2004 BMW 3 Series 320i 2.2L inline 6 from North America

Summary:

Exciting, nimble, and dependable

Faults:

Very little has gone wrong with this vehicle:

-The shifting boot and the e-brake skirt had some small cracks in the leather when I bought the car. BMW replaced both items free under warranty. It was only an aesthetic issue and only noticeable to someone a bit too in love with their car.

-I managed to suck some leaves in the HVAC system. Just had to have it flushed out. This clearly wasn't the fault of the car or BMW.

General Comments:

This has been a fantastic vehicle. I look forward to my commute to and from work every day. The sport package makes for amazing handling and the manual transmission is extremely smooth. I have taken corners quicker in this car than I ever have before and still haven't managed to squeal the tires. The vehicle has a very solid, but comfortable feel on the road.

The sport seats are extremely ergonomic and do a great job of keeping one from sliding sideways during hard cornering. Other vehicles used to give me a sore back on long road trips, but such things are a thing of the past now.

What really surprised me was the winter handling. This was my first rear wheel drive and manual vehicle, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But the car is great in winter conditions. I feel more in control than I did in all of the 4x4's my familly has owned in the past. The traction control is effective and smooth at all speeds, although sometimes needs to be turned off if you want to have some fun, or get off the line faster in snow.

I have wanted to own one of these vehicles since my dad brought a 93' 320i home and more than a decade ago. The vehicle has lived up to and exceeded all of my expectations. It never fails to turn heads and has a lot of love to give!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th January, 2008

2004 BMW 3 Series 320D 2.0 turbo diesel from UK and Ireland

Summary:

The 320D is so good, I'm buying its big brother, the 330D in 6 months,

Faults:

One Xenon light failed at 34,000 miles and 3 years.

Full set of new tyres were fitted at 28,000 miles.

General Comments:

I went for cloth seats and have no regrets; the sports seats are incredibly comfortable for long journeys and they hug you well on windy roads.

The driving experience is superb; good handling and I feel safe and secure when driving at speed compared to my earlier cars.

These BMWs are worth the premium over the mas produced cars as they are so well engineered and road noise is subdued.

I get 52MPG on long runs and 43mpg about town.

This is a leased car, and it has been my best to date.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th November, 2007

19th Nov 2007, 21:44

If you're buying an E46 330d, I congratulate you on your wise decision. Got one myself and it's superb.

Not too sure if I can commend you if you are buying the new E90 generation 3 series, though, as these cars seem to have lost some of the charm of the E46 type.

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2004 BMW 3 Series 316ti Sport 1.8 from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Quality motoring

Faults:

Rattle from the rear - fixed under warranty.

General Comments:

Excellent build quality

Handling is superb - very stable at speed & around corners. Has next to no body roll

Engine is very economical, smooth and free revving.

Power delivery is linear and is fairly nippy for a 1.8.

Should have bought this car earlier!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 31st December, 2005

5th Nov 2007, 14:41

Just to update, now covered 15000 miles, thoughts are still exactly the same...

2004 BMW 3 Series 330ci M-Sport Convertible 3.0 (3.0 Litre) from UK and Ireland

Summary:

Excellent

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

Simply Superb

A true head-turner, and a car-lover's dream!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th December, 2005

18th Dec 2005, 09:52

Very informative and detailed review. Well done.

2004 BMW 3 Series 325i from North America

Summary:

Great car, fun to drive with the stereo turned up so not to be irritated by the squeaks and rattles

Faults:

Squeaks and rattles at 3000 miles.

My 1987 325is with 165,000 miles had a tighter body than my 2004 325i at 3000 miles.

General Comments:

The 2004 325i is my fifth three series starting with a 1985, and I have been a BMW fan every since. I love the way they drive - quick, responsive, smooth and quiet. However, with this said, this will be the last BMW I will buy due to the poor body construction.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 23rd September, 2005

7th Aug 2007, 03:31

I have a 2006 325I 6 speed manual, was great for the first 10,000km, sounds awesome at red-line, then I had to replace the diff under warranty along with the clutch which was slipping, noticed that it doesn't have a spare wheel, instead it has run flats, yeah that's great when you have to drive another 200km in the dark on the highway. The factory mobile phone car kit is broken and the car squeaks and rattles over every speed bump. I also think they are far to common, there are now five silver current model 3 series BMW's in my street. I had a C240 with 180,000km with no squeaks or rattles at all. I think I have had my stint with BMW it's time to order the new shape C-Class.