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Sedans BMW 3-Series Buying a Used 3-Series
459 messages, Last post on Nov 24, 2009 at 9:15 AM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 11, 2009 11:50 am) If you want a really "nice" BMW, save up your money and buy one already done. This one should be for transportation, tinkering and learning IMO. If something really BAD happens to the car (engine failure, transmission failure) just junk it and start over. But a clutch, well you can deal with that yourself and shop for a cheap clutch pack on the internet. Also learn to love eBay. My Old Used Car With a Gazillion Miles on It Rules of Thumb: 1. Check under the hood A LOT. Look for leaks, problems, looseness 2. If the temp needle goes in the red, STOP RIGHT THERE. 3. If the oil light comes on, STOP RIGHT THERE 4. Change your own oil and filter 5. Never listen to advice about a BMW from someone who has never owned one. 6. Never listen to advice in an Auto Parts Store 7. Shop around for everything. You'd be amazed at how much money you can save. 8. Do not abuse an old car. Be easy on it. It is like an old dog, don't throw the stick too far. 9. Fix things as they come up. Don't defer until you have a list of 15 defects. 10. Your tachometer is your best friend. Pay attention to it as you shift.
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 11, 2009 11:59 am) I have basically no budget and I need a car that runs (preferably manual, easier to work with in my opinion). Your advice has helped quite a bit and now I am armed with knowledge on what will most likely go wrong with this car. Thanks for your help. |
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 11, 2009 11:50 am) You're looking to buy a comparable car with more mile than mine, so be prepared to cough up some bucks for maintenance or repairs. BTW, my AC doesn't work either, but I can live with that. Both front control arms have been replaced, as has the steering rack. Timing belt and water pump were replaced at the 144K miles mark. Mr. Shiftright's reference as to what thing to look for seems pretty much in agreement with my experience. |
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Replying to: srs_49 (Jan 11, 2009 5:02 pm)
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 11, 2009 5:23 pm) If you already have a second car that will get you to work pretty regularly when this one is waiting parts (or waiting for you to have the time to put them in) then - maybe. My wife's 98 328i is a pampered child - never parked outside day or night- has 50K miles on it since 1998 - she only drives about 6 K a year but drives it regularly to work and back. Maintained, literally, by the book. However, when I go through the "things that are gonna happen" checklist that Mr. Shiftright has provided, it's a near perfect match for the things I've done for her car. The radiator, the bushings, the window regulator, the leaky valve cover gasket, and now last weekend, the thermostat (fortunately in the open position). The next ones will be (according to the check list) the water pump, and then the fan clutch. None of these are a big deal individually as, fortunately, I can afford them, and they don't pop up very close together. Still, just for routine maintenance like this, and then adding in tires, brakes, etc, I'm probably averaging $200 a month over the course of a year. Unfortunately, that's nothing for six months and then $800 and then nothing for a few months and so on. You'll spend less dollars since you can do your own work, but you'll spend more hours, and during those hours you won't be driving. Final note of experience. If you don't have a garage to work in - you're parking outside - then this car won't be practical. Some jobs are going to take you two or three days at a minimum - to get the part you didn't know you needed when you started, or the tool that you have to borrow from somebody, halfway through the job. Me? I'd hold off and wait a little. Given economic conditions, you should be able to pick up a better old BMW for a few K more that will allow you to skip some of the maintenance anything this old will need. Better to invest the money up front for a better car, than to spend the same money later for parts. When I was young and thin, and poor, I owned an old Alfa Spider, so I come by these opinions honestly. Still, in the end the decision has to be yours. "The heart has its reasons that the mind knows nothing of"
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Replying to: lokki (Jan 12, 2009 7:46 am) Can this car go another 75,000 miles? Sure, probably, given its good care (allegedly). Will those 75,000 miles be relatively trouble-free? No, that is simply not realistic thinking. Let's frame it this way---aside from gas and insurance, can you afford to put $100 to $150 a month into this car, averaged out over a couple of years? If "yes I think so", then okay, give it a shot. If "no, I really don't want to do that every month" then no, don't buy it. Get an old Corolla....turn the key, drive it, park it, abuse it, crash it...it doesn't mind. |
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Replying to: cardude_2009 (Jan 11, 2009 5:23 pm) Look for a used Civic or Corolla, though those tend to be a bit pricey. Something used from Detroit would probably be more in your price range, but I don't really have a good recommendation there. I did good with a used '94 Merc Tracer I bought for my son 8 years ago (120,000 miles on it, paid something like $2000 for it). Guy my wife worked with was moving out of the country. Any retirement communities near you? Lots of times you can find some really good deals there from someone giving up their license and vehicle. |
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Test drove the two (among others) and am leaning towards the BMW. BMW '07 328i (20K Miles &  $21.5K) vs Acura '06 TL (19K Miles $21.5K). There are factory warranty's available- 4yr/50K miles.. essentially 2 years on the BMW vs a year on the Acura. What other factor should I consider prior to purchasing? Moving to SF Bay area- and possibly drive 120 miles/day. This is the first time I am going to this car segment after driving a reliable Honda Civic. Appreciate advise and cautions Best, Ad-ag
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Replying to: adag (Jan 13, 2009 8:50 am) One other thing to factor in... No charge for service on the BMW until the warranty expires... 600 miles per week? Shewwwwww.. get a new girlfriend...lol. |
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Replying to: adag (Jan 13, 2009 8:50 am) IMO (I have an '87 BMW and my son has a TL type S), the BMW is sportier and more fun to drive, while, over the long run, the Acura will be cheaper for maintenance and repairs. If it were me, I would go for the BMW, particularly given that they're the same price and the BMW is a year newer. How are they equiped?
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