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Used 1996 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
64 reviews

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Pros
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5 out of 5 stars

328i=Permasmile

Matt Van Dyke, 10/08/2004
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Parts can be expensive, but most problems very easy to fix. This car is still tight and rattle free after 120k miles. I love it and will buy another BMW. Actually, I don't think I'll buy anything else again.

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4.88 out of 5 stars

Boston Green 318I Sedan

Justin James, 03/03/2005
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I recently purchased this car during the summer, and it was the best money I ever spent. The car itself has a sporty and sleek design. Although it is a 96' it still gives other cars of that year a run for their money. Over all the 1.9L doch engine gives it a fairy quick acceleration which can be put to the test with the 4 speed tiptronic. This car will respond with elequence and grace toward any turn you put in fornt of it. Due to the German sport tuned suspention. The boston green with a metalic flake compliments the light tan interior very well. Instumentation and acessories inside the car are of excellent quality and are easily viewed. Overall it is the best car I've ever owned.

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4.25 out of 5 stars

Fun to drive, not to fix

Tony, 06/22/2005
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I just recently (may 2005) got hold of a 1996 318 automatic. Owner before me had taken good care of it. I haven't had any major problems (other than normal wear parts) with it so far (crosses fingers) and i just passed 100K. Check engine light came on for a "low pressure cat. converter" code, but i had that code cleared at a shop and it hasn't come on again. Gas mileage is great, i use 92 or higher, 94 if i can find it... (owners manual recommends 91 but gas cap says minimum is 89) I've taken a 393 mile trip 3 times in this car and I can drive straight through and still have a quarter tank left...with the AC running full blast going up hills...which is even better mpg than my 97 accord

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Bang for the Buck

chris, 12/02/2005
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Had this car for over 10 years and 180,000 miles and the car is still going strong. Body is sturdy and still no creaks or rattles whatsoever. Maintenance is cheaper than my Honda since parts don't break down or rust as much. Excellent fuel mileage and very practical due to the folding seats. Excellent handling. This car can take curves and corners at high speeds. I've almost run off roads with rental cars since I'm used to how this car handles. It would have been better if this had a 6 cylinder engine, but it holds up more than repectably when pushed at higher rpms. Torque is strong at all rpms. Too bad they stopped making this model. Europe still has it with 6 cylinder models.

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4.63 out of 5 stars

Best I've ever had

oldf, 03/18/2003
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Not cheap but worth it. In the past trading in for a different car cost much more. Never kept a car this long and it's going to be even longer!

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4.25 out of 5 stars

love it...quirky though

ole, 04/13/2003
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

this car is SO much fun to drive. BMW makes a quality car, but crazy german electrical rears its ugly head.

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5 out of 5 stars

The best 3 series ever

Classic 3 series, 03/02/2008
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

We bought this car when it was 10 years old and with 62k miles and cannot believe how tight it is. Steering is awesome and power is impressive. It also gets about 29MPG on the highway. This model has all of the power options unlike the late 90s and early 00s where they started to option these features. The sport mode gives it a real edge and is great in traffic. We hope to have it for the next 150k miles.

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5 out of 5 stars

Maybe Will Keep Another 50,000

PAUL WILSON, 07/05/2007
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I purchased the car while living in Germany, although it was a U.S. made car. I now have 205,000 miles and I have always had it serviced at authorized BMW dealers. No engine or transmission repairs ever. It is a really fun car to drive, and overall I would say economical. The first five years of my ownership were in Germany, and the car really did well at high speeds. On the Autobahn I usually drove 85-95 MPH, but I have driven it as fast as 140 MPH with no problems. Although the car has 205,000 miles on it I think it will be good for at least another 50,000 or more.

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4.75 out of 5 stars

Still an Ultimate Driving Machine

White 2 Dr Coupe, 11/08/2007
1996 BMW 3 Series 328is 2dr Coupe
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

After owning this car for five years I still enjoy the ride & performance of this vehicle. It makes just driving to the grocery store a pleasure. Keeping it clean brings comments to me all the time, like what year is your car and when I tell them they don't believe it. They say that car still looks new. And it feels good because I stay up on the maintenance.

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4.13 out of 5 stars

Fun to Drive---Annoying Otherwise

KMc, 03/08/2002
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love driving this car! However, several things have been a disappointment. I purchased the car pre-owned (mistake), and ended up putting $3000 into it over the first 20 months. The most expensive repair was the clutch. I would imagine the previous owner learned to drive a 5-speed on this vehicle. My 2nd mistake was purchasing from Plaza Motor in St Louis. Worst buying experience in my life. Women, avoid shopping for any car here. You will get absolutely no respect.

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5 out of 5 stars

An exceptional car

RBL, 03/26/2003
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is one of four BMWs I currently own and my seventh overall, and it is one of the best: inexpensive to maintain with 25+ mpg in daily driving, absolutely reliable and as fun to drive as any BMW.

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5 out of 5 stars

Awesome car!

Mike James, 03/19/2008
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 4dr Sedan
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

This is arguably the best three series ever. It handles like a dream, has great power and has a classic design. The gas mileage is in the high 20s which is surprising. Big difference between this car and the earlier 325i. We plan on driving it until it reaches 250,000 miles.

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5 out of 5 stars

Ya Gotta Know What You're Buying

JL Moix, 03/08/2018
1996 BMW 3 Series 318ti 2dr Hatchback
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

I love this car. But then, I also knew when I bought it that it was going to need numerous repairs based on the known history of this model. In the first year I bought and or replaced the radiator, the starter, the fuel pump, both window regulators, the alternator, the water pump, and the battery. The car now has 203,000 miles and I would not hesitate to take it on a cross-country trip.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
4 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
4 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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3 out of 5 stars

Great fun convertible, endless number of repairs

Riick, 03/15/2020
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i 2dr Convertible
0 of 0 people found this review helpful

Owned one for 8 years, 2007-2014 only put 25,000 miles on it, LOVED THE CAR, but every two weeks there was something else that needed repair. If I didn't do the work myself, I would easily have spent $2-$3,000 a year in repairs. Five STARS for fun, One STAR for reliability, net 3 STARS

Safety
3 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
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