BMW Problems

They have maintained a drop-top in their range, and the 328i and the models that have followed have become the benchmarks for soft-top motoring.MODEL WATCHThe E36 328i convertible arrived in 1995, an update of the previous 325i model. It used the slinky lines of the 3-Series coupe, with a well developed soft top that attached to the windscreen header, with a clasp operated by a single grip, and which folded away out of sight behind the rear seat.To raise or lower it, you simply had to be stationary, twist the clasp and push the roof away from the windscreen header, and flick a switch on the centre console. It was simple, and it all happened in a few seconds.  The 328i is built on the same agile platform as the rest of the E36 3-Series. With independent suspension all round, four-wheel discs, ABS and traction control, it is armed for action.Add to that one of the sweetest six-cylinder engines ever built and you've got a potent performance package. In the case of the 328i, the engine has a capacity of 2.8 litres, it's a straight six, with double overhead camshafts, fuel injection, and VANOS variable valve timing that made it a powerful performer right through the rev range. Peak power was 142kW at 5300 revs, peak torque was 280Nm.Transmission choices were sporty five-speed manual with a nice shift, and a smooth five-speed auto.  As would be expected of a car this expensive, the 328i convertible came well equipped. Alloy wheels, airconditioning, cruise control, remote central locking and alarm, leather steering wheel and trim, power mirrors and windows, and radio/cassette sound came standard. Dual airbags provided crash protection.IN THE SHOPThe 328i convertible suffers few problems. Overall the 3-Series is a tight, well-built car that stands up well over the long term.  They tend to use up consumables at a fast rate.Things like brakes are consumed quite quickly, with OE pads and discs quite expensive. Likewise, they tend to use up rear tyres quite quickly, which can also be expensive to replace. Both are the cost of the BMW's high level of performance.  Nothing much goes wrong with the six-cylinder engine. It has a neat note and plenty of punch.It's important with convertibles to check the operation of the roof, to make sure it goes up and down smoothly. Check also the condition of the roof fabric, looking particularly for frayed areas, split stitching and damaged seals, which can occur with regular use over the long term.Check the rear window for fogging or discolouration, which might mean a replacement is in order.  Inside, check for signs the car has been left out in the rain with the roof down.Look for water stains in trim and carpets.  Like all cars, check for a service record, one preferably from a BMW dealer or an acknowledged BMW expert.OWNER'S VIEWPaul Sabine of Brooklands Motors has a 1996 328i auto convertible for sale at $46,990. It's a one-owner car, black with tan, leather trim, and only 44,000km on the odometer. It drives smoothly, is tight as a drum, with just a few stone chips on the grille and bonnet. The roof needs a minor adjustment where it catches on the rear cover while being raised.RATING16/20 Smooth, tight convertible with sweet six engine, sporty handling and efficient roof.LOOK FORSlinky stylingGet proof of regular service by specialistSmooth straight- six engineAgile handling and smooth rideEasy-to-use power roof

The 3-Series was the people's BMW, but even that became a stretch for most people as its price rose.  BMW's first move to make their cars accessible for more people was the 3-Series Compact introduced in 1995.MODEL WATCHThe 3-Series Compact was the company's first, careful step in making a car that had a more affordable sticker while retaining the appeal of the marque.One look at the Compact and you can see the strategy. Viewed from the front it looks for all the world like a regular 3-Series: there's the same kidney grille, the same bonnet, the same front guards and bumper, and most importantly, the same blue and white spinner badge. Clearly a BMW. But viewed from the side or the rear and it was all new, with its tail shortened into a hatchback.What mattered most was that it was priced below $40,000 and that opened the door to BMW ownership for more people.  Parked alongside its sedan brother, the Compact was 233mm shorter. That meant the interior was roomy for front seat passengers, if not quite so roomy for those in the rear seat.The hatch arrangement resulted in quite a large boot area, which in combination with the 50/50 split-fold rear seat delivered a flexibility perfect for carrying just about anything you needed to move.Under the skin, the hatchback was all BMW. A 75kW 1.6-litre single overhead camshaft fuel-injected four-cylinder, endowed it with modest, but adequate performance. There was a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed auto, the latter dulling the performance somewhat. The suspension was a familiar combination of MacPherson Strut at the front and semi-trailing arm independent at the rear.It rode and handled well, and with ABS-assisted disc brakes front and rear, it also stopped well.At its launch, only the single hatchback was offered, with standard airconditioning, central locking, power steering, power windows and mirrors and AM/FM radio cassette sound.Remote central locking, rear head rests and traction control were added to the list of standard features early in 1996 when it was renamed the Hatchback. The Contour was added in January 1996 and brought with it standard alloy wheels, metallic paint, leather steering wheel and fog lamps.IN THE SHOPThe pull of the BMW badge is enough for some people to stretch their budget to buy it without considering the costs of servicing a prestige car. The result can be compromised servicing, so check for a good service record, especially one done by a BMW dealer.Look specifically for things like regular oil changes, annual coolant changes and annual brake fluid changes. Brakes tend to need replacement at intervals of 50,000km or so and original equipment BMW rotors are expensive. Aftermarket rotors are available which will do the job, but you won't find these on offer at BMW dealers.Lift the oil filler cap and observe any sludge -- a sign that the oil hasn't been changed.The 1.6-litre M43 engine has a timing chain as do most modern BMW engines, so there's no requirement for servicing in that area.CRUNCH TIMEThe Compact had dual front air bags standard and was given front side airbags in 1998, which provided an impressive secondary crash protection system. The E36 rated better than average for occupant protection in the 2004 Used Car Safety Survey, and average for its impact on the occupants of cars it hit.

