I had 93 Maxima SE for last 5+ years. It took a while to realize it is very good car to drive. I did not think it highly when I bought because of its age.

Then I had my share of problems - big and small. I have frequently mobbed this site when I had issues with car. I have really learnt a lot about my car other cars in general though you...and this site

I am thinking moving on and looking in to 96-98 BMW 3 series(also known as E36). I know some of you might know about this model and some of you might own it as well.

I would like to know about this car from Maxima owner perspective. Both pluses and minuses as well.
(driving, comfort, repair, whether DIY or complicated etc...)

I know it might be higher maintainance wise.

Any input will help.

 

i have an e36 i love it

 

I have a '97 M3 and a '91 Maxima SE.

BMW makes a great car and mine has been trouble free. The E36 is not a wide on the inside as a Maxima and backseat legroom is less. Expect great handling and brakes from the BMW. The Vanos unit on the engine (Variable Valve Timing) is supposedly a BMW mechanic-only replacement job and costs $$$$.

My Maxima has 230K on it with the original engine/transmission/clutch and gets 28 MPG on the highway. I've had window problems and Bose problems with the car. It has been one of the best cars I've ever owned.

Not to disrespect the BMW, but it has a long way to go to beat my dependable Max.

BTW, I have yet to find a decent BMW forum with credible information.



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never owned a BMW but from owning various cars i can say as far as getting a used BMW who knows about the possible problems you may or may not have. All depending on the previous owner(s) is going to depend on how much problems you may have. Did they drive the **** out of it did they have regular maintenance did the fix problems as they came or did they wait until they had no other option but to fix. Which as we all know only causes more!

Take the MAX some of us have had some problems and some of us have had virtually no problems for the car being as old as they are. And some tons but that usually from years of neglect! Any car would have tons of problems if not taken care of! Not saying you didn't on yours but unless you bought it new who knows what the previous owner(s) have done or not done to it!?!

I don't know about anyone else but when my Max has a problem sure i get a little miffed but at the same time i can't wait to tear into it to fix it. I almost feel like a kid the night before Christmas can't sleep all i can do is wait for the morning to get started.

I love my Max and the only reason i would get rid of it was if i had to (blown engine, totaled whatever) and than just buy a new one. Ever since the first time i can remember seeing one i always though the 3rd Gen Max was cool. It's the body lines! Not too sharp not too rounded. A perfect blend if you ask me!

I have owned various cars in my life most of them at least slightly modded but my Max i get the most respect and compliments on. Take a BMW they are a nice car any way you cut it. Take a 3rd gen Max Pretty simple not too flashy. Not very common modded out. So it draws a lot of attention when people see one because they have no idea what it is. Most of the time people think i have a Acura. I always make sure to correct them! Plus since there is so little options for our cars that many of the modds have to be a 1 off even of several of our member do it. Can't just order most of this stuff.

Noting more fun than some kid who has a Honda modded out thinking they are the ****. And whooping there azz in a virtually under rated car. In my opinion the 3rd Gen Max is the most underrated Sports Sedan

If your thinking about cost effect i can only from what i have know of people that own them. Expect to pay more on insurance and expect to pay a TON in repairs if anything breaks on it! Don't get me wrong the max has some not so cheap parts but when you compare the 2 the Max is WAY cheaper!

Either way if you go with the BMW you have a good car if you keep the Max you'll still have a Great car. The real question is do you comfort, space, power, reliability, style, or status? Ultimately you have to ask yourself what is it that really drew you to the Max and what draws you to the BMW? Which car fill that need(s) the most?

Plus if you are anything like me as far as cost when it comes to modding or fixing your car (in this case the BMW) the money spent can always be justified. Hate to lose a fellow Max brother but if you move on some of us will understand.

 

From a pure driving dynamics view point, I have really enjoyed the front drive layout. I love pwning Mustangs, and other rear wheel drive cars in the rain and just watching their faces in the rear view mirror

Also when you are modding your car, and adding power, I think a front drive car is the best way to learn how to control the power. Enter a turn to fast with the gas floored, massive amounts of understeer instead of a nasty oversteer surprise. It teaches you without trying to kill you.

Now from a pure driving feel, the BMW will be a clear upgrade from a 3rd gen maxima. Even little things like the doors closing or the engine note, or the seats, etc... are going to feel better then a 3rd gen with over 100k miles.

