IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
1987 BMW 3 Series (E36)

The 1987 BMW 3 Series (E36) has an excellent reliability record with no widely reported common faults for this model year period.

Buying Tips for 1987 BMW 3 Series (E36)

  • Check everywhere for rust: rear arches, jacking points, sills, and boot floor
  • Inspect the cooling system — radiators and plastic water pump impellers fail
  • Check the rear shock mounts, which can tear through the bodywork