Used 2004 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews
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Fun First Sport Coupe
Jeff Mortberg, 02/03/2016
updated 08/07/2017
2004 BMW 3 Series 325Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
25 of 26 people found this review helpful
Bought this car about a year ago. It is the first and only BMW I've ever owned. It is my favorite car of all that I've owned. With the top down on a sunny day, zinging through the twists and turns of an undulating country road, this car is a ton of fun. My first thought on a beautiful day when I am free from obligations is "...Go for a drive..."! The 2.5 liter in-line six is smooth and responsive. With just 184 hp and similar number torque, it won't win a drag race with a Mustang, but it is surprisingly peppy. I'd estimate 0-60 comes in around 7 seconds, which is comparable to my 2011 Fusion Sport AWD (which has 263 hp). But the miles per gallon is much better. I'm seeing around 28-30 highway, and 21-23 city. This car also just looks great. It cannot be considered practical, seeing the owners' manual strongly suggests using premium gas, and it only carries four people (and their handbags) with just a modicum of back-seat comfort. But who ever buys a convertible with practicality as their first consideration? This is one fun, reliable, and pretty car. I can't recommend it highly enough to the right buyer. This one has definitely made me a BMW fan!
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330i ZHP - a sport sedan for the ages
JamesSpot, 07/30/2004
2004 BMW 3 Series 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 6M)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
This BMW is for someone who wants to drive a sports car on a daily basis but requires the added luxury, convenience, and practicality an upscale sedan provides. The powerful, smooth-revving inline six, tight suspension and performance tire grip, powerful brakes, and feel of the road through the gearshift lever and steering wheel are the zenith of what BMW offers. With the ZHP package, you benefit from an increased sporting feel and minor tweaks to the engine and running gear, without paying the premium in reduced gas mileage, insurance cost, or ride comfort of a single purpose sports car. To me, it is a "best of both worlds" daily ride.
2004 BMW 3 Series for sale near you
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- 325Ci ConvertibleMSRP: $7,91715 mi away
- 325i SedanMSRP: $5,97569 mi away
- 330Ci ConvertibleMSRP: $8,90092 mi away
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So far !!! Love the 325xi!!
soxxxxx, 06/03/2014
updated 03/28/2025
2004 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
36 of 39 people found this review helpful
I bought my 2004 325xi 3 months ago. I bought it from a 85 year old lady who bought it new and serviced at BMW. Garage kept and all receipts. the best part.......only 24,000 miles . I could not pass up this car...I only hoped that I would be happy.... I AM!!! To me, the car is like new. One ding on the door and only one small chip. The car is very peppy and fun to drive. I seem to make an excuse to always want to drive it. The car is very solid and tight. I am not sure about needing AWD here in NC but, when the snow ,rain and ice fall...I will be sure to see how it all works out. I am very happy with this car!! New cost was $38,000...I paid 12,900. I am happy! OK..here I am again on 10-27-19. I still own the car and it now has 116,000 miles. I take very good care of it . No major repairs other than wear and tear stuff. I still enjoy driving this car and it still puts a smile on my face. I think about selling it from time to time but.....why??? This car still runs great! I so want to get a Porsche macan S but....even used I will pay 45,000. for a 3 year old 20,000 mile vehicle. Is it that much better than my baby? Nahhhh, not yet ..maybe in 2 years..As for now... I will keep and love my 2004 325xi.. 4-28-20: still have my bmw and love it. Such a good car,classic design , plenty of pep and fun to drive...I still take exceptional care of it...always get compliments...its a classic car now..wow! It now has 120,000 mile....still runs great!! By the way, I added a Dynavin stereo system that was made specifically for my BMW ( original look)...it has a back up camera, phone through the stereo and navigation and it looks like it came with the car..perfect fit. I think about getting a porsche Macan S but....not yet..someday... OK...here I am again..9-16-21. I still have the car. Now has 131,000 miles on it. I have to say, I still love this car. It is almost a classic now . People always tell me how nice this car is. I do take care of it. So, let me tell you....I do have to do maintenance or preventative work on it. I recently did all the cooling system parts except for radiator. I