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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 191 of 536

#1895 of 5349 1992 325iC Check Engine Light by grega53

May 21, 2005 (1:22 pm)

I'm looking to buy an absolutely beautiful 1992 325i Convertible as a third car to supplement the family when my daughter starts work. This car has 95,000 miles on it, but runs great. A friend, who is a big BMW fan, drove it and says it's great, but too expensive ($9,000). That aside, when I went to drive it for the second time,the dealer told me the Check Engine light was on and would have to be reset. He stated that "this happens when they sit for a while", and not to worry. The car started and ran great, but this Check Engine Light is a new one on me? Is he totally full of baloney?
 
Thanks.

#1896 of 5349 Re: 1992 325iC Check Engine Light [grega53] by kyfdx HOST

May 21, 2005 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: grega53 (May 21, 2005 1:22 pm)
Find another car... Your friend was right.. $9K is way too much for an E30 convertible..
 
If you really want a BMW convertible, move on up to an E36 '95-'96 vert.. For somewhere between $9500-$12K, you should be able to find a decent one.. Or at least in better shape than that '93.
 
While I love the E30 coupes, the verts were not so good... You'll be much better off in the next model up...
 
regards,
kyfdx

#1897 of 5349 grega53 by div2

May 21, 2005 (9:25 pm)

I've never been a big fan of drop-tops, since I can't take 'em on the track. That said, just letting the car sit won't cause the CEL to illuminate. The dealer sounds like a practiced liar and since-as kyfdx correctly noted-$9k is way too much coin for a cab of that vintage. Keep looking; ther are much better cars and deals out there.

#1898 of 5349 devenj by div2

May 21, 2005 (10:19 pm)

"BMW's 3-series are so full of problems"
You can say that again; my 1995 E36 has 96000 miles on it and sees the track or an auto-x course 2-3 times per year. Unscheduled maintenance has consisted of one set of front pads, a timing chain tensioner, and new serpentine belts and idler pulleys(the tensioner and belts were replaced as a precaution and the cost was under $125). Maintenance and repair costs(including three sets of 225/50-ZR16 tires) averages about $35/month. I just don't know why I've driven BMWs for 22 years; they're just so unreliable. Case in point-my wife's 121000 mile 1997 528iA. It still uses no oil and returns 27 mpg at an average speed of 80 mph. In the past three years all it has needed is regular maintenance, a windshield washer pump($31), a fuel filler door hinge($13), $20 worth of bulbs and a new set of pads($150). BTW, today we took it on a 220 mile interstate jaunt. It's still tight and rattle free; probably more so than many domestic sedans with 1200 miles.

#1899 of 5349 1996 Convertible top questions by barneyea

May 22, 2005 (8:57 am)

My daughter just purchased a 3 series convertible and the power top does not work. The previous owner said they were expensive to fix and he just opened it manually.
 
Where can I get a schemation for the top and other information?
 
Where would you start looking?

#1900 of 5349 Gas Milage on 325 XiT by armand

May 22, 2005 (10:08 am)

I have a new '05 325 XiT with under 1000 miles on it and so far the gas mileage has been very poor even recognizing it is still breaking in. Mixed suburban and open road (about 40/60) is giving me about 17 mpg. I assume it will get better but how much? My '04 Acura TL that weighs about the same gets (and did even when breaking in) about 5 mpg better.

#1901 of 5349 Problems with clearcoat by jimm718

May 23, 2005 (5:03 am)

I have a silver 1999 323i. There is about a 6"x 9" patch on the left rear quarter, behind the wheel, where the clearcoat has peeled away. The underlying paint is fine, it's just the clearcoat.
 
Anyone else experience this problem?
 
Also, I have about 93,000 miles on the car. I love it but I'm worried about future maintenance. What kind of things should I be worrying about, other than the usual - brakes and tires?

#1902 of 5349 Re: thx [lenunbiased] stinky ac issue by kasperghost

May 24, 2005 (11:49 am)

Replying to: lenunbiased (May 19, 2005 4:07 pm)
Mold- When you turn off the A/C, the temp. difference w/ the outside causes condensation in the ventilation system kindof like a soda (beer- sorry) on a hot day. Cure might be as easy as spraying disinfectant (mold killer) in the vents- slim chance. I have seen it work though. Long term cure is turning off AC 2-3 minutes before you get to point b. You will feel a rush of humid air that is condensing after a minute or two that would of been the air freshener you currently enjoy.

#1903 of 5349 Re: 325xi Shifting [jaj] by bmwphd

May 24, 2005 (12:44 pm)

Replying to: jaj (Mar 23, 2005 8:28 pm)
Hi Jaj,
 
I have also experienced problems with the 5-speed on a 325i; the worst thump occurs if I disengage the clutch slowly when shifting out of 1st gear. From the messages posted on this forum we are not the only ones. Apparently BMW of NA has issued a service bulletin; I am trying to find it. I think the service shop has to install a rubber dampener somewhere on the driveline. I'll take my car to the dealership to have them look at it.
 
Let me know if you find anything in the meantime.
 
Iulian

#1904 of 5349 Re: Crooked drivers seat/gas pedal adjustment in 330xi? [jntownes] by r_l_edison

May 26, 2005 (11:54 am)

Replying to: jntownes (Mar 04, 2005 12:43 pm)
Did you ask the dealership about it? I was awaiting a response from the Service Manager and never got one. I've continued to fidget with the adjustments on mine since then with the hopes that the seat will eventually "break-in" to a comfortable position with time...it's gotten slightly better, but a simple move over to the passenger seat makes it very obvious that the driver's seat cushion just doesn't tilt down as much at the front edge, and isn't centered squarely behind the steering wheel...very disappointing since this severely limits the enjoyment of what is suppose to be a "driver's" car Instead of looking forward to driving my 330xi, I instead look for any excuse to take my Boxster instead, which has a fantastic driving position and ergonomics.

Messages Page 191 of 536

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