Overview & Reviews

A boost in engine displacement and technology, plus an available all-wheel-drive system keeps BMW's venerable 3 Series at the top of its game in the competitive entry-level luxury market. Larger wheels and brakes are part of the engine upgrade. Two-stage front airbags, reduced steering effort, a Cold Weather package and Dynamic Brake Control round out the major changes for 2001.

• Luxurious, powerful, exceptional road manners, available all-wheel drive for sedan and wagon.

• Pricey for their market segment, limited cargo capacity.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 243.00

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  German Junk - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By Joe - August 31 - 4:35 pm

  What a piece of junk! I couldnt get to town and back (10 miles) without having to work on it. Water kept disappearing from the radiator, Leaked oil, head lamps kept going out. Replaced the whole cooing system and sold it. New owner didnt even make it home and had cooling problems. He tells me the head gasket is blown although it had no water in oil or oil in water? Ran smooth and engine made good power. The car is over engineered. Why use a complemented cooing system with the crazy O rings when a hose and clamp work fine? Easy to see why Germany lost WW2. I will never own another.

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  Do Not Buy This Car!!!!!!!! - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By kdub12 - November 8 - 7:02 pm

  Yes, I bought this car and ALL The Drama That Comes With It. This is the Worst BMW I have ever owned, and I have owned 4 others throughout the years. Sadly, I could not recommend any current BMW based on this one, as unfair as that may be. I bought this less than 1 year ago and 4 mos later, started dumping in money. The check engine light comes on about every 1-2 months. I have had to replace all 4 oxygen sensors to the tune of $800+, new trans. cause the reverse went out (inherent problem whether 27 or 150,000mi. I found out. All new tires, for various reasons, now needs an air flow sensor, hopefully all.

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  Problems consistently - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By moras - October 31 - 9:49 am

  The front plate of the BMW was damaged with the outside temperature sensor after 3 months. BMW refused to replace on warranty. The generator failed, the bolts on the underpart of the car were replaced at a cost of $250 within 3 years and no warranty. Note I had the extended warranty purchase for 3 years. Generator replaced after 5 years. Oil leaks valve gasket cover replaced by dealer yet the oil leaks are from the hoses and oil filter area which was not replaced. Total amount spent is 5K which I have not spent with an American car driven to 170M miles.

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  I Wanted to Like but... - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By butterflyp - August 8 - 3:44 pm

  I would not recommend buying this car unless you have a warranty and an extra car. I have had this car 4 years and spent over $8k on repairs. Window regulators, water pump which took out the idler, drive belt, alternator and power steering, many gaskets. Covers for the side view mirror blew off while driving and the other detached itself somehow. Drivers side door leaks. Headliner is loose. The leather around the passenger door speakers is coming loose. The ac stopped blowing air shortly after the driver side window stopped working. Twice Ive had a major stall in the fast lane on the frwy AND as if the car was finally ashamed if what is , the BMW emblem on the hood fell off!!

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  WASTE OF MONEY - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED - September 9 - 10:00 am

  This is the second convertible BMW that I purchased. The first was a 2000 323CI, it was sluggish and had mechanical problems.I traded the car for the new improved 2001 330ci, this car is a nightmare. The car is sluggish - you have to slam on the gas to get the car to move, the doors do not shut properly and are hard to open; latch seems to get stuck. The top does not go down completely, the seat belts leave grease marks and are wearing the leather on the side of the seat. There is a rattle that no one can seem to fix. The rollover mechanism had to be replaced and the list goes. Good luck in getting someone from BMW to call you back.

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  Driving a LEMON - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By K Vu - May 4 - 2:00 am

  Biggest lemon I ever bought! My 1st new car a 325I, thought it was a dream. But the dream didnt last long at all! After 4 mo., bout 4000 mi. it became the "CAR FROM HELL". Psgr wind. got stuck, then driver, then rear psgr. To make the matters worse pass. wind. started leaking from rain after repair for sticking. I heard of car pool, but this is ridiculous. To top it all off my dr. side wind. is leaking too, after repair for sticking. Still leaks after 9 repairs. Now waiting for response for Lemon Law Case from BMW attorneys. Theyll try to fight it but dont give in! If you have this car you def. have a case against them & will WIN!

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  Unhappy BMW Owner - 2001 BMW 3-Series
  By unhappy_owner - April 21 - 2:00 am

  We were always at service having it repaired. The following items broke on it before it got to 30000 miles. 3 window motors (each separately), Door Panel fell off, FM Radio broke, Air Conditioner Broke, Sunroof broke Vista BMW was the worst dealership to deal with. We are trying to end our lease now with 6000 miles under contract and they never disclosed a $350 disposition fee which they now say we have to pay just to give them back the car. We were never told about this fee and were rushed to sign the contract back in 2001. We wasted 7 different trips to service to fix problems with the car. Never buy a BMW! especially from Vista BMW.