Used 1992 BMW 3 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Riding on Rails
wessms, 09/02/2002
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We bought this car for our daughter, not so she could have a "cool" car, but for safety and reliability. Little did I know that I would like it more than she does. Performance is excellent. The first 3-4 seconds of acceleration are a little slower than I'd expect (auto trans), but once the beefy 6 cylinder gets revved, it's a horse. Smoothness and handling on the interstate are my favorite parts. It's like riding on rails.
Ups at downs at 215k miles
gpelite, 03/01/2011
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought this second or third hand from a guy who blew the head gasket. I was pissed, but 2600 for a gasket vs 1200 for a new engine package, I swapped engines. Parts are cheap for this car folks, if you are handy you can conquer this one. FYI the broken gasket engine was because he overheated it by not changing the water pump at regular guidelines. You need to do matinence on the car, just regular stuff, she will run forever. Ive only replaced water pump and alternator at regular intervals once... so this car has been beaten bad. Ive also done suspension parts, small stabilizers and struts, routine. I kill this thing all over the USA and she is a trooper... Im impressed.
Great fun if you don't mind the repairs
Saloon325i, 10/15/2003
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
The E36 M50 engines are reliable if you spend the money to get them that way... Before buying or shortly after, make sure to replace the plastic waterpump housing and the waterpump itself. The plastic used on both is prone to breaking and will overheat the car. Also, replacing the radiator and thermostat is a good thing to do if it has never been done before. The rear shock mounts will fail also. Replace these with E46 mounts. The ignition coils will need to be replaced also if they are original. Be sure to buy a car that has been serviced regularly. Transmissions should not be an issue, but the auto does have more failure than the manual.
Good car...some minor problems
rojo, 12/24/2003
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Really fun car to drive...I bought it for my son and I love driving it also..I have a new audi a4 and the BMW still rides as well. Have had all the typical 92 bmw problems. water pump, rear shocks, thermostat, hoses...but, overall a great car...I do wish the labor was cheaper...car mechanics see BMW and charge you acordingly...they see ya coming...
My $2000 per year wallet drainer
albuquerque bimmer, 01/08/2004
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love the way the car looks, performs, and drives, however failing electrical system, and computer system is very disappointing. Windows have failed 4 times. Sandia BMW wants $1100 to fix computer/sensor. Labor charge ($90) per hour plus outrageous part costs make this car difficult to own. I don't intend to buy another.
Hole in the wallet
BisForBummer, 09/24/2002
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
3 of 4 people found this review helpful
Worst designed BMW ever. From plastic radiator to plastic fins on the water pump blade to a computer that does not adequately drain when the car is taken to a car wash such that is floods and shorts out.
German build quality
Bozz, 12/22/2002
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this car for my brother in January from my manager. eversince we own this car, it has so many small accessories problem such as A/C holes leaks, gasket leaks, and now the heater holes is leaking. Althought, I really like the performance of the car but i just feel so annoy on fixing this small problems.
Have enough cash for numerous repairs
superjunkyard, 08/13/2003
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Owned this car new. Many problems popped up over the years. This car can drain the money in your pocket fast because of constant repairs that are very expensive. Repairs range from wiper motor, turn signal problems, radiator hose leakages to leaky transmission fluid pan, etc. Engine is decent, but not that powerful. The paints on the body is crappy.
Perfect sports sedan
Skimmer, 07/09/2004
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Was, remains the first quintessential sports sedan. The unassailable benchmark. Superb in every performance and handling respect, except high speed sweepers. Lithe, tossable, and possible to drift & steer with a throttle, though its glue-like grip makes it necessary to speed to break away. Its flaws: a cheap looking interior much improved in later model years, and many flawed materials. Problems I have had in the first five years included a broken radiator tube; a leaky gas tank; a broken rear spring; a broken window lift; two leaky oil pan gaskets; inability to start due to plug fouling ; and, twice, loud exhaust due to total loss of muffler baffles.
Fun value
commuter123, 07/19/2004
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for over 4 yrs now, originally purchased as a second vehicle for local driving, mix highway and city. My experience has been overall very positive - the car can be a lot of fun to drive, despite the higher mileage it performs well, sticks to the road and handles like a sports car. Since 92 was the first year of the new BMW body design, the car actually looks like a much later model. With routine maintenance I had no major repairs and the car has been very reliable. All this for just over $10k as initial investment.
