BMW 3 Series Problems

Take it back to the dealer and insist that they investigate it. It sounds like there could be a wiring problem in the steering column. I wouldn't continue to drive the car until the problem is found and fixed. If the dealer won't do anything, contact BMW and enlist their assistance, if all else fails go to an auto electrician.

I DON'T know of a kit for the E36 BMW. It's one of those cars for which there is little demand for a kit and no one has bothered to develop one. There are universal kits available that could be adapted to your car, but I wouldn't recommend converting it. The 318i in my experience is quite economical, so there's not great savings to be made, but more importantly it's a breathless little beast as it is, and converting it to LPG would rob it of some of what little performance it has.

LIKE you, I prefer rear-wheel-drive cars for the way they drive and feel on the road. I'm also in favour of buying used BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes because you get to drive a better car than you might otherwise be able to afford, but they can be expensive to service and repair. For that reason I am loathe to recommend them. But I also agree that some of the cars coming from Japan look good, and I particularly like the new Lancer. I wouldn't be concerned about front-wheel drive at all, there's nothing wrong with the way they drive, handle, steer or brake.

THE E30 was a great little car, but it is getting a little long in the tooth and you could expect a few problems. The first couple of owners might have respected it enough to have it serviced properly, but subsequent owners are likely to have neglected it. Regular servicing is the key to a long life. Check the suspension bushes for wear, the engine for sludge and oil leaks, the cooling system for leaks, the clutch for wear and the gearbox for noises that might suggest bearings or gear wear.

THE warranty ran out a long time ago and there's no evidence that the cause of your problem is the one that led to the 3-Series recall.