Used 2002 BMW 3 Series Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Going for 300K
We (wife and I) bought this with 14K on odo. It looked and felt like new even though I was hesitant about the price. It is now 173K still feels like new and looks... well not new but good. These days you need a car to outlast the payments. I plan to go for 300K on this. This is the first car I feel comfortable making that attempt. It has had a few things fail. These were the window regulators (all 4) and a piece of trim. The 3 is a tough little car. Looking to get 2nd one.
seating space
the only thing I dont like about my BMW is the tight seating in the driver side.I`m a big man(275lbs)and find it difficult to slide in behind the wheel.Otherwise,once in place,there is no other great feeling like driving this vehicle.
- 325i SedanMSRP: $8,90095 mi away
- 325Ci ConvertibleMSRP: $6,995140 mi away
- 325Ci ConvertibleMSRP: $6,998157 mi away
You get what you pay for...
Picked up my 330i thru ED. Fantastic option for purchasing a car. There is simply no substitute IMHO for driving one of the finest cars in the world on some of the best roads in the world. If you can afford the time exercise the ED option. You won't regret it. BTW, have you ever heard of someone who did the ED option ever not recommending it?
Still a car of aspiration
I was going to buy a Passat- my wife liked the Bimmer. Guess what happened? It still turns heads. A cardiologist we know complimented us on our choice. It drives like the premium car it is. The exterior and interior appearance and finish are great (of course), the in-line six is sweet, responsive and torquey, and the steering, handling, suspension and brakes are outstanding. A full roster of luxury amenities are available. Back seat and trunk space are adequate, not generous. Fuel economy is decent. Sticker shock gave way to a warm glow. Isn't that what a car of aspiration should do?
BMW 2002 325XI
I'm a believer! I thought that I was just purchasing an over-priced sedan with a fancy name. Much to my surprise, this car is amazing. It's like being at the amusement park everyday.
the best mid-luxury sedan in the world
don't go for the sport sedan imitations (lexus is 300, audi a4, benz c320) - get the original and the best at the same time - get a 3 series
BMW-- Simply Excellent
This is my first BMW, and by comparison, no car compares! I am excited about starting off with this level of vehicle. The transmission and engine are golden. I also am learning how to drive a stick--yes, I am learning on my brand-new Bimmer. Nice smooth clutch.
2002 325xi : 4 month review
2002 325xi : 4 month review
I love my new car
Before buying this car I was at odds with my old car and really needed a new car.
WOW!!
With the 325Xi is imposible to get in trouble. Neither New England rigid winters nor humid Summers can make gthis car underperform. All the electronic gadgets actually work. (I personally tested every single one of them).
PERFECT!!!!!
The car is truly perfect, i love the all wheel drive and the traction and stability are excellent, the ride is great and there is pleanty of power.
Nice Car
Well the car is a bit pricy compares with its competitors. However, with BMW's name, it is worth the money. So far, I haven't had any problem and I follow the manufacturer's recommended maintenance schedule and some extra services to keep my car in good shape. My final word - "who doesn't like the ultimate driving machine?"
best car in class
The car is best in it's class..This is my third BMW and the last two were E36 M3's..This car is as fast as a stock E36 M3...The build quality gets better and better..I have had no problems with my sedan and the dealer is fantastic..If, you want more power just upgrade with dinan products..It does not void the manufacture warr and the dealer can do the install.. Dont skip the sports package...Worth evey penny....... Get the 18" wheel option for 900 bucks its a steal!
Great Car, but........
My car was fine for the first few months, but I've had a problem with the car stalling. I have a 5-speed...when you start it for the first time and let it idle for about 2 minutes in neutral, by feathering the accelerator the car stalls out. This has been happening for months and no dealer has been able to fix the problem!!! BMW customer service has been no help either to date.
