1990 BMW 3 Series 320i Touring 2.0

Summary:

Trendy, timeless luxury wagon

Faults:

So far (six months), nothing - uses a bit of oil but, after 187,000 miles (over 300,000 km!), that's not too surprising...

General Comments:

For those nervous about buying a high-mileage BMW, don't worry - if it has a full service history, it'll go forever.

Everything still works, and the bodywork is still in very good condition - just a few tiny patches of surface rust around the back window. The interior has aged very well - even the driver's seat hasn't started sagging yet - compared to mass market cars (Sierra, Cavalier, etc) BMW build their cars to last.

It's a bit small for a wagon (my 1989 Bluebird has more space), but they were never designed to be Volvo-beaters. It's difficult to get more than about 28mpg, though...

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th July, 2000

1990 BMW 3 Series 318 iS 1.8 DOHC 16V

Faults:

Clutch slave and master cylinders failed almost simultaneously. Ticking from hydraulic tappet (esp. when cold) - but does not cause a problem. Discs need replacing.

General Comments:

First rate sports car of the old-school. 137 bhp is reasonable power for swift progress up to ~80mph. iS model has sport suspension, all round discs, 15x7" alloys and 16V which improve every aspect of driving over a normal 318i.

Very tricky in the wet. Suspension is jiggly at slow speeds. Steering is phenomenally heavy when parking (no p/s) but superb feedback at higher speeds.

In summary, it is not a car for commuting (too stiff & responsive) nor long distance (too stiff, noisy at speed and requires 100% concentration) but is perfect for "weekend" speed/sports driving with a big dollop of RWD charisma thrown in.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd March, 2000

28th Mar 2005, 14:03

As an owner myself, I wanted to say your description is spot on! In all aspects.

Except one; mine too was unbelievably taily in the wet and demanded full concentration all the time, and all 4 tyres were the same, but changed the full set for Goodyear Eagle Venturas (cheapish good tyres), and the car was transformed. Arguably less fun in the wet, it now has loads of grip and is certainly safer! And superbly balanced aswell; 4-wheel drifts are the order of the day now, but unfortunately you have to be doing silly speeds to achieve them... Great chassis.

28th Aug 2010, 18:13

I drive mine every day to work and back, and every where else. I am in my car all the time. I wouldn't want to drive anything else, and I find it more fun in the wet; definitely wakes you up in the morning, if you catch my drift; DRIFT, see what I did there, hahahaha. Never had any trouble with it; a good solid car, and I think it's earned itself a new paint job and some new wheels.

XJUB JUBx.

1990 BMW 3 Series 316 4dr saloon 1.6i petrol

Faults:

Wiper motor faulty at 100,000 miles, replaced 2nd hand £45.

Tappety noise on start-up when cold.

General Comments:

Excellent reliability every morning!

Not too bad on petrol (25-33mpg).

Build quality brilliant.

Parts not extremely expensive.

Rear end steps out even driving moderately in the wet!

140,000 miles on mine. No longer have now as it is in car heaven..

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 7th March, 1999