1993 BMW 3 Series Review

Fun Forever

Written by: Eric on 06/11/2008

Vehicle

1993 BMW 3 Series 4 Dr 325i Sedan

Review

Bought it new. Now 15 years old, 120K on odometer, we'll make 200k easy, the ultimate keeper. Still looks great, inside and out. 20 mpg city - 29 mpg highway, low ratios keep T/E mileage down. Classic lines, never out of style. Lots of bolt-on go fast available. Any BMW over 5 years is a DIY car, dealer rates and parts will kill you.

Favorite Features

Handles like a race car with sport shocks, springs and solid bushings aboard. Not blinding fast, but quick, and responsive over 3000 rpms. Interior layout is near perfect. Red beemers with loud pipes draw a race any old time.

Suggested Improvements

Seats, some parts are beyond pricy, typical german freaky electronics from time to time. Still worth the ride.

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318is

Written by: pbs on 07/10/2007

Vehicle

1993 BMW 3 Series 2 Dr 318is Coupe

Review

Excellent balance of performance and economy. A lot quicker than the numbers suggest - because of the 4.10 diff and close ratio gearbox, 3rd and 4th gear acceleration is very good. I also get an average of 30mpg (25 town, 35 motorway). Don't shoot me m3 boys, but the 318iS is the best handling e36 you can get; it comes with proper ///M suspension, but with a lot less weight up front and the whole engine is set behind the front axle, giving excellent turn-in and balance.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Great car, but costly repairs

Written by: bimmerpilot on 01/07/2007

Vehicle

1993 BMW 3 Series 2 Dr 325is Coupe

Review

Got this fifth BMW used with 98k on it, had the obvious mechanical faults repaired but NOT the radiator, which I learned has an estimated life of 90k miles. Big, costly mistake! In spite of this, I rate this BMW second best out of five. If you maintain the car, it will give good service. Of all the 12 or so cars I have owned, BMWs have been the most satisfying to own & drive. I rate it above Mercedes for a driver's car; highway performance is great, handling can't be beat by any car that I can afford. It's not perfect, but what is? If you do the required maintenance ($$$) it won't let you down, plus it's great fun to drive. The 3 series is easy to park and has good performance and comfort.

Favorite Features

Road handling, 5 speed trans,layout of instrument panel, overall size, fuel economy, fold-down rear seats, on-board trip computer. Heater & A/C.

Suggested Improvements

Better interior trim & asembly (glove box door trim panel fell off - poor glue job). All-metal radiator (plastic parts don't last). Better water pump. Only BMW short life battery will fit in trunk. Make sport seats available as a stand-alone option.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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1993 BMW

Written by: elugo on 04/17/2006

Vehicle

1993 BMW 3 Series 4 Dr 325i Sedan

Review

I purchased this vehicle after an accident. I was hesitant because of the mileage and year of the car. I have had a pleasant surprise in that the car runs SO smoothly. If I did not know the year of the car, I could have sworn it was a late model car in the way that it runs. It is a smooth ride. It runs better than the late model Ford Focus that was rented to me.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

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My car saved me! ...and other stuff

Written by: Lexie on 01/19/2006

Vehicle

1993 BMW 3 Series 4 Dr 325i Sedan

Review

I just recently got into a pretty major crash with my '93 325i and its because of that car that I walked away without a scratch (literally). The saftey features on the 325i are very good. The whole front of my car crumpled in to absorb the impact. The fireman and the tow truck driver both asserted that if it had been another car, I probably would have had to go to the hospital. Other than that- the car is a very fun car to drive, very strong (engine and body). Electronic and other features are very advanced for its year. The reliability is not too great, but if you have a steady income you should be fine (doesn't have to be big income). Overall great car. I wish to own another some day.

Favorite Features

8-way power seats Leather Seat Warmers Automatic driver window sunroof TRIP COMPUTER! (tells you anything you want to know! Temp, mpg...Even tells u if a brake light is out or something small like that) Looks, obviously Power Heavy feel of the car ventilation system Comfortable seats

Suggested Improvements

Pretty bad reliability--but I think this has a lot to do with the fact that i didn't get the car checked out before I bought it.. so make sure to do that! Interior design is kind of outdated For '93- I don't really like the black plastic bumpers, but the newer years (maybe '94+) don't have this.

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