| Model year | 1993 |
| Year of manufacture | 1993 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2007 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5L Manual |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 10 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 3 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 5 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.6 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 119000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 136000 miles |
| Previous car | Dodge Neon |
Summary:
BIMMER
Faults:
Just maintenance.
General Comments:
Great car I'm only 19, will keep buying BMWS ALL MY LIFE.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th January, 2007
I too would like to know how you like the ride, how it drives, what you think of the interior.
Basically describe what you like and don't like about the car besides the fact that you like it overall (which you must have anyways to buy it).
| Model year | 1993 |
| Year of manufacture | 1993 |
| First year of ownership | 1993 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2006 |
| Engine and transmission | 2.5 Automatic |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 8 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 5 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 9 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
7.2 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 27000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 181000 miles |
Summary:
Love it, can't wait for the next 3 series
Faults:
Changed the radiator, water pump, fan clutch at about 100K. Then the fan clutch again abou 150K miles. Window switch failure all except drivers'. Driver seat starting to wear, finally. Computer gets wet above glovebox in the engine compartment. Dealer quoted me $700.00 but I just took out the computer and dried up the moister from rain. Need to replace plastic cover under windshield wipers, will fix problem. One lifter is sticking, but hasn't hurt performance.
General Comments:
The car seems to get better in performance year by year. It starts and runs like a clock, besides the tired lifter knock. I am a very hard driver, everyday, starting and stopping the car at least 10 times a day. I feel like the car never complains. Overall best car that I've purchased.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th March, 2006
| Year of manufacture | 1993 |
| First year of ownership | 2005 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 1.8 Manual |
| Performance marks | 7 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 9 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 7 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) |
8.3 / 10
|
| Distance when acquired | 75000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 80000 miles |
| Previous car | Ford Fiesta |
Summary:
Beautiful, comfortable, quick, and with enormous road presence
Faults:
The rear brake cables have corroded - noted at the last service (78000 miles) - but cheap to sort out.
Oh, and at the assembly plant, they fitted cardboard Blaupunkt speakers - what were they thinking?
General Comments:
For starters, this car looks the absolute business. EVERYONE comments on the styling of the E36 coupe. In my humble opinion it's the best looking BMW ever.
My last car was a Ford Fiesta and so I've not got much to compare it to, but the BMW is THE most comfortable car I've ever had the good fortune to drive. No more back pain for me, and I regularly drive from Edinburgh to Sheffield, which is around 4 hours. It could take 24 hours for all I care when I'm in the Beemer.
As for actually driving the thing, it's amazing. The acceleration is by no means record-breaking, but easily quick enough to embarrass most of the boy-racers I come up against. It cruises with ease on the motorway, with more than enough oomph to get past all those caravans and tractors one finds on the A-roads in the north of England. On the more winding roads it is a joy - the BMW goes exactly where you point it. Oversteer is possible if you push it hard, but let off the accelerator and the car rights itself whilst making you feel like a Rally pro. To be honest, it's like playing Gran Turismo (drive safely and observe speed limits please kids!)
The fuel economy has been a pleasant surprise. At the moment, it costs around £45 to fill up from empty, and I get around 400 miles from it.
The only real downside of this car is the stereo. I don't know about you, but if I were buying one of these brand new back in the day, I would have been pretty miffed with the standard set-up. On top of that, after-market upgrades are made an absolute nightmare because of the speaker placements. You either need to cut through metal bodywork to get anthing decent in the rear, or go for some adapter speaker pods. These are expensive for what they are (I paid £29.99) and are fiddlier than a fiddler fiddling with a fiddle to get fitted right. Not really much of a gripe though. It depends on how much you like your music.
All in all, if you're looking for a new car, and you've got around £2000-£3000 to spend, get a 318iS. You will not be disappointed. Think twice about a white one though, because they are a nightmare to keep clean!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 26th September, 2005
I had a 1993 BMW 320iSE, and although I find myself agreeing with your comments regarding driving satisfaction and comfort, the build quality on my car was appalling. Lots of creaks and groans from the interior plastics, and it looked very tired inside when I sold the car at 80,000 miles. It was an Approved Used car with verified mileage.
Not really what I would expect from BMW.