In the section are reviews from owners of BMW 3 Series cars. If you have experience with BMW 3 series models, share it with others by submitting a review through the comments form. It will be published immediately after moderation.
Review of BMW 3 series E46: dreams come true
I have owned the car for over a year, obtained it from a relative (who had it for 3 years). Currently, the mileage is very decent at 290,000 km. It brings a sea of positive impressions to me and my loved ones!
Extremely beautiful, stylish, and most importantly — well-equipped (for its age) car. The behavior on the road surprises passengers on the right both in the city and on the highway. The dynamics are amazing, the steering wheel is very informative, and the suspension is firm (as it should be on a car with such character).
Regarding previous reviews, I consider them incorrect, as this brand has always been distinguished by its reliability!!! Agree, a car will break down, regardless of the brand, if you buy a poorly maintained specimen.
Unfortunately, this burden has fallen on the BMW brand, and any unscrupulous car owner who buys this brand considers it necessary to suffocate and wear it out.
I believe that when you choose a car, you should understand what it represents and know its pros and cons, and if it suits you, buy it! As for repairs, I did a little. When I acquired it, I immediately replaced all consumables (to know their lifespan), changed the front control arms (2100 rubles per piece and bushings for 1600 rubles).
There was also an issue with an oil leak, which was quickly resolved and for a small cost (replacement of gaskets around 500-1000 per piece). In conclusion!!! If your choice falls on the E46, take it without hesitation, you won't regret it, I guarantee!!! However, selecting a BMW must be done very carefully, as the majority are worn-out cars!
Review of BMW 3-Series 2003, m54, 192 hp: there are both pros and cons
Let's start with the pros. The first thing to mention is, of course, the aesthetic appeal of the body. Sorry, but this is purely my subjective opinion. The rear part is categorically unappealing, its design makes the car visually shrink.
However, the front part is beyond praise. The trademark BMW aggressiveness, the car seems to exude aggression, it has a hypnotic effect, making it extremely difficult to look away. The design is such that, unlike the rear, the car appears larger.
But, I repeat, these feelings are purely subjective! My wife did not experience such emotions, although it cannot be said that she remained completely indifferent either.
A few words about the interior. Lighting everywhere: in the doors, in the footwells, and even the glove compartment is not overlooked. Regarding the driver — everything is designed for them, everything is at hand — very convenient, very ergonomic. It is worth noting that at my height of 192 cm, I simply cannot reach the pedals if I push the seat back to the maximum.
Overall, passengers sitting in the front will never have issues with space. There's simply no problem. However, rear occupants might feel a bit squeezed. The Recaro seats, the seat itself extends, and sitting is very comfortable. Additionally, there is an automatic air intake distribution system. This is when the car automatically detects heavily polluted air outside and activates air filtration.
The «sport» suspension, combined with 225×45 R17 tires, provides such unwavering stability that every turn is executed without the slightest hint of skidding, as if the asphalt has bonded to the car itself.
And finally, 192 horsepower is more than enough for the car to noticeably accelerate from 20 km/h or 140 km/h.
Of course, there were some downsides, as expected:
The car is low. Well, very low. And this is despite the flat underbody. If you do not carefully choose your route, do not measure every suspicious bump with a ruler — brace yourself for hits to the undercarriage. The diagnosis — city driving only, and not everywhere.
Yes, it has a sporty suspension. Consequently, it is extremely stiff. Plus, the low-profile tires. As a result, sometimes it feels like you're scraping the asphalt with your rear end. The leather seats also creak mercilessly.
The gas pedal is electronic. This means that pushing it to the floor won't make you catch your breath from the G-forces, won't press you deeper into the seat. And will not evoke the thrill of a daredevil. It's actually a vague downside. In some ways, even a plus. The smooth acceleration creates the impression of a smoothly accelerating electric train. Although, most likely, I'm just not used to it.
I pushed it to a maximum of 170 km/h on a deserted highway, beyond that it felt scary and uncomfortable, the most comfortable notch is at 110 km/h. And then there's the notorious stiffness.
I have since sold it with no issues, but, honestly, I was a bit reluctant. And now, sometimes a feeling of sadness creeps in. My opinion: buy it without hesitation if you plan to use it only within the city limits. And definitely with the 2.5 engine.
Also: Reviews of BMW X series
Review of the BMW 320d (2003)
I have nothing but the most positive impressions of the BMW 320d car. Of course, like any vehicle, it has its pros and cons.
Among the positive qualities, I would like to highlight not only the exterior design but also the car's interior, which looks very attractive. The car's interior is made of high-quality plastic, with no extraneous noises during motion.
The 4-cylinder diesel engine has a volume of 2 liters, with a power output of 150 horsepower with CommonRail system. Surprisingly, the engine is powerful and sharp. The front suspension is basic, the brakes are powerful, and the DSC and ABS systems operate flawlessly and reliably.
