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1996 BMW 3 Series User Reviews

1996 BMW 3 Series Review Ratings

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Average Ratings from 61 reviews

  • Performance:3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars3.9 out of 5 stars 3.9 / 5
  • Appearance:4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars 4.3 / 5
  • Build Quality:4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars4.1 out of 5 stars 4.1 / 5
  • Overall:4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars4.3 out of 5 stars 4.3 / 5

Review Highlights Click to filter reviews below

PROS
"ride" 32 reviews
"power" 24 reviews
"handling" 20 reviews
"fuel economy" 13 reviews
"speed" 8 reviews
CONS
"power" 7 reviews
"expensive car" 6 reviews
"expensive part" 5 reviews
"fuel economy" 4 reviews
"small power" 3 reviews

User Reviews

Displaying 1 - 10 of 61 reviews 1234567 Next
Leonard writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Great engine, gearbox (manual), excellent handling balance for standard car, refinement is sound, fuel consumption is low

Cons

Interior build quality average, brakes are good but not good enough

75

E36 328i — Really good car, quite rapid, fun to drive, suprisingly low fuel consumption. Maintainence is very simple, most DIY mechanics can fiddle around with them at home. Generally been reliable however I have had issues with the VANOS system which has made the car a real pain in the arse to drive but will be getting that fixed soon. Great handling, good performance in a straight line, brakes are good too but could probably do with an upgrade as I feel using the same brakes from a E36 318i on an E36 328i is a mistake. It does struggle to brake quickly from very high speed. Personally I think these cars look fantastic too. Build quality of the interior is average, but everything else holds up very well.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Mubarak writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

performance, handling

Cons

needs lots of maintenance, not reliable

175

Great For Enthusiasts — good performing vehicle. pretty good pick up for a 2.8. BMW tried to pick up sales during the early to mid '90 and cheaped out on parts using plastic parts instead of the usual aluminum for the pretty critical parts of the car (i.e. cooling system) if you keep up with the maintenance the car will run flawlessly, but the maintenance on this car is pretty pricey. so you'll either have to have money on the side or do it yourself. this is a very fun car to drive as long as nothing breaks.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Sophie writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Cheap to run, comfy

Cons

Rusty and sounded like a tractor

65

I Could Fit The Dog In The Boot! — It was a 318TDS so it was a bit slow off the mark but you could drive it around for days on practically no diesel! A bit rusty and the engine blew up once but I loved it.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Tariq writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i Review
Back Seats:
Cargo Capacity:
Family Car:
Fuel Economy:
Front Seats:
Handling:
Maintenance Cost:
Price:
Power:
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Looks/Style:
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Pros

good car

Cons

not much power

45

If You Take Good Care Of It, Mmm It Will Be Ok. — mmmmmm,,,, it nice car not lokking sexy anymore yet it was very nice if we see it before 10 years. i got this car for very good price its fun to drive, like a toy, easy handling, not much power since its a V4 , but the nice thing about mine is that it got a manuel gear box, which gives it the advantage to play with it all the time,, my advice is : DO NOT DRIVE IT WHEN ITS RAINING!!

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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David writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Economical, Reliable, Sporty, Good Drive

Cons

Most have been ragged and neglected, common

325

1996 Bmw 3 Series 318i — Performance: 1.8 16V (318is Coupe) isn't very powerfull, but is plenty fast enough. Brakes Strong, handles very well. Feels much lower and stiffer than the saloon. Build Quality: Good, as usual, one of the windows has fallen off its runner. Appearence: Very nice, I love the pillarless doors and M3 Replica Alloys Cost of Ownership: 46MPG on a run (supposedly) so good MPG and cheap to insure being only a 1.8 Fun Factor: Great fun to drive

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

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Mike writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

reliable, cheap, fun, mpg

Cons

low on power for racers and ......

75

Buy One For Your Wife Or Kids — Great little car, 200,000 mile and still a fun car. stuff a M3 engine in it and look out EVERYONE! 4 cylinder is dependable and fun but needs more power for aggressive adrenaline junkies. Great car for kids. 30 mpg and like a go-cart.

Primary Use: Commuting to work

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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David writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Reliable, good looks, feels safe and sure footed

Cons

Most have been ragged and neglected.

325

1996 Bmw 3 Series 318i — Performance: Quite Swift, feels quicker than the saloon. Brakes very good, handles nicely with the rear drive. Build Quality: As expected of a BMW. Very good. Appearance: Very nice. This one awas a very nice colour. Cost of Ownership: Cheap to fuel and insure. Fun Factor: This was fun, especially on the snow and Ice.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

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Tristan writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 318i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Fun to drive, very strong motor,very  handsom styling.

