2002 BMW 3 Series Review
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
If you've got the bucks, this is unequivocally the best car in the entry-luxury category.
Pros
Luxurious, powerful, exceptional road manners, available all-wheel drive for sedan and wagon.
Cons
Pricey for their market segment, limited rear-seat space and cargo capacity.
What's New for 2002
BMW has seen fit to give the sedans and wagons a facelift for 2002. An in-dash CD player finally makes it onto the standard features list. The center stack has been altered to accommodate the new automatic climate controls. Steptronic automanual operation has been altered so that you move the transmission lever forward for downshifts and backward for upshifts. Bi-xenon headlamps are on the options list so that both low and high beams can glow a cold blue and can be set to automatic operation. Rear side airbags are available for coupes and convertibles. Two new colors, Electric Red and Gray Green (and a Natural Brown interior leather) join the color spectrum.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Mixed feelings
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Bought mine used a year ago with about 65K miles. Never owned a more solid car, nothing even close. Makes my in-laws' 2007 Accord feel cheap and gutless. Great ride and handling, good power, 29 mpg, very comfortable (6'2", 225 lbs). But the repairs have me frustrated. Belt idler pulley bearings shot at about 70K miles. AC/Heater blower motor regulator needs replaced (at 86K miles). Trans is making odd noises. Driver's window motor is almost shot. Taillight ground problem. Bad battery. Window trim fell off. None of these are catastrophic, but I've driven many other cars for many more miles before these types of problems arose. I won't buy another one, though the positives make it tempting.
Favorite Features
Handling, comfort, solid feel.
Suggested Improvements
Better quality control and reliability in areas where parts should last much longer (and do in other cars), e.g., belt pulleys, window motors, blower regulators.
Fantastic Ride!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
We bought our 2002 325i last August with 151,000 miles on it, no less! It's rwd, and we were told by the dealer to drive carefully on the snow. I have been riding this car everyday to work and all other places for the past 10 months and love it, even on the snow. For a car which has covered such mind boggling miles, this car rides like a dream. We probably will have to fix the suspension in a couple of months or so, but other than that, this car rides like the powerhouse packet that it is. If you didn't look at the odometer, you could not tell it from it's newer models, the ride is still so tight. It's service history is clean, no rattlings and the gas mileage is great. Love it!
Favorite Features
Great ride, reliability, exterior, interior, style.
Suggested Improvements
Nothing that the newest versions have not covered.
Don't buy it!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
When gas prices started to rise a few years ago I got out of my yukon denali and bought this BMW. It has had 2 window regulators $350.00, 1 new battery $100, a new alternator $400.00 and now the transmission is shot $5300.00. Not to mention a few months ago the car started sparking around the battery which sits in the trunk and cost $9,000 worth of fire damage. This is the WORSE car I have ever owned not to mention the bills to fix these problems. I would not recommend this car to anyone.
Favorite Features
Sunroof and that's about it.
Suggested Improvements
Transmission, regulator, battery, and the car is not very comfortable.
Not reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car in 2002 because I test drove a friend's car and I loved it. It's a true sport sedan, got enough power, it looks really cool and fun to drive. But the car is not reliable. I have put only 47k miles on it and many things broke down I have to replaced alternator, air blower, power window motor, battery twice, front and rear brake twice and expecting another power window motor. I will not buy a BMW any more.
Favorite Features
External, internal layout.
Suggested Improvements
Need more cup holders, head light relay, improve build quality and reliability.
Bye-Bye BMW
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 330xi AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
The romance is over. I wanted a BMW all my life and bought mine brand new in 2002. Everything was good until a year after warranty expired. All at once: worn front axle assemblies with leaking CV boots, broken rear springs, broken thermostat unit and an extremely annoying squeaking steering wheel. Car had 58k miles on it. Sent a letter to BMW North America asking "why?". CS rep calls me and says "these are just normal wear and tear items - what do you want us to do about it?". Drove Honda Civic for 10 years on same CT roads - no problems at all. On my way to trade this jalopy in before it falls apart on me again.
Favorite Features
Right now, nothing.
Suggested Improvements
Build a car where springs and thermostats (etc.) don't "just wear down". Please.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
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