the first series of the BMW E36 M3 is now regarded as one of the company’s greatest accomplishments during the early development of the M3. The E36 M3 offers one of the best drivable platforms for road and track use of any reasonably priced mass-produced five-seater sedan or coupe created in the preceding century, significantly surpassing the earlier E30, which was proposed as a touring car with four cylinder (but very sophisticated).
The E36 started to be phased out and was eventually replaced in 1999 after the launch of its successor, the E46 3 Series, in 1998.
What does a BMW have high mileage?
Although the average BMW can travel between 100,000 and 250,000 miles, excessive mileage is actually regarded as being a little less than this. Most dealers won’t carry BMWs with mileage over 100,000, and some even think 60-80,000 is a high mileage range for these vehicles.
Therefore, you’ve reached the high mileage area if you’re looking at BMWs with between 60 and 80,000 miles on the odometer. Keep a watch on this because it demonstrates that there are high mileage BMWs available with vastly different mileage estimates.
How durable are BMW cars typically?
Your car should survive 200,000 to 250,000 miles with the proper maintenance—or perhaps longer! The long-term durability of a vehicle is mostly dependent on maintenance and care, but as the aforementioned studies demonstrate, you can count on every BMW to perform better than average.
What should I expect to spend for an E36 M3?
According to Hagerty, a good-condition manual E36 M3 today costs between $25K and $30K. Examples in excellent condition are easily worth twice that. And the most expensive US-spec E36s are frequently the 1995-only Lightweight variants.
BMW reliability after 100,000 miles?
BMW is renowned for producing opulent vehicles with outstanding handling and driving dynamics. Do BMWs still be reliable after more than 100,000 miles on the road?
JD Power and other reliability evaluations have routinely placed BMW among the top ten most trustworthy cars.
Furthermore, having driven a BMW myself, I can vouch to the reliability of these vehicles, even after more than 100,000 miles on them. Some models are trustworthy while others are not, therefore it also depends on the models. They require maintenance, but any vehicle that you want to keep in good running order requires maintenance as well.
It heavily depends on the circumstances. It has been said that several BMW models, including the E46 and the E90, can go more than 300,000 miles on a single charge.
This, however, depends on a number of variables. For instance, it’s possible that your car may need significant repairs after 100,000 miles if you don’t change the oil in it frequently or maintain it properly.
E36 M3: Is it uncommon?
Since 71,242 E36 M3s were produced, they are not the most uncommon M vehicles available. Even so, it’s still a somewhat uncommon car when compared to some of its contemporaries.
Most of those were coupes built to European standards. Only 12,603 E36 M3 sedans and 12,114 convertibles were produced.
A manual M3 is unquestionably uncommon to see in the US. They were more in demand than their automatic counterparts because there were fewer than 5,000 instances sent there.
Despite the M3 being produced in quite high quantities, many of these vehicles have vanished from the market over time. Some have suffered major losses in collisions, some have been disassembled for parts, while others have merely succumbed to the effects of aging and neglect.
So it’s getting harder and harder to acquire a pristine, genuine E36 M3, especially if you’re looking for one of the more sought-after models.
Is an E36 trustworthy?
Although the BMW E36 3 Series will always have a particular place in my heart, I am completely aware of how temperamental it can be. Check the back of the side skirts and the rear wheel wells for corrosion if you’re looking for one. It is well known to rust horribly in those places, and mine did too.
The cooling system can also be a major pain. A word of advice: even if you work on it yourself, whenever you need to, have a professional bleed the air out of the coolant system because doing it yourself is frustrating.
Additionally, the VANOS variable valve timing system is susceptible to failure; when it happens, the engine’s front end makes a sound similar to marbles in a tin can. So make sure to check it as well. Check the PCV system while you’re under the hood because it frequently develops an oil leak that also results in a vacuum leak.
Check the idle control valve under the intake manifold, which regulates the idle air intake and can occasionally develop some carbon build-up that stops it from opening, if the engine idles roughly when the engine is first started.
The BMW E36 3 Series is a fantastic entry-level BMW overall. Thanks to its excellent hydraulic steering, it’s affordable, entertaining to drive, and attractive. It also reminds me a little of an old-school BMW. Even if it’s not the most dependable car and will frustrate you, it can be fixed for a reasonable price and by you.
What is the price of an E36?
There are several model options for the BMW E36 M3. There are various different trims and variants, including GT models for consumers who prefer more power and speed.
As a result, the E36 M3’s pricing varies by model, as well as by year and condition. The four-door sedan is often the most basic model of the BMW E36 M3.
Today, these models start at around $20,000. Prices might rise to more than $50,000 depending on the age and condition of the car. These costs are comparable to those in the early years of production. Customers would need to budget about $56,000 for the sedan models if they took inflation into account.
For those who recognize older models that are still in good condition, they are available for less than that. Given the variety of models and trims available, the cost may change depending on the particular model a buyer is looking for.