September 27, 1999
The BMW 328is is just the sort of car for the person who wants a sports car but needs a sedan.
BMW uses the slogan "The Ultimate Driving Machine" in its advertising campaigns. We doubt if there is a more appropriate tag line than this for any make of car on the market. BMW has built up an enviable reputation as the builder of near-luxury and luxury cars that are great fun to drive but also practical and useable every day.
The 3-Series is the entry-level range of cars in the company's lineup. The models range from a two-door hatchback with a four-cylinder engine, through a four door with either a four- or six-cylinder engine to a convertible. There is also a low volume M3 high performance version built on the same platform.
Since 1992 there have been several different engine sizes offered and numerous permutations. The result is a fairly wide range of pre-owned models on the market covering a wide range of prices. If you enjoy driving we don't need to tell you about BMWs - you probably already know what great cars they are for the enthusiastic driver and anybody who enjoys fine machinery.
What You Need To Know:
1. Review of a 1996 BMW 328is
2. Summary of Good and Bad Points by Owners
3. History of 3-Series
4. Review of Current Model
5. Basic Facts
6. Changes Year-to-Year
7. Safety Information
8. Value Guide
9. Option Installment Rate
10. Sales History
11. Awards and Commendations Earned
12. Other Reviews
13. Recall Information
14. Price of Spare Parts
1. Pre-Owned Vehicle Evaluation - 1996 BMW 328is
Likes: stylish looks, great handling, powerful six-cylinder engine
Dislikes: Teutonic interior, lack of power with four-cylinder engine and automatic transmission
Competitors: Acura TL, Audi A4, Infiniti I30, Lexus ES 300, Mazda Millenia, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Volvo 850
Miles: 15,800
Condition: A+
Price when new: $34,535 (est.)
Posted Price: $25,895 (May 1999)
I didn't know the history of this BMW 328is when I test drove it but I was amazed to find that such a nice car had only been driven about 5,000 miles a year. The average driver covers 10,000-12,000 miles every year. One imagines that a BMW driver would drive much further as a BMW is so much fun to drive. Perhaps the previous owner of this car owned several other equally nice cars and had a choice of cars to drive each day. Anyway it meant that some lucky buyer would get a nearly new BMW 328is for two-thirds the cost of a new one with barely one-year's worth of wear and tear on it.
Needless to say this was a cherry example of a top-notch enthusiast's car. The two-door coupe was finished in a nice dark green metallic paint that made the car look quite classy with the attractive BMW alloy wheels. Not surprisingly, considering the low mileage, I could not find any blemishes on the car inside or out.
Once seated inside the car, though, I was reminded of the one area of criticism often leveled at this model. The dashboard is rather foreboding and non-too luxurious. The main dashboard is finished in a tan plastic while the all-black instrument pod and center console almost look as though they are an afterthought stuck in at the last moment. The four gauges are in a small pod just in front of the steering wheel, though they are easy enough to read. BMWs continue to have a large analog readout showing instant fuel economy, which is a unique feature. This particular car also had a trip computer with a digital readout to display various functions such as average fuel economy, average speed, miles to empty, etc. Buttons for the climate and radio controls are a little small and sometimes difficult to find quickly.
Although this model had an automatic transmission it was still a delight to drive. The performance was good and the car felt taught with crisp steering. Those looking for a plush luxurious ride would be somewhat disappointed as the car is on the firm side. That's not to say its unpleasant, but it is certainly not a cushy ride.
On short journeys the seats felt a bit firm but I know from experience that on longer journeys they tend to become more comfortable. Access to the rear seats is a little tight on this two-door coupe. But once in rear passengers find they have a reasonable amount of space compared to many small two-door coupes. Naturally, rear seat legroom and headroom in the four-door sedan is much more generous. There is not a lot of difference in cargo space in the trunk between the two models, both offer a reasonable amount of space and the scissors-type hinges do not intrude into the storage space in the same way as the more common goose-neck hinges.
