BMW 3 SERIES Saloon 1991‑1998

I have had several of these and have never had a problem mechanically,I just keep swapping when the body gets a bit tatty,commonly on the wheel arches ,but then again they've all been over 15 years old and you dont see many other makes of car at 15 years old ,also there are still plenty of e36's knocking about-says it all really.

very large boot space and plenty of leg room in rear,almost everything you need, even on the basic models,the less gadgets-the less to go wrong,

A good solid one still looks great even in this day and the styling puts a lot of modern cars to shame,get one with nice alloys and shiny paintwork in a good colour,they still turn heads

not bad mpg,depends how you drive.

the 2.o litre's upwards have timing chains rather than belts,I think the 1.8 coupe's have chains aswell, these are preferable but not essential.

cant fault em,plenty of parts available-new or old,and not as pricey to repair as you think.

try one ,you'll never go back

I have owned this car for 3 years. In that time I have had a 1 Full Service and subsequent oil change. Parts: Cam position sensor, I noticed it was cranking slightly longer before firing up so managed to diagnose it before getting stranded. Also OSR brake caliper (was sticking), OSR coil spring, front (rear) bushes and corroded brake pipes, which you can push over the fuel tank, no need to pay for fuel tank removal.

Since then, it has passed MOT's without problems. I had 15" alloys but now fitted 17" M Sport alloys. The car wanders a bit on uneven road surfaces and drinks 2-3 MPG more.

I was going to PX for a E46 but then the same things that I have corrected on mine are common problems on the E46 too.

From Windsor, I have driven to Yorkshire, Midlands, Southampton and even the Isle Of Wight, which is not that far but you need confidence in your car if you're going on a ferry! Never misses a beat on the motorway. I love watching modern cars think I'll soon be past this old beamer and then wonder why I'm pulling away when they though they would have been! Sustains autobahn speeds for hours but most importantly after driving to Bradford and back I had to take a quick trip into Central London. I was not fatigued or bored but looked forward to continuing to drive. My wife says the leather seats are firm but you only appreciate the seats after a good few hours of travel. As my friend so eloquently put it, 'These seats are Daddy!' So is the car in my opinion!

Only drawback is space for 3 adults in the back and I wish it had xenons. That is the only thing I notice when jumping into my car after driving a 'modern' car and the wandering steering which never happened with the 15" alloys. Fuel is ok considering 2.8 and reliability equals longer term savings anyway. Brilliant car, very comfortable for driver and passengers, benefits from major BMW R&D at launch and still holds its own against any newer car up to 140, no joke. Or should that be, just joking!

Highly recommended but make sure it has been serviced regularly, continue to service it and you should be able to hand it down to your kids! Who knows, they may attain classic status one day.

I have owned this car for 9 yrs and it has been reliable and great to drive for its age. Strong body and well built to last unlike newer models. As its 16 years old now it is developing slight rust on edge of the wheel arches and slightly slow at pulling off when waiting at giveway because of the heavy body. Road tax is getting expensive as i now pay £215 and petrol is not too bad as it will do around 35mpg. A good alround family car probably the best 3 series made to date.

A very good all round car. No real complaints with it, apart from it could be a bit more economic on fuel. It does everything I need it to. Being a painter and decorator, I can fit the majority of my gear in the boot. The car handles well, even though it is a bit long in the tooth and it is very easy to drive. Cabin looks a bit dated now, but some would think it looks retro! Always starts first time, best thing about the car is its engine. Its quiet, refined and has a decent amount of poke when required. Would have no hesitation in getting another BMW 3 series.

An Estate despite Auto Trader classyfying it as a Saloon

Excellent car to drive, Whizzy and holds the road exceptionally for an estate. Ride, a little noisy on poor surfaces, firm suspension, otherwise smooth. Very convenient and comfortable for average size people. The boot is a bit small for the car's size but the flat floor is great for golf clubs and heavy suitcases. The rear window that opens separately from the estate boot door is a waste of time. A 5th passenger has to cope with a big transmission tunnel. No breakdowns, but both front side windows failed, as did both rear coil springs. Also the rear window heating connections corroded after 8 years needing a new rear window (£700 inc fitting). Otherwise just brakes and tyres.(and they last 40000 miles+) and a few minor niggles.

Actual service costs very low (two thirds of those for my wife's Seat Ibiza over the same period). Total service, repair and replacement costs, including expensive V rated Tyres and brakes and above mentioned repairs, over 10 years was just under £4000. Not bad! About 30 mpg, very good for the performance and its age. Insurance moderately expensive but you know that when you sign up for a car with a top speed of over 140mph.

Owned the car for nine years, 4th and best BMW I have ever owned, recently replaced the Clutch, fly wheel and cam shaft, the back arches are letting the side down a little but simple to have repaired, being red she requires a little more than average attention but looks as good as new when polished as you can see from the images,

great to drive, reliable, a bit thirsty on short runs but quite economic on motorways and long runs. good acceleration,handling and performance. great all round vehicle only drawback is the boot is a bit on the small side.

This is the most reliable car I have ever owned. Very economical to run overall. It's comfortable and quiet on long runs as well as easy to park and get in and out of on shorter journeys. It's a great all round car with a good sized boot. Larger loads would benefit from the estate.

This has to be one of the most reliable cars that I have ever owned, stylish, sleek, fast and sure footed. True, it has a thirst for petrol, but in its class, pitched against the like for like competition, it is head and shoulders above the rivals. This is the car that others have been judged against. The E36 BMW has been widely acclaimed to be the best driving of 3 Series of all time, and the 328iSE Automatic is deemed to be the pick of the crop with the possible exception to the M3 which is in a league of its own and riced accordingly. This car was built exclusively for a major band member of Status Quo and as such, has a number of unique and seldom seen options. The spare wheel and tyre has never seen the road, the car had done 54000 miles when I bought it from the original and famous first owner, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the 21000 miles over the last two years of ownership. This is a truly reluctant sale where head has to rule over heart.

GOOD POINTS, GREAT LITTLE CAR, WELL AHEAD OF ITS TIME, FAST , GOOD HANDLING, SOLID BUILD, DRIVES VWELL, NO RATTLES OR GONKS. SEEMS TO GO ON AND ON.

BAD POINTS. NO MAJOR BAD POINTS REALLY, DRIVE IS A TAD FIRM, CRAMPED DRIVERS SEATS FOR 6 FT+ DRIVERS, COULD HAVE DONE WITH CRUISE CONTROL AND HEATED SEATS.

TO SUM UP, VERY GOOD VALUE S/H,