1996 BMW 3 Series 320i SE 2000 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Great car, getting an M3 next!!

Faults:

Slow drivers window, worn front discs. Wheel speed sensor broken, stereo packed up, climate control panel not working. All of the above was sorted under warranty (apart from the discs) by the main dealer. They even put in a top of the range Pioneer stereo. BMW dealers are great!

General Comments:

Silky straight six. Slow to sixty, good midrange and fine 133mph top end. For me, the car still looks awesome, sounds lovely and handles great with RWD. Dealer servicing too bloody expensive. Should have got a 323 for better 0-60.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th April, 2000

1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 2.8 from North America

Faults:

Bought used with a poorly repaired brake system. New system completely redone with a loaner!

General Comments:

Expensive service but with a smile and a loaner. Crevier in Orange County California has gone out of their way to be helpful.

I do appreciate the 328 especially after testing other autos.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 9th November, 1999

1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 2.8 from North America

Faults:

The oxygen sensor became defective and affected performance. It was replaced, at dealer cost, solving the problem.

General Comments:

An extremely well crafted automobile. An excellent highway performer with a good combination of handling and speed. Only drawback is a small backseat.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd October, 1999

1996 BMW 3 Series 316i 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Central locking on one door (twice!) & a dashboard bulb.

General Comments:

Well made, great driving position & dash layout but is let down by an underpowered engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 17th January, 1999

1996 BMW 3 Series 316i Compact 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Air-con leaked.

Faulty central locks.

Mal-aligned door windows creak on bumpy roads.

Lots of rattles for a premium German brand.

General Comments:

DISLIKES: Uncomfortable cabin due to noise, engine vibration, harshness, tyre noise. Ineffective heating-ventilation system. Cost-cutting build quality. Body structure below average in terms of solidity -- chassis creaks on rough roads. Grabby clutch.

LIKES: mileage, paintjob, dealer support, ease of repairs.

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

Review Date: 3rd December, 1998

1996 BMW 3 Series 318Ti Compact 1.9 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Electric mirror adjustment broken - fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Comfortable car to drive, feels solid. Average levels of equipment. In UK, air-con is an expensive extra. Good resale value.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 13th September, 1998

1996 BMW 3 Series 316i SE Compact 1.6 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

B-pillar trim tape peels off if the weather is hot. BMW issued a Technical Service Bulletin to fix this - tape removed completely and area painted by dealer.

Inside of headlight cover fogs up in wet weather.

Exhaust developed a hole within six months of purchase - replaced by dealer.

General Comments:

It's fun to drive but could do with slightly more power. BMW servicing is expensive.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th March, 1998

1996 BMW 3 Series SE Compact 1.6i petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Water ingress (slight) into rear footwell. Headlights fogging up in wet weather.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 1st March, 1998

1996 BMW 3 Series 318 SE 1.8 petrol from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Wipers failed once. Loose connection fixed by dealer. Problem hasn't recurred.

General Comments:

LIKES:

Reliability, build quality, comfort.

Good refinement at motorway speeds for a 4-cyl. engine.

DISLIKES:

Pedal layout precludes heel-and-toe gearchanging.

Prone to slight transmission shunt.

Sony radio - good sound but ludicrously fiddly controls. Should have gone for a proper BMW one instead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th February, 1998

1996 BMW 3 Series Compact 1.6 from UK and Ireland

Faults:

Water seal on driver's door, makes whistling noise.

General Comments:

An expensive hatchback. Surprised by the above build error. Great sound system.

Good handling, average comfort. Not worth its expensive price. 3 series too common now.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th November, 1997