In this section, you can find reviews from BMW 316 car owners. If you have experience with BMW 316 models, feel free to share it with others by submitting a review through the comments form. Once moderated, it will be published.
About the Model
BMW rightfully holds a leading position among the world's automotive conglomerates. The company cannot boast of large sales volumes, but the overall turnover is impressive.
The conglomerate strives to operate solely in the premium segment. The cars of this company become the dream of millions of drivers. Understanding the desires of motorists is realistic. The company offers an ideal balance of quality, power, handling, and technology. Almost every model of the conglomerate becomes a masterpiece of technological and design thought. This is fully reflected in the reviews of BMW 316.
Review of BMW 316: a Wonderful Classic
Let me start with some introductory details. I purchased the car with a decent mileage. The engine is 1.6 liters (1593 cubic cm, to be precise according to the passport), with a capacity of 102 HP. The car itself was manufactured in 1995.
I bought it directly from Germany. The car had not been used on our roads. Immediately after the purchase, I decided to tackle some minor repairs:
- alignment;
- new ball joints;
- revising the silent blocks;
- oil change.
Overall, I am satisfied with the car. In the review of BMW 316, I would like to highlight one important point. It is better for drivers not to skimp and buy original quality parts right away. Racing for «analogues» will be more expensive.
The car has plenty of advantages. It has a good design. The relevance of the exterior has long been lost, but it's not just a metal box with bolts. It accelerates briskly, maintains a cruising speed excellently. On the highway, I reached 180 km/h. There was still a decent reserve on the accelerator pedal, but I didn't want to take more risks.
The interior is a typical sedan. Visibility is good, but not outstanding. It's unrealistic to compare it with crossovers. Overall, there is enough space. It's more than sufficient for 5 people; fitting a sixth person might be a bit more challenging.
BMW 316 — My First Foreign Car
It so happened that the BMW 316 became my first foreign car. I had known the brand for a long time. I had to visit relatives in St. Petersburg once and drove around in one. The car impressed me back then. I don't know, maybe it was just a perception, but the brand has a distinct character. Everything feels more unique and individual. Toyota cars, for example, all look the same inside. Well, that's a subjective opinion.
I used to drive a Zhiguli at first, but I was saving up money persistently for a Bimmer. Eventually, I managed to gather the required sum, and the search began. There was a lot of junk:
- accident-damaged cars;
- unclear owners;
- resellers;
- makeshift repairs.
I saw quite a lot in 3 months. Once, I even came across a flood-damaged car. Minimum of good options. I wanted to settle for the 325 model, but after diagnostics, it became clear that the car was on the verge of breaking down. It would start falling apart soon. So, in the end, I got the 316.
The first impression was «WOW.» The dream came true. I drove around with a smile for at least a couple of weeks. Then I got used to it, started driving more calmly. In the review of BMW 316, I will try to uncover all the peculiarities of the car.
The main advantages I want to highlight are:
- Comfortable seating and exiting.
- High visibility with minimal blind spots.
- Handling and response to steering commands.
- Dynamics (not for racing, but more than enough for confident city driving).
- Velour interior (easy and simple to clean, the seats themselves are not very prone to marks).
- Excellent noise insulation. It outperforms our domestic cars by a mile.
The first major breakdown occurred after 4 months of ownership. I got caught in a heavy downpour, and the car stalled twice. The situation remained the same in the morning. The service center suggested replacing the fuel pump. In the end, I managed to unscrew the lambda sensor myself in a pit, dried it, and installed it calmly.
No more problems arose. Overall, I occasionally «played around» with the car. Sometimes on my own, sometimes in the repair shop. There were no major issues.
In the review of BMW 316, I have to mention the suspension's quirks. The car handles medium-depth potholes without issues. On smaller ones, it tends to shake. The car truly doesn't like bad roads. If that's a concern in the city, it's better not to consider it at all.
Review of BMW 316: a Decent Sedan, but Not Without Issues
I bought the car back in 2009. I drove it for a couple of years and then sold it. In general, the model is just a model. After BMW, I switched to a Japanese car. Toyotas seem more practical to me. However, let's talk about the Bavarian here.
My little swallow was from 1995 and had 102 horses under the hood. The main downside in the BMW 316 review would be the rear-wheel drive. It's a real nightmare in winter. Getting stuck in the snow is easy. So, if you have snowy winters and lazy snow plowers, opt for all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. You won't regret it.
The second drawback is the constant money drain. Of course, the car was not brand new at the time, but the constant need for repairs was indecent. I had to replace:
- Almost the entire suspension.
- Some engine components.
- Deal with some electronic issues.
A significant amount of money went into all of this. Parts and labor are expensive. I don't know why, but every respectable mechanic inflates the prices for owners of German cars by 1.5-2 times. Either seeking revenge for something or assuming all owners are wealthy.
Among the positives in the BMW 316 review, I can mention the great dynamics and handling. The car is for those who like to stay in control. It's more than enough for city driving and stable highway cruising.
After buying a Toyota, I noticed another thing. When I drove the BMW, other drivers would yield more often. Maybe it's just a quirk, but that's my observation for now.
