Used 1991 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews

My New Baby

I just bought this car, and in doing so I have learned a hard life's lesson. Have you car inspected before buying. I have not received the bill on repairs yet, but my trusty mechanic is ringing up some numbers and I don't expect them to be cheap. I have to over haul the entire suspension front and rear and then replace the clutch and fix a crazy amount of leaks that began after the 3 hour drive home after purchasing plus many many more items. After all this though, I freaking LOVE this car and no amount of money will force me to part from the sexy style and classic feel. Even on bad suspension she drove like a dream. It's my first classic BMW and definitely wont be my last.

Affordable luxury car

Excellent acceleration, handing, fuel economy. Sounds like a symphony as it works. A car with design depth. A 15 year old car that still is up to date and still turns heads.

Great car!

I just recently got a 318is and it is a fun little car to drive. It has almost 200,000 miles on it and needs some things like new struts, rack and pinion, timing chain. It handles pretty good and I get pretty good mpgs when I dont drive it hard.

Cabrio 4 ever

I find this car fantastic, its fun to own and drive besides minor repairs it has been very reliable and not expensive to run and maintain. It still turns heads and is almost 16 years old!!! Good style BMW. The car has a split personality and will be very docile if left to its own devices but will become a beast if you demand it of it which brings me to the only thing I could do without is the relatively flat power band until the engine speeds over 3500RPM from where it just rockets to the red line with a fantastic engine sound that just encourages you to keep your foot down. I would advise anyone interested in such a car to buy it, if in good nick, and you wont look back

Love this car

I have had many cars in my life but this is my favorite. I just love this car. The timeless classic style and she handles great. This is my first BMW. I bought it on a whim for $1800 and instantly fell in love with her. She runs great but needs some minor fixes. My new passion and hobby will be to provide all the TLC she needs and restore her to the ultimate driving machine she was meant to be.

Best Value for a Fun Car

My previous car was a 1993 Miata, and I didn't have high expectations for this car. I was wrong. This has been my favorite car so far. The car could be called underpowered, but then again an inline six was available for more power. The only work I have done is a waterpump and the belts. The car is a great daily driver, but the 4.10 diff makes it rev high at highway speeds. I love the ride of the car, firm but comfortable. I have H&R springs, Bilstein shocks, and suspension technique swaybars. I do look to upgrade the car in the future with a Downing Atlanta Supercharger (197 whp) and stiffer springs. Overall an awesome car that has classic good looks and drives well.

New Classic BMW

Bought used from private party. Aprox. 70,000 miles, great condition all around, everything works great. I've owned 3 cars like this one and can safely say that they are VERY reliable. Of course, as old as they are, buy one as nice as you can, and treat it with a little TLC and it should reward you for years to come. If you want a daily driver, this could work, but serves much better as a cheap classic car for summer fun.

Love driving it

This car replaced my old Honda CRX, itself a marvelous car. My 318i is truly an amazing car, looks gorgeous and drives like a race car. VERY stable at high speeds, outsanding on turns. Repairs can be high, but there is no new car out there that compares, so it is worth the cost. Never thought I would "miss" a car like I do this one when I'm in another car. Looks, handling and fun to drive, although rather unrefined by today's standards. I plan to update the suspension and brakes soon, have replaced water pump, radiator and all hoses. At 200,000 miles, this car runs great!

Will buy another; great car!

I've owned this car for just over two years now. I have looked into selling it to buy a new, nicer BMW 5 series and was unable to sell this old 3 series! It is a great driver, one of the funnest on the road that I have been in. 17 years old and it's still put together well. This car is so small it can park anywhere, and with great gas mileage it is the perfect city car. I have recently put in over $7,000 to restore this car to like-new condition - IT'S THAT GOOD. :)

Artie, my fiery red beamer

I just purchased my 1991 BMW 318is coupe. I was looking for a car to replace my 1994 Volvo 850; I loved my Volvo but it was literally falling apart. I wanted to purchase a Land Rover Discovery Series SUV, but read so many bad reviews on this vehicle. My son and I were looking at cars at my favorite car lot; my son spotted the BMW at the back of the lot. It caught our eye. It was a one owner car in excellent condition; one look and we were hooked. I made an offer and the car was mine. My son and I waxed Artie and scented him with air freshener. Everywhere we go; people ask where did you get that car. It is definitely an eye capturer. My son says, aren't you glad I made you give up the Volvo.

