I like this car a lot more than the 1992 version. The power has not improved as much, but for you speed demons out there, take $40K out of the bank. I think this is an excellent car.

It's not an M3!

I paid $32,200 and yes it is worth it! I just recently bought a 1994 (same year) BMW 325iC sport/luxury convertible. Both cars are great, they look handsome, and they get lots of attention. The coupe is more of a "winter car", while the convertible is my "summer" car.

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1992 BMW 325iS (sport/luxury coupe)

Everything!!! This car is simply a kick to drive. Excellent acceleration, great handling, stability control is excellent in control loss areas, seats are comfortable, this is just a well designed car. Little details are paid attention to: from the stereo controls on the steering wheel to the comfort of the seats (and the way they reset when you unlock the car if your spouse has been driving it) to silly little things like your key battery recharging as you drive--German engineering at its best.

Basic stereo is a little weak (but fading rearward helps) and the automatic windshield wipers have a high threshold for rain before they go off, but these are really minor concerns.

Paid 2K over invoice, plus got a decent trade for the Volvo which had been in an accident prior to trade in. Dealer was Thompson BMW in Doylestown, PA--I mention them because they were fair, attentive and I'm pleased with their service and all they offer. Even sent a referral bonus check to my brother, who referred me to them after buying a used Bimmer from them a couple of years ago. I was raised by a car dealer and I'm not an easy customer--this car was the easiest and best shopping experience I've ever had. I would definitely recommend this car. I plan to keep mine a long time. The luxury package is definitely worth it. The sport package was not for me and the driving I do, but a lot of other customers love it. My husband adores the car too (he usually drive a Saab 900 SE). We are both enjoying it to the hilt!! I LOVE MY TOY!!! :)

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Infiniti G20--no contest, the Bimmer is far superior
Volvo 850Turbo--ditto
Also test drove the Infiniti I30 and Audi A4--BMW beat them both in handling and acceleration (especially better than the Audi in both)

Brand spanking new! Powerful German Brakes! Silky smooth engine with loads of torque at all RPM's above 3000 making passing people really easy! Handling that shames most other cars on the road. The new 17" tires and standard sports suspension make this car a pleasure to drive. You don't think about driving it, it just goes and your hands happen to be on the wheel with your foot on the clutch. Attractive styling and more space than previous model coupes. I like the new taillight cluster. Smooth on the road. 50/50 weight distribution

The sporty suspension doesn't really absorb bumps, you just kinda go over them. That means when going down a bad highway, like the Bruckner for all you NY people out there, you kidney's turn into jello. The power and handling of this car is good. Almost too good. It may make you overconfident and you could make a bonehead move. I have to remind myself to be careful. This car isn't as forgiving as others, like my 1998 Audi A4 2.8 The clutch on this car has a longer throw, stalls easier, and doesn't have the save-your-behind quattro that kicks in to do exactly as advertised and pull you out of a sticky situation if you get too aggressive on the road. Then again, I suppose a sports car like the Bimmer demands attention and skill. Time for us drivers to step up to the plate.

Paid around 37K (ouch!), with some dealer gouging. However, I think that this ultimate driving machine is just as advertised. With amazing handling in good weather combined with a great engine, this car is a tough one to beat in the road. It was worth every penny. I'm just annoyed at myself for not having the patience to wait for the new 330i, which I will surely test drive when it comes out. Till then, I suppose the 2.8 liter engine will have to do. :-)

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1997 328iS, 1998 A4 2.8, 1999 C280. In terms of performance, this car smokes them all, except for the other Bimmer, which I found to be about just as sporty. (It's at the dealers now, thanks to a trade in). The Bimmer is more luxurious than the Audi, and has much better off the line performance, although cornering in bad weather obviously goes to the Audi. In good weather though, ASC+T (i.e. Rear Wheel traction control) works as good as quattro, keeping your butt on the road where it belongs. Though not matching up with the Benz in name prestige, or in front seat luxury, back seat accomodations are superior, and who really cares about prestige if you can ignore the car's silloutte in your rear view mirror.

Smooth great sounding engine, glides better than a hawk, great acceleration at any moment, love the leather, sports seats, temperature control and air filteration are must have, my group insurance makes this reasonable($100 per month for 50/75..) . It's for speed and the ride.

jab into the frameless doors a few times (acceptable painful at low speed contact) if not careful and in a tight parking spot, some wind noise at higher speed, too precious to be parking with other cars, caution require when parking the car's low front too close to the cement ground guard, 3 months waiting list to take delivery of ordered car.

$41k; Fun and Acceleration worth every penny paid, nothing else beats this at this price; forget gas prices. Make sure to get the sports and luxury package to make the car what it is suppose to be or else you will regret it. If you are worry about dings, gas prices, insurance or unexpected repairs, then this isn't the car for you. If you can pay for all of those, then you know you can afford the next model..

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blows away my 1990 Corolla, priced accordingly relative to the 323ci, there's no German substitute for this price

The top strength would have to be the handling. It is absolutely incredible. The car is a joy to look at also. For the 2.5L 6cyl it is still very quick.

I have the Harmon Kardon stereo upgrade w/CD player. Coming from a car where I replaced the whole system, it doesnt sound quite as good. But I would give it an OK as car stereos go. Also there is no way to turn off the speed sensitive volume control -- you can only set the amount of sensitivity. I cant believe the designers wouldnt let the user shut this feature off. It can get annoying for those times when you speed up quickly. I notice myself messing with the volume more because of this. These are minor things -- the car is pretty flawless. It's as close to perfection as you're going to get.