Best first car
Wow!! This is such a great car!! I just got it for my 16th birthday! I drove an audi, infiniti, tsx and some may be a little faster but i can't tell. I like the way the steering wheel is really tight. I got the premium and sport package the heated seats xenon lights leather auto wood trim and HK sound system. All of those options are great! You won't regret buying this car.
I love my 325i
I have a 2001 325 (which I think is better looking than the later facelifted models), and really enjoy it. I picked it up in Germany, and drove it on the autobahns for 2 weeks-- I HIGHLY recommend you take advantage of BMW's european delivery program. The car has been absolutely reliable-- but there have been a few rattles that bugged me (I fixed them myself w/ some felt). options 5 speed manual Cold-weather packaged moonroof leather sports package Get these while you can-- as you can see from the new 7 and 5 series, BMWs are becoming quite ugly!
Every drive is great !!!
This is my third BMW . First car was a 1973 3.0 CS , next was a 1976 2002. As a car dealer I get a company car so it's been a long time since I actually owned a car. After Sept 11th I decided to get a " real car" if that makes any sense . I love this car, have a 5 speed w/ Sport package ,Premo pack , Cold pack ,gray leather, Xenon lights & dark blue met paint.In a over a year its been completly problem free . I had to get snow tires living in NY but that,s all .
good job
now suprises... Performs just as promised..
Bang for you buck
I tested all of the entry level luxury vehicles. Looking for the best value, maintenance, insurance and resale. BMW came out on top. A great balance between sport and luxury. The TL was boring, the A4 lost touch with its sporty side, and IS300 was uncomfortable and the list goes on. Suggestion, if you love to drive, get the car! When you go to buy the car bring the Edmunds information with you. I did and the salesman recognized I did my homework and I got a better deal than the TMV. Thanks Edmunds!!
My dream car
I upgraded from a '99 BMW 328i to a 2002 BMW 330i, so you know I was pleased with my 1st BMW experience. I bought a "program" car with 15K miles with almost all the options including Sport/premium package, Xenon and heated seats. My previous car did not have the sport package or Xenon. This model has auto-head lights. I would recommend this car to anyone who loves to drive with enthusiasm and likes "performance" driving, but not to someone looking for a luxury car. Can't wait to try it on the track! If you can afford it, get the Performance package.
Wanted a BMW for a long time
And I finally got one. But at less than 3k on the odometer, the car dies. Turns out the instrument cluster was bad. It was replaced under warranty, after I had it towed to the dealership (I had to pay for the cost of towing up front), but it would have cost me $600.00 otherwise. Since then, it has been pretty reliable. But for $40k, I don't expect anything to go wrong. After all, my '86 Accord and '90 Integra never had any mechanical problems until 200k miles. Just changed the clutch on the Integra at 213k miles.
A solid car
Test drove most the usual suspects: G35, ES300, X-type, 3.2TL-S, 325xi, 330xi, 525i, 530i, Passat AWD. We thought the X-type was the next best option, especially given the very aggresive pricing what we were offered. In the end though, it came down to getting the 330xi or a 530i. I loved the 530i in Sport trim, but my wife voted for the better poor-weather handling of the 330xi. So far, very happy.
Fabulous!
I love every bit of this vehicle. I can see why all the magazines praise the BMW 3 Series. The acceleration and handling is top notch. Every stop light I'm like darting in front of everyone. I got the Electric Red and the exterior will catch every neighbor's attention. The interior quality is elegant with comfortable leather seats. The Harmon/Kardon w/ 12 speakers give great surround sound. Have yet to test it in the rain and snow with AWD but every review has been good about that. I highly recommend it even with it's high price tag, it's worth the money.
well refined inline 6
German mentality to build a car is that they tend not to cut corners in upcoming years and they continuously improving nuances on their cars. I frequently find myself more relaxed listening to the symphony of this inline six than music. Keep your impulses under careful check when you are sure that you have found a finer car, you may find a faster one, but good luck on the other aspects...
Proud To Own
Its one of the best decisions I've ever made. My last car was an Acura Legend and I thought I'd never be able to find a car better than that. Guess I was wrong...