love my red

Almost didn't buy this sweet little car, then the dealer dropped the price, so I took a closer look. Car had no working ac, was dripping oil like crazy, and had steering wheel wobble. I took a leap of faith and went for it. I went to work on the ac problem first preparing myself for the first big bimmer bill. It was missing a 12 buck belt. Then I tackled the oil leak. Loose bolts attaching the oil pan. Tightened them up and it hasn't leaked a drop since. Steering wheel vibration was caused by someone adding aftermarket momo wheels and not using hub centric spacer rings with the rotor extensions. This car currently has 198k miles and just flat out drives and corners like a dream. Love it.

the best car...

i love it if every car i have owned drove this well i would be happy. i have to sell it and am going to miss it.

LOVE my Bimmer!

My first one was carried away by katrina. I loved it so much, I bought another just like it. It had 189k miles on it when I got it and now I've owned it for 4 years. Fuel mileage is around 30+ as long as ac is not running. Extremely fun to drive! I've only had to do maintenance on it (shocks, brake pads, etc). And of course new wheels and tires. I also had a turbine exhaust installed which made it quite a bit peppier and increased my gas mileage slightly. Now I have over 200k on it and am about to finally replace the timing chain, water pump, and fan clutch. Most expensive part was the top, which was around 2k installed. My new Acura sits in the driveway undriven. =)

318is - A definite YES!

I am an autocrosser/Time Trialer who recently bought a 318is for street/event use. I LOVE IT!! It doesn't have the power of my wife's 325, but it is 200+ lbs. lighter, and feels more nimble and responsive to the touch. I think in most kinds of competitive events, the 318is will hold it's own against most others. A real thrill to drive!!

In Love With This Car

Why drive a used honda or toyota when you can drive a BMW.Paid $3500 for this car used, the paint job alone is worth that.This car looks great and drives great and at this point all the depreciation is done, will hold value.

A-1, for sure!

This is a very nice car, no doubt about it. But sometimes I find my self lacking that extra boost of power when needing to switch lanes or merge, but I will put in a chip in 2 weeks. Don't get me wrong the car is fine as is, but I want that extra 35hp. Aside from that this car is all you need! This car is a VERY fun drive. I had a 1990 525i, and I still prefer this 318iS.

Its a keeper

I purchased my 1991 318is in 1991, as my first BMW. I enjoyed the performance, although my driving style is far from pushing a car. The BMW 318is attracted me because of the small size yet interior room and seating for four. The car is now 12 years old and still looks like new and runs great. I found a local German machanic who did all the service beyond what was covered by the warrenty.

I like my Cabrio

My wife and I purchased a 325 cabriolet last year and could not be more happy. The only repairs after putting 15,000 miles on the car have been the brakes and a oil change. I asked her if there is anything we would change on the car and she answered which I agree with is only one thing the wind noise when the top is up on the freeway. Since it is not overall fast around town the car encourages you to drive within the speed limits (a good thing). We had a Saab 900 turbo convertable prior and this car is much more refined overall. The quality is tremendous. We plan to keep this car for many years to come.

A Fantastic Car

This is one of the best examples of an introduction line. While the car it self may not have the power of the 325 it is an incredible joy to drive. The car handles like its on rails and it sings when the revs are high.

What a car!

I've had my 325I for over 6 months and have loved everything about it. It's a blast to drive, and it has more style than most newer cars on the road. Most people ask me if it's only a couple years old! I have had to replace a transmission sensor, but beyond that I have had no problems. BMW's are expensive to fix, but for the amount of performance, luxury, and pure enjoyment, they are well worth every penny spent.

best car I ever had

I bought this car at 140,000 miles almost five years ago. I now have 225,000 miles on it after daily commutes and a trip from Texas to NY. I have changed the fuel pump and a few rotted hoses, but this car is super reliable. I was hit from behind by an accord last summer, and while it crushed in the entire front end of their car, I just suffered a small dent, and a slightly crumpled exhaust. The car still drives great after the accident and even after the big flood in Houston which left me with water over my seats. If I ever replace it it will only be for another BMW!

