1987 BMW 3 Series ES 2.5 inline 6 from North America

Summary:

Great car for low price except for when things go wrong

Faults:

Without being involved in accidents:

Nothing major except a for taillight bulb blowing... Passenger seat will not go up anymore to allow someone to get in the back seat. Was never able to open the glovebox.

General Comments:

I picked this car up for less than $2000 and the previous owner treated it like a baby.. The car is in beautiful shape.

One thing I noticed immediately is that there is so much low end torque.

It is a very fast car for the gas mileage it gets (40+mpg on the highway.. average of 30mpg combined highway/city average).

I raced a V6 98 automatic Mustang just to test how fast it was when I first got it, and it beat the stang. That was when I was a beginner at manual transmissions.

This car looks good, rides good and is a great car for a teen. Only problem is when getting it repaired, you have to pay big bucks.

Since I bought the car it has been involved in two accidents. First one being a minor collision taking the front spoiler off. Next was a deer collision. After $2000 to repair it, it runs just like when I first got it.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2001

1987 BMW 3 Series 325is 2.5 inline 6 from North America

Summary:

A great car if you can get your hands on a nice one

Faults:

When I first bought my car, it was leaking antifreeze. I haven't managed to get this fixed yet though because I can only imagine how much a German car costs to be fixed, and I am just a broke student right now (hopefully it is just a hose, but I have no luck).

General Comments:

This car is a solid runner and it handles like a dream.

Leather interior gets hot, but it is very comfortable.

All the features, just put in a Compact Disc player and now I can't get out of my car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th August, 2001

1987 BMW 3 Series 325 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Fast car that turns a few heads for just a few bucks

Faults:

The electric windows seem to be out of alignment, though they manage to get up and down OK.

The antennae doesn't always like to close, though periodic squirts of WD-40 fix that.

Minor sensor problem: If I try to turn on the air conditioner within the first five minutes of starting the car, it almost always stalls out.

General Comments:

I bought this car to have "more fun" than with my old Accord, and I got exactly what I wanted.

It's a small car with a 6 cylinder engine, so the pick-up is excellent. The handling is precise too.

I do wish mine had cruise control, because the engine really hits a groove at 80 mph otherwise, so it's just a matter of time before I get stopped.

The only reason I'm not sure I'll buy another BMW is because I like to try new old cars... but I have NOTHING bad to say about this one.

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

Review Date: 10th July, 2001

1987 BMW 3 Series 325es 2.7 in line 6 from North America

Summary:

BMW = break my wallet, but beautiful, dependable and fast (she's a keeper)

Faults:

Most recurring problem is that it stalls out randomly, without apparent cause. My mechanic says it's the idle control, maybe, but he can't be sure until he replaces it. Chilton's lists about 12 possible causes, but I don't have the time or money to test them all.

Transmission needed a major fix this year (300 dollars), muffler needed to be replaced last year (350 dollars), tires and alignment this year (350 dollars), window switches needed to be replaced, emergency flasher has an intermittent defect where it STOPS working.

Besides that, the car is beautiful: classic lines, and styling way ahead of its model introduction year (1984). This 1987 model runs fast in the higher RPMs, but is limited by a 4500 red line, which is frustrating. It corners well, and is a blast to drive on windy roads. Fun 900 mile trip when I feel like driving to Seattle once in a while, with no problems.

If you have the $ to repair it when needed, this car, and all other e30 varieties, is a great investment, and chicks dig it!

General Comments:

Definitely drives like it's on rails. Great ergonomics in the seats, though a little cramped.

Love the on board computer (way ahead of its time, again).

Gauge cluster is simple: everything you need, nothing you don't.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th June, 2001

28th Sep 2001, 06:48

I had a 2.5i, great car, also with a computer - they make the car look so expensive!

15th Jun 2004, 16:34

It a cool car, but maintaining it costs a whole lot of money. But overall, it will last almost forever, cause mine has over 200,000 miles.

7th Jul 2004, 08:43

I've been offered a 1988 325i Coupe off a family friend - for £0! I'm almost certainly gonna take up the offer, although as a recently graduated student I'm a bit concerned about the running costs on this car. It has 196,000miles!!!

18th Feb 2005, 09:55

I have recently acquired a 1989 325es and was very apprehensive of my decision over the first couple of days as to whether I had made the right decision, but that was just baby blues, I now love it, the sound of the straight six to the snaking back end when launching the car up to excessive speeds. if you get the chance to own one take it otherwise you'll regret it for ever! I am still trying to figure out how I will afford it?!? but I don't care as long as it is running.