1989 BMW 3 Series T C BAUR 1.8I from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Superb, brilliant, sexy, head turner

Faults:

Nothing as of yet has gone wrong with this car!

General Comments:

This car is probably one of the finest examples of it's type. It has been fully maintained by BMW since it's conception in 1989.

The soft top is in prestine condition and is a seriously quick car.

It drives like a new car and is a real head turner with the top up or down.

Advice from me. If you can get hold of a TC BAUR buy one, you will have so much fun!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 3rd April, 2007

26th Nov 2007, 12:47

Being the very proud owner of three BMW's, I feel I must say how much much I love my 1990 318i BAUR motor-sport convertible. It is burgundy in colour and in fab condition. It is without a doubt my pride and joy. A joy to drive and a real head turner and totally reliable. If you get chance to buy a good one, do so; YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. Viv Barbery Devon uk.

1989 BMW 3 Series ix 6 from North America

Summary:

Great ride in all weather

Faults:

2 times the fuel pump quit requiring a tow. Whatever BMW calls its transfer case starting leaking badly at 125,000 miles.

General Comments:

Car was relatively fast. Handling was terrific. Went through snow like a banshee.

The cabin is small.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 14th January, 2007

1989 BMW 3 Series 325i Touring 2.5 petrol from UK and Ireland

Summary:

I hate it today, but I'll love it tomorrow

Faults:

Almost everything (that's a little harsh)

Rear disks/pads replaced.

Rear handbrake shoes and fitting kit.

Rear shocks/springs/top mounts.

Rear axle mount and trailing arm bushes.

Diff rebuilt.

Rear wheel bearings changed.

Front disks/pads replaced.

Front shocks/springs/top mounts.

Front wishbones and all bushes.

Track rod ends.

Cambelt and tensioner.

Serviced.

Brake pipes.

Rear tyres.

More rear tyres.

Lock set.

Windscreen wiper relay (s) x 4.

Fog light.

I've replaced all of the above during the first year of ownership.

General Comments:

What can I say, I keep throwing money at this car and it keeps absorbing it and still refusing to be fully fixed. Yesterday I loved it, today I loathe it, and so it goes on like that day in, day out. Fortunateley I have a friend at a local garage who helps keep the costs down, other than that it would have gone a long time ago.

I keep it because it goes so very very sideways, but at 4 turns lock to lock, and the estate body it often gets out of shape! Not where near as easy to drive sideways as a Mk2 Escort for example. but much cheaper now.

They're fast once you get them wound up, but woefully torque-less low down.

Over engineered and harder to work on than other cars of their era. Just try getting to the cambelt.

I truly want to love this car, but it keeps disgracing itself with it's thousands of niggles.

A couple of questions though, do they all turn over for ages before starting?

Does anyones intermittent wipe work?

Does anyone have silent tappets? (I've done mine twice and they still aren't!)

It's a real shame that there's a generation growing up now who will never know how glorious it feels to go sideways on a wet roundabout.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 4th December, 2006

1st Jul 2007, 00:50

The valves are noisy regardless in the M20 engines. Shame about all the niggles. Have you looked on the forums? Have a look at www.unitedbimmer.com. They might save you stress and money...

19th Oct 2008, 16:38

I wouldn't worry about a generation growing up who can't experience "sideways" driving. There are plenty of youth in the states wrapping their mustangs around telephone poles.

1989 BMW 3 Series 318i 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Don't get one!!

Faults:

Everything. Especially, the radiator and differentials. The car had to be recovered after 2000 miles when new.

Cost me over £8000 in 10 years in repairs. Unfortunately I couldn't afford anything else to replace this car. I wish I got a Volvo 440 - would have been more reliable I'm told.

General Comments:

It was a good car when I got it until it cost me £1000 per year in repairs.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th February, 2006