Sweet Car, Great Ride
There's not much not to love about this car other than the price tag. Its expensive, but worth it! The AWD will be nice in the winter and mountians. Its ride is so nice I don't want to speed to make the trip any shorter!
Nothing Touches It In It's Class
This car is a joy to drive. The transmission is as smooth as butter, the acceleration is smooth and powerful and the ride has a magical quality to it that's hard to describe. The interior controls took some getting used to, but now are second nature. Every little corner of this car is engineered to perfection. Including the rechargeable flashlight in the glove box. My only (minor) gripe with the car has been the buzzing speakers in the door posts, that after three visits the dealer has been unable to fix.
Quality+Fun
The best car I've ever owned. I read an article in the July 2002 Popular Science that describes it best: "This car is keen-spirited, enthusiastic, on the edge of its chair awaiting the next command". The BMW 330i is a car that you want to spend a lot time with. I like to drive it with the stereo off just so I can listen to it. A true work of art.
Very Disappointed !!!!!!!!
I have a momentary significant engine hesitation on slow accelerations; I have taken the car to BMW 6 times for this problem. I have taken the car 7 times for a distinct whine at 70 MPH coming from the rear end or the manual transmission; BMW changed the rear end fluid and then the rear end. The gas pedal sticks after 30 minutes of use; it's been changed two times. The radiator requires filling every 7 weeks to bring the coolant level back up to full on the float stick. BMW has tried to fix the above items, but refuses to work on any of the anymore. The driver shoulder harness tensioner has been replaced twice.
My first bimmer!!
This car is what dreams are made of! I considered many cars, basically all makes from VW Jetta on up. In the end, BMW got the upper hand (and rightfully so) by delivering the kind of performance I was looking for. Some people might say it's overpriced, but I say the it's all well worth the bucks. There truly is no comparison to "the ultimate driving machine!" Experience it for yourself!!!
Amazing Automobile!
This is the best car I've ever owned. The fit and finish on the car are perfect. The cockpit is well laid out and the car fits like a glove. Performance is great, but gas mileage (22 mpg is what we've observed) stinks compared to 30 mpg we got w/ our 00 Jetta GLS. We are delighted with our purchase and look forward to owning many more BMWs over the years.
Awesome car
I bought this Certified Pre-Owned car with 11,000 miles. There were several things that needed replacing that was thankfully covered by warranty. I've had no other problems since the warranty expired a year ago. It's such a fun car to drive and a real head-turner.
I made the right choice.
After months(3)of comparing cars (G35,AudiA4,Bmw 325i), I chose the BMW. While the G35 offers far more power, and handles great, I did not like its exterior design. I tried to like it because it made the most sense but...I couldn't. The A4 looks great, but, let's be honest, it looks too much like the Passat. It took 2 test drives to convince me that the best choice (for me) was the 325. One last thing, two words: Sports package!
Tires don't last long
I love driving the car, but I can't seem to get a set of tires to last more than 15,000 miles. Also, maintenance is expensive. A trip to the service department averages $1,000.
Ultimate Machine
It really is the ultimate driving machine. I've had mine almost 3 years and I don't even want to think about ever getting another car. It is just fabulous in snow and rain. The tires can be an issue. I hit a very large, deep pot hole and had to replace all 4 tires. Other than that, not one thing has gone wrong. Mine is loaded to the max with the integrated phone..worth the extra bucks too. I hope this car never wears out!!! Worth the money!!! (45,000)
Piece of junk
Has spent more time in the shop then on the road.
325 XI
The car is soild all around, decent interior with original creativities, mininal compromise at this price range, when you drive one, you'll know it's a steal! Reasonable response from the car's handling, terrific engine/transmission combination, sharp braking, steady and yet nimble, every where I look, I see people put a lot of thoughts into designing a fine automobile like this, gotta appreciate that. Only down side? Too Heavy!
