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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 415 of 536

#4133 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [roadburner] by blueguydotcom

Feb 16, 2009 (12:05 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Feb 13, 2009 6:01 pm)
I'm waffling on a used 2006 3 series (I'm also waiting for next week when I expect BMW will sweeten the pot on new 08 and 09 cars). The car's only got 19k miles on it and it drives perfectly. According to the cpo report it's in great shape and about the only pending repair will be the brakes in 9k miles (included maintenance warranty is out Dec 09 - so I should get brakes by BMW).
 
I know the dealer or rather I've had my two BMWs serviced with them.
 
What kind of yearly upkeep (beyond oil changes) will an e90 require? I haven't owned an out-of-warranty car since 2001. And that car which I had for 7 years was grossly mistreated by me, always receiving reactionary repairs instead of preventative maintenance.

#4134 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [blueguydotcom] by kyfdx HOST

Feb 16, 2009 (7:27 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Feb 16, 2009 12:05 am)
Didn't you get rid of your leased E90, because you didn't like it?

#4135 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [kyfdx] by qbrozen

Feb 16, 2009 (7:37 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Feb 16, 2009 7:27 am)
i definitely recall lots of complaints of an obese car with uninvolved driving characteristics, i should never have given up my ZHP, etc.
 
ya know, blueguy, they've only gotten heavier and softer.

#4136 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [blueguydotcom] by roadburner

Feb 16, 2009 (9:23 am)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Feb 16, 2009 12:05 am)
What kind of yearly upkeep (beyond oil changes) will an e90 require? I haven't owned an out-of-warranty car since 2001.
 
Well, I'd change the brake fluid every two years, and the coolant every four(even though BMW doesn't call for it. As for mileage related services, I'd change the transmission and final drive oil every 50K. If you keep it past 100K I'd throw in a new fuel filter along with new plugs. As for everything else, I'd just go by the book.

#4137 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [qbrozen] by blueguydotcom

Feb 16, 2009 (11:08 am)

Replying to: qbrozen (Feb 16, 2009 7:37 am)
I have little choice. I must get a 4 door as I drive my son daily. The options at 4 door and fun are limited to...well I've not found anything much. Given the circumstances I've lowered my expectations. Fun isn't really the only goal here so after driving everything again (G37, 09 A4, CC, GTI, WRX, C, CTS...if it's got 4 doors and sporting pretensions I drove it), I've come back to the fact that 3 (and WRX) are about my only chance of having a halfway fun car and at least 4 doors.
 
A used 3 might be a better deal than a new leased 3 - depends on expected maintenance costs v. depreciation.
 
FWIW, I've found the 325/328 with 17s to be a better ride than the 330i/335i with 18s. I simply can't get used to the way 18 inch RFTs skip on the roads of San Diego.

#4138 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [roadburner] by blueguydotcom

Feb 16, 2009 (11:12 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Feb 16, 2009 9:23 am)
Thanks. I guess it's the by-the-book thing that vexes me. I've never looked into maintenance schedules on a 3 (always leased so quite frankly the cars got BMW service and that's it).
 
By the book come down to 1k a year? More or less on average?

#4139 of 5349 Question ...... by anonymousposts

Feb 16, 2009 (2:47 pm)

I am looking at buying a 2006 330i with the 6-speed auto. The car seems to hold for 2-3 seconds before moving when first put into gear (either forward or reverse) and if you are at a complete stop and release the brakes. It is more pronounced when first put into gear but does seem to do the same thing to a lesser extent when stopped. It has about 3k left under the manufacturer warranty so if it's a problem I should be able to get it fixed. If it's a design characteristic then I have to decide if I can live with it or if I should hold out for the manual I really want.

#4140 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [blueguydotcom] by circlew

Feb 16, 2009 (4:23 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Feb 16, 2009 12:05 am)
Wait...you came out of a 2006 3-er! What gives?
 
Regards,
OW

#4141 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [circlew] by blueguydotcom

Feb 16, 2009 (6:07 pm)

Replying to: circlew (Feb 16, 2009 4:23 pm)
Baby.

#4142 of 5349 Re: Buying Tips for BMW 3 Series (1998) [blueguydotcom] by roadburner

Feb 16, 2009 (8:40 pm)

Replying to: blueguydotcom (Feb 16, 2009 11:12 am)
By the book come down to 1k a year? More or less on average?
 
A lot depends on where you live. My local dealer(Swope BMW, Louisville) performed an Inspection II and brake fluid flush on my wife's X3 for just $374. Santa Monica BMW charges $1105 for the same work. I know that the cost of living in California is higher than that of Kentucky, but 295% higher? That said I'd say $1000 per year may be a bit high.

Messages Page 415 of 536

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