Anybody who enjoys driving will like a BMW 3-Series for its driving characteristics. Those also wanting a luxurious interior will likely be disappointed in the 3-Series produced prior to 1999. Likewise those wanting a cushy ride are unlikely to find the 3-Series suiting their tastes.
2. Summing It Up - Owners Views
Good:
The car is very sturdy, rides smooth, very nice pick up
Engine is fast
Lots of options/accessories available in the car
The theft protection is great
Engine performance, brakes are great quality feeling
Handling is good although it feels a little heavy (probably because it's a convertible)
Reliability is really quite good
The car is nimble and responsive, feels solid and grips the road
Bad:
Don't like the fact that repairs and maintenance are very expensive
Does not have cup holders, does not have cell phone hook up, and does not have tape, CD player storage
No insulation in the convertible roof, noisy on the freeway when windy ('92 model)
A/C is less than spectacular
The skirt trim around the bottom of the car fades quickly and is no longer flush with the car
The rubber stripping around the windows and doors has weathered too quickly with normal use and looks bad
3. History of 3-Series
The lineage of the BMW 3-series dates back to 1968 when BMW introduced the 2002. It quickly became a favorite with enthusiasts and almost single-handedly re-established the German company as a maker of fine cars for enthusiasts. BMW had been known as a producer of great sports cars before the Second World War but its fortunes fell in the 1950s and early 1960s, when it concentrated on producing small bubble cars in Europe.
When the 2002 models were updated in 1976 they became known as the 3-series. Over the years there have been variety of different models in the 3-Series with engine sizes ranging from 1.6-liters up to 3.0-liters. Generally the second two digits designate the size of the engine but some models have not followed this procedure including the latest 323i which has a 2.5-liter engine. Unlike other companies BMW has always used an in-line six-cylinder engine instead of the more popular V-6 layout. In the early days of the 3-Series the car was only available with a four-cylinder engine. However, the latest version looks as though it will only be available with a six-cylinder engine in the U.S. once the 318ti is replaced. That is unless fuel prices suddenly shoot up and fuel economy becomes an important issue again.
4. Review of Current 3-Series
The numbering system for 3-Series cars has gotten a little confusing. For the 1999 model year BMW introduced an all-new four-door 3-Series sedan. The four-cylinder model has been dropped and replaced with the 323i model that has the 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine from the old 325i. The 328i continues with the same 2.8-liter engine as before although its power output has been upped slightly. The two-door coupe, hatchback and convertible models remain on the old platform for 1999.
I had the chance to drive the new 323i with a five-speed manual transmission and I was impressed. The new car has a slightly smoother ride, it is quieter and yet it still maintains the magical driving experience so cherished by BMW fans. For example my wife, who generally does not like driving a stick shift car every day, so thoroughly enjoyed the car with its silky smooth shifting that it was difficult to stop her from driving the car.
The interior has also been smartened up so the dashboard is better integrated into the interior. It is still finished in black plastic while the rest of the interior is in tan. It has a less Teutonic feel than before but is still not as posh as the interior of other cars such as a Lexus or Audi. The new 323i and 328i are slightly larger than the old car so there is a little more room inside and in the trunk. Next year a station wagon version will join the four different body styles already on the market.
The latest 3-Series has already won several awards from magazines to add to the long list of accolades heaped on the cars for many years, especially by the enthusiast press. It shows that BMW has lost none of its skills at designing cars that appeal to driving enthusiasts. At the same time the cars are so finely engineered that even non-enthusiasts can appreciate their finesse.
5 Basic Facts: 1992 - 1998 3-Series
Vehicle Type: Near Luxury Sedan/Coupe/Convertible
No. Passengers: up to five
Origin of assembly: Spartanburg, SC; Munich and Regensburg, Germany
Engine: (standard): 1.8-liter 138 hp DOHC I-4 ('92-'95); 1.9-liter 138 hp DOHC I-4 ('96-'98)
(optional): 2.5-liter 168 hp I-6 ('92-'95); 2.8-liter 190 hp I-6 ('96-'98)
Transmission: 5-spd manual, 4-spd. automatic; rear-drive
Length: 175 inches
Wheelbase: 106 inches
Width: 67 inches
Height: 54 inches (2-door); 55 inches (4-door)
Curb weight: 2900 lbs. (approx.)
