2001 BMW 3 Series 325xi review from North America
"Not just a pretty face, this car will work hard, and then make you smile when it's time to play"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Left turn signal socket replaced for intermittent malfunction.
Rear Cup holder cover broke off, then entire cup holder assembly and armrest required replacement due to crack.
Power Steering Line, Pressure hose, rub seal, and seal ring replaced.
Driver side Front Differential Axle seal leaking and replaced.
Noisy MPG gage required replacement of entire instrument cluster.
Key-less entry intermittently did not operate and was replaced.
General comments?
This car is seriously quick, and handles like it reads your mind, no second guessing. Makes you feel proud to be driving a wagon.
However:
When the sunroof is open it causes what feels like unbearable ear thrumming from cabin pressure. The only cure is to crack a rear window or close the sunroof part way. BMW service manager states that other wagon model owners have reported the same problem, and there is no fix.
If you have a color choice, think hard about tan as it is very difficult to keep clean, but worse, BMW decided to make most of the dash black except for a color coordinating stripe of tan, that runs all along the base of the windshield. My eyes suffer the glare from reflection from that stripe on the windshield day and night. The first time I need a new windshield I am having that tan stripe painted black.
There are many ash trays available, but few compartments to place daily stowage such as sunglasses, cell phone and accessories, etc. To the point that I paid $40. for a rectangular receptacle to replace one of the ash trays in the console rear area.
The rear wagon area cover is most useful. It is very easy to get in and out of it's seat, when loads are really huge and it is in the way. And pulling it over purchases, and releasing it to unload is a snap.
The stowage pockets behind each front seat are so tight it is tough to get anything into them.
Driver seat adjusts everything except lumbar, available only for $2,000 more. After 8,000 miles, I am still playing around with the seat's power adjustments to get it 'just right'. Perhaps I just need the additional lumbar ones.
Recommended reviews
| Enjoying every mile |
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| 2001 - 3 Series 330Ci convertible 3.0 DOHC I6 Gorgeous, solid, fun-to-drive 4-place convertible |
| Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? | Don't Know |
| Model year | 2001 |
| Year of manufacture | 2001 |
| First year of ownership | 2004 |
| Most recent year of ownership | 2005 |
| Engine and transmission | 6 cylinder Automatic |
| Performance marks | 10 / 10 |
| Reliability marks | 7 / 10 |
| Comfort marks | 7 / 10 |
| Dealer Service marks | 10 / 10 |
| Running Costs (higher is cheaper) | 8 / 10 |
| Overall marks (average of all marks) | |
| Distance when acquired | 22000 miles |
| Most recent distance | 30000 miles |
| Previous car | Volvo Volvo 740 GLE |
| Date of Entry | 6th August, 2005 |