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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 402 of 536

#4004 of 5349 Thinking about it. by odie6l

Oct 18, 2008 (1:21 pm)

I'm thinking about helping out my 16 yr old niece with her first car. She just turned 16 and was able to get her license on the first try (very happy). My brother and SIL are divorced so they split the time with her. I told them about a car my coworker has and is thinking about selling. She has a 1992 BMW 318i 5spd sedan. car has about 150k on it and only has 3 issues (which I don't think are biggies). #1 - A/C needs either recharged or new motor, #2 - Rear DS window does not work, only clicks, & #3 - Power moon roof does not work. I'm thinking the 2 windows also might only be motors. Other than that the car runs unbelievable. It's Hunter Green with Beige Leather. My co-worker only wants $1200 because of the 3 issues. Does this sound like a good deal for a 1st car for a 16 yr old.
 
Odie
Odie's Carspace
 
P.S. - My SIL think my niece should have an AT instead.

#4005 of 5349 Re: Thinking about it. [odie6l] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 19, 2008 (6:11 am)

Replying to: odie6l (Oct 18, 2008 1:21 pm)
Yeah those are big issues and $$$ to fix. That's why the car is cheap. I don't see how a 16 year old can afford to drive and maintain this car unless the parents are ready to dig deep for stuff. If the kid is really hot for it, he/she can live without the sun roof and the AC and just fix the window, that would save a lot of money. If the AC compressor is bad, it may have seized and contaminated the entire system and this could cost well over $1000 to repair. If the sunroof cable system is screwed up, you have to replace that and drop the entire headliner as well, not so cheap a repair. A window motor and repair shouldn't be more than a couple hundred dollars.
 
I'd say worst case scenario to fix all three items about $2,000 bucks. Best case scenario with all the luck in the world $750.
 
Also there normal high-miles BMW maintenance to consider...unless the teenager is doing DIY a lot and is motivated to seek out bargain parts, (as some folks on this board do so successfully) you have to figure $100/$150 a month to keep this car safe and reliable. You could spend less but you'll just be deferring the inevitable.
 
If the parents think a BMW is a good car for the kid, then I'd pick a lower miles 325--I think it's a much better car.
 
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#4006 of 5349 Re: Thinking about it. [Mr_Shiftright] by odie6l

Oct 19, 2008 (12:09 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 19, 2008 6:11 am)
Thanks Shifty,
  I was talking with my brother and he thinks the 5 spd is okay, but is concerned with it being RWD. Him and I would be the one to fix all the window issues so those are not a biggy. we are just going to keep looking at other vehicles also. my niece does have $3500 saved up, but that is also to cover insurance and all the little things. She followed my example and has been putting $$$ away since she turned 13 to get ready for a car.
 
Odie
Odie's Carspace

#4007 of 5349 Re: Thinking about it. [odie6l] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 21, 2008 (9:58 am)

Replying to: odie6l (Oct 19, 2008 12:09 pm)
You could end up being married to this car if she has to depend on you to save her from large repair bills---think about THAT!
 
BMW people keep telling me to give the old 318s another chance and I go drive one yet again, and I keep coming up with the same conclusion--this was not one of BMWs better efforts.
 
I think a young woman in that somewhat fledging financial state needs a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.

#4008 of 5349 Extended Warranty on an '05 325xi by paule

Oct 28, 2008 (8:11 pm)

Hey guys, been awhile since I've been on here. The wife's '05 325xi is coming up on it's 4 year birthday hence the warranty will be up in a couple of weeks. I'm wondering what the opinion of the board is on whether I should look at paying for an extended warranty. I have not researched prices yet so I'm being lazy by asking first.
Important notes:
1.) Dealer is 3 1/2 hours away (yes, I live in a beautiful part of the country but no close BMW dealers). Needless to say it's a big pain to get down there to have it fixed.
2.) I am mechanically literate. I have gone as far as changing a head gasket on an inline 6 Grand Cherokee but I have no experience working on BMWs (other than swapping out snow tires twice a year).
3.) I could probably find a decent independent dealer in town.
4.) I typically would have to take a day off of work to get the car down to a BMW dealer.
5.) The car has had a few minor issues (squeaking belts - replaced under warranty; noisy HVAC fan blower - replaced under warranty; front brakes at 30,000 - rear still good at 35,000; torn front axle CV joint boot at 30,000 - replaced under warranty; rearview mirror cover came off and would not stay on - replaced under warranty). Really minor issues but the BMW dealer has come up stellar with fixing these under warranty.
6.) Wife drives less than 10,000 miles per year. Car is babied pretty much.
7.) I see a lot of snow. Run Blizzaks during the winter.
8.) I plan on servicing the car myself (oil changes, brakes, etc.).
 
Any known big problems on the '05's? My thought is that it is the last year of that style and most if not all of the bugs have been worked out.
Thanks in advance!
Paul

#4009 of 5349 Re: Extended Warranty on an '05 325xi [paule] by cdnpinhead

Oct 29, 2008 (6:02 am)

Replying to: paule (Oct 28, 2008 8:11 pm)
Where do you go for service? Grand Junction? Albuquerque?

#4010 of 5349 Rattle by trone76

Oct 29, 2008 (11:40 am)

would love to hear anyones opinion/experience:
 
I purchased a brand new 2008 3.28i approx. 3 weeks ago. A week after the purchase, I started hearing constant/annoying rattle somewhere around ac fan unit or the radio. It is getting more annoying everyday and really dissapointing when you buy a brand new beamer with 10 miles on it.
 
My question is: how likely is it that the dealer can fix it w/out making it worse? If they can't fix is, is there anything that I can do?
 
Thanks all for your time!

#4011 of 5349 Re: Extended Warranty on an '05 325xi [paule] by roadburner

Oct 29, 2008 (3:50 pm)

Replying to: paule (Oct 28, 2008 8:11 pm)
The E46 3ers tend to be very reliable if maintained properly. I wouldn't bother with an extended warranty, and I'm putting my money where my mouth is by considering a 2003 330xi for a work beater...

#4012 of 5349 Re: Extended Warranty on an '05 325xi [cdnpinhead] by paule

Nov 01, 2008 (7:31 pm)

Replying to: cdnpinhead (Oct 29, 2008 6:02 am)
Where do you go for service? Grand Junction? Albuquerque?
 
Albuquerque. Sandia BMW who I have been very happy with in regards to their service department. I bought the car in Phoenix due to a much better price.

#4013 of 5349 Re: Rattle [trone76] by paule

Nov 01, 2008 (7:35 pm)

Replying to: trone76 (Oct 29, 2008 11:40 am)
I had a squeak in the HVAC blower which I knew was the bearing. I mentioned it to my dealer thinking they would blow me off but they repaced the blower fan assembly and it has been perfectly quiet ever since.
I would bring it up to the dealer.

Messages Page 402 of 536

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