325ix Ultimate All Season

This is a great All Wheel Drive car. Legendary reliability, great aftermarket and club support. The parts market is relatively inexpensive and pieces are easy to find either new or used. The front drive bits are a little rare and not cheap should they need to be replaced. Outside of that most of the parts are standards from the long-lived E30 series of 325's. It's a bit slower than the regular 325i, but it more than makes up for that small deficiency in handling on wet and/or snowy surfaces. In the winter it puts nearly every other all wheel drive vehicle on the road in the rear view mirror. I would strongly suggest bringing any car this old to a good shop to check it over before buying.

Good, cheap way to join the BMW set...

Bought this car on the cheap for basic transportation and have been pleasantly surprised. While the acceleration will not excite, the handling is outstanding. Stops and turns on a dime. Not a good highway cruiser in my opinion, but great around town. Car is simple enough that maintenance is a do- it-yourself affair, and parts are not too expensive. Looks great, and in my opinion has a "classic" ambiance not present in the more modern E36 3- series.

Great little Bimmer

Bought new in '91. Fun car, has only 50K on it now and driven only in the Summer. Looks like new inside and out, engine clean as the day I picked it up. This car is well balanced and fun, but a bit underpowered.

318is will last forever

I previously owned a '01 330i and I've had more fun and enjoyment with my '91 318is. From it's classic tight sports car ride on curvy roads to a high speed cruiser, I have a true gem. I've owned Mercedes, Triumphs, FIATs, as well as all types of American cars too. My 318is is very solid and well built and should last me another 100k miles (I purchased it in May of '05 with only 91k on the odometer). I recommend this car to anyone (young and old).

What a great car!

I just bought a 318is from a wonderful 1st owner who took incredible care of his car (all records etc). The car has 126K but runs like new - everything works great. I owned a 2002 Mini Cooper S last year and I swear this car is as quick and as nimble - plus it isn't broken constantly and you can hit a pot hole without cursing. I am dreading the repair bills but in the meantime I am enjoying driving this wonderful little car!

320,000 miles and still Love It

I have put over 320k miles on my 318I with only normal maintenance.30+ MPG at 70-75 MPH.Very comfortable with large trunk. I still love my 90 mile daily roundtrip in my BMW.

The Ultimate Driving Machine

Safe! My car is the replacement 318is for the one my bro. took 55mph+, head- on into a tree, in '91. He suffered only a split lower lip! Very, Very fun car 2 drive! Virtually no body lean, under/oversteer -- corners like on rails! Put 15" wheels w/Brdgstne Potenze 750's; amazing! Big sunroof. Great window controls. Looks So, so cool in black w/blacked windows and silver wheels. Turns heads and gets comments even @ the BMW delrshp!!! Bought from P's; a '91 w/81k orig. miles. ;) see one, drive one, buy one, love it, keep it! Fantastic car. Next car just might have to be a BMW . . .

It's an above average car

I got the car with 95k miles. It now has 110k on it. I have replaced the 1 of the 2 fuel pumps, the lower ball joint on the passenger side, and a new front passenger door. I hopped a curb and hit a tree in the winter, the front wheel was barely pushed back, so now the car drifts to the right. The ABS still works! :). It needs brakes, which im neglecting to do, regardless this car stops and turns on a dime. The engine however makes a funny "buzzing" noise which i havent had looked at yet. The oil smells gasy as well.

The best car I've ever owned!!!

Probably the best car I've ever owned including the 2000 Audi S4 I currently own! I bought the 318is with 142K miles on it and drove it for a year putting another 13,000 miles on it. I've regreted selling the car ever since and am ironically trying to purchase another at this time. The engine is strong acceleration is quick. Handling is quick and nimble. Interior is comfortable, easy to clean and looks great. The car has real "European" feel and design. I could go on and on about this car, it's very dependable and sporty. Has to be one of the best cars BMW has built.

One Loveable Car!

I have had this car for just over a year and I have loved it every day I drove it. Handles great and has a lot of power. It broke down once (new fuel pump) but has treated me well over all. I dont like being afraid to drive it hard because of the expensive repair stories I have heard, but I manage to have my fun occasionally. This car been good to me, but it sits for sale in my drive way due to lack of cargo space. A drum set doesnt fit in the trunk of this sweet car.