Cargo volume: 9 cu. ft. (convertible); 15 cu. ft. (4-door)
Fuel tank capacity: 17 gals.
Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway): 22/32 (1.8-liter, manual); 19/26 (2.8-liter, automatic)
6. Changes in the BMW 3-Series Line 1992 - 1999
1992 Model Year (first year of new model)
New rounder looking 3-Series introduced
Convertible model still based on old body until 1994
Two model ranges offered: 318i (4-door) and 318is (2-door) with 4-cylinder engine, and 325i (4-door) and 325is (2-door) with 6-cylinder engine
1993 Model Year
Minor interior changes
Sport suspension added to options
Body-colored bumpers
Front seats adjusted for better headroom
1994 Model Year
Passenger side airbag added
Convertible introduced on new body
Sporty M3 Coupe introduced with 240 hp 3.0-liter engine
1995 Model Year
Minor changes to current 3-series models
New "entry-level" 318ti hatchback introduced
1996 Model Year
A larger 1.9-liter engine became standard on 318 models during the model year
Automatic climate control standard on 318 models
Larger 2.8-liter 6-cylinder engine introduced, 325 renamed 328
1997 Model Year
Slight redesign of grille and headlights
Traction control made standard on all models
M3 now available as 4-door model and also with automatic transmission as an option
1998 Model Year
Coupe and convertible 318 models replaced with 323 models with 2.5-liter engine
Side airbags standard on all models
1999 Model Year (first year of new model)
New sedan model (323I and 328I) introduced with longer wheelbase
Includes no less than six airbags for driver and front passenger
Coupe and convertible models remain on old platform for one more year, small changes to trim and other items
Sports handling package made standard on 318ti
7. Safety Notes
NHTSA Crash rating (‘95 model year): Driver 4; Passenger 4 (5 is best)
ABS standard on all 3-Series models, traction control standard from 1997
Driver side air bag standard from 1992, dual air bags standard from 1994, side airbags standard from 1998
8. Value Guide
Prices listed are for base models. Options can add considerably to the lowest price listed as these are usually "stripped" models. In many cases, very few vehicles are ever sold at the lowest price listed! Source: Kelley Blue Book
1992 Model Year (first year of new model)
New: $23,680 to $37,100
1993 Model Year
New: $24,115 to $36,725
1994 Model Year
New: $25,125 to $39,250
1995 Model Year
New: $20,470 to $37,370
1996 Model Year
New: $21,130 to $39,950
1997 Model Year
New: $21,960 to $39,950
1998 Model Year
New: $21,960 to $42,070
9. Option Installment Rate
Generally, when you order a new car you have a choice of factory-installed options. When you buy a pre-owned vehicle the choice is limited to what was actually installed on vehicles sold in that model year. Use this option installment rate as a guide to the chances of finding particular options on a pre-owned vehicle. Source: Ward's Automotive Yearbooks
1992 Model Year
Installment Rate
Engine:
4-cyl 23%
6-cyl 77%
Transmission:
Auto 54%
Manual 46%
Body Style:
2-door sedan 31%
2-door convertible 14%
4-door sedan 55%
1993 Model Year
Installment Rate
Engine:
4-cyl 24%
6-cyl 76%
Transmission:
Auto 75%
Manual 25%
Body Style:
2-door sedan 38%
2-door convertible 9%
4-door sedan 53%
1994 Model Year
Installment Rate
Engine:
4-cyl 32%
6-cyl 68%
Transmission:
Auto 63%
Manual 37%
Body Style:
2-door sedan 28%
2-door convertible 26%
4-door sedan 46%
1995 Model Year
Installment Rate