The car's maneuverability and handling are at a high level, it confidently holds the road at high speeds. The regular and fog lights' illumination is excellent. The trunk size is quite generous for a car of this class, the driver's space is quite comfortable and convenient, ensuring driving pleasure.
The cabin heating warms up quickly. If the glow plugs are sufficiently heated, the car can start even at -35 degrees Celsius.
The engine components are conveniently located in the engine compartment, which simplifies the technical maintenance process. As the car operates under electronic fuel injection control, the fuel consumption is incredibly low.
Among the drawbacks, I note that there is not much space on the rear seat, and the car itself sits low. This car requires only clean fuel, while biofuels are not suitable. The car's suspension showed weakness, especially on winter roads.
For example, after two years of use, I had to replace in the front suspension: both control arm mounting cylinders, the left ball joint, which is shaped like an arm, struts, and stabilizer bushings.
I also replaced the xenon lamp in the fog light. Apart from consumables, this was all I replaced after the purchase. Even to this day, I have not been disappointed in my choice of car.
Review of the BMW 3 Series 2012
I have long desired a car of this kind, but I was constantly deterred by the stories about chains, prices, and much more. Initially, I considered the X1, but when I saw the third series car, all doubts vanished instantly.
A mere phone call was enough, and it became mine. I purchased it with a mileage of 90,000 kilometers. I will say the following — there are no bad cars, only bad owners. When choosing a car, one should buy what their soul desires and not listen to anyone else.
The cost of servicing the car is slightly higher than a Legacy, so I buy all the necessary parts myself. For example, I recently replaced filters, engine oil, which cost me around 7,000 rubles.
I have often heard from many owners and car enthusiasts that this is a BMW, and therefore it should only be serviced at official dealers. I categorically disagree with this, as I have had to visit unofficial auto shops multiple times, and diagnostics and repairs were carried out successfully.
Often, at the sight of a BMW car, many mechanics try to rip off the owner, trying to impose or make them pay for work that is unnecessary or has not been done. Their calculation is simple — if you bought a BMW, then you must have a lot of money. In my case, this is a big mistake.
For example, when an error occurred during startup about a low coolant level, which was actually at the maximum. Asking at the first auto shop, I was told that replacing the coolant reservoir would cost 6,000 rubles, which was yet another attempt to deceive.
The automatic transmission oil change should be done once every 60,000 kilometers, before that, any actions should not be carried out. The gearbox is highly reliable and can easily reach 200,000 kilometers without any issues. Chain replacement may be done no sooner than 130,000 kilometers, I had not heard of its necessity before that.
The only thing that was difficult to get used to was the lack of a spare tire, but it did not cause any major problems. While driving in the city, the tire was punctured twice, and I fixed it myself using a plug.
Do not rush to conclusions immediately after the first diagnosis of the car at an auto shop, if they are not familiar, it is worth inspecting by at least two specialists. I plan to get another diesel version, as my family has grown, and we often like to go out into nature. In short, I am satisfied with the car.
BMW 3-Series 2014
I decided to write a review about the car not immediately after purchasing it, I waited a bit to let the initial emotions settle, and managed to drive some distance on it, namely 5,000 kilometers. After selling my old car, which took quite some time, I started looking for a suitable car for my future use.
Almost settled on buying an X-DRIVE 3 series, the previous owner of which was very careful and performed all the necessary maintenance procedures twice as often as required by the maintenance schedule. However, the owner later decided not to sell it, causing me immense disappointment.
After reviewing a few more different options, I found the perfect car for myself, with minor exterior defects but perfectly sound mechanically. After a morning call to the seller, I went to see it. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 53,600 km. What surprised me the most was that the interior looked like new. The thickness gauge check also showed everything was in order, with all the marks on the bolts intact.
The engine demonstrated good power in all aspects. I only got familiar with the usage specifics after driving the car a bit. The timing belt and oil pump replacement is typically done once every 100,000 kilometers, at a cost of 50,000 rubles for this procedure.
The transmission is highly reliable. Fuel consumption is low, and gear shifts are practically imperceptible. The car's handling is fantastic, with a very soft suspension.
The cabin assembly is made only from quality materials, with soft plastic used throughout. The windshield is original but slightly worn from wipers; modern versions are probably much softer.
At present, the mileage is 61,500 kilometers, and over 5,000 kilometers of usage recently, I have not experienced any major issues with the car. The only thing that initially worried me was the appearance of strange sounds when turning the steering wheel. It did not sound like a squeak but more like a howl. I am unaware of the cause of this.
I believe I have covered everything I wanted to say. If I missed something, I will try to add it later or in the additions.
