BMW 1996 3-Series Saloon

Want to know everything there is to know about this car?

  • Economy

    Value

    4 out of 5 4.0

    TDS versions are good value for money at this age

    Costs

    5 out of 5 5.0

    By driving quite carefully, I regularly get between 42 and 47 MPG overall

  • On the road

    Driving

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Goes round corners very well and has a balanced chassis

    Performance

    3 out of 5 3.0

    Ok for normal driving, but needs to be exerted to keep up with the outside lane cruisers

  • Living with it

    Reliability

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Not been let down yet, but only had it 6 months.

    Image

    4 out of 5 4.0

    Standard 15inch alloys look like Grifter wheels, I have put on 16inch 328 coupe alloys which transform the car, as do clear lenses (and set of mudflaps)

    Comfort

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Being 6ft I suffer from a very sore knee where the drivers seat doesn't go back far enough. I have tried to ammend this, but it still aches a bit

  • Security and Service

    Security

    5 out of 5 5.0

    Alarm and immobiliser, no problems so far.

    Service

    2 out of 5 2.0

    Vines BMW parts desk are useless! Serviced the car myself

  • Problems and Ownership

    Problems

    Engine

    Fan viscous coupling getting noisy.

    Other

    Car has done 140000 miles now

    Ownership

    Did you buy the car new?

    Used

    Would you buy the same model again?

    Yes

    Did you buy from the same manufacturer again?

    Yes