E36 pride
dblblkskier, 03/26/2003
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Best car my family or I have ever owned. It out handles, out accelerates, and has a higher top speed than any of our previous cars. The car has had only minor problems which I have been able to fix at home with VERY limited tools. We did a minor paint job on the side-skirts, and front and rear bumper covers to make them body color. With this small modification, it looks like a '98.
Great, reliable car
motor_werke, 08/20/2007
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
With a 186k on the car, it still runs incredibly well. I use it as a daily driver and bring it to the autocross events. Very reliable, contrary to common belief. A blast to drive!
Better than I thought!
xhype, 11/22/2007
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I had heard all about how BMW was a great drive but that the reliability and repairs were to be desired. Thankfully I have a friend who is great with cars and can help with the repairs and maintenance. Tons of aftermarket parts and actually easy to maintain if you can read a manual. This car is an amazing value now. I got mine for only $1500 with 125k miles. The body style is still current looking, but the prices have come down so much! If you are willing to look, get a little dirty once in a while, and read a service manual, this car is a great deal! Great power after 2500 rpm and ride handling is great!
Pure Excellence
BeatenMutilatedWagon, 04/19/2008
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
It has taken me a while to get around to writing this review but I believe it to be a necessity to one who wishes to buy a BMW. This car is quick, comfortable, always impressive, reliable. Worse things done to it were a fuel pump around $220 and a starter, which isn't bad for 5 owners and a severe kicking. I believe it capable to hold its own on the reliability scale in comparison to its Japanese counterparts around the same age & $$. Excellent car runs excellent every time. If it breaks, save yourself some $$ and fix it yourself! Or find a cheap mechanic.
Love this car
John McAllister, 01/12/2003
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
The is one of the best vehicles I have owned - very cool for a four door sedan. The fun factor is high and the reliability is been very good. It's expensive to repair but that's fine as mine had very few problems.
Best Car on the Planet
BMWJunkie, 02/11/2004
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I love this car and always will. Cost for parts is average just need to know where to get the parts from. Internet filled with parts suppliers, both OEM and Aftermarket. Handled on rails even before changing to autocross suspension. Family loves the car wife loves it the most and has given up on her Eclipse. Engine is a powerhouse waiting to be unleashed. The things that people are complaining about are "wear items" and have to be replaced on any car. It is called MAINTENANCE people. Get over it. Those parts aren't supposed to last forever. If you can't afford the maintenance don't buy the car. The M50 is the best engine that BMW came up with.
92 325i
trini, 02/14/2004
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Its truly the ultimate driving machine this car is not for laid back people if u want luxury go buy a lincoln ,If u truly want to live (bmw)
Not quite what I though it would be
chanandaler bong, 06/12/2004
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great commuter...not quite the performance I thought it would be, really not much quicker than my old vw jetta, except that it handles the corners much much better. Fun on the off and on ramps!!!
For the right price it is a great car
ChrisG1979, 10/02/2004
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
When I found this car, I had been looking for two months. I paid the guy 4000 cash and he was asking 5000. To date I have to put about a 1000 into it, and probly will need to put another 500 soon. I have had a few problem with the car, one of which is that it has burned up 2 cat. converters, which gets expensive. If I was not able to do the repairs myself, I would not still have this car. I think it is a great car for the price and is so much fun to drive. I plan to buy BMW's for the for seealbe furtrue. These are great cars.
1992 BMW 3 Series
khnab2007, 05/06/2008
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my baby about 15 months ago and paid 4500 from the dealer for it. The car had 60,000 miles on it when I bought it and I thought I was getting this great deal, it was a BMW! I loaned the money from my aunt who loved the car until it started breaking down! So far I have replaced the fan 4 times in year, the water pump, the radiator twice, and several other things costing me a grand total of 10,000 for 92 that still overheats and has issues!! And the gas mileage is a killer the best I can get is 20mpg on highway! UGH!!! If only I could use unleaded gas maybe it'd be better!!
Ultimate Driving Machine
Russ B., 10/21/2002
1992 BMW 3 Series 325i 4dr Sedan
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I would highly recommend this vehicle. It is built with great German design and is a must for sporty car lovers.
sss
TR1830, 04/05/2002
1992 BMW 3 Series 318i 4dr Sedan
0 of 6 people found this review helpful
Excellent