BMW 3 Series (1998 - 2005) Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The in-line 6 cylinder engine is absolutely bullet proof. Do not let the BMW labels cause any anxiety because these cars are as easy to perform basic maintenance as any other lesser brands. Everything from oil changes to suspension work can be accomplished with a basic mechanics tool box. Part prices are really reasonable for the quality of BMW engineering. Oct 06, 2020

Everything about the design of the E46 is a little more refined, a little more thought out, and feels a little more robust. From the thunk of the doors closing, to turning the key in the trunk lock tumbler, to pressing the climate control buttons, the 330ci just feels like a newer more refined car. It is. The interior lights have a one touch defeat instead of a toggle switch. The light behavior resets when you turn the car on next. Ie. if you have the doors open and want the lights to go off, you hit the button. Next time you open the door up, the lights will go on again...no toggle switch to reset. My 330ci also has rain sensing wipers. They just plain work. Turn the wipers on, and forget about them...the system keeps them on at the perfect intervals, 100% of the time. The E46 is just a newer design with more time behind it. BMW wouldn't be evolving if the newer cars didn't offer more features and engineering that operates on more levels for better efficiency. To some people, these things make for a "nicer" car. And some people prefer the raw, more simple nature of an older car that is closer to a purpose-built driving machine. Again, it's down to your preferences and where you want to make compromises.Feb 11, 2015

I used this car to commute 160 mile a day round trip for several years. I regularly got 35mpg (95% Highway miles). The car was powerful and responsive. I drove the car to about 150,000 miles with very few maintenance issues. Repairs were expensive compared to other cars but due to the fact there were not many I would not consider it an issue. the car was extremely comfortable and stylish. I drove it regularly in winter conditions and was extremely impressed with the way the traction control worked in the snow. This was contrary to what I had previously heard about BMW's in the snow. Unfortunately I was involved in a fairly serious accident in my car on the way to work one morning, both cars were totaled. Amazingly no one was seriously hurt, I walked away from the accident and actually made it to work that day (Late) but with nothing more than a few scratches on my face from the airbag. I can not say enough about this car's performance, reliability and most of all safety.Feb 27, 2014

This car was a gift with only 40,000 miles on the and we have had BMWs stretching back over the last 30 years. It handles the roads beautifully, is comfortable and is a joy to ride. Our other car was a Mercedes, but we're looking again for another BMW because of the way it handles the road. The time we're looking for an xi so it can handle the snow. It had been reliable over the last ten plus years and we are not planning to replace the car. This car has much other than tires, regular maintenance and depreciation.Feb 07, 2014

At first glance, the E46 BMW 3-series is just another compact sedan. But there are a multitude of small details that truly set it apart from the competition. It’s clear from the styling that this car is sporty. A low roofline, long hood, and purposeful curves give the car a profile that suggests speed. The entry level 3-ers (318i and 325i) may not live up to their image, but the 328i, equipped with a 193hp straight-6, is indeed fast. There is ample torque from low RPM in the first three gears, and once you get the revs above 3500 in any gear, there’s enough to press you firmly against the backrest. Inside, the atmosphere is one of warmth and comfort. The soft leather and shiny wood trim provide the ambiance of a cozy living room. Standard equipment includes automatic two-zone climate control, memory power seats, one-touch windows all around, and steering wheel audio controls—small conveniences that become hard to live without once one has become accustomed to them. Options include a sport package that upgrades the already nimble suspension, and a premium Harmon Kardon stereo that is specifically tuned to fill the car with well-balanced sound. Unlike most new cars, your available options are not limited by selecting a manual transmission. And you’ll certainly want to go for the stickshift if you want to properly appreciate the driving experience this car can provide.Oct 03, 2013

I have owned an alpine white on beige E36 328i since September 2009. This car is nothing short of spectacular in almost every conceivable way. This is a very fun car to drive and I can't help but smile sometimes wh I juen driving. The handling is razor precise and the steering feedback is amazing to the point of being telepathic. Ultimately, this car is made for the highway where it's power truly comes alive. The ease of passing makes it seem like the other cars aren't even moving, the rev-happy inline six humming away, the exhilaration of feeling one with the road and car seem to come together to create something that is truly unique. However, it isn't all peaches and cream. If you buy this car expecting carefree Toyota-like maintenance and think it's German and not going to break you are very wrong. This is a very needy vehicle maintenance-wise- especially since the newest E36 non-M sedan models are now 15 years old in 2013. This is a car that requires PREVENTATIVE maintenance. You need to KNOW and UNDERSTAND this car in order for it to not drive you insane, which if you don't attend to its needs is the ONLY place it will be driving you. None of that matters though when everything is squared away. Every time I get in the car to go somewherest want to keep driving until I run out of roads.Apr 20, 2013

