Model year guide

1993 BMW 325i

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1993 BMW 325i is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 1 on record.

1993 BMW 325i — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

1993 BMW 325i at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints55
Combined18–20 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1993 BMW 325i recalls 3

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #96V111000 · 01/07/1996

THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.

Vehicle Speed Control NHTSA Campaign #97V131000 · 19/08/1997

THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES COUPLED WITH VIBRATION. IF THE BUSHING BREAKS, THE OUTER CABLE HOUSING CAN SEPARATE FROM THE BUSHING. IN THIS CASE, DURING APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE PEDAL WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL BEING ENGAGED, …

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE FROM DISLODGING FROM THE BUSHING.

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System NHTSA Campaign #98V178000 · 04/08/1998

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1993 BMW 325i common problems

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

1993 BMW 325i MPG & running costs

Combined18–20 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,967
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume86 cu ft
Cargo volume10 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,833 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1993 BMW 325i costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,835
Fuel only$19,835
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

1993 BMW 325i trims & engines on record

Engines
2.5L 6-cyl 188 hp

1993 BMW 325i vehicles on record

Other BMW 325i model years

1993 BMW 325i — frequently asked questions

Does the 1993 BMW 325i have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 1993 BMW 325i. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 1993 BMW 325i?

Owners have filed 55 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are structure, engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting.

What gas mileage does the 1993 BMW 325i get?

The 1993 BMW 325i has U.S. EPA estimates of 18–20 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (3 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.