I've owned a BMW 320iSE L-reg for the last three years and I have to say that my experience with it has been mediocre at best. Prior to owning this car I owned a 525iSE (F reg) and it was absoloutely fantastic...the sort of car that dreams are made of. Unfortunately all things come to an end and I had to sell it. By purchasing a 3-series I thought I was buying more of the same however this was not so. Even with a 2-litre engine the performance is nothing special. No wonder they make versions with huge engines. First gear is set so low that it runs out of puff before you're going at anything more than walking pace...what was it designed for? Starting on vertical surfaces? and don't get me started on the clutch, which persistently overheats and gets all 'sticky'. While we're on the subject of overheating every BMW I've had has suffered to a greater or lesser degree with this. Yes, it looks good, no there aren't any annoying rattles so the interior quality could be described as above average. Yes, in three years the car has never failed to start, ever but for the price that's not enough. The car has also suffered persistently with squeaky brakes, which the local dealer has described as a 'feature'of the 3-series- honestly he has! but I'm not at all convinced. The servicing costs are always astronomical although adimttedly I do always go to the BMW dealership here. Also if you're tall and want to sit in the front you'll push the seat back. Be aware that you will then reduce your back seat passengers leg room to virtually zero. In retrospect I wish I'd kept my lovely old 5-series failing that I'd have bought a Golf where there's still the attention to detail but without the unbelievable price tag.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 130 mph - 143 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
BMW 1 Series - Hatchback - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Automatic, 6 Speed Manual - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 127 mph - 122 bhp - Petrol - Available Trims: M Sport, Sport, SE, ES
BMW 3 Series - Saloon - Rear (RWD) - 6 Speed Manual, 6 Speed Automatic - 1995 cc - Max Speed: 140, 143 mph - 163, 177 bhp - Diesel - Available Trims: ES, SE, Sport, M Sport
Got to disagree with you on this one. Maybe the engine was faulty. Those cars are machines. I think the maintenance costs are more due to image than the price of the actual parts.
sarsons 02.11.2002 01:34
Not bad intro, but info on what the car has to offer would have resulted in a higher rating (eg comfort, ride, equipment, insurance costs etc.). If you ever redo this op, please let me know and I'll reread it and review my rating :)
Jul 27th, 2000
very helpful by (63%):
helpful by (13%):
somewhat helpful by (13%):
not helpful by (13%):
