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Sedans BMW 3-Series Buying a Used 3-Series
466 messages, Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 1:44 PM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens
I'm looking at purchasing a 98 to 03 BMW 3 Series sedan or Z3 as a second vehicle. What are the common issues of these vehicles that would want an owner to sell or try and dump on the market? I know maintenance thru a BMW dealer can get expensive, but a quick peruse thru CraigsList showed a number of mechanics willing to work on BMW's.
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Replying to: joe05 (Feb 14, 2009 4:38 pm) The E36/E46 BMWs don't have all that many chronic problems. Water pumps fail at around 60K miles but they are not expensive or difficult to replace. Automatics can be problematic. Almost everything else is pretty simple and straightforward. If you don't know BMWs it is essential that you have a potential purchase inspected by a qualified BMW tech. Don't automatically rule out using a dealer; some offer quality work at very reasonable prices. You also should join the BMW Car Club of America.
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Replying to: roadburner (Feb 14, 2009 9:00 pm) Don't forget to add control arm bushings, ball joints, rear shock mounts, subframes, radiators, power window regulators, and lifetime automatic transmissions. 
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Replying to: roadburner (Feb 14, 2009 9:00 pm) |
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Replying to: fedlawman (Feb 14, 2009 9:19 pm) Yikes! You would prefer a 5 speed tranny, or anything but a BMW?
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Replying to: joe05 (Feb 14, 2009 10:06 pm) All cars have their problem areas (yes, even the Japanese). BMW's aren't any worse than any other car. If you maintain it, it'll last forever. |
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Replying to: fedlawman (Feb 14, 2009 9:19 pm) I tend to forget about those items as my 1995 3er hasn't required any of those items in over 114,000 miles. And der slushbox ist verboten in any of my daily drivers. As for my 3er, I think it's going to end up serving as my primary track toy once more; the 2007 Mazdaspeed 3 is very close to being traded for a 2003 540i 6 speed. The 2003 540i SPs all have the European M Sport package with an even more aggressive sport suspension as well as a very sharp M Technic bodykit. I figure that at 52 I need at least one geezermobile in the garage... 
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Replying to: roadburner (Feb 15, 2009 8:45 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Feb 15, 2009 11:08 pm) For some reason the fours don't go through radiators like the sixes and eights do. Go figure...
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Replying to: roadburner (Feb 16, 2009 8:25 am) I've give it the "tug test". If you can wiggle the top hose and the radiator doesnt' crack right then and there, it has more life in it. If it does crack, better you know now than on the road. |
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