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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

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

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What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 271 of 535

#2699 of 5349 Re: BMW Reliability [bluehens93] by div2

Mar 15, 2006 (8:56 pm)

Replying to: bluehens93 (Mar 15, 2006 3:07 pm)
What yr is your 3er?
 
It is a 1995 318ti Club Sport; I'm the original owner. At 10 years, four months, and 101,000 miles my ti has needed the following non-scheduled maintenance:
O2 sensor(recall)
both fuel sending units(warranty)
alarm module(warranty)
1 set of front brake pads
2 serpentine belts(replaced as a precaution)
2 idler pulleys
1 timing chain tensioner(replaced as a precaution)
3 sets of W or Z rated tires
1 battery(replaced at ten years, one month)
4 sets of wiper blades
5 exterior bulbs
The car has seen more than a few drivers schools and autocrosses and is driven in every kind of weather except ice and snow. It's a rare drive when I don't wind it to the redline at least three or more times. No other car I've owned comes close to the reliability of my Club Sport.

#2700 of 5349 wow by dhanley

Mar 16, 2006 (9:10 am)

I must the the luckiest BMW owner around.
 
I have a '97 328i with 112K miles. I've replaced 1 set of rotors all around, 2 sets of pads, shocks/struts/control arms/ball joints ( and frankly, i think my mechanic was being "very proactive" with the preceding slashed set ), the temperature control unit(warranty), 3 sets of tires, one thermostat, one brake bulb, and that's all i can think of. I will need new summer & winter tires soon, and i wouldn't be surprised if the stock clutch&battery ought to be replaced soon.
 
I have a lot of dings, i park in a lot now and there's several suv drivers, but until recently, it looked pristine inside & out.
 
I've had a few wretched cars in my life, so perhaps my karma is balancing out.
 
dave

#2701 of 5349 Re: wow [dhanley] by kominsky

Mar 16, 2006 (12:36 pm)

Replying to: dhanley (Mar 16, 2006 9:10 am)
'01 330Ci - 96K miles
 
Covered by warranty - blown sub-woofer, xenon igniter, left control-arm/tie-rod assembly, and a couple rattles.
 
Not covered - right control-arm/tie-rod assembly, a couple of turn-signal bulbs and more sets of tires than I care to count.

#2702 of 5349 comprehensive list of items at 60K? by sunilb

Mar 17, 2006 (12:08 pm)

Does anyone have a comprehensive list of items to be taken care of around 60K? The owner's manual ('01 330i) only lists: oil change, microfilter, air filter. I've done these on my own.
 
As I have 64K on the car, I queried a local shop about doing the water pump, thermostat and serpentine belt; and the mechanic recommended the following addt'l items:
 
- fuel filter
- differential fluid
- spark plugs (they can go 100K, but this guy is recommending it every 60K)
 
How does this list look?
Too much, or too little? (he said to wait on the tranny fluid until 90K, unless it feels like it needs it).
 
Thanks!

#2703 of 5349 Comprehensive list of items at 60k by choco325

Mar 17, 2006 (12:53 pm)

Im not sure about 60k but when you get close to 70k or so make sure that you check your water pump bearing play. I have had three BMWs (1984 318i, 1991 325, and currently own a 1994 325is with 92,000 miles.) I generally replace most parts myself because I used to be a mechanic. Each of my cars required by 85,000-90,000 a water pump, radiator,thermostat,belt and sometimes idler pulley.I had usually had replaced the rotors and brakes by then. But if the water pump bearing has ANY PLAY IT WILL SHATTER THE FAN BLADES. IF THIS HAPPENS AND THE ONLY THING DAMAGED IS THE FAN YOU ARE VERY LUCKY. GET THE WATER PUMP CHANGED !!!! This is a problem all three series I have had experienced. Bimmer Magazine had an article on the matter in a June 2004 issue, because of the high revs these engines achieve it can be disasterous in certain circumstances damaging the hood, radiator,mass air sensor housings ect.Other than that the only other thing that I replaced by the same mileage was the exhaust because I live in philly & I believe the snow & salt damage them. I usually replace these items with after market high performance parts (except the fuel or water pumps I get from the dealers) Other than that these are the best performing cars I have ever driven.....I would always get another.

#2704 of 5349 2006 325i Transmission Slipping by njwolf1

Mar 17, 2006 (8:29 pm)

I am on the market to buy either a 325i or a 330i. As I was testing the acceleration of a BMW dealer's 2006 325i demo, the car's transmission consistently slipped at 4500 rpm. As the sales person could not explain why this brand new car with 9 miles on the odometer was experiencing the transmission problems, he posed the question to his manager. The manager explained that the car had not been prepped yet. He explained that the manufacturer ships the cars this way to prevent dock workers at the ports from racing the cars. This explanation seems awfully odd. Does anyone have a similar experience or can someone validate this explanation?

#2705 of 5349 Re: 2006 325i Transmission Slipping [njwolf1] by bdr127

Mar 18, 2006 (8:05 am)

Replying to: njwolf1 (Mar 17, 2006 8:29 pm)
The manager explained that the car had not been prepped yet. He explained that the manufacturer ships the cars this way to prevent dock workers at the ports from racing the cars. This explanation seems awfully odd. Does anyone have a similar experience or can someone validate this explanation?
 
If the car had, in fact, not yet been PDI'd (Pre-Delivery Inspection) then the manager was correct that it would definitely not run to full potential. Whether the car really had/hadn't gotten PDI'd is the next question... Sounds like perhaps it hadn't, though.
 
Not only does the engine not run at full capacity, but Bluetooth/BMW Assist and other accessory-type things do not work. They also ship with blocks inside the suspension so the cars are firmed up and don't bounce around during the voyage. BMWs need more before they're ready to drive than just taking out the plastic seat covers and filling them with gas.

#2706 of 5349 Z3 COUPE REPAIR COSTS by rex01z3coupe

Mar 18, 2006 (10:54 am)

I have a 2001 Z3 Coupe with 61K just went through inspection II at the dealership. There were a number of things wrong, Coolant leaking hose, P/S Hose leaking, belts cracked, passenger window regulator going out, windshield washer pump bad, breaks front & rear recommend replace pads, roters, sensors...all for the grand total of $3500.00! This just seems crazy all of these things are wrong. I paid the barest minimum $750.00 to get out of the dealership. I would like a second opinion. Where should I take my car in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area to keep from getting rooked out in the auto repair world?

#2707 of 5349 1999 318ti Sport by fwalsh

Mar 18, 2006 (1:18 pm)

I own a 1999 318ti Sport, 60K miles. Love the car but not the maintenance. I am currently having an engine symptom for the second time. The problem is a knocking noise coming from the engine. If it is the same problem again, it is a rod bearing problem. Does anyone know of any Technical Service Bulletins or any other semi-admission of a problem by BMW of this defect within the 318 series.

#2708 of 5349 Re: Sidewall Damage [shipo] by kurtamaxxxguy

Mar 18, 2006 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Mar 08, 2006 8:06 am)
That big glass opening isn't much help in S.Calif either, for when we get rainstorms, there is so much spray and fog from other vehicles (many driving over the speed limit, especially Merceders and Bimmers!) that it's impossible to see potholes which erupt in the roads during these times.
 
Do those lo-profile tires make __that__ much difference in everyday handling and driving pleasure to justify replacing them _and_ the wheel because of these unseen hazards?
 
BTW, our company prez owns the V-10 Bimmer and races on weekends. He can __afford_ those lo_pros!

Messages Page 271 of 535

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