325xi
I traded an A-4 Quattro for the 325xi. The A-4 was a nice, reliable car with all wheel drive, but in comparision the BMW is quicker, more agile, and a kick to drive especially now that BMW has wheel drive. The main difference is the BMW is like a pro athlete and the Audi is like a college athlete.
Dream comes true, even better.
Bought it as a Certified Pre-owned vehicle. Now for 3 months and around 3000 miles, I would say my long time dream finally comes true, and even better.The 5-speed auto transmission with steptronic is smooth and responsive. The sport/premium pkg is unmissable. The I-6 engine is a magic with thrilling sound. It's so torquey that I don't even have to rev it above 3K rpm for acceleration. The suspension is stiffer than I expected, but it helps a lot on handling while not incurring excessive noise/rattles. Once raced with a motorcycle on a twisty mountain road and it rocks. I doubt if G35 or TL can do that. No in-dash CD changer is the only gripe. But fuel efficiency is a plus. Love it.
325i
BMW is still fun to drive, but the quality in no longer what it used to be. The paint gets irremediably damaged from the smallest bird drop, even thougt the car is washed and waxed regularly. In less than 12000 miles, the clutch needs replacement (noise towards the end of pedal) and the engine suddenly looses power while driving.
125K and still speeding
Great car. I've put 125K miles on in 3 years. Only problem was the AC control unit going bad at 90K miles. Which was a $140 fix at the dealer. If you want a car that is trouble free, low maintenance, and fun to drive this is your car.
Even Better Than Expected
I bought this car knowing that it had great performance and looks. After 3 years, what I was not expecting was great reliability. This car has been in the shop for nothing other than oil changes. It looks like I just drove it off of the lot and people comment that it still smells new. This is a 3 year old car with 40k miles! I plan on keeping this car for 10+ years. It is worth the money. MPG is at 23 over the life of the car. On the negative, the backseat is small for an infant carrier, but workable and this car has the worst brake dust I have ever seen. Other than that, it is perfect.
Cool
I used to own a 1999 328 which was excellent, my 2002 330i is even better (more power) and I enjoyed it a lot when I picked it up in Munich, Germany. With more power it still gives me good mileage and it's engine is so willing to drive fast (it start to accelerate more when you reach 100+ mph!!)
best damn car built = 325i sedan
car is fun and easy to drive and very comfortable for a 6'1" driver and if necessary no car has any better acceleration in it's class and price.
Holding up well at 25k
It was either this or the A4 1.8T at the time after narrowing the field but I got a better deal on the 325, plus the 6-cyl had a better feel to it. The 325 handles great in all kinds of conditions (doesn't snow so much in Los Angeles but I've driven in rain, traffic jams, mountain roads, city streets). No problems yet, just routine maintenance & replacement of back brakes (probably due to freeway congestion & starts/stops). It's hard to describe, but it feels more solid & glued to the road, quicker and safer than any other sedan you might otherwise buy.
"Simply Awesome"
Simply,I can't imagine owning anything else. The service has been the most pleasing of any auto I've owned. The purchase was hassle free. I never cease to receive complements on the car. Ask yourself ...when is the last time you've heard "awesome car" stated in reference to the one you are currently driving. it happens to me all of the time (even when its dirty).
Beautiful ride
very very smooth.... could it get any better
325 I
Excellent car. more expensive then other makes. You pay for every option, but everything is quality and one step above anything else
The Perfect Blend
Absolute luxury when you are cruising the highways, a 4 door sports car when you hit the windy mountain roads.The transmission is a work of art. The car has amazing composure.The communication between myself, the car , and the road was so in sync. I have been driving assorted audis for the past 15 years. All I can say is, I just didn't get it. The BMW is the ultimate driving machine. There is not a better entry level sport luxury. If you wanted what this car has to offer, in luxury,performance,features,safety,relia bility...you would be spending $10,000- $15,000 more. Join me in the experience!
I LOVE MY BEEMER
I love this car