Cons

Electrical issues, bearings go bad.

45

Great Cruiser, Love How It Drives On The Highway. — Love the way the car feels , drive ,smell(candyish, crayon) sort of smell to it, feels tight as a drum, very pleasing to the eye. 100% German made or made in Europe. Europeans don't play with quality when it comes to making their cars. You can sure feel it in this car. love it.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Kevin writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

Handling

Cons

Plastic

35

I Love My Bimmer..hehe — Great beginning European car. Gotta love the balance of the E36 chassis. Not too fast off the line but cruises at 130 with no issues. Great car to toss around an auto cross or a mountain road. Build quality a little below typical BMW standards though.

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

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Neil writes:
1996 BMW 3 Series 328i Review
Appearance:
Performance:
Quality:
Overall:

Pros

So much fun to drive

Cons

Insurance

35

Bmw. Awesomeness — solid accel. solid brakes. sweet exterior. maybe add spoiler...? mileage awesome. amazing to drive. this car i just like a dream. no wonder they sell so well. It sucks the way other people look at you though when you drive it. It's really not that expensive to drive! get over it! LOL

Primary Use: Sport/fun (spirited driving, track racing, off-roading, etc.)

1 of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 61 reviews 1234567 Next
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1996 BMW 3 Series 1995 BMW 5 Series 1996 BMW M3
1996 BMW 3 Series picture, exterior
1995 BMW 5 Series picture, exterior
1996 BMW M3 picture, exterior
Cost $21,130 Original MSRP $4,552 Average Instant Market Value $39,530 Original MSRP
Gas Mileage (highway) 29 26 26
Horsepower 138 189 240
Front Leg Room (inches) 41.1 41.6 41.2

Reviews From Other Years

2012 BMW 3 Series Reviews

Sharp Looking And Handling By wwdthu

I like the look of the car, interior and exterior are top notch. The NA engine is super smooth. Transmission awesome in DS but a little jerky in D. Only regret is i didn't add sport seats, it will be ... Read More

Read all 2012 BMW 3 Series reviews

2011 BMW 3 Series Reviews

Safe Sedan With Bit A Fun Hidden By Alicia

BMW should not have changed the steering-feedback with the new 3-series. Driving the E90 gives wonderful road feedback. Seats are comfortable and supportive- the M seats more so. Have to say the M ... Read More

Perfect Entry-level Bmw. By PeterNiklaus2108

Appearance: Loved the look of the face lifted E90. It was very comfortable. Build quality: No noises or blind spots. Only scheduled maintenance at no cost. Milage acceptable for everyday driving. Pe... Read More

Read all 21 2011 BMW 3 Series reviews

2010 BMW 3 Series Reviews

Wow By ajm1126

Love this car! Hard top lets you drive without realizing it is a convertible until you want the wind in your hair. Nothing better than a BMW convertible! Silver with grey interior....grey poplar w... Read More

Beautiful, Sporty, Fun! By jaysea7

The car is very well designed and built. The interior is awesome, the exterior design is great from all angles! The only flaw is BMW corporation, the resale value is terrible due to flooding the mark... Read More

Read all 6 2010 BMW 3 Series reviews

2009 BMW 3 Series Reviews

Head Turning Coupe With Lots Of Power. By MorningMist

I originally went to BMW to purchase a 128i as a 3rd car to drive on the weekends. I drove it and liked it, but then drove a 135i and LOVED it. They didn't have the color I wanted in the 135i, so I ... Read More

Perfect Hardtop Convertible. By PeterNiklaus2108

Appearance: Sports car good looks. Sports car handling with luxury car comfort. Build quality: No noises at all due to hard top. No real blind spots due to no door frame. Currently only regular mainte... Read More

Read all 29 2009 BMW 3 Series reviews

2008 BMW 3 Series Reviews

"the Ultimate Driving Machine" By MrSchultz

BMW is truly "the Ultimate Driving Machine". When you get behind the wheel of this car, you feel like you are piloting a complex work of art and solid all around. The clean lines/look of this vehicle ... Read More

Bimmers By aloha1973

i like the all wheel drive and the reliability of the car don't like the fact that only have to put 91 octane gas to expensive now a days good handling and good materials inside of the car. with... Read More

Read all 61 2008 BMW 3 Series reviews
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