- #4365 of 4450
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Yes, and I was referred to the owner's manual
by ursamajor
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Aug 28, 2009 (9:46 am)
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Replying to: screen (Aug 23, 2009 5:24 pm)
I don't remember the page number, but the NJ National representative told me that the manufacturer states in the manual, that the battery requires sustained driving and that very low mileage consisting of mostly short trips may be insufficient to keep the battery charged. My 2008 335xi stalled at about 7500 miles, and had a very rough idle, until I took it in, and had the battery recharged, was told that should suffice for another 6000miles+, unless I took some long trips. The engine timing was also affected by the low charge, but reset during the process. The vehicle has substantial electrical components requiring sufficient power to "boot up." If one confines their driving to commuting, as I do, less than 15 miles/day, and not taking a (guesstimated) quarterly trips of several hundred miles, the problem will reoccur. I find this to be another example of idiots engineering the vehicle. The other example is the continued failure of fuel pumps with a twin-turbo engine. One writer here (jmaroun, Aug. 25th) had his car repurchased, I just read, but I don't know the frequency of fuel pump failure. I had to replace my first one at 6500 miles, and I'm now at 11,500. If it seems like sour grapes, I think that auto manufacturers should be designing vehicles to accomodate all types of drivers and have zero tolerance for major component failure or failure to drive in a certain fashion. Oh, one other thing--why does BMW refuse to provide, as standard equipment, a 6-CD changer, when all Japanese cars, even economy , and most other German autos now consider this standard equipment. I miss loading 8-9 hours of sound, and it's not safe to try and change a single disc while in motion, driving alone, that's certain.
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- #4366 of 4450
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Re: Yes, and I was referred to the owner's manual [ursamajor]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Aug 28, 2009 (9:58 am)
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Replying to: ursamajor (Aug 28, 2009 9:46 am)
I find the representative's explanation for the battery failure, as presented here, to be rather unbelievable. My friend's wife, who became very ill, hardly drives her 328ix at all---it sits for weeks, and its battery never goes dead.
Furthermore, your car doesn't run all day off the battery---your alternator should be putting out more than enough juice to keep the car running happily.
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- #4367 of 4450
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94 325iS, 215k, never ending trouble?
by wreckzach
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Aug 28, 2009 (5:09 pm)
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I'm looking for a 3rd car for some cheap fun (other two are an 08 civic everyday car and 01 subaru forester which belongs to my girlfriend) and I came across a 94 325iS with 215k miles for roughly $2500. For some reason this peaked my interest. I've always loved the E36 3-series and would love to have a fun car to play with, maybe get into some local autox.
Any 15 year old car with 200k miles is going to have issues, but am I just asking for trouble here?
Any opinions would be appreciated. I've always thought the E36 had a good reputation for engine/transmission reliability.
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- #4368 of 4450
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Re: 94 325iS, 215k, never ending trouble? [wreckzach]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Aug 29, 2009 (10:23 am)
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Replying to: wreckzach (Aug 28, 2009 5:09 pm)
Well sure you're asking for trouble. The car has exceeded its statistical lifespan already. (in actuarial terms I mean).
Reputation? Not all that good if you include the cooling system as part of "engine".
Price is okay, but plan on spending money on it, at least to re-hab the cooling system straight way, and be sure to check the control arm bushings, the driveshaft coupler, and all the electronic gizmos.
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- #4370 of 4450
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Oil Light
by lukasevich
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Sep 02, 2009 (8:27 am)
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I have a 2002 BMW 325 convertible. The oil was changed about 2 months ago. All the sudden the oil light comes on yellow when I start the car, stays on for about 15-20 seconds then goes off. Anybody have any idea what the problem might be? The oil level is fine.
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- #4371 of 4450
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Re: Oil Light [lukasevich]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Sep 02, 2009 (9:20 am)
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Replying to: lukasevich (Sep 02, 2009 8:27 am)
Could be just a squirrely sensor. When this oil change was done, do you have any idea the brand of filter that was put in? Cheesy filters can cause problems in German cars--I've seen it too often to doubt it, weird as it sounds.
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- #4372 of 4450
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Re: Oil Light [Mr_Shiftright]
by lukasevich
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Sep 02, 2009 (10:30 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 02, 2009 9:20 am)
I got the parts from the BMW dealer...
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- #4373 of 4450
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Re: Oil Light [lukasevich]
by Mr_Shiftright HOST
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Sep 02, 2009 (10:43 am)
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Replying to: lukasevich (Sep 02, 2009 10:30 am)
Any engine noise, tapping, etc.?
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- #4374 of 4450
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Re: Oil Light [Mr_Shiftright]
by lukasevich
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Sep 02, 2009 (11:23 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Sep 02, 2009 10:43 am)
nope...
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