This is an expensive car when you get most of the options as I did (sport package, premium package, HK, Xenon lights). But the car is just so fun to drive. Its quick from a dead stop and I'm sure it would feel great at higher speeds if it wasnt limited to 130. The brakes stop quickly. I havent had any problems with this car at all in the over 2 months I've had it. I would recommend a radar detector, as it's too easy to speed in this car. This car is still relatively new, and I've yet to see a duplicate of my car on the road. And I see a lot of BMW's on the road where I live. The controls on the steering wheel are great also. You definitely have to read and then re-read the drivers manual, as there are a lot of tricky features with the car. I believe, as I'm sure a lot of new 3 series owners do, that this is one of the best cars out there right now. For all around performance, looks, and comfort, this car cant be beat.

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In its own class.

- This is a well balanced ride....engine, transmission, suspension and brakes all work awesome together.
- Great looks. I often look back after parking to admire....
- So much fun to drive.

- Purchase process....dealers in the Bay Area are horrible.
- Mediocre stock stereo
- BMW nickle/dimes you to death when buying it.

Paid $2K over invoice. I strongly recommend it to anyone who actually *enjoys* driving but needs 4 doors to shuttle family/clients.

The styling is great. However, its strengths are really in how it drives.

I just wish that the buying experience was more pleasant.

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1997 Mitsubushi Eclipse Spyder GST: The 328i seems just a quick and is much more refined. Satisfies the "driver" in me as well as the "client-service professional."

Serious fun & head-turning factors (just gave it a new look last year by upgrading to 17" M3 style rims, while I await a August 2000 delivery of my new 330Ci convertible....).. Extremely reliable, fast, stable, rock solid body construction

Rain leaks from convertible top when windows are down or doors are open (this has been fixed in the e46 convertible models), lots of little plastic parts falling off after 3rd year, crappy cigarette lighter, in 5th year, quirky electrical system (nothing major, things like emer. lights coming on during engine ignition, etc)

Alot, but definately worth it... 4.6 out of 5 roundels... Would run about $20-25K in 2000 with 40K miles.. If you do not have the bucks, by a Miata for $10K...(extreme fun! - Its like driving a adult go-kart LEGALLY!)

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1992 Mazda Miata

*Great styling
*Good overall power
*Perfect ergonomics
*HK stereo is pretty nice for stock
*Great brakes
*Carves the road on turns.
*The perfect sized car.

*Cramp rear seating
*Tail happy in the rain. Even with michelin's best?
*Expensive
*Nappa leather cracked in less than a year

Paid $42,000

If money is not a problem then go for it! I tried the 328 they are nice too.

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'95 325i

Confidence-insiring handling
Smooth, straight-six power
Maintenance Program

Stereo system

My first BMW was a '95 M3 (3.0 liter six--240 hp), and THAT car was to die for. But, alas, criminals had their way with it, stealing my rims and front bumper on two separate occasions. So I "downgraded" to the '97 328is (2.8 liter six--190 hp) for $36,000, new. I don't think I missed much, especially considering the difference in maintenance costs (my 30 mile service on the M3 was going to be $900.00!); I haven't paid a dime for service on my '97 yet! BMW offers free routine maintenance on its new cars for three years or 50,000 miles. That's big.

But let's talk about what this car is REALLY about: The driving. It is the perfect car for all driving conditions (except maybe ice--but who cares, I live in California); whether on twisty mountain roads or traffic-snarled interstates, you always have fun in this car. On the twisties, you find yourself pushing harder and deeper into each turn because you realize that this car is so balanced, it is almost impossible to do anything stupid. Mustangs, Camaros, and 'Vettes scare the heck outta me; the BMW 3-series makes my feel like I know what I'm doing. I find myself lightening up on the steering wheel in the Bimmer, whereas the American counterparts whiten my knuckles as I hold on for dear life--not fun. The BMW encourages spirited driving! That's what this car is all about. If a machine can have a soul, this one does.

Okay, enough gushing. There is one thing I hate about this car: the so-called premium stereo system. Basically, it stinks! Bass is muddy, mids are flat, and soundstage is non-existent. Any Honda's for half the price will blow it away--shame on you, BMW! To solve this problem, I upgraded to an Eclipse in-dash CD player. Speakers will have to be next. Until then, I'll live.

Overall, you just can't beat the 3-series. I've driven the '97 Audi A4, and, while it is a solid-feeling ride, it just doesn't have that more-than-the-sum-of-its-parts essence the 3 series has. My next car WILL be another 3 series!

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Audio A4
'95 M3

AWD, brakes, 5 speed, handling, everything

needs a little more hspwr

i think i have the best all around bmw.
i have a 325ix in a 5spd. this car is sweet, it has the classic bmw styling, it aged so well. bmw owners always ask me what's the ix mean. its AWD baby! this thing loves the snow and the rain. i have had no major problems with this car since day 1. it drives great. if you want a pce of bmw history try to find one of these bad boys if you can, i rarely see an ix on the road. mine only has 80,000 miles on it and its super clean. i have had 5 people ask to buy this car from me. but no way this is a keeper until i die.
best thing i ever spent 32grand on, and that was in 1990.