1999-2005 BMW 3-Series: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Pros
- Acceleration
- Steering/handling
- Head-protection system
- Build quality
- Exterior finish
Cons
- Cargo room (convertible)
- Rear-seat entry/exit (coupe/convertible)
- Rear-seat room (coupe/convertible)
- Ride (M3)
Vehicle Highlights
BMW redesigned its best-selling line, the near-luxury 3-Series, for 1999. In addition to gaining a new profile and plenty of new features, the 3-Series got roomier back seats. Weights and exterior dimensions went up only marginally. Four-door sedans debuted in fall 1998, in new 323i and 328i form, with two different six-cylinder engine sizes. The 323i used a 2.5-liter engine, replacing the four-cylinder 318i as BMW's entry-level sedan. The 328i retained its 2.8-liter engine. Manual shift was standard, with a five-speed automatic transmission optional. Traction control was standard, along with Cornering Brake Control, designed to stabilize the car under hard braking in turns. Front passengers got six airbags to cushion front and side impacts. Rear side-impact airbags were newly optional. So was Park Distance Control, which beeped to signal the presence of objects to the rear when backing up.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | BMW 325i automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 56 |
Year to Year Changes
Our road test for the 1999-2005 BMW 3-Series includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1999-2005 BMW 3-Series and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1999-2005 BMW 3-Series is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Unchallenged in sporting character, these are the true "driver's cars" of the near-luxury class. Some rivals offer more interior room, but none are more refined or as sporty. Price is the main drawback, because resale values are strong.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | BMW 325i automatic Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 6 | |
| Fuel Economy | 6 | |
| Ride Quality | 7 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 7 | |
| Controls/Materials | 7 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 3 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 5 | |
| Total Score: | 56 |
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $770 |
| Alternator | $640 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $810 |
| Brakes | $445 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $725 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $1,235 |
| Exhaust System | $895 |
| Radiator | $650 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,320 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $415 |
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
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| 2005 | |||
| 325Ci convertible | $23,000-25,000 | $21,200-23,000 | $15,000-16,300 |
| 325i cpe/sdn/wgn | $16,500-18,500 | $15,000-16,800 | $10,600-11,800 |
| 330Ci convertible | $25,500-27,500 | $23,700-25,600 | $16,800-18,200 |
| 330i coupe/sedan | $20,000-22,000 | $18,400-20,200 | $13,000-14,300 |
| M3 convertible | $33,500-35,500 | $31,200-33,000 | $23,800-25,200 |
| M3 coupe | $31,500-33,500 | $29,300-31,200 | $22,100-23,500 |
| 2004 | |||
| 325Ci convertible | $18,500-20,000 | $17,000-18,400 | $11,800-12,800 |
| 325i cpe/sdn/wgn | $14,300-16,300 | $13,000-14,800 | $8,900-10,100 |
| 330Ci convertible | $21,000-22,800 | $19,300-21,000 | $13,700-14,800 |
| 330i coupe/sedan | $17,000-18,500 | $15,600-17,000 | $10,900-11,800 |
| M3 convertible | $28,500-30,500 | $26,500-28,400 | $19,400-20,700 |
| M3 coupe | $27,000-29,000 | $25,100-27,000 | $18,100-19,400 |
| 2003 | |||
| 325Ci convertible | $17,000-18,500 | $15,600-17,000 | $10,900-11,800 |
| 325i cpe/sdn/wgn | $12,500-14,500 | $11,300-13,100 | $7,100-8,300 |
