2004 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews

lovin this car

Written by: ricks corgis on 01/19/2009

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Bought this car cert used. Best car I've owned. I'm ready for a newer one. With snow tires it goes thru anything, good on gas. Looks handles great, very reliable

Favorite Features

Pick up, handling.

Suggested Improvements

Better cup holders, black brake dust.

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Still the Sexiest Car on the Road

Written by: daveuc97 on 11/06/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

It has been 4.5 years since I bought it and I still get excited every time I get behind the wheel. You can punch it through the sharpest of curves and fly up and down the steepest of hills will full confidence that this machine will exceed your expectations. Solid ride! Better thrill than a roller coaster! In fact, the other day, while resting at a stop sign after a fun filled heart pounding 10 minute joy ride thru the Connecticut countryside, I actually thought I heard the car mutter, “how’d I do?” Add on the fact that this is still the best looking car on the road and that it has the sweetest engine purr you will hear from a car in this class, I have myself a solid purchase!

Favorite Features

Sweet body style, smiles from sexy women, your buddies eyes lighting up when you let them take it for a spin, safe solid feeling you get when driving, engine purr when accelerating, black leather interior with brush nickel trim, the BMW emblem.

Suggested Improvements

I know its BMW tradition, but I just don’t like the cheesy orange dash and stereo lighting. My baby doesn’t do well on an extremely cold Connecticut winter day.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Germans make better cars...

Written by: Dustin W. on 11/01/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I own a 2004 330i w/ performance package. These cars are truly amazing. Unsurpassed performance, elegant styling, reliable, & fun to drive. I drove many models before purchasing mine, I highly recommend the performance package. The power difference is huge, and the styling and standard equipment are worth the extra. I also recommend the manual 6 speed, makes driving and handling much more fun. BMW puts an amazing amount of feel and predictability in the drivers hands. No corners cut in the design and test phase, this car can run around town to get groceries or hold its own on the race track.

Favorite Features

HID lights, 18 inch wheels, amazing performance and handling, amazing braking. The car is very practical and drivable around town and gets great gas mileage when I keep my foot out of the throttle, plus it runs 0-60 in 5.8 if I want to run harder. Best of both worlds.

Suggested Improvements

Rear tires are wider than the fronts so they can't be rotated or interchanged. Only complaint I have that may be cured by different brake pads is the large amount of brake dust that builds on the front wheels. Maintenance cost are high when free service plan expires.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great combo of Fun/Practical

Written by: Ernie on 08/24/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 330xi AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Purchased used w/ 18K miles almost 2 years ago. My driving is both suburban and highway, mostly conservative but I like to open it up once in a while. I drive about 20k per year. As title says, this car is a great combo of features when you have to use it to bring a kid to soccer practice, etc and like to "play" a bit. Not as comfortable on a long trip as our Volvo but it's livable. We have extended service plan up to 100k and it is worth it as with almost all Euro cars everything is very expensive and BMW takes full advantage.

Favorite Features

Solid construction, we get the feeling that this car for its small size can take a hit. Entering a 90 degree off-ramp and maintaining 70 mph.

Suggested Improvements

Tires, tires, tires. Standard low profile tires damage easily (I've "lost" three in 40k miles) also they wear out at less than 30k miles and are also worthless in the snow even w/ 4wd, so plan on "special" snow tires if you live in a winter environment and depend on the car to commute.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car - but probably overhyped.

Written by: BR on 07/31/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

This is a great car and deservedly a benchmark for the class, but don't blindly drink the BMW kool-aid. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase after a little over a year. There are faster, plusher, and overtly sportier cars, but really very few that do everything as well as the 330 does. As long as it stays reliable, I'll be a happy owner. Keep your expectations in check though as in 80% of everyday driving, many of the qualities of a 330 are pretty subtle improvements over the competition and even down-market vehicles. The superior handling, performance, ride often are most noticed by their absence when you're driving a different car...

Favorite Features

Exterior styling - to my eye much better executed than the newer e90 models. Simplicity - no overwrought techno-glitz to muck up the driving experience. Handling - sharp without a harsh ride in the daily commute. Highway fuel economy - just shy of 30 under a modest right foot.

Suggested Improvements

The auto (in any mode) isn't slow - but it's just not very fast. City fuel economy - 16-19 depending on how aggressively driven. Back seat - quite snug. This is most definitely a compact car. Trunk - see above. Avoid the fold-down rear seat - it creaks and rattles.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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BMW 325xi Sedan

Written by: alaskanamber on 06/21/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my 325xi sedan in 2007 and have had a great experience with it so far. The car handles like a dream and hugs the road. It also has good fuel economy despite the fact that premium fuel is mandatory.

Favorite Features

Road handling/manuevarability, size, styling, reliability, quality

Suggested Improvements

Suspension is a bit tight and could be improved to allow for an even more comfortable ride.

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BMW 330i SPEED :-)

Written by: patrick on 05/30/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

I have had this car for 1 year now and love it. It has the zhp package which makes it like a 4 door m3. Its very fast. I recently learned of a race mode for it. Put it in sport mode then the button (DSC) push and hold for 4 seconds a dsc light comes on allong with a orange light that says brake. When you get it in this put your foot on the floor from a stop and feel the POWER.

Favorite Features

Performance

Suggested Improvements

nav system

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Great car, however...

Written by: BMW Driver on 05/28/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Too many issues. I love my car, however I am taking it in for service at least once a month. The moldings around doors, windows, and fan motor break on a regular basis.

Favorite Features

Everything about the car is great! Fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Door trim moldings, power window tracks, and ac fan.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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330ci ZHP 5-A, Nice drive

Written by: Sierck on 05/26/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 330Ci Rwd 2dr Coupe (3.0L 6cyl 6M)

Review

Nice running and handling car, fun to drive on the country twisties. Engine revs easily, wants to go. Seats are superior, much more comfortable than my other car, 1999 Lexus GS300. I like to drive the Lexus, I love to drive the BMW. Just 1000 miles so far, no problems yet. AC seems to work great, was worried about black leather in florida, but ac cools quickly. Had also worried about the firm ride of the ZHP performance package, but rides nice on highways and newer roads, I don't regret the comfort tradeoff for the incredible handling, even sport suspension still quite civilized. All in all, very happy that I purchased this vehicle.

Favorite Features

ZHP performance package, seats, steering wheel and handling, exterior looks, rev happy engine.

Suggested Improvements

A little more hp and torque for the performance pkg. ZHP adds 10 hp and 8# torque, 20-25 each would have been nice. M3 too expensive.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great car, wish it had better mpg

Written by: Gregular on 03/30/2008

Vehicle

2004 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I have owned my 325i for 4 months now and so far I love the car. The only thing I am disappointed with so far is the fuel economy. I drive about 40 miles a day. Of that about 60% is highway and I get a average of 21-23 MPG. I tried changing driving habit and maintaining tire pressure and all I get is 24 mpg tops.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive factor. Headlights and wipers are automated and the moonroof is a plus. It's a fun sporty sedan.

Suggested Improvements

If I knew the gas mileage of this car I would have gone with the 330i.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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