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MOTRS

E36 3-Series

1990-2000 / Sedan / Coupe / Convertible / Estate / Germany

All E36 3-Series problems All workshop issues
Common Suspension

Rear Trailing Arm Bushing (RTAB) Failure

Symptoms

Clunking from the rear over bumps and during gear changes. Rear-end instability under braking, the car may pull to one side or feel nervous. Uneven rear tyre wear, particularly on the inner edges. The rear of the car feels vague and disconnected.

Cause

The RTAB is a rubber bushing that locates the rear trailing arm (and therefore the rear wheel) in the fore-aft direction. When the rubber tears, which happens to every E36 eventually, the trailing arm is free to move under braking and acceleration forces. This effectively means the rear wheel's toe angle changes under load, making the rear end unpredictable.

Fix

Replace both RTABs.

Always do both sides simultaneously, one worn and one new causes an imbalance.

The job requires a press to remove and install the bushings.

OEM rubber bushings are adequate for road use.

Polyurethane or Delrin bushings offer firmer, more precise feel but transmit more NVH.

Cost: $200-400 per side fitted.

Some owners offset the new bushings slightly (RTAB offset kit) to add a small amount of positive rear toe for improved stability.

Cost mentioned in fix
Cost: $200-400 per side

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// More E36 3-Series problems

Other known issues

Common Suspension

Front Control Arm Bushing Wear

Vague steering, clunking over bumps, inconsistent steering feel, uneven front tyre wear.
Common Engine, M50/M52 (320i, 325i, 328i)

VANOS Seal Failure

Rattling or clattering noise from the front of the engine on cold start, lasting 10-30 seconds before fading as oil pressure builds. Loss of low-end torque, the engine feels flat below 3,000 rpm and only comes alive higher in the rev range. In severe cases, rough idle and a general feeling that the engine is "lazy" at low speeds.
Critical Engine, M50/M52 (320i, 325i, 328i)

Cooling System Failure, Expansion Tank

The plastic expansion tank cracks, often along a moulding seam or at the neck where the cap seals. Coolant pours out rapidly. The engine overheats within minutes if the driver doesn't notice the temperature gauge climbing.
Critical Engine, M50/M52 (320i, 325i, 328i)

Cooling System Failure, Water Pump

Engine temperature gradually rises above normal, or suddenly overheats. Coolant leak from the water pump area. In some cases, no external symptoms, the plastic impeller simply disintegrates inside the pump housing, and broken plastic fragments circulate through the cooling system, blocking the heater core and radiator passages.
Common Engine, M50/M52 (320i, 325i, 328i)

Cooling System Failure, Thermostat Housing

Coolant leak from the thermostat housing area. The leak may be slow (seeping at the gasket) or sudden (the plastic housing cracks).
Critical Engine, M50/M52 (320i, 325i, 328i)

Oil Leaks

Oil weeping or dripping from the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket, VANOS oil line seals, and front crank seal. A high-mileage M50 or M52 will have oil residue on most external surfaces.
View all 18 E36 3-Series problems