1989 BMW 3 Series 325i Ragtop review from North America

Problems at 100,700.

Head gasket.

New convertible top.

Rear suspension bushings.

4 new rotors and brake pads.

New driveshaft flex disks.

4 new power window switches.

New muffler.

Hood trunk and cvt top boot hydraulic shocks.

New glove box lock.

All locks of poor quality.

AC retrofitted to new system (400) after failure.

Shift linkage bushings replaced.

New battery.

New clutch master and slave cylinders.

Radiator has tiny leak, but fine.

Am I complaining? NO! After all this car had high miles when I bought it for 8400 US. Not cheap, but a lot less than 40,000 for a new one. I overpaid for it because I had it appraised by a moron. The motor is now perfect. The body is galvanized and will last forever-- not bad for a ragtop. It is a great looking car with headroom! I now have 17000 invested in the car-- seems like a lot, but I forgot to mention that it now has a fast chip under the hood, a free flow stainless exhaust, german spec bumpers (good looking!), and custom painted the EXACT color that I wanted-- indigo blue. (custom body work cost 6000). I also removed the third (Ralph Nadar) brakelight pimple from the trunk lid. And p.s.-- this car comes with heated Recaros (a work of art in themselves-- better looking than any Eames chair) seats-- I can drive with the top down at 32 deg. F. and not feel cold-- tall windshield also helps! My mechanic says that I have an easy 50000 miles left on the motor and clutch. And he knows that I drive like a maniac! When it blows, I get to put in somthing much more powerful for 6ish...

I would not hesitate to rec this car to anybody. Fun fun fun AND practical. The 2.5 straight six is a joy all the way to the redline. I also own a 1981 BMW 1000s motorcycle. Top down driving is great and it kicks a_s.

My rec. to prospective drivers is to get a manual tranny--Performance.0-60 in the 8's. Also locate a good mechanic. This is the hard part. My local dealer blows as do all the other mechanics here in the Hamptons. I drive the car 100 miles to queens ny to get it fixed--worth the trip! I am sick of the local mechanics here fixing SIMPLE things 3x to get it right-- cluch slave + flex disk.

You can pick up one of these cars for around 3500-4000 us now-- a great deal. This car is not unlike all other german cvts and will appreciate with time-- look at the 4 passenger Benzes from the 70's. I want to stockpile them now!

Alex.