Engine:
4-cyl 39%
6-cyl 61%
Transmission:
Auto 67%
Manual 33%
Body Style:
2-door coupe 9%
2-door sedan 31%
2-door convertible 20%
4-door sedan 40%
Traction control: 23%
Leather seats: NA%
1996 Model Year
Installment Rate
Engine:
4-cyl 34%
6-cyl 66%
Transmission:
Auto 62%
Manual 38%
Body Style:
2-door coupe 15%
2-door sedan 17%
2-door convertible 21%
4-door sedan 47%
Traction control: 36%
Leather seats: 69%
1997 Model Year
Installment Rate
Engine:
4-cyl 29%
6-cyl 71%
Transmission:
Auto 63%
Manual 37%
Body Style:
2-door coupe 9%
2-door sedan 19%
2-door convertible 22%
4-door sedan 50%
Traction control: 100%
Leather seats: 69%
10. Production/Sales Volume History
Normally a model year runs from October to September. Often though, when a new version is introduced it hits the market before October. Legally, a model year can start as early as January of the preceding year. Accurate model year sales counts are almost impossible to collect as different model year vehicles are regularly sold side-by-side for several months. Production figures, when listed, often include vehicles made for export to Canada, Mexico and overseas. Source: manufacturers/Ward's Automotive Yearbooks
1992 Model Year (first year of new model)
Production run: Oct. 1991 through Sept. 1992
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 38,144
1993 Model Year
Production run: Oct.1992 through Sept. 1993
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 42,768
1994 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1993 through Sept. 1994
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 50,351
1995 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1994 through Sept. 1995
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 54,006
1996 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1995 through Sept. 1996
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 51,916
1997 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1996 through Sept. 1997
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 52,222
1998 Model Year
Production run: Oct. 1997 through Sept. 1998
Total number produced: NA
Total no. sold in U.S.: 51,488
11. Awards and Commendations
1992
"All Stars" - Automobile
"Ten Best" - Car and Driver
1993
"All Stars" - Automobile
"Ten Best" - Car and Driver
"Best Mid-Size ($20,000 plus) Car" - IntelliChoice
1994
"All Stars" - Automobile
1995
"Best Buy" - Consumers Digest
"Automobile of the Year" - Automobile
"Ten Best" - Car and Driver
"Most Appealing Mid-Size Car" - J. D. Power and Associates
1996
"All Stars" - Automobile
"Ten Best" - Car and Driver
"Most Appealing Near Luxury Car" - J. D. Power and Associates
1997
"All Stars" - Automobile
"Ten Best" - Car and Driver
"Best Buy" - Consumers Digest
1998
"All Stars" - Automobile
"Ten Best" - Car and Driver
"Best Buy" - Consumers Digest
"Ten Best Engines of 1998" - Ward's Auto World
1999
"All Stars" - Automobile
"Ten Best" - Car and Driver
"Best Buy" - Consumers Digest
"Ten Best Engines" - Ward's Auto World
"Total Quality Award" - Strategic Vision
12. Quotes
"The BMW's 318ti's seating position is excellent, as is the actuation of its manual shifter. Behind those 5-spoke alloy wheels are solid front rotors that stopped the BMW well, but did fade a little in our tests. The BMW's sport seats may have an unusual pattern on their seating surfaces, but they do a fine job of keeping the driver in place on the track - or on his favorite winding road." - Road & Track, Aug. 1996.
