Overview & Reviews
BMW has seen fit to give the sedans and wagons a facelift for 2002. An in-dash CD player finally makes it onto the standard features list. The center stack has been altered to accommodate the new automatic climate controls. Steptronic automanual operation has been altered so that you move the transmission lever forward for downshifts and backward for upshifts. Bi-xenon headlamps are on the options list so that both low and high beams can glow a cold blue and can be set to automatic operation. Rear side airbags are available for coupes and convertibles. Two new colors, Electric Red and Gray Green (and a Natural Brown interior leather) join the color spectrum.
- Luxurious, powerful, exceptional road manners, available all-wheel drive for sedan and wagon.
- Pricey for their market segment, limited rear-seat space and cargo capacity.
User Reviews:
Showing 11 through 20 of 334.00-
2002 325xi : 4 month review - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By kjk - October 20 - 10:00 am2002 325xi : 4 month review
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Mixed feelings - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By Wheels - September 20 - 8:12 amBought 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 (62", 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. Drivers window motor is almost shot. Taillight ground problem. Bad battery. Window trim fell off. None of these are catastrophic, but Ive driven many other cars for many more miles before these types of problems arose. I wont buy another one, though the positives make it tempting.
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Not reliable - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By BM - May 3 - 9:29 amI bought this car in 2002 because I test drove a friends car and I loved it. Its 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.
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Get ready for hefty repair bills - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By Swooze - March 18 - 3:31 pmI 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 Im 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 Ive owned. I will think twice before buying another BMW.
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A Dream Car... But Not Very Practical - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By Emiroo - March 14 - 3:39 pmMy wife and I love the way this car looks and performs so much that we overlook several complaints we have. Its 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.
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One of the best cars in the market! - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By Moawieh Abuhatoum - December 6 - 8:57 pmThe 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.
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Good car but too many repairs - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By slick - August 7 - 11:47 amI bought my car in April and I love the way it drives, for a 2.5 its 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.
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First 8 months - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By Aaron - August 7 - 12:33 amI drove a 99 Ford Contour SVT before the 325i, and I am so satisfied that I bought a rear-wheel drive car. Ive had two problems when I first bought it. The alternator and reverse-activated rear-view mirror were replaced free of charge, but considering that my last car was about to die on me, they were minor inconveniences. The 190 or so hp (BMW says 184, I dont think so) is used to its fullest extent and doesnt struggle, but if you can afford the near 4-5 grand premium over the 325i for the 330i, get the 330i. The tires are wearing even and the steering, is, Im lost for words. Its awesome. I will have an update around the 14-16 month period.
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Keep cool BABEE - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By Chris Rex - June 20 - 5:20 amBeautiful drive & design... watch out for over heating problems..in3x for such and now AC does not cool properly.
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Disappointing 325xi - 2002 BMW 3-Series
By T Nguyen - February 20 - 7:14 amI bought it new in 2002. Since then, had to bring it back to the dealer for replacing (4) window operators. Alternator defect found after the 2nd year. After 5 years - just magically right after warranty expired! - rear window molding is peeled off (found to be attached to the car body via "stick-on" glue! - is this really German engineering?) and whenever it rains water is found puddling up in all footwells. The dealer tried to fix door seals 4 times, but water/moisture still infiltrate. Hint for other bmw owners: If your car windshield is fogging up after rainy weather, check under the floor mat! One more problem: power connector for the front seat operator is a cheap clip-on!! BMW value engineering is so disappointing!
