2008 BMW 3 Series SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Having had my new 3-series for a month now, one thing I cannot doubt is that the handling and drivability are top notch.

For a car this size, it is impressive and feels better than the Golf GT I had previously, as the ride is also much smoother.

However, every time I drive it, I can't help but feel disappointed with the build quality. Rattles and squeaks seem to be produced from every corner of the cabin, and for a car that is supposedly built to the highest standards, it doesn't really feel much better than a company Vectra I drove a few months ago.

Bimmer die-hards will blame you for this poor quality. Real world people will admit these short comings. Keep that in mind.

I am a BMW die hard but do share the original reviewer's comments about the quality of BMW's latest offerings.

The current line up just does not feel as well built as the previous generation models, with noticeable cost cutting readily apparent in terms of trim materials.

Personal experience with a new 120d and various other models obtained as courtesy cars while this was in to be fixed on numerous occasions also tend to confirm this concern.

The car magazines call the 3 Series the World's best all around car, and the car that does everything well. But when I test drove three different 328s, I was disappointed.

I felt just as much engine vibration on the steering wheel as I do on my 2004 Ford Taurus, and when accelerating briskly from a stop using the automatic transmission, the rough shift at about 20 mph felt just like my Taurus.

The ride was too rough for the poor roads I have to drive on for my daily commute. Then for one of the test drives I had hurt my shoulder, and it was hard for me to turn the steering wheel. And power steering (I guess that is what Active Steering is) is not available on a 328.

And the two coffee cup holders were weird flip out things in front of the passenger seat that looked liked they would break right away if you tried using them. My friend has quite functional coffe cup holder on his 3 Series that is a few of years older.

Then my fried asked what I expected for reliability, and I said in four years my Taurus has required no repairs, he paused and said, "You're not going to be happy in a BMW." I guess I'm just not a sports sedan kind of guy.

Try a late 90's 3 series. You'l be surprised (as long as it's a nice one)

Try a E82 125 coupe. You'll love it and have your faith in BMW build quality restored. To compare a Ford Taurus with any BMW is like comparing a toad with Cinderella. The E82 coupes (not the convertibles, nor the E87 hatchbacks) are BMW's response to justified criticism about build quality, styling and performance. The E82 coupes (125 and 135) are sensational.

"To compare a Ford Taurus with any BMW is like comparing a toad with Cinderella."

After spending ten years driving Tauruses, I was tired of them. I promised myself that my next new car would not have an automatic transmission with an annoying lag in shifting at about 20 mph when accelerating briskly from a stop. Not racing, but just like in you're in a bit of a hurry to get somewhere. So I was quite disappointed to find on a three different test drives that 2008 328i was no better in that regard. It ruined the whole thing for me, even though everything else is obviously much better.

I guess a true car enthusiast would get the manual transmission and have a great time driving the 328.

Consumer Reports said the 3 series has a "smooth" automatic transmission. I can't understand how they missed this.

I also experience the lag from the 128 (or 125 - same motor as the 328), but there does seem to be two modes of driving. If I accelerate slowly then the pickup has some lag and seems a bit docile. However if I plant it immediately, it takes off like a jackrabbit. The response is related to how you drive and the car does not mind being thrashed. I find it very responsive. Germans take car design and building very seriously as evidenced by the quality of these cars.

Apologise about the Cinderella comment, but I just do not like anything about the Taurus. If Ford continues to build cars to the same standards as they have from their European stables (Mondeo, Focus, Fiesta etc.) then I believe they will have a bright future (also, the new Falcon FG series in Australia/New Zealand is an outstanding car).

Hi there, I've been through your comments, I am as well one disappointed BMW owner. I thought this was the car of my dreams, in which I will enjoy a smooth ride with no rattles no noise etc.. However, The ride is extremely rough, and the car is really tight when I bought it I saw it larger, maybe because I was just impressed, and rattles are there from the doors, maybe from the dashboard, I don't know, even the dealer could not trace them. I owned a Toyota Corolla for 5 years, I still have it. Now with 86000 kms, never replaced a screw so far... One more thing about BMWs, no storage places to even store your CDs, your tissues box or to put even your wallet in.. I am with only 7,000 Kms now (she is still a baby) but I am considering seriously to replace it with a four wheeler.. any suggestions?

kattallah@hotmail.com

Shame about you not being able to enjoy the car too much. Especially since it's still basically a new car. I have a 95 328, I think they built them pretty well back then. You can't feel any vibration if you put your hand on the dashboard. And there are no squeaks or rattles either. Everything, except my mpg gauge, still works. Obviously the 90's ones are now cheap and starting to look dated. So not everyone's cup of tea.

"Hi there, I've been through your comments, I am as well one disappointed BMW owner. I thought this was the car of my dreams, in which I will enjoy a smooth ride with no rattles no noise etc.. However, The ride is extremely rough, and the car is really tight when I bought it I saw it larger, maybe because I was just impressed, and rattles are there from the doors, maybe from the dashboard, I don't know, even the dealer could not trace them. I owned a Toyota Corolla for 5 years, I still have it. Now with 86000 kms, never replaced a screw so far... One more thing about BMWs, no storage places to even store your CDs, your tissues box or to put even your wallet in.. I am with only 7,000 Kms now (she is still a baby) but I am considering seriously to replace it with a four wheeler.. any suggestions?

kattallah@hotmail.com"

Another person who thought they were getting a smooth ride when buying a Beemer. BMW's are SUPPOSED to ride rough. They're designed that way to increase performance and handling. They'll outperform any American vehicle on a twisty road, but they don't wrap you in comfort. If it's not the car for you, sell it and buy yourself a Buick. That's nice and floaty. But good luck staying on the road around a tight corner at a speed higher than 20 MPH.