I Love My Red Little Girl

Bought this car new and have had it for 15 years. She has over 160,000 miles on her and still runs great - maybe even better than she used to. She's a 5 speed manual and loves being driven hard. Haven't had any problems-just routine maintenance issues. She's been nothing but reliable. I would get a newer one, but they've done away with that classic BMW. I also have an Audi A4 which I use in inclement weather due to the rear wheel drive of the BMW. But, when the roads are dry, I prefer the handling of my fun and faithful friend. After all, an automobile is about driving, and nothing's beats the Ultimate Driving Machine, no matter how old.

Cheap but fun.

With 170,000 miles on the clock, the car needs a few items replaced like the timing chain/gears. However, the engine is known to last beyond 300K miles if taken care of. This is my daily driver and the third bimmer in the household. It maybe cheap at under $3000, but it is more fun than the other two that cost over $30K. 2600lb chassis is unbelieveably nimble in corners and 16 year old 4 cyl engine is peppy enough to pull the car fast on the freeway entrances. Look for one with good maintenance record and pay below $3000. You won't be disappointed.

Like it almost as much as my 88 535is

This is a great car, it handles like a go cart, is quick above 4000 rpms, great gas mileage, cool looks, easy to work on,g et good comments from non bimmerphiles, it is a very fun car to drive.

Frugal fun in the sun

I've owned this car since 1999 and have logged 115000 on the odometer (the car is about to hit 200k). Since I got the car, its been my trusty daily driver and fun machine having taken it on several road trips (including Yosemite) and have autocrossed with it. It's also pretty frugal getting about 27 mpg in mixed driving, although due to taller gearing than its hardtop siblings, it doesn't get mileage in the low 30s like they do (the cabrio has a 4.27 final drive ratio and the sedan and coupe have a 4.10). I highly recommend any of the '91 318i models to anyone looking to get into their first BMW. I'm soon retiring my car for weekend fun and buying an E36 318i for my commute.

I Love My 318is

I purchased my car from the original owner with ~68,000 miles on it in 1998. It now has 165,000 aggressive miles on it and it has proven itself to be a VERY well built, reliable, fun to drive car. It has no torque and doesn't accelerate off the line well, but once up to speed on the highway, this car is very quick. You have to learn to keep the revs up. It eats gas for a four-banger, but it loves to rev. I've done H&R springs, Bilstein sport shocks, Hawk HP Plus pads and the car is very nimble and tossable. It's very reliable, entertaining transportation.

Saved my life

The first drive, I discovered the main problem: it seemed to run out of gas after travelling at a consistent speed of 105 Km/h for long periods. The car would begin to tremble and would eventually stall. Rev the engine to 4,000 Rpm and the problem would go away. Others: 1) slit in manifold hose caused -35C starting problems 2) antenna didn't retract fully 3) driver's window would often break a fuse. In May, 2003, a speeding drunk driver hit the car. My only words: Crumple zones work! My precious BMW was destroyed but I survived unscathed.

Amazing car

Bought mine a month ago with 178,000 miles on it. Other then missing a few trim pieces the car is perfect. After market performance suspension is the only thing that has been done. I have owned some very fun cars in the past (2006 gto) and those cars are great in a straight line. But i have learned to appreciate corners with this little car. What the 1.8 ltr m42 lacks in off the line power it makes up for in high rpms and the ability to take corners at rediculous speeds. And still feel in control.

e30's Rule!

Buy one

Blast from the past

Great car. Well maintained and a blast to drive.i owned a new one back in 1991. Same car. It's a time capsule. A blast from the past.

This is Going to Hurt

I traded a low-mileage 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300e in really good shape for a 1991 BMW 325i convertible with 253k miles, a leaking top, faded paint, cracked seats, and a host of other issues. I traded for it to learn how to drive a manual. My plan was to learn how to drive the 325i and sell it. I am now selling my passion, a 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D, to fix up the 325i. I am hooked. I have never felt so engaged driving in my life. I’m going to spend a lot of money on this thing moving forward, and I’m completely fine with it.

Great Car