1997 Bmw 320 problems
The BMW 320 was a car manufactured by Bayerische Motoren Werke AG also known as BMW in Germany from 1937 to 1938, the successor to the 319-based BMW 329. It was offered in 2 door saloon and convertible versions. Approximately 4,200 cars were made, of which 1,835 were cabriolets.
The car was first presented in July 1937. It showed a very similar resemblance to the 329. It was a high performance car with many admirers. The 320 was built on a shortened BMW 326 frame and used a 326 engine with a single carburettor and an output of 45 hp (34 kW). The 320 had a top speed of 65mph. The suspension, which was carried over from the 329, consisted of an independent front suspension with a high-mounted transverse leaf spring acting as upper control arms and a conventional live axle on semi-elliptic springs at the rear. It had a slightly greater displacement 6-cylinder engine. It was available as a two-door sedan or two-door convertible and stayed until 1938. The BMW 320 was smaller, less expensive, and lighter than its predecessor. It offered easy handling, a fine finish, and a good power-to-weight ratio.
The 320 was replaced by the BMW 321 in 1938.
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Common 1997 Bmw 320 problems
The BMW 320 1997, part of the E46 generation, has several common problems that owners have reported. Here are some of the most frequently mentioned issues and their details:
- Oil Leaks: Oil leaks are a common problem in the BMW 320 1997. The two most common oil leaks are from the oil filter housing and the valve cover gasket . The oil filter housing leak is due to weak seals at the bottom where the housing attaches to the block. The valve cover gasket leak results in oil dripping onto the exhaust manifold, causing a burning oil smell.
- Coolant System Leaks: Coolant system leaks are another common problem in the BMW 320 1997. The coolant reservoir, thermostat housing, and water pump are the most likely sources of leaks . The coolant reservoir is made of plastic and can crack over time, leading to leaks. The thermostat housing and water pump may also develop leaks due to wear and tear.
- CCV System: The CCV (Crankcase Ventilation) system is prone to failure in the BMW 320 1997. The CCV system is designed to vent gases from the crankcase to the intake manifold. When it fails, it can cause a rough idle, loss of power, and increased oil consumption .
- Front Lower Control Arm Bushings: The front lower control arm bushings are another common problem area in the BMW 320 1997. The bushings can wear out, causing a knocking noise from the front suspension and decreased handling performance .
- Window Regulators: Window regulators are a common problem in the BMW 320 1997. The window regulators can fail, causing the windows to move up and down unevenly or not at all. This issue can be resolved with the right tools as a DIY repair at home .
- Rear Subframe Mounting Points: The rear subframe mounting points on the E46 chassis, including the BMW 320 1997, are prone to metal fatigue and cracking. This issue is due to the designers attempting to redistribute torsional load from the engine away from the front of the vehicle, resulting in the floor and mounting points being placed under considerable stress .
- Engine Deposits and Carbon Buildup: The BMW 320 1997, equipped with the M54 engine, can develop engine deposits at the fuel injector tips and carbon buildup on the valves and intake manifold ports. These issues can cause incorrect fuel flow and a lean fuel/air ratio on cold start, leading to decreased performance and increased emissions .
- High Crankcase Pressure and Oil Hydro-lock Condition: The BMW 320 1997 can develop high crankcase pressure and oil hydro-lock condition in freezing conditions due to moisture solidifying in the engine oil separator or hose to dipstick guide tube. This issue can be resolved by replacing the crankcase ventilation valve and dipstick guide hoses with an updated part .
- Power Steering Pump Isolation: The BMW 320 1997 can develop degraded isolation of the power steering pump, causing vibrations through the steering wheel. This issue can be resolved by replacing the power steering pump isolation with an updated part .
- Transmission Fluid Leak: The BMW 320 1997, especially the 328i and 330i models, can develop transmission fluid leaks due to failed drain and fill plugs. This issue can be resolved by replacing the drain and fill plugs with updated parts and refreshing the gearbox oil at the same time .
These common problems in the BMW 320 1997 can be resolved with the right tools, parts, and maintenance. Regular inspections and preventative maintenance can help prevent these issues from developing or worsening over time.
How reliable is a BMW 320?
Reliability Survey, the BMW 3 Series ranked 18th out of 24 cars in our most reliable executive car class with a score of 87.5%.
What is the most common problems on a BMW 3 Series?
One of the most common issues across the whole 3 Series range, overheating tends to be a sign of a faulty water pump. These are resilient parts for BMW, but they eventually reach their end of life and need to be replaced.
How many miles can BMW 3 Series last?
200,000 to 250,000 miles
You can expect your 3 Series to last anywhere from 200,000 to 250,000 miles when properly maintained. Is the BMW 3 Series reliable? Due to its meticulous craftsmanship and precision engineering, the 3 Series is a durable, long-lasting, and dependable car. Learn more from the experts at BMW of Greenwich.
What is the most common problem with BMW E46?
Cooling System Leaks
The plastic components in the cooling system on E46 BMWs are prone to becoming brittle and cracking, allowing coolant to make its way out of the cooling system. The resulting loss of coolant can lead to the engine overheating, which can cause catastrophic engine failure.
Is the 1997 BMW 3 Series reliable?
1997 BMW 3 Series 318is E36
Safe, reliable and just an all-rounder car. The car comes with anything a first time driver needs in terms of safety, durability and I've never heard of anyone having problems with these cars that they could fault to the car itself.
How reliable is a BMW 320?
Reliability Survey, the BMW 3 Series ranked 18th out of 24 cars in our most reliable executive car class with a score of 87.5%.
What is the most common problem with BMW 3 Series?
BMW 3 Series Common Problems and Solutions
- Excessive Car Vibrations. Problem: ...
- Oil On Engine Block. Problem: ...
- Tail Light Illuminated. Problem: ...
- Bumpy Driving. Problem: ...
- Coolant Leak. Problem: ...
- Drop in Engine Performance. Problem: ...
- Rear Wiper Stopped Working. Problem: ...
- Window Stuck In Down Position. Problem:
What is the most common problem with E46?
Cooling System Leaks
The plastic components in the cooling system on E46 BMWs are prone to becoming brittle and cracking, allowing coolant to make its way out of the cooling system. The resulting loss of coolant can lead to the engine overheating, which can cause catastrophic engine failure.
1997 Bmw 320 car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Bmw 320 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Bmw 320 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Bmw 320 complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Bmw 320.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-05
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY VIBRATES AND LUNGES FORWARD. PRIOR TO THESE EVENTS, VEHICLE EXPERIENCES LOSS OF POWER, TACHOMETER ENTERS THE RED ZONE, AND THE TRANSMISSION WHINES. DIAGNOSED AS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Bmw 320 problems:
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