deepbluejh

That's a rather depressing assessment of the situation, though not entirely surprising I guess.


Just for another data point... A friend of mine bought a 10 year old, 160k mile, 540i (V8) manual about two years ago and it's been rock solid for him. I thought he was crazy for buying the car, but has had no issues with it. I think he paid about $7500.

TheDonEffect

Roll the dice, some people get them and have absolutely no issues with the car and got a solid deal. Others, have issues here and there and get turned off by BMW altogether. Which one seems to be more likely to you and go with that.

duffman13

BMW has had a number of issues with the changeover in the 90s to more "environmentally friendly" plastics throughout the manufacturing process.

E36s started to see this with their cooling systems that are a time bomb after about 80-90k miles. You can replace the whole system for about $1k with all aluminum stuff that won't fail though.

The E46 series has the cooling system problems, coupled with the same plastics in the wiring harnesses and other places, hence more things needing fixing. Suspension needs new bushings every 80k. Window regulators are a common issue. VANOS is hit or miss. Rear subframe has a tendency to tear.

Rear shock mounts are an issue that goes back all the way to the E36 chassis, I believe it affects the E46 as well. If I were buying a high mileage Bimmer, It would be a E36 328iS, and I would promptly replace the cooling system and bushings. Anything else you are playing russian roulette with your wallet.

SlowTeg

Interesting info in this thread.. I never knew e46's tended to have these issues. Is anyone familiar with the e90/e92s? I looked at them a few years back. Do they have the same reliability issues as the e46's or were the problems ironed out? A sensor or regulator going bad here and there is one thing, but having subframe, cooling, electrical harness issues could be a real pita.

rich85tpi

From what I've read over the years, I think the e30 is the last really reliable 3 series and the e34 is the last really reliable 5 series. Newer models have some known faults (rear shock towers failing in the 3 series, weak cooling systems, etc.) and have more complicated systems which can go wrong.

The tech editor of the Roundel (the BMWCCA's magazine) has been telling members not to keep newer BMW's past the warranty period.

rich85tpi

A lot of plastics get brittle with age.

duffman13

I did a 3 year stint with an A4 between years 8-10 of its age. Never again.
I was thinking about repalcing it with a 98-99ish E36 M3, but then looked into all the issues, and decided it would be a bigger money pit than the A4 I was replacing.

Got myself an Acura RSX-S, and drove it for 6 years without issue. Just replaced it with the AP1in my sig with 20k less miles for minimal outlay on my part.

My motto now is this:
Rent American (or beater with a proven cheap one), buy Japanese, lease German.

The german manufacturers, especially the luxury ones, have made it clear that the only person who's ownership experience counts is the initial buyer/leasee.

Porsche made this apparent with their refusal to do anything regarding the 1999-2008ish boxster/non-GTx model 911, IMS/RMS failures. Seriously? There is something like a 25% failure rate of engines over 60k miles. That's not right, and close to downright criminal on a $60k+ car.

BMW made this clear with their refusal to put a proper cooling system on the 3 for 2 decades now.

Audi made it clear with every iteration of their turbo motors, which are perpetually running like garbage.

Come to think of it, I never really hear anything bad about Mercedes though, but I don't think they get bought in large enough quantities or have as vocal an enthusaist fanbase.

hirev

Most cars on the road need some work, it seems like it all comes at once sometimes. German cars have electrical issues and cooling issues and some even have fuel issues. Japanese cars speak for themselves, most of us own one and with a few expections they prove to be a benchmark in reliability adn value. I would not buy a bmw with 153,000 miles on it for any reason without the expectation that it would need work. My girlfriend has a lexus, rx 300 a 2000. It has a valve cover leak, needed brakes and tires, needs the headlight lens polish, and has a few buttons that do not work, it has 148,000 miles on it. It has sit outside for all of it's life and carried her dog about daily, it has ripped seats...but it is a solid car and worth putting $3000 in it to trick it out if need be. Its good for another couple of years min. So i would buy that car. Your mileage may very. you have a nice high mileage car that runs well, yoiu know it's history, why dump $3,000 or so into a used car you know nothing about?

alanpikku

Coming from a 2001 BMW 328 owner, NO! Don't do it. There's a reason why people get rid of their Bimmers after 120k miles. BMW=break my wallet. There was also a recall for rear cracked sub frame. The car was a nice ride, but expect to pay a premium on parts. They also have a weak cooling system and if you live in a place like Arizona, expect all the rubber to melt off. I also had some issues with the traction control system before I let it go. Btw, it was also supercharged and i sold it for cheaper than that car, and it was metallic blue. He's also asking way too much for that car, don't do it! Oh yea, and the moon roof motor took a crap on me also, and the radiator fans. I'm not the only one, read reviews about the e46 3 series, and you will find similar bad reviews to mine.

saluki9

Yep, I love my BMW, but I wouldn't even consider keeping it past it's factory warranty, let alone 100K+