1996 BMW 3 Series 318 M Sport review from Australia and New Zealand

I brought this car thinking of its name M Sport, but performance wise it's not very sporty.

Anyway, I've had to replace a lot of things.

I have to say that from 35000km to 50000km, only had to replace the CV boots and suspension arms, starter motor and radiator tank.

After 50000km trouble started; again the radiator.

At 69000km the CV boots cracked; these were not cheap parts, as they were imported from BMW Germany.

The engine started knocking for some reason.

The dealer said he couldn't do anything about any of my problems.

Battery drains quickly, brake pads last like 5000kms, tires are expensive, air conditioning is hopeless.

My wife's Primera GXE is faster, better and cheaper to run than this.

These cars are real expensive to own and operate; air filter, oil filter, and spare parts cost a lot, and it drinks petrol like nothing else.

I got my son to have a small drag race to see how fast this thing is. I got beaten by an Accord and smashed by my wife in her GXE; major disappointment, not as fast as my Legacy.

I now have a Nissan Maxima; a much better car.

I don't recommend a BMW 3 Series; they're too cheap now. I saw a 1996 for 3000 dollars, I don't hate BMW, but I have one thing to say, BMW and any other euro cars are good from brand new to about 40000kms. If you buy a brand new one, sell before 40000kms or you will lose quite a bit of money on spare parts. I brought this car in 2002 for 21000 and spent almost 6000 on parts!!! Sold for 9560; what a waste.

This is not that quick; it has 1995cc and my wife's 1998cc Primera smashes this. So does my son's Accord, and they cost way below than this.

Interior is superb compared to japanese cars; you feel welcomed, but other than the interior, everything else is very very crap.