"You pays yer money, you takes yer choice. The 325I is ours - a BMW sedanlet that steps up so handsomely and steps out so capably that you bet we would choose it over some $45,000 sedans. Over any $20,000 wannabe." - Car and Driver, Jan. 1992
"For those who want a convertible car there are quite a few choices nowadays. They range in price from about $15,000 all the way up to well over $70,000 for a Mercedes-Benz or Rolls-Royce. This clearly puts the BMW 325I convertible in the middle of the pack, so to speak. It is an ideal car for people who want something with some class and a lot more room than in a two-seater sports car. In reality it is a four-seater convertible sports car." - New York Times Regional Newspaper Group, John Rettie Test Drive, Oct. 1993
13. Recalls (Only major recalls listed)
ID Number: 92V055000
Component: interior systems: seats
Potential Number of Units Affected: 22,416
Year: 1991-1992
Manufactured From: Mar. 1991 To: Apr. 1992
Year of Recall:'92
Summary: The vehicle failed to comply with FMVSS 208. The driver's chest resultant acceleration exceeded the allowable 60 g's in a crash test when the seat height changes adjustment under severe frontal impact. The driver of a vehicle faces increased risk of injury in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
ID Number: 93V015000
Component: heater: water: defroster: defogger: heater core: water
Potential Number of Units Affected: 375,000
Year: 1983-1993
Manufactured From: Jan. 1983 To: Jan. 1993
Year of Recall:'93
Summary: The malfunction or failure of a coolant system component results in significantly increased coolant temperature and a resulting increase in system pressure. Vehicles operated under this increased cooling system pressure condition can suffer damage or failure of parts of the cooling system such as (1) leakage from a coolant hose, (2) leakage of the radiator or expansion tank, (3) disconnection of a hose from a pipe or a fitting, and (4)cracks in the heater core end piece resulting in coolant leakage. In some cases, boiling coolant can contact the lower right leg of the driver resulting in burns. Also, escaping coolant in the passenger compartment can cause vapor fogging of the interior surface of the windows, reducing driver visibility.
ID Number: 94V066000
Component: fuel: fuel lines fittings: metallic
Potential Number of Units Affected: 116,300
Year: 1988-1993
Manufactured From: June 1988 To: Feb. 1993
Year of Recall:'94
Summary: Feed fuel hoses can harden and "set" over time, allowing a seepage of fuel at the connection between the hose and the engine fitting. The clamp used to hold the hose to the fitting is unable to compensate for the hardening of the feed fuel hose. Fuel seepage between the feed fuel hose and the engine fitting can result in free fuel in the engine compartment, which could result in a fire when exposed to a source of ignition. A redesigned feed fuel hose and hose clamp will be installed to alleviate the fuel seepage.
ID Number: 94V151000
Component: interior systems: active seat and shoulder belts and belt anchor
Potential Number of Units Affected: 57,000
Year: 1993-1994
Manufactured From: Sep. 1992 To: Aug. 1994
Year of Recall:'94
Summary: In a FMVSS no. 208 30 miles-per-hour compliance test, an unbelted test driver dummy's chest maximum resultant acceleration was 70.8 g's, which exceeds the maximum allowable value of 60 g's. Also, the unbelted passenger dummy's left femur maximum load was 2361 lbs, which exceeds maximum allowable value of 2250 lbs. The vehicles do not comply with FMVSS no. 208, "occupant crash protection." Consequence of non-compliance: in the event of an accident, the occupant will be subjected to an increased risk of injury.
ID Number: 97V131000
Component: fuel: throttle linkages and control
Potential Number of Units Affected: 410,000
Year: 1993-1997
Manufactured From: Jul. 1992 To: Jul. 1997
Year of Recall:'97
Summary: The cruise control and throttle cables are attached to the same throttle valve actuating lever at the throttle housing. It is possible that the plastic bushing on either cable could break due to environmental influences coupled with vibration. If the bushing breaks, the outer cable housing can separate from the bushing. In this case, during application of the throttle pedal without cruise control being engaged, the outer tube could catch on the edge of the broken bushing. This could cause the throttle valve to remain partially open. It his were to occur, the car might not decelerate as expected increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
14. Cost of Parts (relative to other vehicles)
Headlight unit: $115 (below average)
Side marker lamp: $18 (below average)
Door (left front): $406 (average)
Fender (left front): $249 (above average)
Note: these are estimated retail prices for commonly replaced body parts on a 1995 model. Prices are current as of early 1999 but will vary from region to region and are subject to change at any time. Source: ADP Collision Repair Services
The Rettie Report and Pre-owned Profiles contain objective information from a variety of sources. The subjective comments are those of John Rettie.