Pricing
The prices on BMW 3 series begin with 4 thousand dollars. You receive for this money the car of 1991 of release. The machine of 1996 costs already from 6 thousand, diesel version 318 tds - approximately from 6,5 thousand. Further - it is more, and diesel 325 tds last years release can already cost 9-9,5 thousand dollars.
For 6 500-7 000 dollars it is possible to buy Alfa Romeo 156 1997 years of release, Audi A4 1995-1996, Volvo 850 1996 years, Chrysler Neon 2000-2001, Mazda 626 1997-1998 years, Mercedes-Benz C-class W202 of release of 1993-1994, Mitsubishi Galant 1996-1997, Nissan Primera 1998-1999. As a variant - Opel Vectra B 1997-1998, Peugeot 406 1996-1997 years, Renault Laguna 1998-1999, Rover 600 1997-1998 years, Toyota Carina E 1997, VW Passat B4 1995-1996, Ford Mondeo 1999-2000, Honda Accord 1996-1997.
Verdict .
Our variant - the six-cylinder version, and, perhaps, 2,5 l - this motor is magnificent. In purchase four-cylinder BMW the big sense is not present: the economic car “Bavarian” all the same is not then what for to suffer “stupid” dynamics and on a regular basis to be spent for replacement of belt gas-distributing mechanism?
BMW as true ” Aryan “, costs dearly. And good care of it too costs dearly. It is possible to live, certainly, by a principle - ” If only went “, but for these purposes it is better to look for something another, is cheaper in service, than BMW. Simply good machine it is a pity.
OPINION OF THE EXPERT:
Paul, the technical adviser HUNDRED.
- “Three” BMW quite problem less car. The model now has noticeably fallen in price, but became worse from it not. Maintenance BMW rather inexpensive. Many license spare parts, practically on each purse. There is enough and details second-hand - that is important, there are no problems with search Spare parts for a body. Four-cylinder versions so-so. Hard are under repair and are short-lived. Capacity of 1,6-liter and 1,8-liter motors has not enough for needs of drivers BMW - those start them to drive- smother, and the buyer in Belarus manages stuff. Six cylinders - super. If there was no overheat. And diesel versions - all the same not for us. Motors practically irreparable. Complexities begin already at a stage of diagnostics. Boxes of transfers all are good - both mechanical, and automatic. Long suffer “mockeries” of our “drivers”. If in BMW problems with a box is only from time.
The interesting detail - with electro lifts on millimeter is more thin some glass of doors, than glass with a manual drive, therefore at purchase «second hand» glasses be close: thick 4-millimetric glass simply will not be located in directing. “Transparent” sailent-blocks in a suspension bracket not very “hardy”, but in many respects it on conscience of “active” drivers.
Spare parts of high quality to BMW cost money. Prevalence of model allows to find details more cheaply and worse, but BMW - that case, when quality = money. If to exclude from the review spare parts from the “CIS-focused” suppliers BMW at cost of the maintenance “catches up” and “overtakes” the Japanese cars.

Weak place of versions 318 is till 1993 of release (motor M42) - premature deterioration of lining head of the block of cylinders.
In the rest of a problem the general. The valve of adjustment of idling gets littered with adjournment crank case gases. The lining of the pallet crank case can proceed. But the main thing - propensity to an overheat. Especially at inline six-cylinder motors at which long aluminium head of the block of cylinders
“is instantly braided”. To an overheat promotes unreliable frictional sleeve, including the fan of cooling. In the course of time the working liquid leaves it - the fan does not work - the motor overheats. The price new sleeve - a surprise for the owner - hundred dollars! Question N2 - the water pump of early versions BMW E36 with plastic impeller. Question N3 - the grown old fuse overflow bottle a tank which should work as the valve of dump of superfluous pressure.
Diesel engines BMW - under to become petrol motors. Powerful, but too complex for repair, therefore after run in 250-300 thousand such machines are better for selling. Germans and act. Therefore after purchase diesel BMW be ready to repair of the fuel equipment of a diesel engine and the turbine. ТНВД usually assort for replacement pump elements, and the turbine give to repair when oil from it exudes in intercooler. In both cases repair of roads.
