Ask the Car People.SM


BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

30250 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

Messages Page 3019 of 3026

#30179 of 30250 Re: 1997 BMW 328i [spb3] by roadburner

Aug 13, 2010 (8:31 pm)

Replying to: spb3 (Aug 13, 2010 7:32 pm)
I don't believe your car has an oil level sensor. The Check Engine light is almost certainly indicating a problem in the emissions system of the car. It could be something as simple as a loose fuel cap. If you take your car to Autozone they will read the codes for free. If you do that let me know what codes were triggered and I can give you a better idea of what the problem could be.

#30180 of 30250 1997 BMW 328i by spb3

Aug 14, 2010 (4:03 pm)

How many miles can I expect to get out of a 1997 BMW 328i with 160,000 miles in mint condition running great and a service the vehicle on a regular basis.

#30181 of 30250 Re: 1997 BMW 328i [spb3] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 14, 2010 (5:20 pm)

Replying to: spb3 (Aug 14, 2010 4:03 pm)
Completely unpredictable IMO at that mileage. Statistically (you know, like the average human lifespan), for modern cars it's about 175K. Some live older, some drop dead on the way to work.
 
Might be an okay buy if you don't pay too much--no more than you can afford to lose in an afternoon. Maybe $2500 to $3000 tops?
 
The problem with high mileage German used cars is that they aren't cheap to fix, unless you have all those skills and tools. So you end up putting so much money into it that you'd have been better off buying a newer car with fewer miles in the long run.
 
 Good luck.
 
Visiting Host

#30183 of 30250 Re: 1997 BMW 328i [spb3] by roadburner

Aug 14, 2010 (9:24 pm)

Replying to: spb3 (Aug 14, 2010 4:03 pm)
With a stick I'd say 200,000-250,000 miles easy. Perform an oil change every 7,500 miles(Mobil 1 0W-40 or 5W-40 and BMW filter), fresh BMW brand coolant every 2-3 years, transmission and diff oil every 50K, and brake fluid(DOT4) every two years. The 1997 328i had most of the bugs worked out by then; there might be some issues with the heating/air conditioning control panels, but instructions for inexpensively fixing them are available online. Some suspension bushings will also need attention, but the parts and labor shouldn't be too bad. I have 121,000 miles on my 1995 318ti and all I've needed to replace were the brakes, a brake light switch(a whole $15 at the dealer!), the engine drive belts and idler pulleys, and a thermostat. That's it. It looks and runs at least as good as new- as you can see here.

#30184 of 30250 roadburner by nyccarguy

Aug 15, 2010 (7:40 pm)

I never knew you did your own long term write up on your clubsport. I've never seen pics of it either (after all these years). You car looks INCREDIBLE! It is beyond cool. Great write up too (I'd expect nothing less).
 
All of the comments are great too. That one guy has 300K on his! WOW!

#30185 of 30250 Re: roadburner [nyccarguy] by roadburner

Aug 16, 2010 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: nyccarguy (Aug 15, 2010 7:40 pm)
Thanks. Yep, those M42 motors seem to run forever...

#30186 of 30250 Re: roadburner [roadburner] by fedlawman

Aug 17, 2010 (7:56 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Aug 16, 2010 9:31 pm)
I wanna see...
 
Can you send me a link?

#30187 of 30250 Re: roadburner [fedlawman] by roadburner

Aug 17, 2010 (3:17 pm)

Replying to: fedlawman (Aug 17, 2010 7:56 am)
Here you go!

#30188 of 30250 Re: roadburner [roadburner] by fedlawman

Aug 17, 2010 (5:38 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Aug 17, 2010 3:17 pm)
Thanks. Great write up and pictures of a special car!

Messages Page 3019 of 3026

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement