Bmw 318/325

[poolshark5226]

Hey people
I have been seriously considering purchasing either a '94/'95 BMW 318 or a 93'/'94 325. The car would be standard, and probably a 4 door. What I want to know is, how good are these cars? Will it be reliable, fun to drive, etc?
This would be my first car that I've actually owned. I've been driving for 5 months now, but have been using my mom's and grandfather's cars. By the time I would be buying the Bimmer I will have been driving for about 8 months. If you have any decent input, please let me know. Thanks in advance.

edit: also, what about '94 525's?

[Will Wood]

Mom has a 325.
It performs great, there's no doubt of it.
It has huge trunk space.
Seats are comfy.

The interior design sucks. Worst in any car Iv'e been in.
The sunvisors are flimsy and don't work well to block the sun.
The cup holders are even more flimsy, and right next to the central console. Put a drink in the holder, you can't adjust heat/AC, radio, CDs, etc without a drink in your way.
The small things about them suck, but they are great cars and get good milage.

[Steelrat]

You would not believe how expensive maintenance is on those things.

[Jet-Xino]

www.bimmerforums.com check the e36 section for 3 series 1991-1999.

[poolshark5226]

also, what about '94 525's?

[MarkM]

also, what about '94 525's?

Under powered, for a 5 series you should look for 530's up, the 530i if you can find one is a great compromise (didn't make that many of them) although the 535i which is much faster and the power to wieght ratio is way better. Gas milage is going to be worse than a 3 series due to both the larger engine and bigger body. For a first car you are nuts due to the servicing and insurrance, the 3 series is going to be high enough but a 5 will be rediculous. The other thing that is actually good about 5 series cars is that you could drive say 10 all with the same engine/equipment spec and they will (unless there is a serious defect) all perform the same, take 10 3 series of the same spec and they will all perform differently, even to look at they will all sit a different heights. So in short you can actually buy 5 series cars blind but you have to drive the 3 series to decide. Though in fairness you should always drive any car you intend to buy but just letting you know what you could be letting yourself in for.