I bought my 1988 E30 320i from a dodgy looking bloke in south norwood. It was dark, a bit wet, and a friday night in October. I needed cheap wheels fast after destroying my mercedes 190e.
So. The car. One of the shocks was shot, the heater blower motor didn't work, the windows were manual, the engine had a nasty top end rattle, it had done 104k and it stank of fags. I paid £500 for it, one of my sillier moments, but I was desperate.
The drive home was interesting. I discovered the headlights were laughable on dip, but rather nicely the autobox was excellent. Smooth shifts in and out of every gear at every speed.
The following morning I saw it in the light. I wasn't impressed. I then saw the interior in the light, and realised it was more basic than a 1984 Golf. Good stero though, once I'd wired it in. Even better when I got the proper cage on it so it didn't fall out onto my knee every time I accelerated.
I only drove that car for 6 weeks, but it felt like a lifetime. It was actually reliable while I was using it, always felt like it was about to fall apart though. Fuel consumption was reasonable, about 30mpg. Handling was awful, it rolled around on its suspension and slid all over the road. Driving style was along the lines of flooring it and hoping, the brakes were laughable and it didn't make a lot of power.
Of course, when I wanted to sell it it wouldn't start. Sitting for 2 weeks killed it a bit, but it eventually started after replacing the dizzy cap and rotor arm and plugs, and charging the battery.
In the end I sold it for £250 on ebay. Didn't mind that much, I was glad to be shot of it.
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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
We had one of the BMW 320i new series (the one before they revamped it this time) but that was before we saw the light and swapped it for a Lexus :o)
Good review! Tea xx
SNOWY1976 11.02.2005 18:00
good review i personally hate bmws sounds like you found out the hard way--Adam
DBZKing 27.01.2005 14:28
Nice review, sounds like a good car, looks good also!
Jan 27th, 2005
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