2002 BMW 3 Series Consumer Reviews
Fuel Economy
19 - 22 mpg
Recent Consumer Reviews
(303 Total Reviews)
Mixed feelings
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Bought mine used a year ago with about 65K miles. Never owned a more solid car, nothing even close. Makes my in-laws' 2007 Accord feel cheap and gutless. Great ride and handling, good power, 29 mpg, very comfortable (6'2", 225 lbs). But the repairs have me frustrated. Belt idler pulley bearings shot at about 70K miles. AC/Heater blower motor regulator needs replaced (at 86K miles). Trans is making odd noises. Driver's window motor is almost shot. Taillight ground problem. Bad battery. Window trim fell off. None of these are catastrophic, but I've driven many other cars for many more miles before these types of problems arose. I won't buy another one, though the positives make it tempting.
Favorite Features
Handling, comfort, solid feel.
Suggested Improvements
Better quality control and reliability in areas where parts should last much longer (and do in other cars), e.g., belt pulleys, window motors, blower regulators.
Fantastic Ride!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
We bought our 2002 325i last August with 151,000 miles on it, no less! It's rwd, and we were told by the dealer to drive carefully on the snow. I have been riding this car everyday to work and all other places for the past 10 months and love it, even on the snow. For a car which has covered such mind boggling miles, this car rides like a dream. We probably will have to fix the suspension in a couple of months or so, but other than that, this car rides like the powerhouse packet that it is. If you didn't look at the odometer, you could not tell it from it's newer models, the ride is still so tight. It's service history is clean, no rattlings and the gas mileage is great. Love it!
Favorite Features
Great ride, reliability, exterior, interior, style.
Suggested Improvements
Nothing that the newest versions have not covered.
Don't buy it!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 1 | Fun-to-Drive: | 5 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 3 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 7 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
When gas prices started to rise a few years ago I got out of my yukon denali and bought this BMW. It has had 2 window regulators $350.00, 1 new battery $100, a new alternator $400.00 and now the transmission is shot $5300.00. Not to mention a few months ago the car started sparking around the battery which sits in the trunk and cost $9,000 worth of fire damage. This is the WORSE car I have ever owned not to mention the bills to fix these problems. I would not recommend this car to anyone.
Favorite Features
Sunroof and that's about it.
Suggested Improvements
Transmission, regulator, battery, and the car is not very comfortable.
Not reliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I bought this car in 2002 because I test drove a friend's car and I loved it. It's a true sport sedan, got enough power, it looks really cool and fun to drive. But the car is not reliable. I have put only 47k miles on it and many things broke down I have to replaced alternator, air blower, power window motor, battery twice, front and rear brake twice and expecting another power window motor. I will not buy a BMW any more.
Favorite Features
External, internal layout.
Suggested Improvements
Need more cup holders, head light relay, improve build quality and reliability.
Bye-Bye BMW
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 3 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 5 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 2 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 330xi AWD 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
The romance is over. I wanted a BMW all my life and bought mine brand new in 2002. Everything was good until a year after warranty expired. All at once: worn front axle assemblies with leaking CV boots, broken rear springs, broken thermostat unit and an extremely annoying squeaking steering wheel. Car had 58k miles on it. Sent a letter to BMW North America asking "why?". CS rep calls me and says "these are just normal wear and tear items - what do you want us to do about it?". Drove Honda Civic for 10 years on same CT roads - no problems at all. On my way to trade this jalopy in before it falls apart on me again.
Favorite Features
Right now, nothing.
Suggested Improvements
Build a car where springs and thermostats (etc.) don't "just wear down". Please.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
Get ready for hefty repair bills
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 4 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I purchased this vehicle as a Certified Pre-Owned. Under warranty I had a broken brake caliper and right front window motor replaced. Largest out of pocket expenses are the brake jobs costing $450 or more for either front or rear. Now I'm having a problem with the interior fan blower motor so back to the dealer before my extended warranty runs out in July. The car has truly spectacular handling, but the repair and maintenance costs are the highest of any vehicle I've owned. I will think twice before buying another BMW.
Favorite Features
Handling and corning ability, interior trim, exterior and interior styling.
Suggested Improvements
BMW says they test their vehicles in extreme environments, but after reading about all the complaints and experiencing first hand the problems, I have to wonder where all that money goes.
2 out 2 people found this review helpful
A Dream Car... But Not Very Practical
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
My wife and I love the way this car looks and performs so much that we overlook several complaints we have. It's beautiful and handles like a racecar! That being said, the upkeep on a BMW can be crippling. Whatever a part costs for a regular car, double (if not triple) that on a BMW. The trunk & backseat are smaller and not very helpful when we take our 2 children places in it. The stereo is incredibly weak and muddled for a car of this caliber. The door unlock button is right by the poorly placed cupholder making it likey to be the victim of a short after a spill (ours did). Still, the car is a blast to drive and turns heads! Not great for families, but still too much fun to get rid of.
Favorite Features
Visual appeal, power, smooth ride, quiet ride, amenities.
Suggested Improvements
Desperate for a better sound system, redesign/relocate cupholder setup, needs larger trunk, improve (i.e. lower) maintenance costs.
9 out 9 people found this review helpful
Ultimate driving machine is no joke
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 9 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 9 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan (3.0L 6cyl 5M)
Review
Feel very safe in this car. Impeccable handling, great power, and fabulous brakes turn otherwise scary experiences into just gee whiz moments. No fat. No wasted space. Every control feels exactly like you want it to feel and works the way to want it to work. Totally neutral handling at every speed makes you king of the road in the turns. Park it next to a new Mustang, for example, and you will be amazed at how small it is in comparison although it has more room inside. Tight turning radius makes maneuvering in small spaces a breeze. Cars like this just show how far the others have to go. Reliability has been very good with this and my former 2001 330i. Total mileage driven, about 60K.
Favorite Features
Overall performance and balance. No mods. needed. Have had this car on the race track several times and it is always composed, completely controllable, and neutral handling at high speeds even with 3 other passengers. Blows by cars with much more power as superior handling and braking take over.
Suggested Improvements
On line access to your dealer, parts dept. and service history would be nice.
1 out 1 people found this review helpful
One of the best cars in the market!
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
The car drives just fine, very quiet and fun to drive, very good gas mileage, corners very well, excellent acceleration, very well designed in and out!! Maintaning the car is an issue with the unlogical prices and labor charges dealer will charge just because it is BMW! You really pay for the name and not the part/labor! Very frustrating.
Favorite Features
Engine! Handling.
Suggested Improvements
More horse power and torque!!!
Good car but too many repairs
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 7 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 8 | Reliability: | 5 |
| Fuel Economy: | 8 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 BMW 3 Series 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan (2.5L 6cyl 5M)
Review
I bought my car in April and I love the way it drives, for a 2.5 it's peppy. I had to replace ball joints and bushings $800. Also had a failed right front suspension spring. $200 fix. The car runs smooth but too many little repairs. Very fun to drive and will recommend purchase with warranty.
Favorite Features
Steptronic transmission. Traction control and stability. Xenon head lights, feature where you can't roll backwards on a hill.
Suggested Improvements
Front end suspension. More HP. Better engineering and a longer warranty.
5 out 6 people found this review helpful
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