| 330Ci convertible | $19,000-20,500 | $17,500-18,900 | $12,400-13,300 |
| 330i coupe/sedan | $15,000-16,500 | $13,700-15,000 | $9,500-10,400 |
| M3 convertible | $25,000-27,000 | $23,300-25,100 | $16,500-17,800 |
| M3 coupe | $23,500-25,000 | $21,600-23,000 | $15,300-16,300 |
| 2002 | |||
| 325Ci convertible | $14,500-16,000 | $13,300-14,700 | $9,000-9,900 |
| 325i cpe/sdn/wgn | $11,000-12,500 | $9,900-11,300 | $5,900-6,800 |
| 330Ci convertible | $16,800-18,300 | $15,500-16,800 | $10,800-11,700 |
| 330i coupe/sedan | $13,500-14,800 | $12,300-13,500 | $8,000-8,700 |
| M3 convertible | $22,000-24,000 | $20,200-22,100 | $14,300-15,600 |
| M3 coupe | $20,500-22,000 | $18,900-20,200 | $13,300-14,300 |
| 2001 | |||
| 325Ci convertible | $13,500-14,800 | $12,300-13,500 | $8,000-8,700 |
| 325i cpe/sdn/wgn | $9,500-10,700 | $8,600-9,600 | $4,900-5,600 |
| 330Ci convertible | $15,000-16,200 | $13,700-14,700 | $9,500-10,200 |
| 330i coupe/sedan | $11,200-12,500 | $10,100-11,300 | $6,000-6,800 |
| M3 convertible | $19,200-20,700 | $17,700-19,000 | $12,500-13,500 |
| M3 coupe | $18,000-19,500 | $16,600-17,900 | $11,500-12,500 |
| 2000 | |||
| 323i convertible | $11,700-12,800 | $10,500-11,500 | $6,400-7,000 |
| 323i cpe/sdn/wgn | $8,200-9,100 | $7,400-8,200 | $4,200-4,600 |
| 328i coupe/sedan | $10,000-11,000 | $9,000-9,900 | $5,200-5,700 |
| 1999 | |||
| 323i convertible | $9,000-10,000 | $8,100-9,000 | $4,700-5,200 |
| 323i coupe/sedan | $7,300-8,200 | $6,600-7,400 | $3,600-4,000 |
| 328i convertible | $10,500-11,500 | $9,500-10,400 | $5,600-6,100 |
| 328i coupe/sedan | $8,500-9,400 | $7,700-8,500 | $4,400-4,900 |
| M3 convertible | $13,500-15,000 | $12,300-13,700 | $8,000-8,900 |
| M3 coupe | $12,000-13,000 | $10,800-11,700 | $6,700-7,300 |
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Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door convertible | 2-door coupe | 4-door sedan | 4-door wagon |
| Wheelbase, in. | 107.3 | 107.3 | 107.3 | 107.3 |
| Overall Length, in. | 176.7 | 176.7 | 176.0 | 176.3 |
| Overall Width, in. | 69.2 | 69.2 | 68.5 | 68.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.0 | 53.5 | 55.7 | 55.5 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3560 | 3020 | 3153 | 3351 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 7.7 | 9.5 | 10.7 | 25.7-48 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 16.6 | 16.6 | 16.6 | 16.6 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 38.3 | 37.5 | 38.4 | 38.4 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.7 | 41.7 | 41.4 | 41.4 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 36.9 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 32.0 | 33.2 | 34.6 | 34.0 |
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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 |
| dohc I6 | 2.5 / 152 | 170 | 181 | 5-speed manual: 20/29 5-speed automatic: 19/28 |
5-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I6 | 2.8 / 170 | 193 | 206 | 5-speed manual: 20/29 5-speed automatic: 19/27 |
5-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I6 | 3.0 / 182 | 225-235 | 211-222 | 5-speed manual: 21/30 6-speed manual: 20/30 5-speed automatic: 19/27 |
5-speed manual: 25.4 6-speed manual: -- 5-speed automatic: -- |
| dohc I6 | 3.2 / 192 | 330 | 225 | 6-speed manual: 16/24 SMT manual: -- |
6-speed manual: 18.7 SMT manual: -- |
| dohc I6 | 2.5 / 152 | 184 | 175 | 5-speed manual: 20/29 5-speed automatic: 19/27 |
5-speed manual: 23.5 5-speed automatic: 19.7 |
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Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
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NHTSA Crash-Test Results
Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.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%.








