1987 BMW 3 Series 325I EURO VERSION 2 DOORS SEDA review from France

Head gasket replacement at 140000km, then 6 months later entire engine replaced for a new one (internal water leak inside one cylinder) probably caused by an error of the mechanics when changing the head gasket, or defective gasket/diagnostic, but unfortunately I never could prove it!), however both stock and new engine have zero oil consumption, even long time driven at very high speeds/RPM, it is truly amazing! Gearbox (due to null previous owners maintenance) changed to "sport" second hand model, it works fine! The rest is solid as rock (very very few rust, easily fixed, and never came back) and I remain sure that if the head gasket had been properly repaired my BMW would still run with its stock engine that already had a top speed of 217 km/h (235 on speedometer)!!! Beware of "Gubio" drive shaft join, a cheap rubber piece, but if not replaced in time could cause big troubles. Same for camshaft/timing belt, of course! Absolutly no electric problems with my car...

I love the general body shape, "pure" and "virile" (mine has "diamant Schwarz" metallic black colour) of these Beamers and of course the sound (oh no : I should write : the MUSIC) of their straight6 fabulous engines! Even with stock exhaust you don't need to buy a radio/CD player! Euro specs engine+manual gearbox+low wheigh compared to current heavy vehicles = a "grandma" that may cause BIG surprises to other so called "GTX/Y/Z and so on" cars! Amazing acceleration on highways on 3rd gear! Very good handling, much better on wet than a 320i (drive trains are differents), of course it is better if you are an "advanced" driver LOL, in extreme cases... it is not an Audi Quattro! The BIG problem with mine on bad french roads is : seats and suspension are much too stiff, despite they both hare stock and in nice condition, OK I have 17" HARTGE rims so it is not designed for comfort, but it was still VERY hard yet with the 14" stock wheels : this cars tends to "JUMP" at low/medium speeds on every small bumps and this drives me tired. Replaced rear shock absorbers and front where also checked as "OK"...Any one got an idea to improve comfort??? (If only I could find SOFTER seats to fit on this car, I think it would be fine!). My previous PEUGEOT 205GTI 1,9l, despite well know to be "uncomfortable", was from far much softer (mainly seats) and did not drive me tired like this. Interior is still close to knew condition (!!) and in my opinion these cars, with the "6" series, were the better and most beautiful BMW generation ever produced : I think in the 80's BMW was on its top. Not so expensive casual maintenance like (jealous??) anti-BMW pretend (my personal issues should be considered as exceptions due to past owners and/or bad mechanics, since now all works fine). I hope I can keep it for many years more, to have a future "collector". Despite only 2 valves per cylinder, this engine is full of power at every RPM... Hard to find in very good condition, like so many old cars! Sorry for poor English.