BMW 3 series owners/experts in here please.

[foghorn67]

BMW's are growing on me. I like the 3 series up until their recent redesign. But I know almost nothing about them except that they are wonderful to drive.
Can someone brief me on what to get, or what to avoid. Best values, years, options...that sort of thing.
I ruled these cars out because there so freaking many of them around here. But screw it, I like 'em.

 

[Jahee]

Price range?

 

[JulesMaximus]

Get one with low miles because as they age they get more and more expensive to keep in top running condition.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get one with low miles because as they age they get more and more expensive to keep in top running condition.

How low of miles?

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Jahee
Price range?

$20k or below. So am looking at one at least a few years old.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get one with low miles because as they age they get more and more expensive to keep in top running condition.

How low of miles?

As low as you can find. I wouldn't buy one with over 50k miles on it that's for sure. 20-30k would be good but damned near impossible to find around here anyway.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get one with low miles because as they age they get more and more expensive to keep in top running condition.

How low of miles?

As low as you can find. I wouldn't buy one with over 50k miles on it that's for sure. 20-30k would be good but damned near impossible to find around here anyway.

I will put a lot of toll way and freeway miles on it. About 23 miles each way for my commute. Will it crap out in a few years of owning one?

 

[krunchykrome]

I thought BMW's are generally reliable cars except for the electric issues that are associated with German automobiles.

 

[luckysnafu]

lots of info on the last version of the 3 series can be found at www.e46fanatics.com (but don't go there after you buy your car or you WILL spend money modding, trust me)

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get one with low miles because as they age they get more and more expensive to keep in top running condition.

How low of miles?

As low as you can find. I wouldn't buy one with over 50k miles on it that's for sure. 20-30k would be good but damned near impossible to find around here anyway.

I will put a lot of toll way and freeway miles on it. About 23 miles each way for my commute. Will it crap out in a few years of owning one?

It probably won't leave you stranded but it will start to eat a hole in your wallet that's for sure. I've owned 2 of those money pits. Look to spend a couple thousand a year in maint. and upkeep after the car hits 4 years old. Maybe less if it's a manual transmission car. If you're looking for an automatic I'd just get a Maxima or an Accord...forget about the Bimmer.

 

[Koing]

The e46 is a beautiful shape. My personal favorite.

Koing

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: luckysnafu
lots of info on the last version of the 3 series can be found at www.e46fanatics.com (but don't go there after you buy your car or you WILL spend money modding, trust me)

good looking website. Bookmarking it for sure.

 

[MaDDinGO]

I have a 330xi, so here's my take..

20k range your probably looking at a 00-02 with at least 40-60k mi. A base BMW does not come with leather - but leatherette.

Available packages for those yrs are

Premium - leather, sunroof, cd, etc

Sport - bigger rims, sport steering wheel, fogs, bigger wheels, sport seats etc.

Cold Weather - headlight washers, ski pass through, fold down seats, etc.

Other add on's include Nav, premium HK sound system, cd changer, parking distance control, HID's

Things to keep a eye out for are the 99-00 with subframe issues. Try to stay away from 323's or 325's they're rather underpowered. Some are built in South Africa, so make sure you check out where they are assembled. Also, I recommend going to the local dealership, you might pay a little more, but a CPO warranty (5yr, 100k) can't be beat.

Pros: fun to drive, fast, handles well
Cons: expensive to maintain, not too great on gas (18-22mpg with my car), depending on where you live - this car is RWD (unless you get a Xi), so with any RWD car, its not that great in the snow.

If your are willing to spend a little more, 03+ has a new package called ZHP - its gives you M bumpers, better suspension, M steering wheel and a little more power.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: MaDDinGO
I have a 330xi, so here's my take..

20k range your probably looking at a 00-02 with at least 40-60k mi. A base BMW does not come with leather - but leatherette.

