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Used 1996 BMW 3 Series Hatchback Consumer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
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4.88 out of 5 stars

Great Value...

BigMikeyP, 05/08/2006
1996 BMW 3 Series 318ti 2dr Hatchback
2 of 2 people found this review helpful

This is possibly the most reliable car made in the last 20 years. Mine has 193K miles and has yet to have any major mechanical problems. It has never broken down and I don't detect a drop in performance. Its not a great long distance car as it can ride a little stiff. The other problem is noise at 70+ mph. It can also get lite in the rain, especially at high speeds. Interestingly enough, it seems unstable at 70mph (dry road) but sits down nicely and rides beautifully at 85+mph. Clearly a car built for the autobon. My parting though is that I love this car and intend to drive it for another 60+K miles.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best BMW on the Market for the dollar

Wolverine, 05/31/2002
1996 BMW 3 Series 318ti 2dr Hatchback
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I have loved my 318ti from the moment I drove it off the lot. Crisp handling, great styling, awesome cargo room with the seats folded down. All this for $22,000 new. It's still worth at least $11,000, and worth every penny.

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5 out of 5 stars

Best car ever built!

Ann, 10/21/2018
updated 04/26/2021
1996 BMW 3 Series 318ti 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I have owned this car for almost 20 years. It has never needed major repairs. Still running smoothly. No rust despite long Minnesota winters and salted roads. Not high tech by today’s standards but very reliable with great gas mileage and that’s what’s most important to me.

Safety
5 out of 5 stars
Technology
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
5 out of 5 stars
Comfort
5 out of 5 stars
Reliability
5 out of 5 stars
Value
5 out of 5 stars
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4.75 out of 5 stars

Bought another 318ti

tenniswoody, 11/05/2003
1996 BMW 3 Series 318ti 2dr Hatchback
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

I bought a 95 318ti that we loved. After a head-on with a 66 Chevy pickup that I walked away from, I replaced it with a 96 318ti. Nothing else quite measured up in fun for the $. Its a great combination of sporty handling and economy. I get mid 30 mpg on the highway and high 20s around town. It is a great car for 2, but the back seats are hard to access for adults. On the other hand, the hatchback gives you more flexibility than a sedan. Mine has been very reliable (from 27k miles to 87k so far), but I had to find a specialty garage. The dealership is very nice, but too expensive.

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5 out of 5 stars

Better than any jap 4 cylinder

Justapanda, 03/01/2002
1996 BMW 3 Series 318ti 2dr Hatchback
2 of 5 people found this review helpful

The 318ti is one of the best four cylinders on the market..besides s2000 and other really new sport jap cars. But the ti is a great car...its all about speed...guys love it and ladies wanna be there for it. The car handles like a dream...although at times at high speeds like over 75 mph wind noise can be annoying but everything else is solid.

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