BMW M3 may look like any other BMW 3-Series, but once you've experienced the turbine smooth power of the M3's highly-tuned six-cylinder engine and its superbly balanced chassis, you quickly realise you've driven something very special. The M3 story began in 1987 when BMW launched the E30 M3 as a barely disguised racer created to contest the one-off World Touring Car Championship.  However, it took until the E36 model in 1994 before the car hit Australian roads.Model watchThe M3 was based on the E36 3-Series two-door coupe and looks like any other 3-Series coupe. If you want to identify it from the outside, you need to look at the details.Things like the smallish M3 badge on the boot lid, the distinctive alloy wheels, the twin exhaust outlets and, if you've got a keen eye, the body kit. The problem is that many of these also found their way on to more modest Beemers, so the boot-lid badge is the surest way of picking the real thing.At the heart of the M3 is a mighty straight six-cylinder engine: three litres in capacity, with dual overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, fuel injection and a new variable camshaft timing system BMW dubbed VANOS. The B30 six was super smooth, pulled hard from low down in the rev range right to the top, which was in excess of 7000 revs.  When unleashed, it would propel the 1460kg coupe to 100km/h in 6.4sec.If the engine provided the power, it was the chassis that allowed it to be unleashed. With independent suspension at both ends, with sports tuning, it was brilliantly balanced.  The 235/40ZR17 tyres, on 17-inch alloys, generated enormous grip to keep the M3 glued to the black top, but the great thing was the M3 could be driven on the throttle.Huge disc brakes ensured it also stopped with assurance, and ABS was standard for extra safe stopping power.  Inside, it had cloth trim sports seats, as well as central locking, a driver's airbag, power windows, airconditioning and a trip computer among a long list of standard features.In 1996 a major update saw the engine enlarged to 3.2 litres, power jumped to 236kW and torque was boosted to 350Nm. At the same time, BMW added a six-speed manual gearbox, and in 1997, a six-speed sequential manual gearbox, along with dual airbags and cruise control.In the shopThe performance of the M3 almost guarantees that it will be driven hard, on the road and sometimes on the track. Many have been used in events like the Grand Prix Rally in which they're always competitive.  That should make anyone thinking of buying one wary, but the good news is they stand up well to the occasional track outing.BMW mechanic Chris Lake says clutches cop the most abuse and they tend to fail earlier as a result.  Other items that tend to need replacement more often are the front lower control arm castor bushes and the trailing arm bushes in the rear end. Lake says oxygen sensors in the exhaust tend to have a fairly short life compared to sedans.  If regularly driven hard on the track the M3's brake discs can warp and crack, which means expensive replacements are needed. M3s are generally well looked after by caring owners.  Seek out specialist help once you've selected a car, to ascertain its condition.Crunch timeWith a responsive chassis, powerful ABS brakes and sports tyres, it has a great primary safety package.  The first E36 M3 had a driver's airbag only, but a passenger's airbag was added in 1996.  The E36 3-Series rated above average in a recent used car safety survey.Look forGood looking two-door coupeSilky smooth six cylinder engineGreat ride and handlingGreat road/race car for amateur club sportSizzling performanceRating18/20 One of the most exhilarating cars you'll ever get to drive.