Available packages for those yrs are

Premium - leather, sunroof, cd, etc

Sport - bigger rims, sport steering wheel, fogs, bigger wheels, sport seats etc.

Cold Weather - headlight washers, ski pass through, fold down seats, etc.

Other add on's include Nav, premium HK sound system, cd changer, parking distance control, HID's

Things to keep a eye out for are the 99-00 with subframe issues. Try to stay away from 323's or 325's they're rather underpowered. Some are built in South Africa, so make sure you check out where they are assembled. Also, I recommend going to the local dealership, you might pay a little more, but a CPO warranty (5yr, 100k) can't be beat.

Pros: fun to drive, fast, handles well
Cons: expensive to maintain, not too great on gas (18-22mpg with my car), depending on where you live - this car is RWD (unless you get a Xi), so with any RWD car, its not that great in the snow.

If your are willing to spend a little more, 03+ has a new package called ZHP - its gives you M bumpers, better suspension, M steering wheel and a little more power.

this is good info. No worries on the RWD part. I actually prefer that.

 

[Alone]

BMW's hold well, but when you do need to get work done on it, it will be expensive. If you don't have a solid budget where there'll always be a fair bit of money for repairs, I would be careful.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: Alone
BMW's hold well, but when you do need to get work done on it, it will be expensive. If you don't have a solid budget where there'll always be a fair bit of money for repairs, I would be careful.

err. You are probably right. Damn. I don't care how much tech is in these cars, but I love the minimalistic like approach. The shape is so clean, and they drive perfect for a sedan.
Maybe I'll have a look at the other 3 series, the Mazda kind.

 

[RgrPark]

www.bimmerforums.com

 

[GrantMeThePower]

E36 M3 would be great for you, i think. You'd save some money, but they are amazing cars to drive. Just get one in good condition and you'll be stoked.

 

[Doggiedog]

The radiators in the 3 are made of plastic. They start to fail around the 90K-100K mile range. Expect to replace it around that time.

The E36 M3 has an issue with the shock towers. The support for the shock towers is weak and after a bit of wear and tear, the shock towers can break through into the trunk.

 

[RiDE]

Originally posted by: RgrPark
www.bimmerforums.com

That place is full of kids who think the E36 is God's gift to mankind.

 

[music]

I have an 04 325Ci. I love my car. In the three years I've had it, the only major problem I've had is the ignition coils, but there is a recall that covers those.

The dealership I go to charges $120 an hour for labor and the parts are expensive.

It's not as powerful as other cars, but I don't mind.

 

[bigdog1218]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: foghorn67

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Get one with low miles because as they age they get more and more expensive to keep in top running condition.

How low of miles?

As low as you can find. I wouldn't buy one with over 50k miles on it that's for sure. 20-30k would be good but damned near impossible to find around here anyway.

I will put a lot of toll way and freeway miles on it. About 23 miles each way for my commute. Will it crap out in a few years of owning one?

It probably won't leave you stranded but it will start to eat a hole in your wallet that's for sure. I've owned 2 of those money pits. Look to spend a couple thousand a year in maint. and upkeep after the car hits 4 years old. Maybe less if it's a manual transmission car. If you're looking for an automatic I'd just get a Maxima or an Accord...forget about the Bimmer.

Why would he, or anyone, buy a Nissan for it's reliability. Actually, why would anyone buy a Nissan?

 

[foghorn67]

I am going to make it a point to test drive some this weekend.

 

[Allanv]

My 2000 318CI has 103k miles on the clock and all i do is motorway driving 100 miles per day to and from work.

working fine still tight, although i need some new front tires but hey thats fine.

 

[DivideBYZero]

I have a fully loaded E46 M3 and I love it. It's not too bad on fuel considering the power output. It's better on fuel than my 250hp WRX was.

My advice would be get an approved used car with a warranty. That is what I did and it's is going in for minor work next week (the SATNAV lady is shouting at me and I cannot turn her down. )