Boxes of transfers are considered not killed. Up to 150-200 thousand in them there is nothing to do in general. Then it is possible to change an inexpensive stuffing-box of a side scene, still hardly later - an stuffing-box of a shaft of a box. After 250 thousand to change it is necessary elastic sleeve driveshaft a shaft (a drive back).
Whether Dear roads?
Most ” a weak part ” suspension brackets BMW-… The driver-reckless driver. Unfortunately, such the majority, therefore also go ” fairy-tales ” about unreliability of a running part of the car.
Actually all is quite good. Forward racks McPherson are quite durable. Plugs of forward stabilizers serve on 60 thousand, sailent-blocks up to hundred. Steering tips keep on 30-50 thousand, but their replacement together with drafts costs money.
The multilever back suspension bracket is good in high-speed turns, but road to restoration. Fourteen sailent -blocks of different kinds, including one sailent -block of a back reducer, and are closer to ten years they just “come”. Before sale anybody does not repair them, and the buyer will “be put” for the three-value sums. The second question - springs and shock-absorbers. Break seldom but if the considered car demands their replacement know, it will cost not one and not two hundreds dollars. German cars at us consider as the cheapest in the maintenance, but BMW it concerns a little.
Approximately after 150 thousand in km repair the helmsman of the rod is required. Hinges of drafts become loose and omentums flow.
In spite of the fact that АБС cars of series Е36, the raised deterioration and hogging brake disks not a rarity were standardly equipped all. It is the general problem of many models of the beginning of 90th years, for example, Audi 100, initially calculated on asbestine brake blocks. Is solved simply: purchase good and dear brake blocks or frequent replacement of disks (besides not cheap).

The external review
Near to the third series dug round” two more independent models: 3-Reihe Compact and М3. With the second it is clear: other suspension bracket, other motor, differences on a body, interior and absolutely other price. Compact is a “budgetary” variant of the third series which was positioned as model of a premium-segment of small middle class. The first series at BMW then was not, and to compete in a golf-class already very much it would be desirable. The hatchback differs From “present” “three” Compact and furnish of interior, but also the simplified back suspension bracket - as on the previous generation of the third series in body Е30 not only a three-door body.
But we shall return to the hero of clause. Body Е36 - possesses good corrosion stability, but not excellent
Old cars 1991-1993 have already started to rust, fresher while keep, but, can be assured, protection “will soon fall”. To machines of the first years of release there were claims and on quality of a paint and varnish covering. “Were” - because all already three times colored - recolored.
In general, where have knocked - there and has rusted. Nine tenth cars BMW have the “shock” past - here to you and the reason of corrosion. And the basic weak places four: “cups” of fastening shock-absorber racks, the bottom edges of doors and thresholds, back wings, a cover of a luggage carrier.
The internal review
Approximately till 1993 there were censures on quality of assembly of interior. But the electric equipment as a whole works without problems. Rare malfunctions are connected with the central lock, electric window raisers and a drive of the hatch. Some owners after purchase of the car are compelled to buy the new block of management of system of ventilation.
Any other claims - an occasion for discussion. External dimensions of the car not so modest, but spaces in interior a next to nothing. Armchairs are good, but the driver and the forward passenger sit, as in a case, densely “clamped” between a wide central tunnel and doors. Landing - sports. Someone is pleasant, someone is not present.
Back sofa rather small for middle class: better, than in old Е30, but is worse, than at competitors. In this sense even “five” Е39 not the standard of capacity what to speak about “small” Е36. The luggage carrier of a sedan of 435 litres is well, but the back seat develops only in all-round craftsman Touring. However, “car” all the same not a variant for summer residents. Dimensional length Touring is equal to a sedan, therefore a luggage carrier a maximum of 1030 litres, and on this parameter BMW concedes to many competitors.
At updating Coupe of glass of doors have no frames, and at opening a door slightly fall downwards. Absolutely harmless feature but if the accumulator is unloaded - to get in the machine is problematic.
Under a cowl
Power scale BMW rather various, and in it is not present absolutely unsuccessful motors.
But if to build engines in ascending order ” successful ” in the bottom of the list there will be versions 316 i and 318 i, especially motor M40 which established in the first years of release (then it have replaced more perfect М43). Capacities it is rare, and at them belt drive gas-distributing mechanism with three rollers, while other engines – chain.