2001 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews Page 4

Sporty Fun for your four legged kids

Written by: Sporty Furry Fun on 04/05/2006

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This is a SPORTS WAGON at its best. It drives like a small sports car, yet has the capacity of most larger SUVs. We load our dogs and bikes for weekend camping/hikes and golfing trips. The built in pet screen is great for safety and keeping the furry snouts in the back of the car. We love this car, plan to keep it for years.

Favorite Features

Built in Pet restrainer, large sunroof and high performance engine. The car responds well in traffic and is very comfortable on the highway.

Suggested Improvements

A little higher clearance would be good, like an Outback for travel in "light" off road conditions.

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Fun family hauler

Written by: boombatz on 03/21/2006

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Sport / Premium package a must have! Corners on like it's reading your mind first. Immediate response from the wheel with minimal body roll & incredible balance for a wagon. For extra fun, switch off DSC & find the twistiest road around. Excellent build quality & reliability, no major problems. I use it more than my Trailblazer for family trips. Cargo area is cavernous, easily fitting a double stroller & weekend luggage for wife 2 kids & I.

Favorite Features

Sport package, on board computer, overall balance & total feeling of connectedness with car & self.

Suggested Improvements

Electric window controls need to be moved off center console around shift lever to doors.

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What a car!!!

Written by: Djovanovic on 03/17/2006

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I purchased my 2001 325Ci in February 2006. Although I've had it only for a short time, I am in love! The handling is amazing. I drop the top every chance I get and boy does it turn heads driving down the street. Even my 4 year old daughter and wife can't get enough. After researching and driving the Volvo C70 and the Saab 9-3, I am confident that I made the right choice with the Bimmer. I actually look forward to running to the store to pick up eggs or milk, because I get to drive my car!

Favorite Features

Eye catching exterior, the top is quick and easy to use, handles like a dream, both seat have fully programmable seats, the stereo sounds fantastic, sterio controls on the steering wheel, and it's an overall fun car to drive!!!

Suggested Improvements

Better placement of the cup holders, adding lights around the sun visor mirrors, and heated seats should be standard. Other than that I love it!

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I LOVE MY CAR!

Written by: JessicainFrederick on 02/26/2006

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I would buy this car again in a heartbeat. I have never had a problem with it. It's fun to drive, zippy! With the exception of a couple of dings, still looks, feel and drives as if it was brand new.

Favorite Features

Suggested Improvements

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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good car

Written by: coupequattro on 02/17/2006

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

The car is fun to drive. Handles well in dry summer driving. I'm not impressed with the all wheel drive in DSC mode. My 1990 Coupe Quattro could run circles around the 325xi in snow. With the DSC shut off the car is very unsafe unless you have a good snow tire on it. I also removed the CDV which made a HUGE difference in clutch/shifting performance. If you have a manual get rid of the CDV and save your clutch... I also don't believe in the 15ooo mile oil service. Take oil filler cap on your valve cover after 7k miles and look at the yellow and white sludge in there... Change the oil every 2500-3000 miles and you will not see that build up. If buying used have the car inspected at indep. shop

Favorite Features

Manually adjustable sport seats. Good power up around 4500-6k rpm. It's a fun and safe get around car for general purposes. I would suggest getting the fold down seats. And definitely the sport package with 17 inch rims. Heated seats are nice...

Suggested Improvements

The BMW's today just don't compare to the quality and reliability of the E30's (1984-1991). Bmw's all wheel drive system in the e46 is wierd. In DSC mode I feel like the car shuts down when it senses the wheels slipping. This doesn't allow the driver to be a driver. You wait for power to return...

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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AWD BMW Wagon is hard to beat

Written by: MYBIRD67 on 01/16/2006

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sport Wagon (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I was looking for a small SUV when I found this jewel. I was sold by the combination of the AWD and manual transmission. It handles like you would expect a BMW 3 series would, with the amazing bonus of all-weather traction plus 30 mpg highway. This car takes me and my ski-racing kids to ski areas all winter long and has not let us down. Once the vehicle went out of warranty I turned its service over to an independent BMW mechanic. So long as you stay current on recommended maintenance. Only issue has been a water pump failure requiring a tow - $380 later back on the road with no problems. The sport package is worth it for the bolstered seats. My favorite winter driver ever.

Favorite Features

Sport seats with heaters, all wheel drive, slick-shifting manual, xenon headlights, fold-down rear seats, BMW road feel, rear hatch window opens separately from door, did I mention AWD?

Suggested Improvements

Roof rack unnecessary and noisy on the wagon unless you're hauling a Thule box. Stock stereo only average.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Still fun

Written by: cabimmer on 12/30/2005

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Bought this car after owning a 95 M3 for its four doors, steptronic tranny and luxury features. Still fun to drive, always feel the difference after being in the wife's Lexus SUV. BMW engine, tranny and handling are great, but the interior and electronics are subpar. The newer ones are getting better, but I just don't think the germans know as much about electronics as the japanese do (I've owned 2 BMW's, 2 VW's, and 2 Honda's). On the flip side, BMW just feels better on the road than the japanese cars do. Overall a very positive experience!

Favorite Features

Handling, great blend of power and gas mileage, engine feels like a small block V8, steptronic tranny does it all, you can turn off DSC!

Suggested Improvements

Better electronic systems in terms of reliability (had issues with one window regulator and a misbehaving fan) and features (iPod, satellite integration and how about a cd changer standard vs. $600!!!)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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2001 325i

Written by: bakedflounder on 12/24/2005

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I just got this car and am blown away by all the well-thought-out features. It's classy, fast and luxurious. This car combines sports performace with luxury. I don't feel like I'm in a tin can at all... VERY SOLID.

Favorite Features

Moonroof, volume/stereo controls on the steering wheel.

Suggested Improvements

There are 2 items that could use improvement. The accelerator feel is "loose" at slow acceleration speeds. There is a little play in the pedal before it responds. Secondly, the window controls would be better on the driver's door, like in most other vehicles.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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The Best Car I've Ever Owned

Written by: David on 11/09/2005

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I've had this car for 2 months and I can honestly say it's the greatest. The performance, engineering, and looks are second-to-none. I've never had so many compliments from total strangers, which really makes me feel good. I've had absolutely no problems with the car since I've had it. The only downside might be the high-cost maintenance procedures. I can do them myself, but if they are done by the dealership, prices are quite high. If you can bleed brakes and change brake pads, change hoses and flush coolant, and change engine belts, then you'll have no problem with this car. Buy a manual, and you'll be fine.

Favorite Features

Engine performance, sunroof, deep blue color, Harmon-Kardon stereo, onboard navigation system

Suggested Improvements

Some kind of change to the center console. A strange design, to say the least. Other than that, this car is a great buy.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Rocky start

Written by: r11rs on 10/08/2005

Vehicle

2001 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This is my 4th BMW in 25 yrs, and by far the worst. Everyone claims this is a 'tight handling car'...I simply don't understand how anyone can say that. Compared to BMWs of the past, this handles like an Oldsmobile! Its so loose, that it is pathetic. The design of the car lends itself to very poor visibility. The blind spots are terrible. Within the first 6 months of ownership, the car broke down 2x, with the same problem (bad auxiliary fan). BMW was difficult to deal with during these problems. Otherwise, reliability is fine.

Favorite Features

I tend to like the aesthetics of the car, although the design is what destroys the outward visibility.

Suggested Improvements

1 - Redesign to provide good visibility 2 - Tighten the feel/handling. Very important. 3 - Include some creature comforts (rear door map pockets, a direction compass, better power seats (the ones provided are the cheapest I've ever seen), etc.)

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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