1992-1998 BMW 325i/328i/323i: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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1992-1998 BMW 325i/328i/323i
- Price Range: $1,700 - $11,300
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Related to BMW 3-Series
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Pros
- Standard antilock brakes and traction control (later models)
- Acceleration
- Ride
- Steering/handling
Cons
- Wet-weather traction
- Fuel economy
- Rear-seat room
- Control layout
Vehicle Highlights
Completely restyled for 1992, the 325i sedan borrowed its rounded lines from the bigger BMWs. Wheelbase grew by 5.1 inches, overall length by 4.3 inches. Interior volume expanded only modestly. Switching from a single overhead camshaft to dual cams, the inline 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine added 21 horsepower. A 4-speed, 3-mode automatic transmission was optional. Standard fittings included a driver-side airbag and antilock brakes. Convertibles, however, stuck with the previous design until 1994.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | BMW 325i sedan Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 49 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1992-1998 BMW 325i/328i/323i includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1992-1998 BMW 325i/328i/323i and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1992-1998 BMW 325i/328i/323i is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Like their bigger brothers, 3-Series BMWs are far from cheap secondhand, but their many fans are willing to lay out the extra bucks for top-notch roadholding and high-quality materials.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | BMW 325i sedan Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 4 | |
| Controls/Materials | 5 | |
| Interior Room | 5 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 3 | |
| Value within Class | 6 | |
| Total Score: | 49 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $970 |
| Alternator | $590 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,190 |
| Brakes | $260 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $645 |
| Exhaust System | $790 |
| Exhaust System | $670 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $980 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $1,265 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 1998 | |||
| 323i convertible | $7,500-8,500 | $6,800-7,700 | $3,800-4,300 |
| 323is | $6,000-6,800 | $5,200-5,900 | $2,500-2,900 |
| 328i convertible | $8,700-9,700 | $7,800-8,700 | $4,500-5,000 |
| 328i/is | $7,000-7,900 | $6,200-7,000 | $3,300-3,700 |
| M3 convertible | $11,300-12,500 | $10,200-11,300 | $6,200-6,900 |
| M3 coupe/sedan | $9,200-10,500 | $8,300-9,500 | $4,800-5,500 |
| 1997 | |||
| 328i/is | $5,700-6,600 | $4,900-5,700 | $2,300-2,700 |
| Convertible | $7,800-8,700 | $7,000-7,800 | $4,000-4,400 |
| M3 coupe/sedan | $8,000-9,200 | $7,200-8,300 | $4,100-4,700 |
| 1996 | |||
| 328i/is | $4,900-5,700 | $4,200-4,800 | $1,900-2,200 |
| Convertible | $6,800-7,600 | $6,100-6,800 | $3,200-3,600 |
| M3 coupe | $7,200-8,200 | $6,400-7,300 | $3,500-4,000 |
| 1995 | |||
| 325i/is | $4,100-4,800 | $3,400-3,900 | $1,400-1,600 |
| Convertible | $5,800-6,600 | $5,000-5,700 | $2,400-2,800 |
| M3 coupe | $6,200-7,000 | $5,400-6,100 | $2,700-3,000 |
| 1994 | |||
| 325i/is | $3,300-4,000 | $2,600-3,200 | $800-1,000 |
| Convertible | $4,900-5,600 | $4,200-4,800 | $1,900-2,200 |
| 1993 | |||
| 325i/is | $2,800-3,400 | $2,100-2,600 | $600-700 |
| Convertible | $3,800-4,500 | $3,100-3,700 | $1,200-1,400 |
| 1992 | |||
| 325i/is | $2,400-3,000 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| Convertible | $3,300-4,000 | $2,600-3,200 | $800-1,000 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 1992 2-door convertible | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan |
| Wheelbase, in. | 101.2 | 106.3 | 106.3 |
| Overall Length, in. | 175.2 | 174.5 | 174.5 |
| Overall Width, in. | 64.8 | 67.3 | 66.8 |
| Overall Height, in. | 53.9 | 53.8 | 54.8 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 2990 | 2866 | 2866 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.0 | 14.3 | 15.4 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.4 | 17.2 | 17.2 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | -- | 36.7 | 37.8 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | -- | 41.2 | 40.9 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | -- | 35.9 | 37.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | -- | 32.7 | 34.1 |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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Powertrain Options and Availability
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc I6 | 2.5 / 152 | 168 | 164 | 5-speed manual: 17/24 | 5-speed manual: -- |
| dohc I6 | 2.5 / 152 | 168-189 | 181 | 5-speed manual: 19/28 4-speed automatic: 20/28 |
5-speed manual: 20.4 4-speed automatic: 17.6 |
| dohc I6 | 2.8 / 170 | 190 | 206 | 5-speed manual: 20/29 4-speed automatic: 19/26 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 19.8 |
| dohc I6 | 3.0 / 182 | 240 | 225 | 5-speed manual: 19/27 5-speed automatic: 19/28 |
5-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: -- |
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1. Used in carryover-styled 1992-93 convertibles only. Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1998 3-Series |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | -- |
| Front Impact, Passenger | -- |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.








