Ask the Car People.SM


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

    
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 436 of 536

#4348 of 5349 I need average maintenance cost for 330 '04 convertible by jvalencia

Aug 16, 2009 (5:37 pm)

Hello fellow BMW lovers and experts. I am new to BMW and new in USA so I need urgent detailed information about maintenance fees please.
I am planing to finally get my first BMW and I just came to live to Miami so I would really appreciate advice and feedback from you dear experts about the average annual maintenance fees and normal repairs so I can inlcude it on my yearly budget.
The car will definitely be a convertible model from around year 2004. My first option is a 330 because I've been told that is the best one for reselling. Any suggestions?
 I plan to use it as my daily driver so I consider average 10 - 12000 miles per year.
Please be so kind to help me with this info before I go car hunting. Any buying recommendation will be highly appreciated too!!

#4349 of 5349 True or False by dash5

Aug 18, 2009 (5:57 am)

I'm considering buying a 2009 328xi.
 
Given that my current car is a 2001 model with only 57k miles on it I am expecting to put a similar amount of miles on this car in that time frame. It will not be taken to a race track, just used for a short daily commute and some occasional longer trips (say 40 minute drives)
 
So... is it fair to assume my maintenance/repair costs will be low on this vehicle? Right now the main concern I have with a BMW is reliability. Any resources anyone can recommend on what to expect from them?

#4350 of 5349 Re: True or False [dash5] by kyfdx HOST

Aug 18, 2009 (5:26 pm)

Replying to: dash5 (Aug 18, 2009 5:57 am)
Are you going to keep the new car for eight years?
 
If so, the first four years will have very, very low maintenance costs.. Probably only a set of tires at the end of four years... BMW covers all of your maintenance, outside of tires, for the length of the warranty.
 
After that, I'd say your costs could be fairly low... if you find a good independent BMW tech/repair shop.. Even routine maintenance at a BMW dealer can get expensive.
 
On the plus side... at 7500 miles/yr, your BMW will only need one service per year...
 
That's it for maintenance.... from a reliability standpoint, we've always had very good luck with our BMWs... Unscheduled visits to the service department have been very rare.

#4351 of 5349 Re: True or False [kyfdx] by dash5

Aug 19, 2009 (7:25 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Aug 18, 2009 5:26 pm)
Thanks kyfdx, appreciate the response.
 
The plan would be to keep the car for at least 5 or 6 years, probably more. Looking at it that way it's 2 years or so of maintenance I'd have to pay for after the warranty. Normal maintenance though I have no problem with.
 
Honestly, what you said about "Unscheduled visits to the service department have been very rare." is all I really care about. The nightmare is: oh, electrical problem. next month the AC wont work, next month the engine light goes on, same electrical problem crops up again etc etc. Even if that's covered I dont want to deal with that. Far worse if it's not covered of course
 
I think I just need reassurance that hey, first 60k miles on this car should be smooth, statistically speaking, assuming I take proper care of it.

#4352 of 5349 Re: True or False [dash5] by screen

Aug 23, 2009 (6:24 pm)

Replying to: dash5 (Aug 18, 2009 5:57 am)
I'm in a similar situation I have a 2002 bmw with low mileage (69k km) and am considering a 328ix. I have a question for you. I have had to change my battery 4 times (even changed the alternator). The dealership says its because I don't drive it enough to fully charge the battery. Have you had a similar experience ?

#4353 of 5349 2007 335i Bluetooth question by qali

Aug 24, 2009 (9:35 am)

Hi,
 
I just assumed a lease on a 2007 335i Sedan with Comfort Access. The steering wheel has a button for handsfree, but I cannot find any documentation in the manual to setup/pair phones or how to use this feature. This may be a stupid question, but does the 335i come standard with this feature or is this an add-on?. I suspect it is an add-on, but can someone provide some guidance on whether this can be purchased or whether it is a factory option and what type of $$ I can expect to pay for this. I live in Toronto Canada.
Many thanks in advance

#4354 of 5349 Re: 2007 335i Bluetooth question [qali] by pdude1

Aug 24, 2009 (12:33 pm)

Replying to: qali (Aug 24, 2009 9:35 am)
Does it have iDrive? On the '08 models, you can connect a phone through the iDrive which is pretty intuitive. You can just go to the phone section to connect to a phone, and then the handsfree button on your steering wheel works automatically to connect to your phone when you press it.

#4355 of 5349 Re: 2007 335i Bluetooth question [pdude1] by qali

Aug 24, 2009 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: pdude1 (Aug 24, 2009 12:33 pm)
Nope, no iDrive.

#4356 of 5349 Re: 2007 335i Bluetooth question [qali] by jonsdad

Aug 24, 2009 (12:58 pm)

Replying to: qali (Aug 24, 2009 9:35 am)
You need BMW Assist to have bluetooth capability. If your car has this capability you will have a SOS button on controls near the sunroof controls.

#4357 of 5349 Re: True or False [screen] by dash5

Aug 24, 2009 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: screen (Aug 23, 2009 6:24 pm)
Hi screen, well mine is a VW Jetta but I've only had to replace the battery once or twice at most. 4 times sounds really excessive. My commute is 7 miles each way so call it 30 minutes driving a day round trip since it's back roads and lots of lights heh.
 
Do you drive it daily? Maybe if it goes longer stretches it's harder on battery life I'm not sure. Good luck with the 328ix! It's a gorgeous car I'm very strongly leaning towards getting it.

Messages Page 436 of 536

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement