1997 BMW 3 Series 318i touring 1.8 petrol

Summary:

Overrated

Faults:

Front brakes everything replaced, still not good.

Rear suspension rubbers need replacement badly.

Squeak's and noises from everywhere.

General Comments:

Handling OK, but not super.

Not so quick.

Not well build, not any better than my Citroen BX that I owned, rattles and squeaks from interior and under the hood.

Noisy.

Uncomfortable.

Seat upholstery wears very fast.

Seats are just too small, not comfortable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 20th July, 2007

23rd Jul 2007, 19:40

I also had problems with the brakes. They "wobbled". You replace everything and it would return after a few thousand Kms. I even replaced all the brakes with the 328 vented discs and after a while the same again. I have read on another web site that the problem is actually worn suspension parts that will warp the front discs. When I had the suspension checked I did have worn parts. I have now fixed the suspension so lets see how it goes.

And yes the seats are small and do wear out very quickly.

2006 BMW 3 Series Touring Executive 320i

Summary:

Great drive

Faults:

Steering pump gave up after just 8000km's.

General Comments:

Really great handling car, better than Audi A6 I am driving now. I would go for the 325i (or the 320d) if I had the choice again: the 320i just lacks a little bit of torque (the 320Si should be enough). Otherwise the engine is very smooth and picks up nicely from low rpm. Very fuel efficient too, I am a "sporty" driver and I still got 11 km's to the liter. Gear change is not very smooth, but was getting better as the car got more km's on it. Interior is roomy enough for family with 2 kids, the only thing missing are compartments to put things: there are virtually none. The dealership where I got the car, was not very interested in repairing the steering pump, so I took my business to another one. The arrogance of the BMW dealers is a bit annoying.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st September, 2006

1985 BMW 3 Series TC Baur 316 (1.8)

Summary:

Fun car, real head turner

Faults:

Car didn't idle, had to drill the stationary nozzle a bit bigger.

Replaced the soft top, don't try to get the windshield out without cutting the rubber around it!!!

General Comments:

Restored the car, had to do a lot of welding due to a leaking soft top.

These cars are becoming rare these days, very much fun to drive.

This car is a real head turner, due to its nice green metallic color and lowered suspension (but I should have bought a 325 in stead of a 316!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 26th October, 2003

8th Jul 2007, 06:08

The 323i TC Baur is the much rarer one. They are a real head turner - nice car to drive.

1980 BMW 3 Series 320 2.0 petrol

Summary:

The best buy a had in years and when sorted out it is the car you will keep for a life time.

Faults:

One time the a switch of the automatic shorted out.

The front stabilizer unit rubber was missing.

The automatic had too little oil at one time, but we corrected it all.

General Comments:

This car might be old, but in the condition it is in is like that of a 7 year old car.

It responds seriously on the gas pedal. It is nice to have 122 Bhp of BMW at your service at all time.

The seats are much better than that of the BMW 2002 I also own.

It is not economical to run every day. Because it is a old fashion straight six it consumes plenty of fuel (but it is worth it, because this car really flies!)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th December, 2002

1986 BMW 3 Series 316 1.6

Summary:

Comfortable, cheap and it keeps on going

Faults:

The dynamo gave out at 233000 km, which wasn't surpising since it was the original one.

Due to the broken dynamo, my battery needed to be replaced.

Fuel pump replaced at 233000 km, the membrane in the pump had cracked because it hadn't been kept wet. (My car hadn't driven for 3 months because of the broken dynamo.

General Comments:

A great car.

The engine is comfortably quiet.

Incredible acceleration, especially in low gears, in the second gear my car can do 100 km/h.

The driving position is relaxed, which makes for comfortable long trips.

The leather (ricaro-like)seats give good support, but begin to show some wear.

The car is cheap to drive, because it weighs only 967 kg and fuel consumption can be kept at around 1:12 (l/km)

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd August, 2002