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Sedans BMW 3-Series BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair
3958 messages, Last post on Aug 26, 2008 at 12:35 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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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.
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Replying to: hummerman1 (Nov 14, 2007 2:14 pm)  30K intervals, ditto for the air and fuel filters. The oxygen sensor(s) should have been replaced at 100K as well.
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Replying to: hummerman1 (Nov 14, 2007 2:14 pm)
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Replying to: cdnpinhead (Nov 14, 2007 3:12 pm) I agree, I had assumed that he meant that he was using a topsider-style suction pump. Your conclusion is likely correct, however... |
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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?
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Replying to: bearsfan (Nov 18, 2007 3:26 pm) Best Regards, Shipo |
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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
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Replying to: brislance1 (Nov 22, 2007 12:06 pm) |
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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 |
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Replying to: rjorge3 (Nov 24, 2007 12:22 am) 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. |
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