NICE!
Low washer fluid.
Fast after high rpm, but no low speed pick up. Bad low end torque.
Fun to drive. Great handling, comfortable, and lots of looks.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 9th September, 2008
Good, but just not good enough
Interior door panels come undone.
Break and ABS sensor lights come on even after breaks are replaced.
"Check Coolant Fluid" appears at start up even when full.
Bogs out on even small dips in the road with passengers in the back, even with new shocks & springs.
Over all this car is good. I wouldn't get this old of a car again. I like the look, feel, sportiness and fuel economy of this car, but when it's this old, you get too many problems.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 14th February, 2006
First of all, the E36 body style is a terrific design. I realize that the last of the E30 models were probably better-finished than the first of the E36 models, but the problems were easily corrected. I agree, the interior trimmings on the early E36 were not quite up to BMW standards, however they did upgrade the interior in 1994. My '94 has a perfect interior, noticeably nicer than the '92 and '93 models. The brake sensor wires must be replaced when the brakes are changed if the light was on before the brake job. If the light never comes on, replacement should not be necessary, as the wire is set down in the pads and only activates the light when it becomes exposed and completes the circuit. The coolant sensor should be an easy fix. I don't know what to offer on the suspension problems though.
255k Miles and running GREAT
Just has A/C problems, and sub frame problem.
Great car, best car I've ever own. Engine Compression 255psi for all 6 cyclinders, great car...
Even with 255k miles on it, run and drives great. Have added m3 parts, suspension, and others... Runs great.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 25th January, 2006
You can't beat a nice drop-top!
Well I just bought the car. The dealer replaced the throw-out bearing and repaired the rear left brake caliper.
The power feature doesn't work for the top, however, it is very easy to operate manually. Considering I was told that this is about $4,000 to repair, it works just fine.
The battery is almost dead too, but this could be because it has only been driven about 1000 miles in the past two years.
This car is in almost perfect condition. The paint is still glossy, the seats aren't worn, and all the power features except the top work well.
I was a little disappointed at the performance because before this I drove a 325is. That car would outrun any Asian import cars and even some muscle cars. This car can't hold a candle to that. I know the convertible adds weight and this isn't the sport model, but there shouldn't be that great of a difference. I was surprised that the top was only a single layer, even my '92 Celica convertible had two layers. This makes for a little more noise from the road, however, not as much as I would have thought. A lot of room was lost in the trunk from the top, I can't install my speakers in the box they are in. This car rides smoother than any other I have owned and it still handles like a sports car.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st April, 2005
A fun car to drive
I owned the car for 12 years. It's a very solid car overall. During this time, the major repairs included:
5th year: Water pump leaked. Replaced the unit.
7th year: Air conditioner replaced
12th year: Water pump seized and broke the serpentine belt. Replaced the pump assembly, the fan, and the belt.
10th year: Replaced shocks.
12th year: Radiator top cracked. Replaced radiator.
12th year: Clutch started to slip during heavy stop and go traffic.
The other car I own is a 10 year old Lexus. As you can see, the BMW is starting to incur major repair. I don't want to have two cars breaking down at the same time, so I traded the BMW in reluctantly.
What I like about the car:
Solid engine. It sings to you.
Solid suspension. The car does not warble going over potholes. Makes tight turns.
Head turner when it was first introduced.
Low maintenance requirement, very few breakdowns, not even oil leaks. Maintenance cost in the first ten years was less than the Lexus ES300 I own.
What I don't like about the car:
The car is very noisy, especially the wind noise. I had to crank the stereo way up when I drive on the freeway.
The standard stereo is under powered.
Compare to other Japanese luxury cars of the same price range, the BMW interior is quite spartan.
Expensive maintenance, but still cheaper than owning a Mercedes.
If you are looking for a 1992 BMW right now, make sure you are willing to keep the car in good shape. Even though it's a great car, the parts will fail sooner or later. If you treat it well, it will reward you with the ultimate driving experience.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th September, 2003
23rd Sep 2008, 13:13
If that's the true mileage then it'll last many more years as long as you look after the bodywork.