Ask the Car People.SM


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 77 of 77

#756 of 758 Maintenance Costs on 1999 BMW 323i by snoho07

Dec 16, 2012 (11:54 pm)

I am considering buying a 1999 BMW 323i as my car to finish out my last year at college and to drive to job interviews with. I need some advice on basic maintenance costs (tune-up, oil changes, tires, etc.). I've been shopping around for a nice used car for a couple weeks and found the BMW on the used dealer lot while I was looking at another car. The BMW doesn't appear to have any physical problems and has approximately 110k miles on it. In my research a lot of people seem to have needed to do a lot of the more expensive repairs before the 80k mark.
Any ideas on what kinds of repairs I might be looking at? Is it possible to get a look at the maintenance records for the car (I read in one consumer review that BMW doesn't release those)?

#757 of 758 Re: Maintenance Costs on 1999 BMW 323i [snoho07] by qbrozen

Dec 17, 2012 (7:30 am)

Replying to: snoho07 (Dec 16, 2012 11:54 pm)
will you be doing your own maintenance or paying someone else? If someone else, who? Dealer or indy shop? Taking a bimmer to a bimmer dealer is very expensive. If you have an indy shop that specializes in them, I would give them a call and ask what they charge for various basic preventative maintenance items.
 
BTW, tires aren't specific to BMW, so that will cost you the same as any other car with the same size tires.

#758 of 758 Re: Maintenance Costs on 1999 BMW 323i [snoho07] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Dec 17, 2012 (9:34 am)

Replying to: snoho07 (Dec 16, 2012 11:54 pm)
I'd certainly join the BMW Club (http://www.bmwcca.org) to take advantage of their discounts and advice in their forums. That should cut costs somewhat. I'd have someone look the car over, especially things like control arm bushings. I'd also have someone tug on the upper radiator hose to see if the radiator inlet pipe breaks off (stand back!).
 
Also play with all the dials and switches, and check the HVAC system for proper function.

Messages Page 77 of 77

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement