Recalls: BMW E36 M3 Convertible
Overview
Manufacturers, or importers, issue recalls for defects or faults which have the potential to cause injury. Generally, manufacturers will inform the original buyers if their vehicle is subject to a recall and of the steps required to remedy the defect or fault. Please note that the recalls below (if any) are for Australian-delivered vehicles only. Furthermore, the number of recalls should not be taken as an indication of a model’s reliability or its safety more generally.
Recalls: BMW E36 M3 Convertible
No recall information is available for the BMW E36 M3 Convertible. To search for recalls of BMW models, please visit Product Safety Recalls Australia: BMW.
Problems and faults: BMW E36 M3 Convertible
Overview
This section identifies potential problems, causes and fixes based on the experiences of owners and repairers, online sources and technical service bulletins. This information is provided solely for reference purposes and AustralianCar.Reviews recommends that only properly qualified persons carry out repairs or modifications. Furthermore, the number of items below should not be taken as an indicator of a model’s reliability or the frequency with which they may occur.
To report a problem or fault to the AustralianCar.Reviews team, please use the Contact Us form. Note that AustralianCar.Reviews does not offer advice on automotive problems or disputes; such enquiries will not receive a reply. For vehicles purchased from dealers after 1 January 2011, please see our Australian Consumer Law fact sheet.
S50 engine: VANOS failure
Failure of the VANOS unit in the S50 engine can produce symptoms such as a loss of power below 3000 rpm, surging around 3000 rpm, a louder idle and rough running. For the S50B30 engine, VANOS problems include:
- Failure of the VANOS intake rod seal;
- Uneven wear of the VANOS intake piston seal; and,
- Failure of the VANOS solenoid O-rings.
For more information about the S50 engine, please see BMW M50 and S50 engines.
E36 M3 Convertible: manual shift lever sticks in 5th and reverse
In January 2005, BMW issued technical service bulletin SI B04 04 02 for E36 M3 Convertibles with manual transmissions. In these vehicles, the manual gearshift lever:
- May be difficult to move into and out of 5th gear and reverse;
- May not automatically move from the 5th and reverse gears back to the centre/neutral position; and,
- May have a loose shift feel (i.e. lack of guidance).
The service bulletin attributed this condition to the fifth gear and reverse gear selector shaft pin sticking due to a defective bushing that was mounted in the selector shaft bore of the transmission. To fix, the fifth and reverse gear selector shaft pin bushing needed to be replaced.
Problems and faults: BMW E36 M3 Convertible
- The hazard lights may start flashing by themselves and the turn signals may flash at twice the normal speed due to condensation shorting out the circuit board.
- If the central locking system unlocks itself after being locked or locks itself after being unlocked, the actuators could be defective; alternatively, the boot lock may need to be adjusted.
- The starter motor may fail because it keeps running after the engine starts and eventually burns out – this can occur due to a sticking ignition switch. To fix, the whole lock and switch must be replaced.