am currently in the process of replace the PVC system and vacuum lines . I should be done with age and heat issues so, I will do it. I still change the oil every 5000 miles or so. The car runs like a dream. Its smooth, has good power and it is a classy car. The only thing that bothers me is if I ever get into an accident, I might get $4,500 for it. That would be a shame because I have a lot of money into it. i do nogt mind that part of it because when you have an old car, its good to keep it maintained and running great. When I think about selling it, I always say no. I want a porsche Macan S that cost 55,000 used ( the one I want) and I just can not see paying that much at this time. I love my little bimmer way too much. I will spend my money more wisely elsewhere and keep this baby going a few more years anyway. The thing with these cars or any car for that matter is " do not beat the car" You treat it well...it will generally treat you well. Do the maintenance stuff and preventative stuff and you will be very happy in the long run with this car. maybe I will have up date again in a couple years. 9-17-22 update: Well, unfortunately, I have to now do much more maintenence on the car. It now has 146,000 miles and I recently did the entire front end, shocks, struts and all the vacuum lines as well as disa valve, motor mounts and tranny mounts, plugs, all fluid changes, .6k!! Ouch...the car is becoming g a little less reliable even after all this.still better than buying a new car. I have an annoying shake when stopped at a light, goes away when in neutral and/or when I start driving. No one can tell me what it is. Annoying but not a major issue I think. I am hoping to get to 200k with no more money in it and then sell.. Over, I still love it but not happy with 6k put into it...I'll deal with it for now..Interior still great, ac not a strong as I like but I have never service it. Everything else great. I have new Michelin too...should take me to the 200k mile mark... No rust , a few scratches, minor dings but with cleaned up, looks like new car....REALLY! Here we are 3-18-23..still have my BMW. Its been a great car but I certainly have a lot of money into it at 151,000 miles. The normal stuff...just replaced the disa valve I had some kind of vacuum leak and it was a pain to find. It cost 1600.00 after a foreign car shop did all this diagnostics....ripped off if you as me... best to have a friend work on your car who knows bmw's if you can at this age of the car. I may sell soon but when it looks sooo good and rides so nice, I still can't sell it. I will keep it...I will update again if I still have it. By the way, a lot of people compliment my car...looks real good....its becoming a classic. Almost 20 years old. ok, here we are again om 3-26-25. Still have my BMW with 165,000 miles. Car stiil looks and drives great with no major issues. Just some wear and tear items like outer control arms and links. I did need a new fuel pump too. The car still runs great but I do really take care of it. If something big goes bad ( ie: engine, tranny) I may not throw any more money at it and regretfully let it go. My goal is to get past 200,000 miles. I recommend this car. I love how it drives and the engine is smooth and powerful enough. Great dailey driver and I still get compliments on the car. I have more money in the car than I am comfortable but it beats buying a new car with an initial outlay of more than $40,000. I proably drop $1,500.00 average/year on the car. I am ok with that.( mostly on wear tear items like brakes, tires, front end, shocks etc...)....see you next time!
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Most Reliable BMW, 2004, 325i
mikeygg69, 07/02/2011
2004 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
35 of 38 people found this review helpful
The 2004, BMW 325i is the most reliable and aggressive engine of the 3 series BMW line. I purchased the BMW in Heidelberg, Germany brand new in 2003 October. Since then, I have not really spent any money replacing or changing mechanical parts, except for the rotor, shocks, struts, and of course the occasional oil change. Driving this vehicle is a dream. At 100,000 miles, I just got the transmission and differential oil change. For $36K, it has been the best purchase of this magnitude, ever. The only bad thing about the 2004, BMW 325i is the interior is made very cheap. Stuff start to fall apart after a few years.
2004 bmw 325i
andrew, 11/23/2010
2004 BMW 3 Series 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
61 of 68 people found this review helpful
Had the car about a year, and my wife hit a deer with it. The deer struck her on the driver side window, and its horn left a mark all the way up the window that I cant even buff out. However I feel that any other window would have busted and my wife would have had a deer in her lap.