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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 358 of 536

#3562 of 5349 318ti idles totutottu and jerks by hummerman1

Nov 14, 2007 (2:14 pm)

I owned a 1996 BMW 318TI, WITH 139,000 miles, it just pass state inspection in Penn 2 weeks ago, but right after the inspection the Check engine stays on, and when try to start at first try it does not start, the starts on second try and idles smoothly for about 3o seconds and start idling and jerking at same time. Once I hit the gas it goes smoothly, but when stop at a light it starts idling again totutototot....
 
 Since I bought the car 4 years ago I haven done any tune up, because of high gas prices I used 87 sometimes, and also I do my oil change by topping it. Could this all be the problem? How can i fix this? Do I just need a fuel filter change. Please advice.

#3563 of 5349 Re: 318ti idles totutottu and jerks [hummerman1] by roadburner

Nov 14, 2007 (2:51 pm)

Replying to: hummerman1 (Nov 14, 2007 2:14 pm)
The first thing you need to do is take the car to Autozone, where they will read out -for free- the fault code that is causing the Check Engine light to illuminate. Get that information and check back in. In any event, the plugs should be changed at 30K intervals, ditto for the air and fuel filters. The oxygen sensor(s) should have been replaced at 100K as well.

#3564 of 5349 Re: 318ti idles totutottu and jerks [hummerman1] by cdnpinhead

Nov 14, 2007 (3:12 pm)

Replying to: hummerman1 (Nov 14, 2007 2:14 pm)
If you haven't done anything with the oil but top it up for four years, your fun is just beginning.

#3565 of 5349 Re: 318ti idles totutottu and jerks [cdnpinhead] by roadburner

Nov 14, 2007 (3:23 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Nov 14, 2007 3:12 pm)
If you haven't done anything with the oil but top it up for four years, your fun is just beginning.
 
I agree, I had assumed that he meant that he was using a topsider-style suction pump. Your conclusion is likely correct, however...

#3566 of 5349 2002 325i: Regular or Premium gas? by bearsfan

Nov 18, 2007 (3:26 pm)

BMW recommends Premium gas for 325i models but when gas prices are going north, if I fill regular gas, will it harm the engine apart from some performance issue (like loss in power)? What are your experiences?

#3567 of 5349 Re: 2002 325i: Regular or Premium gas? [bearsfan] by shipo

Nov 18, 2007 (4:10 pm)

Replying to: bearsfan (Nov 18, 2007 3:26 pm)
No, in the short term you won't harm your engine (although some claim that long term use of low AKI fuel will gradually cause the engine to wear sooner than it otherwise would), however, using regular fuel will reduce both power and economy and as such is a "fool's economy". By most accounts, your fuel economy will suffer more than enough to cause you to actually spend more money on gasoline per mile driven than you would have spent if you had just put the more expensive fuel in there in the first place.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#3568 of 5349 Best Body Shop in Dallas Area by brislance1

Nov 22, 2007 (12:06 pm)

My son-in-law was rear ended in his Bimmer last night in the Dallas area. Anyone from that area know of a good body shop there? Would you use a certified BMW shop like Classic BMW? Any advise welcome!
 
Thanks

#3569 of 5349 Re: Best Body Shop in Dallas Area [brislance1] by roadburner

Nov 22, 2007 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: brislance1 (Nov 22, 2007 12:06 pm)
You might want to check with Steve at Louden Motorcar Services and see who he recommends.

#3570 of 5349 Keeping a BMW 3 past 100k, or for over 10 years by rjorge3

Nov 24, 2007 (12:22 am)

Hi there, I want the input from anyone of you guys that has kept their bimmer for well over 5 years (10 preferably) or has over 100k miles. If you were the owner of an Audi A4, please provide me with your experience vs the BMW.
 
My current lease (2005 A4) expires on April 08 and I want to lease my next car with the intention of perhaps keeping it for a long time (well over 9 to 10 years). I know that I would be paying more by leasing and then buying it, but I want to make sure that the car I keep is neither a lemon or will give me tons of problems past the warranty. My current Audi has been in the shop over 6 times for all kinds of crazy problems even though I am fanatical about oil changes, premium fuel, break in period, I dont' speed, heck I even wash the car by hand all the time (except when it gets below 40 degrees).
 
I want to know from those that have kept their bimmers for well past 5 years if you have experienced lots of problems and if you will consider keeping the car for 7 to 10 years. And for those that have a beemer with at least 100k miles, has the car become a money pit? or does it only requires the normal wear and tear maintance. Also, for those of you that have purchased the 2006 or 2007 3 series, have you encounter any problems so far that would prevent you from keeping this car for a long time.
 
My college years workhorse (1994 celica) has 175,000 and have never ever given me problems, so I guess I am spoiled as to what my expectations were with a german car, in my case the Audi A4.
 
Although I have to admit that I like the looks of the Audi better than the 3s, I can sacrifice aesthetic for piece of mind.
 
Thanks in advance for your responses

#3571 of 5349 Re: Keeping a BMW 3 past 100k, or for over 10 years [rjorge3] by roadburner

Nov 24, 2007 (8:57 am)

Replying to: rjorge3 (Nov 24, 2007 12:22 am)
Hi there, I want the input from anyone of you guys that has kept their bimmer for well over 5 years (10 preferably) or has over 100k miles.
 
Welcome to the board! I've owned BMWs since 1983- 8 in all, and I perform a lot of the minor service and repairs myself. My wife drives a 2004 X3 while I currently run a 1995 318ti Club Sport; I'm the original owner. At 12 years, and 112,000 miles my ti has needed the following non-scheduled maintenance:
O2 sensor(recall, replaced at a scheduled service)
both fuel sending units(warranty, replaced at a scheduled service)
alarm module(warranty, replaced at a scheduled service)
1 set of front brake pads(due to track use)
1 set pad/rotors front and rear
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 as a precaution)
1 brake light switch
1 thermostat
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. As a matter of fact, my son and I drove it to the movie theater just last night. The paint still shines like new, the interior has no rips, cracks, or tears, and the overall structure of the car is still extremely solid- there are no squeaks or rattles whatsoever. Over the life of the car the monthly service/repair costs have averaged closer $45 per month, including the 3 sets of tires mentioned above. This year my 3er cost $57 per month to run because it required an Inspection II(major) service, a coolant flush, a front end alignment and a thermostat. If you decide to buy a Bimmer I would strongly suggest that you join the BMW Car Club of America. You get a great monthly magazine as well as access to lots of information that will allow you to make informed decisions regarding maintenance and repairs. And BMW Drivers Schools are second to none.
I would expect that the overall mechanical reliability of the new 3 Series will be similar to that of my Club Sport. However, like most every other automaker, BMW has seen fit to cram their cars with dozens of electronic gadgets operated my multiple processors. At 56K my wife's X4 has only required the replacement of an SRS occupant sensor pad. Her prior car was a 1997 528iA, and it too had no unusual glitches. I would hope the new 3ers exhibit similar overall reliability, but at this point it's too early to tell.

Messages Page 358 of 536

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