BMW 3 SERIES (1998 - 2001)
MODELS COVERED: Fourth generation 3 Series Saloon, Coupe, Touring, Convertible: (316i, 318i, 320d diesel, 323i, 328i, 330i, 330d, M3)
BY GRAEME ROBERTS
This is the compact executive express that rival manufacturers continually struggle to beat. So desirable is the post-1998 generation
BMW 3 Series that despite the large numbers sold, its still in demand as something of an exclusive purchase. Thanks to all those cars on the road however, secondhand prices are no longer as strong as they were: good for you, bad for the grey-suited corporate accountants. What it all boils down to is that for the same price as a tricked-up new Mondeo or Vectra, you could could put a delectable used fourth-generation 3 Series in the driveway.
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Not much in equipment terms this side of SE trim level. Stereos may have become standard a while ago but
BMW still charges extra to air condition an £18,000 316i even though air is standard in many £7,500 superminis these days. But most 3 Series buyers dont care about that any more than they fret about the cabin being smaller than a Mondeos. You see, for the driver, this is the most rewarding compact car you can buy bar none.
True, the latest cars suspension may have been softened up enough for the magazine pundits to complain the cars lost its edge but try telling that to most owners. There are fine competitors on offer these days but a Three in the company car park still makes the strongest statement.
Launch-vintage saloons are about in reasonable numbers, starting at just under £7,600 for a 99S 318i or £8,100 for a 99T 316i. Automatic transmission adds from about £800 and more luxurious SE trim attracts a premium of £1,000 or so at 318i level. The 318Ci coupe starts at about £9,400 for a 1999 example and the 2.5-litre petrol powered 323iSE starts at around £8,500 on 99S plates.
The coupe equivalent begins around £2,000 extra while 328i saloons are priced from around £9,200 on 99S plates. If you desire a saloon, convertible or Touring with three-litre petrol or diesel power, youll need deeper pockets. The 330i, for example opens at £11,900 in SE saloon guise on a 2000W plate, £13,000 for an equivalent year Touring, and much the same for a 330Ci Coupe with top dollar being claimed at £18,600 for the Convertible.
The latest-shape 3 series is still too new for any major problems to show up so check the usual clocked odometers, body nicks and scrapes, damaged trim, cellphone mounting holes in the dashboard and a cast-iron full BMW dealer service history. Imports generally attract trade suspicion and lower bids at sell-on time while there are a few clouds over South African-built cars (around 20% of 316i/318i saloons) because of below-par build quality and reliability with some. Its worth being fussy (avoid dull non-metallic colours, low ex-rep specifications and gloomy interior trim colours) so that, when resale time comes, youll get a lot more for your part exchange than you might expect. Be suspicious of cars that have had many owners in a short time (this could be a sign of ongoing problems).
If you really want piece of mind, buy from a BMW dealer but be prepared to pay the premium.
(approx based on a 318i) A clutch assembly is around £130. Front brake pads are around £40, a full exhaust about £360, an alternator around £100 and a tyre around £40. A starter motor is about £120. A headlamp is about £165.
Settle behind the wheel and it will feel good to be at the helm of a Three series. The solid, quality feel of the controls and the silky-smooth performance are just right. One of the advantages of buying a well cared for example is that the engine should be nicely run-in, so you can enjoy all of the performance right from the start. In the six-cylinder petrol-powered 325i for example, theres plenty on offer.
Rest to 60 takes just eight seconds on the way to a maximum of over 140mph while the high-tech four-cylinder 2.0-litre unit in the 320d is no dull diesel slouch thanks to a top speed of nearly 130mph. Add a set of personalised plates and even the most eagle-eyed enthusiast would struggle to recognise the car from new.
Its a bit small inside and some versions are a bit spartan unless the previous owner had a generous dig into the options list. But if you can afford the 3 Series and youre in the market
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