1991 BMW 3 Series

Sold as 318i, 318is, 325i, 325is, 325iX

This page is a draft. It has not been approved yet, so read it with care.

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What changed

The 318i returns, and the 318is arrives, both with the M42 four-cylinder. The last US E30s are built.¹

Badges

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Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Rust All years Walk away if found One source so far

What to check: Look over the body and underneath for rust before anything else.

BMWBlog calls rust a huge problem on these cars and says repairs are hard and costly, so it advises avoiding cars with major rust.

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Timing belt or chain due All years One source so far

What to check: Ask when the timing belt or chain was last changed, and plan to change it soon if there is no record.

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Broken odometer All years One source so far

What to check: Watch the odometer move on the test drive.

BMWBlog says the odometers are very prone to breaking, so the miles shown may be wrong.

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Cracked dashboard All years One source so far

What to check: Look over the top of the dash.

BMWBlog says most dashes are cracked, and replacements are hard to fit and costly.

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Tired paint All years One source so far

What to check: Look for oxidised or faded paint, dents and scratches.

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Worn bushings All years One source so far

What to check: Ask whether the suspension bushings have been replaced, the rear subframe bushings above all.

In an owner forum thread on E30 trouble spots, one poster advises that the rear subframe bushings be new or in great shape because the job takes so much labour.

Sources ⁵

91V054000 1991
The driver's knee bolster may have been fitted wrongly, stopping the steering column from moving forward in a frontal crash and raising the risk of chest injury.⁶

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: The 325i and its 2.5-liter six All years

BMWBlog calls the 325i's engine the most sought after in the E30 range besides the M3, and super bulletproof. In an owner forum thread comparing the two sixes, three posters pick the 325i, one for its plastic bumpers, while one picks the 325e for daily driving and its fuel economy. Owners there report M20 sixes at 175,000, 178,000 and 195,000 miles.^2,7
Sought after: The 325iX for winter All years One source so far

BMWBlog calls the 325iX a great choice for anyone who plans to drive in winter weather.²
Avoid: The 325e, if you want a sporty E30 All years Less sought after

BMWBlog says the 325e's low-revving engine, built for economy, is not very enthusiast focused, and it sells for less than the 318i and 318is. In an owner forum thread, a 325iX owner says the 325e is not all that bad for daily use and feels torquier in traffic.^2,7
Avoid: The four-speed automatic All years Less sought after One source so far

BMWBlog would not recommend buying one with the automatic, calling it very old and slow.²

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.