I love my Maximas, but I know that should I want to move on, it would be in the arms of a nice 5 series (pre I-Drive mind you!!)

 

I've owned and driven a 1988 bmw 325 before (I think its e28 or e30), compared to my max, the BMW is better at handling and the turning radius is much higher (even with blown shocks and control arms). I can even do U turn in some places that my max will need a K turn and a half to do the same job. Simple maintenance things like changing the oil and such is a breeze because the oil filter is mounted in an area that allows alot more space to work with, and it is highly visible. However, taking the dash apart to replace a few bulbs is a pain in the ***, and BMW specific parts costs an arm and a leg, and aftermarket part doesn't hold up at all. For example, the BMW had to have a "puck" thing that connects the drive shaft to the transmission replaced twice. The first time, aftermarket part was used, and its ripped up within days of replacement, so the second time its genuine part instead. Who would have known a puck make out of rubber, some lining, and 6 pieces of metal could cost nearly 100 bucks. What I have learned from driving the BMW is that to take it easy during cornering, though the car is essentially designed with handling in mind, it does not take well to doing sharp turns and gas (180 on a highway intersection with car facing the opposing traffic is not fun.) That's all I can recall from my experience with a BMW, and though my model is not the same as the one you are thinking of buying, I think some of the things I have said may apply.

 

A BMW is a very well made car, and it's handling is better than that of a stock maxima. I own two RWD cars, and have not had a problem hooking up in the rain. When you put a lot of hp to the ground in a fwd, you spin, and trying to corner while spinning can be very dangerous.

 

True BMW's are much better then your average Mustang in any driving condition, but mainly what I’m trying to say is that “the best way to learn how to control the power” is to start with a car that is predictable when it starts to run up to its handling limits.

Example: Pick up any GT game and drive a fast FWD car then drive a high output RWD car through a road course. When you enter a turn too fast or flooring the gas in a RWD car you will prolly get some mild understeer and if the car has enough power the rear will break free and you will switch to oversteer. If you are not ready for that transition you will be looking at oncoming traffic. Do the same in a FWD car and you will start with mild to heavy understeer which will not transfer to oversteer NEARLY as easily as a RWD, and will force you to either hit the wall or slow down to regain steering control.

Now I don’t want to compare any Maxima to any BMW in terms of handling, be in dry vs wet vs whatever, there are just too many variables even if you limit it to a 3rd gen vs 3 series. Also any FWD car in the hands of a good driver can pull off oversteer like it was made to do that sorta thing.

I’m just saying that a noob who pulls a GT4 and upgrades his RWD car suddenly (after coming from a background of FWD) had better learn to control that power before he flies off a cliff or does a 180 and hits someone.
Take that statement and 2x it if it’s a mid engine.

 

I agree. I replaced my VE5 w/ a supercharged M3, and going from a 170fwhp sedan to a 290rwhp RWD sports coupe is a transition I was not wholly prepared for. I nearly crashed the thing the first week I owned it, and since then I have grown to respect its power. As a performer, it is a wonderful machine and you just feel sooo connected to the road. Also, even though I have only owned it a few months, I think that BMW's reputation in terms of expensive maintainence is a bit overstated, at least for the E36 chassis. I just replaced the radiator and T-stat (as a precaution, the cooling system is one of the E36's few weak points), and the rad was $130 and the t-stat $18. Not exactly outrageous compared to the same parts for a maxima. Of course, there will be parts that are more expensive, but it is a more complex car. I'm sure Hornswoggler can elaborate, but I have been pleased with the build quality and reliability of it. Of course, like any used car, purchasing one that has been maintained properly is critical. If you can't get an M, grab a 328 for like $6k and enjoy the ride.

 

I think they are for the most part great cars but keep in mind they are aging now. I can't help but think cars built in 1998 are still "new" but they aren't. Even the most meticulously maintained cars will simply start to need attention.

If you do decide to buy one do yourself a favor, make sure you buy a nice one. Make sure there are maintenance records, if the seller knows the entire history of the car that's a huge bonus, etc. You'll pay more for a solid car but you will save yourself headaches in the future, this goes with any car.


BMW's are awesome cars, I love driving them it's an absolute pleasure. Working on them is also quite nice. Where GM designs things for the assembly line, BMW tends to be more tech friendly. All in all I would say it's a lot like working on a Maxima but there are some german qwerks you'll get used to along the way (if you buy one and plan on doing your own maintenance, buy a set of torx drivers and sockets on your way home lol).