Basics: RWD, straight six, naturally aspirated, 20 year old chassis design. Engine: a masterpiece. Sounds great, goes incredibly well, easy to maintain, surprisingly easy on fuel. 24 valves as opposed to the older 12v units. Handling: steering is quite remote, but reassuringly weighted and accurate. Chassis is FUN, but can bite if you are heavy handed. Very tractable, easy to drift, and a great kick on twisty roads. Suspension more suited to cruising than sports driving, but more than acceptable. Brakes aren't great, but do the job. Acceleration/speed: fast. Pulls eagerly from 800rpm, once it hits 4,500 it'll howl all the way to 6,400 in a delightfully addictive fashion. Powerband is full all the way round the rev range. From 20mph, you can use 5th all the time. Power can be increased easily with new intake manifold & remap. Practicality: better than most BMWs, but not amazing compared to many family hatches due to RWD layout and contemporary engineering. Boot can fit plenty in it- I've had four suitcases in there- but it's not a typical square loading bay. Rear seats are best for shorter people, or short people in the front so the seats can go forward. Quality: very good. The car is 13 years old and feels tight, strong & solid. Interior is very dated, but well built and comfortable. Very little rust outside, shutlines are great. Je ne sais quoi: it's a personable car, this one. They get under your skin. It may not be incredibly economical, but 30mpg combined is not to be sniffed at from a large straight six with no turbos going on. It feels loyal, enjoyable and fun. I'm very attached to mine.Dec 29, 2012

In my 20's and even early 30's I was all about muscle cars, corvette, camaro. Cars that had a lot of attitude, as I reach my 40's I am looking for more refinement. I still want muscle but with a hint of grace. I want a car not only fast but can handle Hwy 1 headed south from Monterey, and yet take my wife to a elegant dinner on date night. This had to be what the engineers from BMW were thinking when they build this car. This is my first BMW, and I can not ever see my garage not protecting one for the rest of my life.May 27, 2012

Great car. Best ive ever owned! I love my BMW. it performs quite well for its age. I clocked 0-60 at 6.8 seconds. It is a blast to drive. Its quick and gets great MPG's. The only downfall of the car is that its a pain to work on and replacement/aftermarket parts are pretty expensive. All in all though its a great car. Ill never own another car that is not a BMW. Mar 18, 2012

The BMW 330i I own has the sports and premium packages. It has excellent engine performance, flawless shifts, and a firm ride (due to stiffer suspension offered by the sport option.). The braking is phenomenal and no fading or feeling of loss of friction at the pads. It revs high and seems to be at home their and keeps the power all through the range till the very top. The Quality of the car is amazing from the engineering to the leather stitching.the look is one grace yet also of a menacing athleticism. Gas mileage is 20-21 in the city and 29-31 on the highway. The want to just go for a drive and stretch the cars legs so to speak is like gravity, you can't see it but you can't escape the force either.Aug 19, 2010

Performance - good power (though more could be had from a V6. Great grip and steering feel. Only downside is the slow transmission. Build Quality - No squaks or rattles. Solid build. Appearance - Dare I say that my wagon just might look better than the sedan, particularly with the Sport Package wheels and trim. Cost of Ownership - Gas mileage is around 20-21 combined...not that good. Fun Factor - Absolutely. I was out of town for a couple days. When I came back, I opened the garage and a smile appeared on my face.Mar 12, 2010

An absolutely beautiful car. It handled great and was the ultimate driving machine. I never had a issue with the car, it was only in the shop for routine maintenance. The car loved to go and go it did. It was so much fun, and I truely enjoyed driving that car. It did take premium gas but, I got great gas mileage around 32 miles to the gallon on the highway. It was an all around great car both for getting to and from work and driving the family around. The only complaint I had about the car was the interior paint peeling on the door handles and the center console. Other than that it was definately a looker and a dream to drive. Feb 18, 2010

