Used 2002 BMW 3 Series Convertible Consumer Reviews
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Long time owner
L B, 09/04/2016
2002 BMW 3 Series 325Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
24 of 25 people found this review helpful
I've owned my 325 do convertible for more than 10 years and I've kept up with the maintenance. I've rarely had to make repairs on the car. As I've gotten older it's hard to get in and out of, but other than that, it's been the best car ever!
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Fun to drive, repairs necessary when older
tigeryox, 06/03/2015
updated 12/05/2016
2002 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I've owned a 2002 330Ci Convertible with 88K miles since new. It's definitely a fun car to drive, especially with the top down in good weather. Having said that, it does need some repairs which I thought was more than expected for the mileage or age: - Replaced lower control arm (LCA) bushings - Replaced both LCAs due to one bad ball joint - The dome of the strut towers deformed, common for the E46. Added a $10 reinforcement plate for each - Replaced both broken rear springs, common for the E46 - Passenger seat occupancy sensor broke Update: turns out the airbag control module has fried itself for no apparent reason. A replacement module needs to be reprogrammed for the specific model (to accommodate for the different number and position of airbags) - Convertible top inner lining torn due to warped plastic inserts If I weren't my own mechanic, these items could be expensive.
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Long term ownership
C patalive, 08/05/2018
2002 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Have owned this 330cic since new in June 2002, 16 years ago. 64,xxx miles. Pay attention to plastic cooling system components, water pump, radiroe, expansion tank, hoses and belts, etc. Subject to failure with heat cycles and time. Upper and lower Control arm bushings are a maintenance item. Otherwise, our car has been rock solid and fun to drive. We have the sport factory option. Car sit lower and is planted while cornering. Ours is auto tranny as it was my wife’s car when new. Removable hard top is also a nice option. Keep it suspended over the car in the summer using old sailing gear, blocks and line.
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Satisfied 2nd owner
gsr, 12/24/2009
2002 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought the car when it was 8 months old w/ 3500 miles and have enjoyed it ever since. I bought snow tires for the winter, and use the summer tires at other times for performance. In 6 years of ownership, I've had the muffler replaced twice for noise (worked fine), the cd changer replaced for skipping, a tension pulley replaced for recall, and the control arms replaced once. This car is still a lot of fun to drive and it's never left me stranded. Occasionally the front headlight doesn't come on right away, but it always does eventually. I think it's a great mix of performance and value, and I've been extremely satisfied. I'm 6'4", and it's tough to find a comfortable car - this is one!
Not So Reliable, Not so Swift
HSD, 07/06/2007
2002 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
I'm often amazed at how so many reviewers who have only test driven the BMW so readily heap its praise. I've owned a 330Ci Convertible now through 60,000 miles. In the last two years alone it has been in the shop for major repairs nine times. Count: new transmission, new alternator, battery, and ECU, new radiator, water pump, and impeller, new radio, new seat cover. Most recently it requires a new brake caliper, rotor and pads. I've come to understand that BMW really means, "Breaking Motor Woerken." There is a reason BMW offers such attractive leases on their cars: The only way worth driving one is as a rental.
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