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Buying a Used 3-Series

758 messages,  Last post on Dec 17, 2012 at 9:34 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW M3, BMW 3 Series, Motorsports, Engine, Suspension, Car Buying, Coupe

Messages Page 72 of 76

#709 of 758 BMW 328i or not? need car buying advice by gdkalyanapu

Aug 04, 2011 (10:25 am)

It was car buying time for me now and i'm confused which ones to pick. I was inclined towards bmw. With the budget I have, I was looking for a 2006-07 BMW 328i. All the cars in my range either have high mileage or accident report. Also. I want to know if buying a car that has a few months of CPO would be a good idea or do i not need it at all. Also, can somebody advise me on what I need to look from maintainance perspective?

#710 of 758 3 Series WAGON by mattyfresh

Aug 05, 2011 (9:40 am)

I'm considering purchasing a 2008-2010 3-Series sportwagon and need to get honest opinions regarding reliabilty. Maintenance and overall impression of the vehicle. HELP!!!!
 
thanks guys
 
matt

#711 of 758 Re: To xi or not to xi? [ronsteve] by mattyfresh

Aug 05, 2011 (9:47 am)

Replying to: ronsteve (Jun 16, 2011 12:33 pm)
ronsteve did you ever purchase a wagon? I'm in the same boat. I'm torn between a 2009-2010 Volvo V70 (non-XC) and a 2008-2010 BMW 3-Series wagon. Just wanted to see if you made a purchase.
 
hope this finds you well
 
matt

#712 of 758 Re: 3 Series WAGON [mattyfresh] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 05, 2011 (9:51 am)

Replying to: mattyfresh (Aug 05, 2011 9:40 am)
Nice cars. A bit maintenance heavy, especially if you rely on the dealership--it's gonna hurt sometimes. You'll probably have to deal with Run Flat Tires, which a few people like, but most don't enjoy the noise and harshness, or the expense. I'd recommend avoiding them and getting regular premium tires + BMW's spare tire kit, or some space saver kit (pump + sealant).
 
It would be great, once you're out of warranty, to take your car to a good independent shop; also join the BMW club of America for parts discounts.
 
Buy the nicest example with the lowest mileage that you can afford.

#714 of 758 Re: 3 Series WAGON [Mr_Shiftright] by roadburner

Aug 05, 2011 (11:53 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 05, 2011 9:51 am)
What Mr. Shiftright said. The 328i is pretty reliable overall. The key is maintaining it properly- here's my recommended schedule:
 
Oil and Filter- Every 8,000-9,000 miles, using a BMW filter and either BMW 5W-30 Synthetic, Castrol Syntec 0W-30, or Mobil 1 0W-40
  
MT oil or ATF- every 50,000 miles using BMW proprietary fluids
  
Brake Fluid Change- Every two years using a DOT 4 fluid; ATE Super Blue, BMW DOT 4, and Castrol LMA are good choices
  
Coolant- Every 3-4 years; using BMW coolant only
  
You shouldn't need brakes for 90,000-100,000 miles at least
  
Tires should last 40,000-50,000 miles

#715 of 758 Re: To xi or not to xi? [mattyfresh] by ronsteve

Aug 10, 2011 (6:01 pm)

Replying to: mattyfresh (Aug 05, 2011 9:47 am)
ronsteve did you ever purchase a wagon?
 
No, I'm staying put for now. The extended warranty on my V70 runs out next June, at which point I might revisit the discussion.
 
Would still LOVE to get my hands on a Bimmer at some point, but they're so hard to find with the stick.

#716 of 758 Re: 3 Series WAGON [roadburner] by isellhondas

Aug 15, 2011 (3:06 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Aug 05, 2011 11:53 am)
Well, I topped off my radiator with (gasp) Prestone!
 
I suppose the bottom tank is going to fall off now!

#717 of 758 Interested in buying 2008 CPO 328xi by hiluxssrg

Aug 15, 2011 (5:18 pm)

Hello all,
 
Would anyone offer their purchasing recommendation on the following?
 
2008 BMW 3 Series 328xi CPO Off Lease
 
36k miles, all service performed at dealership
 
BMW dealer asking $27,500 from posted $29,500 sale price
 
Automatic Transmission/ Premium Package/ Leather Seating/ Xenon High Intensity Discharge Headlights/ Satellite Radio System/ Rear Ski Bag/ Hands-Free Multi-Function Remote w/Keyless Ignition/ BMW Assist/ Bluetooth
 
I haven't started negotiating yet, but salesperson/dealer looks motivated to sell.
 
Not sure if the offer is fair or out-of-line. Any advice is appreciated.
 
Thanks,
 
Charles.

#718 of 758 Re: 3 Series WAGON [isellhondas] by roadburner

Aug 15, 2011 (8:19 pm)

Replying to: isellhondas (Aug 15, 2011 3:06 pm)
Well, I topped off my radiator with (gasp) Prestone!
  
I suppose the bottom tank is going to fall off now!
 
It's your car and your choice, but no way would I use anything other than BMW, Mercedes, or Zerex G-05 coolant in a BMW. Using the proper coolant is cheap insurance- use of an incorrect coolant explains why many older Bimmers suffer catastrophic cooling system failures.
 
From my friend/tech guru Mike Miller- writing in Bimmer magazine:
 
BMWs are incredibly sensitive to operating fluids, including coolant. I've always felt this is due to the metallurgy used in the engine construction, but there is no way to know for sure. On neglected cars, aluminum oxidation builds up in various places within the engine, including on older models, between coolant hoses and aluminum fittings. That is the most obvious manifestation of aluminum oxidation. It causes the worst problems inside the sometimes tiny coolant passages of the cylinder head, where it can act like hardening of the arteries, restricting or even cutting off the supply of coolant to various parts of the cylinder head. This sometimes presents itself as phantom overheating with no known cause, though more often than not the cylinder head gasket blows before that.
I learned long ago that using phosphate free Original BMW antifreeze mixed 50-50 with distilled water and changing it every 2 years, of even four years on hotter running OBD-II models essentially eliminates aluminum oxidation. The cars I maintain don't blow head gaskets or have chronic overheating problems.

Messages Page 72 of 76

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