Model year guide

1989 BMW 325I

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1989 BMW 325I is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

1989 BMW 325I — representative photo
Representative photo

1989 BMW 325I at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints8
Combined18 mpg

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

1989 BMW 325I recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1989 BMW 325I.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. 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.

1989 BMW 325I common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.

1989 BMW 325I MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway21 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,700
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume81 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,500 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 6 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 1989 BMW 325I costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,500
Fuel only$18,500
Per mile$0.25

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.

Dimensions & weight

Length
176.8 in
Width
65.0 in
Height
54.3 in
Wheelbase
101.2 in
Curb weight
2,895 lb
Front track
55.1 in
Rear track
54.7 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1989 BMW 325I. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 1

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.

The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

Bulletin B510819 · Electrical System, Visibility · Jan 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the 325I. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the BMW 325I

The BMW 3 series is a line of compact executive cars manufactured by the German automaker BMW since May 1975. It is the successor to the 02 series and has been produced in eight generations.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1989 BMW 325I vehicles on record

1989 BMW 325I 1989 BMW 325IWBAAG51010EA45138 1989 BMW 325I 1989 BMW 325IWBAAB110X0AA00827

Other BMW 325I model years

2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1988 1987 1986 1985

1989 BMW 325I — frequently asked questions

Does the 1989 BMW 325I have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1989 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 done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1989 BMW 325I?

Across all 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel system, gasoline, engine and engine cooling.

What gas mileage does the 1989 BMW 325I get?

The 1989 BMW 325I has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (16 city / 21 highway).

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