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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 295 of 536

#2936 of 5349 Re: 1995 318ic convertible Should I buy [jimbo409] by div2

Jul 09, 2006 (8:59 am)

Replying to: jimbo409 (Jul 09, 2006 7:59 am)
am considering buying a 318ic convt with 50,000 miles from original owner. He wants 8500.00 firm, do you think this car is worth it.
 
Sounds high.
 
Also what maintenance will it need right away.
 
A BMW of that vintage requires an oil change at 7500 miles, a minor service every 15000 and a major service every 30000. These numbers are approximate since the car calculates the exact interval based on driving conditions. Brake fluid is changed every two years and coolant every three years. You must use the fluids specified by BMW(no Walmart coolant or brake fluid, please!). As always, I would strongly advise that you have the car thoroughly checked out by a mechanic who knows BMWs.
 
He also says it has tan Leatherette interior what is this.
 
Leatherette is the BMW name for vinyl. It really doesn't look bad and it's probably a better choice than leather for an open car.

#2937 of 5349 Re: 1995 318ic convertible Should I buy [Mr_Shiftright] by div2

Jul 09, 2006 (9:07 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 09, 2006 8:30 am)
You might want to check when the timing belt is due on that car. I think it's at 60K??
 
The M42 engine has a timing chain. As a matter of fact all BMW four cylinders sold in the US used timing chains. The only US-spec BMW engine that used a belt-the M20 "small" six-was replaced by the M50 in 1991/1992.

#2938 of 5349 Re: 1995 318ic convertible Should I buy [div2] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 09, 2006 (5:05 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Jul 09, 2006 9:07 am)
gotcha. I do remember the belts breaking on older 325s so that's why I thought of that.
 
Okay then all he has coming up is a 30,000 mile interval service I guess....

#2939 of 5349 Re:330i 2005 18k by superdog

Jul 09, 2006 (5:58 pm)

Can someone shed some light on what happen..
 
I was driving.. all of the sudden, I feel the car get sluggish.. when I take my foot off the gas.. a sudden decrease in speed (abnormally). I thought the tranny was out of gear or something.. I was on the highway.. after another 1/2 mile.. I felt the steering wheel/car started to feel like it had a flat(tires were all fine). Steering wheel started to shake. I pulled over and there was a serious burning smell coming from the front left tire/brake area. I'm having the car towed into the dealer tmro.. but if anyone can shed some light before I go in.. I'd be grateful!
 
 Thanks

#2940 of 5349 Re: 1995 318ic convertible Should I buy [Mr_Shiftright] by div2

Jul 09, 2006 (6:29 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 09, 2006 5:05 pm)
Useless Bimmer Trivia: The M40 four cylinder(which was never offered over here) also used a timing belt.
In any event, it doesn't hurt to replace the timing chain tensioner at 100K on the M44/42 motors; the part costs less than $50 and takes all of about 15 minutes to install.

#2941 of 5349 Re:330i 2005 18k [superdog] by div2

Jul 09, 2006 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: superdog (Jul 09, 2006 5:58 pm)
It sounds like a stuck LF brake caliper or(less likely) the LF wheel bearing.

#2942 of 5349 Re: HEAD REST [me21379] by sgfryer

Jul 10, 2006 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: me21379 (May 30, 2006 9:27 pm)
I have the same problem as you. The headrests are far to forward on the 2006 3-series. I have never owned or been in a car with such uncomfortable headrests. Did you find a solution? Did BMW provide any assistance? I was thinking that one could change them with an older model headrest or just use the headrests that they use on the 5 or 7 series, if they are interchangeable. Their other models seem to be fine. I would be surprised if more people have not complained about this. Thanks.

#2943 of 5349 Re: 2001 BMW325i Engine Replacement [Mr_Shiftright] by giovanni3

Jul 10, 2006 (12:07 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 08, 2006 9:53 am)
I have the engine already (only 6k miles), but the dealer is charging $2000.00 for labor.

#2944 of 5349 Re:330i 2005 18k [div2] by superdog

Jul 10, 2006 (2:43 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Jul 09, 2006 6:31 pm)
Good call..it was the brake caliper. Thanks for the heads up.

#2945 of 5349 1995 318is convt. Questions by jimbo409

Jul 10, 2006 (3:46 pm)

I just looked at the 95 318is and there is a noise when the car is in neutral manual trans. The owner said he thinks this is a heat shield by the catalytic converter, Also the radio has a code on the faceplate. He said that the battery ran dead and the code came on. He said that the bmw dealer has to give you the code to reprogram. Could this be right Please help?

Messages Page 295 of 536

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