The car handles amazingly. It feels like it's wrapped around you, and you're in total control. I have a manual transmission, and this car is a blast to drive. Great gas mileage. I can go on a weekend road trip, and still drive around town for a week when I get home without having to fill the tank. Very few problems with this car in the 8 years I've owned it. It is so reliable. Highly recommend bmw's to friends! Aug 24, 2009

I got this car because it was the sportiest car with back seats somewhat in my price range in 2001 (I put two Eddie Bauer black leather car seats in the back for the kids - they matched the factory leatehr perfectly and looked pretty cool). Overall, I liked the ownership experience, but I'm not positive I'd buy another given the chance. Maybe an M3, but the price differential was significant. The performance was good for a family car. I had the stick which helped. And the bigger engine (3.0l vs. 2.5l but not the M3 engine) which I would recommend. I also had the sport pack, which was supposed to have a little tighter suspension. The steering was modified after the '01 model becaues the '01 version was a little vague for a performance-oriented car. The overall quality was pretty good, and the ownership experience was decent - at least while you are in the warranty period (which I blew through pretty quickly mileage-wise). You go in for service and your car comes out nice and clean and you feel like "wow, I'm this slick BMW-owner" until your first out-of-warranty service when it comes back filthy and you think "wow, I'm crap when the manufacturer is not reimbursing the dealer for detailing." I liked the looks, at least from the rear. For some reason, I thought the E30 looked better than the E36 (this was an E46, but an evolution of that earlier change). Mine was black, which seems to be the only color I am able to order a car in despite flirting with flashier colors. I never tracked it, but if I had it again, I would. In fact, I kind of wish I still had it as it would be about time to rip out the interior and put in a roll cage.Aug 09, 2009

I have done some modification to my cars performance. It has had an engine remap, stainless cat back performance exhaust and a K&N air filter. The original output was 192bhp, was dynoed recently at 220.6bhp at 5875rpm since then. Since these modifications my car goes quicker and sounds fantastic, throaty and musical at full bore acceleration but still fairly quiet at cruising speeds. The best part about the car has to be the way it handles around bends, thanks to rear wheel drive and is very grippy, only breaking into oversteer around on wet roads, should I be too heavy footed but it is easily controllable for drifting, if I am concentrating!! Build quality is very good too. So far I haven't had any problems with it so far (touch wood!) and is proving to be solid and reliable. The particular model I have is actually a compact model (hatchback) and the only thing I don't like so much is that it is not an M-sport model and from some angles the styling looks a bit awkward, but I have plans to fit some 19inch AC schnitzer alloys and front & rear bumpers soon. My car has full grey leather sports seats and they are comfortable for long journeys on the motorway. Fuel economy is pretty decent for a tuned 2.5ltr 6 cylinder engine. 27-33mpg is fairly common on typical journeys according to the trip computer. Though some parts can be expensive to buy, as is the case with a lot of beemers should things go wrong, though costs can be kept down should the car be serviced by BMW specialists. May 20, 2009

I bought this car because my previous one broke all the time. This car is very dependable, can corner like it's on rails, and feels great to drive. Warms up super quick in the wintertime, and comes with so many luxury amenties you learn that you cannot live without. It really is the ultimate driving machine! Once you have owned a BMW, you will never own a different brand of vehicle. Everyone likes my car, I have never had anyone say anything bad about it.Oct 28, 2008

Very nice car for a base model. Would prefer to have a higher-end model (think E46 M3) but this will do in a pinch. Decent performance, GREAT handling for as softly sprung as it is, and pretty decent gas mileage to boot. So far it's been fairly reliable. Have had a couple of pricey repairs (most of which were covered under extended warranty), but so far so good.Aug 06, 2008

The 2003 BMW 325xi would be a great car if it had the looks to go with it. The interior is amazing, black leather with silver trim. The pedal feels good when you step on it. You can really feel the power. The tiptronic is fun to drive. (For those who don't know, it's a combination of manual and automatic in a vehicle). However the exterior front and rear bumpers could get an improvement. You could buy the body kit yourself, but it would be better for BMW to have it installed stock.Dec 01, 2007