The 3rd gen really is a great car and IMHO very few cars that are not 10+ years newer can top it (for what it offers at the price). A 3rd gen and a E36 are in two different price brackets. In the end I'd take a nice solid 3rd gen over a beat up E36. (and if I didn't, it's because I'm still young, stupid, and impulsive). If it's a solid E36 and you can safely afford it, I'd go for it

 

Damn!...You are bunch of long winded ****'s...

 

Don't worry, I wouldn't read what I wrote either.

 

Novel

 

you should buy a BMW, then maybe you will stop your rental-like habbits

 

oh yeah, a BMW will be so much more reliable than my max

 

BMW is reliable. i love the suspension feedback and of course the brakin' response. since i work for a BMW dealer all they use nothing but DOT 4 BMW brake fluid and my friend told me thats y the brakin' response is so good cuz they use DOT 4 brake fluid. as for the Vanos unit that crap is expensive. i can't remember if the E36 is equipped with the DTC or DSC suspension since we rarely get E36's at all. all we get is nothing but the E39's (5series), E46's(3series), E90's(new 3series), the new 5series, 6series, and 7series, all the M powered cars as well. everytime i take one of the new models out i just turn off the DTC or the DSC. i do know that the new Z4 handles way better than the M3's. all in all i love these damn cars but hate it when it comes to maintain them since its so costly. just yesterday Tim Hardaway from the Miami Heat showed up to service is new 645Ci in white with chrome 22in. rims. well, ownin' these cars like everyone else says is a lot of fun to drive. right now im debatin in gettin' a '00-'02 E39 5spd and just slap on the M5 front and rear bumpers and mirrors.

 

BMWs are awesome, and just driving one makes me want to puke on my Maxima. I have a friend who has owned the E46 and now owns the E90 330i, and I must say the handeling and braking is and just the overall feel of the car is a step up even in the E36 that I drove. I am however not impressed with the way the new 330i performs with it's 255hp against my 190hp VE.. Nothin special in that department, other then that 33% magnesium crankcase they are using for reduced weight

 

it is great to see so many replies. it goes long way to clear many doubts.

I need to know specifically from Mizeree_X where should I look for used BMW series. I tried autotrader.com, cars.com around detroit.. Most of them where auto. I need manual. Are any other sites or places to look.
Regarding "The Vanos unit on the engine (Variable Valve Timing) " are these common to fail..? any more info on these

Thanks for the inputs...

 

The E36 is a nice car that will make you look more prosperous than the Maxima, but I agree with the others in that if you get one and don't know the history of the car, you should be sure to buy one with service records so you don't get screwed with repairs.

Personally, I would bypass the 3-Series and move up to a 5-Series, because when you get into BMW territory, even parts are going to drain your wallet to say nothing of service (i.e. simple parts like brake pads for our car might cost $40 a set, but for a BMW, it might cost 2x or 3x that price), so I'd rather upgrade to the bigger toy for more performance and up-market swagger (BMW - Bring My Wallet). I'd love to own a 2002 E39 with the 6-sp.

I like BMWs as well, but I would only buy one if I am financially set. I don't think they are as DIY-friendly, but it is definitely a driver's car, and you will like it a lot. It depends on luck vis-a-vis finding the right one.

 

will- you can find BMW parts as economically as a maxima, but the $ per fun value you can't find.
maximalover - try googling for BMW forums, or put up a wanted ad on a local for sale forum, or some even further away.

 

I found my car on bimmerforums, but that is very E36 M3 oriented. Roadfly, dtmpower and craigslist are other places to try.

I was thinking of getting a 540, but those really are much more expensive to maintain because of the V8 and their electrical system is more complex. E39s are hot cars though.

 

the best thing to do at least if it was me i would buy one from the certified-preowned cuz those cars after gettin' returned by the owners from their lease they get the whole works in the inspection. parts of course r gonna be 2 through 3x as much as our cars. we say Break My Wallet not Bring My Wallet but thats what we say. when it comes to work on them there r just so many things that u can do on those cars on ur own other than that it has to be hooked up to the computer. also some or if not most BMW owners that come to the dealer where i work at never read the BMW manuals to figure out how things in their BMW works. and its just simple things that anyone can figure out.