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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 532 of 536

#5304 of 5349 2006 BMW 330i by valueseeker627

Jul 12, 2012 (1:32 am)

Hi All,
 
I am purchasing a BMW 330i with about 85k miles. I want to make sure the car is in good condition and have it inspected by the BMW dealer in town. My concerns are:
 
What types of repairs are expected at this mileage level?
Can the person selling the car tamper with the check engine light by cancelling the message on the onboard computer? I have heard of some people doing this and selling used cars. Once the new owner buys the car and drives for a few hundred miles, the light comes back and they are stuck with more serious issues that seemed not to exist.
 
Also, if I take it to the BMW dealer, will they be able to conduct an inspection and tell me what's wrong with the car even if there has been potential tampering with engine lights, etc?
 
Thanks for your help. Buying my first BMW and have been cautioned by many that repairs can be expensive, so I'd really like to be cautious and could use advice!!

#5305 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330i [valueseeker627] by pt838

Jul 12, 2012 (5:50 am)

Replying to: valueseeker627 (Jul 12, 2012 1:32 am)
Hi, I recently sold my 2006 330Xi and moved up to a 2011 335Xi. Fortunately, I did not have much mechanical repairs while I owned the 2006, but you should be cautioned that the suspension for that model year is very rough. I do not know what part of the country you are located in, but I am from the New York area and had much problems with cracked alloy wheels due to the tight suspension and the city roads in New York. All potential owners of that model year should know this. Good luck with your purchase, if you live in an area with good road surfaces, you will enjoy your ride!!!

#5306 of 5349 Re: 2006 BMW 330i [valueseeker627] by roadburner

Jul 12, 2012 (6:58 pm)

Replying to: valueseeker627 (Jul 12, 2012 1:32 am)
Also, if I take it to the BMW dealer, will they be able to conduct an inspection and tell me what's wrong with the car even if there has been potential tampering with engine lights, etc?
 
You can clear a code from an OBDII equipped car, but if there is an actual fault the CEL will eventually return. That said, a good dealer should be able to detect actual tampering.

#5307 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [busiris] by dan12

Oct 02, 2012 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: busiris (May 23, 2012 11:57 am)
I have a 2007 335i. Over the last 6 months, I have had to add 1 qt of oil every 2k miles which means about every 2 months. This just started. In the past I had to add oil maybe once or twice a year. The BMW dealer says this is normal. But if it was normal, why was it not happening when the engine was new?
 
I called another BMW service shop and the guy there told me that from what he has seen the 335 and 535 turbo engines don't last. This oil burning eventually leads to very expensive work and I should think about selling the car. I really like my 335i but don't want to keep it and get stuck with a $$$ repair bill.
 
Thoughts?

#5308 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [dan12] by roadburner

Oct 02, 2012 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: dan12 (Oct 02, 2012 6:08 pm)
The rate of oil consumption you are experiencing is considered to be "acceptable" by BMW. That said, what worries me is the fact it began rather abruptly.
I haven't heard of any long term durability issues with the N54/N55 engine, but I tend to focus on NA and M motors.

#5309 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [roadburner] by dan12

Oct 02, 2012 (11:21 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Oct 02, 2012 9:31 pm)
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, the BMW dealer said that they consider it to be normal and that they will put it in writing for me. Maybe I should take them up on that. In the meantime I guess I will wait a few more months and see if the problem continues. I have an extended warranty so that makes me more comfortable with waiting..

#5310 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [roadburner] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 03, 2012 (10:42 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Oct 02, 2012 9:31 pm)
I wonder if he has some PCV problem going on here?

#5311 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [Mr_Shiftright] by roadburner

Oct 09, 2012 (9:22 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 03, 2012 10:42 am)
That's a possibility; I know that other BMW sixes -particularly the M54- can have issues with the oil separator.

#5312 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [idoc2] by 55396

Oct 09, 2012 (9:46 pm)

Replying to: idoc2 (May 22, 2012 10:23 am)
I never have to bother to check oil in our 03 Toyota Avalon w/112k. Even on a 6k oil change. Same for my 96 Z3 1.9 w/113k. There is no excuse for oil usage in a quality today. Especially in the BMW class.

#5313 of 5349 Re: Oil consumption [55396] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 10, 2012 (6:33 am)

Replying to: 55396 (Oct 09, 2012 9:46 pm)
Nothing wrong with a "little" oil consumption--possibly even good for the upper cylinder area lubrication. Race cars use oil.

Messages Page 532 of 536

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