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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 37 of 535

#361 of 5349 1993 BMW 325i with 190K Miles by oasis2

Mar 25, 2002 (11:12 am)

Hello all, I'm thinking of buying a 1993 BMW 325i with 190K Miles (manual trans) as a backup
car. Due to the high miles, I'm obviously concerned about the state of the engine and other major systems (electrical, suspension,etc.). The seller has the records to show that the car has been getting regular oil changes and tune ups and I'm hoping to have a mechanic look at this car before I buy it but.....is there anything symptomatic of these engines that I need to be wary of? How many miles can you get out of the 325i and/or it's engine? Timing belt or timing chain? If belt, how often does it need to be changed? Every 60K? Thanks in advance for the advice.

#362 of 5349 oasis2 by div2

Mar 26, 2002 (8:57 pm)

The 2.5 inline six in the 3er uses a timing chain which should last the life of the engine. 1992-1993 3ers had more than a few teething problems- rattles, squeaks, vinyl door panel "bubbling"-and as a result these cars are not highly prized. I know of several BMW dealers who are reluctant to accept them as trades. That said, the basic running gear tends to be quite reliable. On this car I would want to see proof that the coolant and brake fluid were changed at least every two years. The trans and diff oil should have been changed at least every 75000 miles. Your mechanic inspection should include a compression test and ideally a leakdown test. A lot of morons(particularly those coming out of domestic cars) think that changing the oil and plugs at regular intervals is enough- well, maybe for a POS like a Cavalier, but not for a BMW. I once looked at a used M3 that was supposed to have received meticulous care. The doofus bragged about changing the oil every 3000 miles. When I asked him the last time the brake fluid was changed he said "Huh?" I turned around and drove away...

#363 of 5349 Div2 Re Post#347 by wwhite2

Mar 31, 2002 (7:33 pm)

DIV2 I would like you to explain your Statement " A lot of morons (particularly coming out of domestic cars ) " This is a meanspirited comment and is probably against your agreement with edmunds . You must apologize immediately or be banned !!

#364 of 5349 wwhite2 by div2

Mar 31, 2002 (9:20 pm)

I DID NOT CALL anyone in TH a moron.
I DID NOT SAY that everyone who drives a domestic car is a moron.
What I DID SAY was that anyone who thinks that merely changing the motor oil and plugs at regular intervals constitutes good automotive maintenance is a moron- and I stand by that characterization.
Lighten up, Francis...

#365 of 5349 2002 325 i shifting problems by jokers007

Apr 07, 2002 (1:42 pm)

i had just bought my wife a 2002 about 4 months ago and she took it in to the dealer for shifting problems they said it could possilbly need a new transmission i guess will see come monday after they call the factory but i dont believe a brand new car already has problems like this (not impressed with bmw at all) it only has 1900 miles on it has any one had a problem such as this if so please email me or leave a post.
email malkaduk007aol.com

#367 of 5349 jokers007 by mschukar

Apr 07, 2002 (4:55 pm)

Intersting post, a whole paragraph, one period and no capitalized words.
 
As for your problem, no car brand is totally without flaws. As for BMW, if they fix your wife's car to your satisfaction they should be considered a good car company.
 
-murray

#368 of 5349 jokers007 by shipo

Apr 07, 2002 (7:12 pm)

I had an Audi a few years ago that ate its second gear syncro within the first 2,000 miles. No big deal, they put in a transmission, and I was good to go for the rest of the life of the car.
 
FWIW, BMW buys their manual transmissions for the 2.5 liter engines from Getrag, and while they generally build "Bullet Proof" gear-boxes, one does slip through the cracks every so often.
 
Good luck with the new tranny.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo

#369 of 5349 funny moan from my 323i by getz1

Apr 14, 2002 (5:54 am)

Recently I have noticed that my 99 e46 323i emits a odd low pitched moan, most perceptible the automatic transmission shifts from 1st to 2nd gear at low throttle while traveling up an incline. It is also more frequent when the above stated actions are combined with a left turn (I swear I'm not making this up). My car has 60,000 miles and other than this complaint has been bullet-proof. I was unable to reproduce the problem at the dealership, and my warranty has since expired, so I am praying that it is not a problem with the transmission. There is no noticable slipping of the transmission and no "clunking" sensation. If anyone has experienced this problem, or could lend some insight, it would be greately appreciated.
Thanks,
Getz

#370 of 5349 E46 Computer Problems by bdannemiller

Apr 16, 2002 (5:37 pm)

Have had an intermittent problem with on-board computer forgetting user settings (mirrors drop, seats move, etc.).
 
Have taken the car (which is our 5th BMW) to the dealer 3 times. First visit resulted in a polite refresher on how the system worked. Second resulted in a "...perhaps it's your key (vice my wife's)...' that's at fault. Third time was a charm. Memory settings din't hold when service writer unlocked car.
 
Service writer noted that X5 has similar problem for no real reports on the 2001 325i. X5 problem (and one from Pros/Cons Edmund's review) reports: "Car sometimes forgets user settings for computer and Nav system when it sits overnight." While I don't have the Nav system, the car has everything else (i.e., Sport, Luxury, Xenons, 17" rims, etc.). Could this be part of the problem?
 
Dealer says computers between X5 and 3-series are different so that shouldn't be a problem. I'm guessing the X5 and virtually all other BMWs share at least some chips (EPROMs) and perhaps we're experiencing a bad lot? Any ideas?

Messages Page 37 of 535

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