BMW 3 SERIES (1991 - 1998)
MODELS COVERED: Third generation 3 Series 1991-1998 (316i 1.6i Compact, Saloon, Coupe, Touring/ 318i 1.8i Saloon, Convertible, Touring/ 318Ti 1.8i 16v Compact/ 318iS 1.
8 16v Saloon, Coupe/ 318tds 1.8TD Compact, Saloon, Touring/ 320i 2.0i 6cy Saloon, Convertible, Touring, Coupe/ 323i 2.5i 6cy Saloon, Coupe, Convertible, Touring/ 325td and 325tds 2.
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5TD 6cy Saloon, Touring/ 325i 2.5 6cy Saloon, Coupe, Convertible/ 328i 2.8i 6cy Saloon, Touring, Convertible, Coupe/ M3 3.0 and 3.
2 6cy Saloon, Coupe, Convertible)
BY JONATHAN CROUCH
Thinking of buying an ordinary family saloon? You might be surprised to learn that for the same price, a curvy third generation
BMW 3 Series could be residing in your driveway. Your neighbours will mistake it for a new car and youll be taken for someone of taste, rather than a photocopier salesperson. At least, thats according to BMW..
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German bite, pure and simple. A 3 Series is smaller than a Mondeo, but you wont care about that. For the driver, this was the most rewarding compact car of its era - bar none.
Theres a vast choice of course, with so many derivatives on offer. Prices start at less than £2,000 which will probably buy you an early 1991 316i or 318i Saloon; go for the latter whenever possible the engine is far superior. A more typical 97P-registered 316i Saloon will set you back around £4,300. Six-cylinder 3 Series Saloons are now affordable with a typical 95M-registered 320i from £4,000.
Pay a premium of about £500 to get a 325i. The faster 328i (from 95N-reg) is, of course, pricier. Diesel 3 Series models are well worth considering. The earlier (and still superb) six-cylinder td and tds models start at around £3,000, with more typical 95M-registered cars from £4,200.
The new-shape 3 series has established an impressive reputation in the trade and not only because its digital odometer is nearly impossible to clock. High demand has meant that second and third-year depreciation levels are still considerably lower than more ordinary models from mainstream makers. In other words, when resale time comes, you should get a lot more for your part exchange than you might expect. Watch for loose or ill-fitting interior trim and cold starting problems on earlier models and there have also been reports of water leaks through window seals, and coolant seepage from radiators.
Be careful when considering South African-built cars (all 318iS saloons and some 316i/318i saloons) as the trade talks of sub-standard build quality and reliability with some of these. Watch for cars which have had many owners (this could be a sign of ongoing problems). Insist on a full service history, ideally with BMW dealer stamps. If you really want piece of mind, buy from a franchised dealer but be prepared to pay a premium.
(approx based on a 318i) A clutch assembly is around £130. Front brakepads are around £38, a full exhaust about £360, an alternator just under £225 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 thanks to the solid, quality feel of the controls and the silky-smooth performance. 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 the performance right from the start. In the six-cylinder petrol-powered 325i for example, theres plenty on offer. Rest to 60 takes just 7.
3 seconds on the way to a maximum of over 140mph. Add a set of personalised plates and even the most eagle-eyed enthusiast would struggle to recognise the car from new.
Its small inside, but if you can afford the 3 Series and youre in the market for this kind of car, youll want one and rightly so.
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