1996 BMW 3 Series

Great car

By babiebear on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 130,000

Pros: "easy to handle, love driving my car"

Cons: "ac could work better, no cup holders"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"First BMW I've owned and I love it. Perfect size for me, good gas mileage, easy & fun to drive. The only negative thing I can say about my 318is - ac could be more powerful."

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maybe if you like beamers

By polish matt (IL) on Thursday, May 09, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 110,000

Pros: "looks great lowered, barely see any on the road"

Cons: "you have to be a mechanic to own this car"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

"my buddy told me bmw's will run for a long time. that maybe true but they are no picnic to maintain. i bought the car with 106000 miles about 7 months ago. a list of things that needed to be fixed when i bought it was; sunroof, seats, wheel alignment. no big deal right? sence then i had to replace the tail lights, both sway bar linkage, the heat only works on the high setting when it wants to, the driver side window will maybe work one in every ten times i get in it, its leaking oil, leaking water, the doors dont lock, and i have some strange thing going on where it ideals ruff and sputters when i step on the gas? im ready to see if i can get 600 dollars for it and stick with american cars for the rest of my life"

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Amazingly Dependable & Perfect 1st car

By TI Tekkie (DC) on Sunday, May 05, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 203,000

Pros: "Cheapest and best MPG BMW you can find"

Cons: "Baby Cup Holders and Turbo or supercharger useful"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"bought this car 3 years ago for my teenage daughter. it had 145k miles at that time. did a few things when i bought it like new front rotors and ceramic brakes then gave it to my daughter. she drove it for almost a year and wrecked it twice during that time of course not changing oil or giving it any care at all. after her big accident, i rebuilt the front end of the car and radiator< ac condensor, and also decided to replace both front control arms.... WOW what a difference. car has driven like a cool little Autobahn eating German sportscar ever since!!! i mention replacing all of these parts but 90% of the replacements were caused by my daughter not using her brake pedal quickly enough. This car has over 200K miles now and gets over 32 mpg on interstate even being 17 years old And its a BMW you can work on in your own garage at home!!!! definite recommendation from a parent who has owned a Porsche, Jeep, Hondas, and Volvos."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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Diamond in the Rough

By David (IL) on Sunday, January 27, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 121,000

Pros: "Fun to drive, easier to work on, great quality"

Cons: "small interior/storage space, needs attention."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I love this car! I bought it last year April and since then I've probably put in another 2,500 in maintenance and performance parts. I have two issues with my car. The interior space, and the care it needs. The back seats are so small that it's almost a challenge to have people in and out. Every time i fix something on this car it's almost like something else pops up that needs mending. Parts aren't terrible expensive and most maintenance CAN be done by most competent DIYers. BESIDES all that, the quality is, what you'd expect from a BMW, excellent; and this car is SO much fun to drive. It's small, nimble, and very very quick. I really do love this car, i am trying to sell mine to get a 2001 S-Class SOLELY for the comfort of the Benz. But i know for a fact the S won't be as to drive or easy to work on."

7 people out of 7 found this review helpful

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This car made me a bmw fan

By cado (ID) on Tuesday, December 11, 2012

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 140,000

Pros: "fast fun and reliable"

Cons: "interiors suck to work on"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"So I have a e36 bmw convertible of which I did not want to buy. I had a civic that I totaled and I needed a car that day and I only had 2 grand to buy another car. One of my friends said take a look at this bmw that is for sale at a youth ranch, I was nervous that a bmw would cost me an arm and a leg to fix and that they need to be repaired all the time. The top was trashed and the interior was bad. I did not want this at all. he knows more about cars and said i needed to buy it and it was sound. I am so happy i bought it. I have put a new top on it and 30 thousand miles and i am redoing the interior right now. Even though i knew i would have to pay to get the interior cleaned up and a new top on it, i still think that it was worth it. every mechanic said it is in amazing mechanical condition. I have only paid for the top and interior.no money into the mechanics of the car(motor, transmission, electrical). best money I have ever spent. get one and you will be happy."

4 people out of 4 found this review helpful

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