BMW 325XI pre-buying inspection

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Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Buy an Accord or Camry for the same amount of money.

Does he need a BMW to impress the college women ????


I doubt it lol

My mom looks at the miles on a car. I recommended a Honda or Acura, but when she sees 140-150k miles for the same money as a 100k mile BMW she sees the Honda as a worse buy.

I asked here because should they decide it's what they are going to buy I at least want to be able to steer them away from one with and obvious problem. They looked at one Saturday that was a 325ci and I told them to wait. After a little research that car had the SULEV engine as apposed to the preferred ULEV engine.

I'm mechanically inclined myself, but I've never owned a BMW. I owned an Audi TT several years ago and it was a decent car for me.
 
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The few folks I know who have them have relatively decent reliability for an old car like that. However repairs tend to be very expensive when they happen. I recall them spending $1000-$1500 on the cooling systems.
 
Cooling system overhauled?

Transmission fluid changes? Esp the front transfer case.

At this point the window regulators and VANOS seals should have been replaced.

The E46 isn't all that expensive to maintain but it is a 12 year old car. 12 year old cars of course can have problems regardless of make.
 
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I agree with everything in this thread.

While a nice, low mileage BWM seems like a steal, there's MANY possible things to break.

Luckily when I was in university my 86 325es was far simpler than the newer stuff of today. Even for what it was, it still had me spending my weekends and summer holidays on repairs and maintenance, when I would have had far more fun chasing chics and partying with the boys. I guess what BMW ownership at a young age taught me, was that there are far more important things in life than fancy toys.

IMHO, I'd pass. Sure it seems like a great deal but you can easily find something far more reliable and cheaper to maintain from N America or Japan.

Some cars I'd strongly suggest:
late 00's Fusion, Toyota Camry/Avalon, Accord, Ford 500/Taurus.

All of those cars would be newer than the BMW and are far less complex when things do break (and they will).
 
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Buy an Accord or Camry for the same amount of money.

Does he need a BMW to impress the college women ????


I doubt it lol

My mom looks at the miles on a car. I recommended a Honda or Acura, but when she sees 140-150k miles for the same money as a 100k mile BMW she sees the Honda as a worse buy.

I asked here because should they decide it's what they are going to buy I at least want to be able to steer them away from one with and obvious problem. They looked at one Saturday that was a 325ci and I told them to wait. After a little research that car had the SULEV engine as apposed to the preferred ULEV engine.

I'm mechanically inclined myself, but I've never owned a BMW. I owned an Audi TT several years ago and it was a decent car for me.


Stay away from the SULEV 3ers.
 
Originally Posted By: HerrStig
Originally Posted By: sir1900
A good college car would be a Civic or Corolla, not BMW.
+1

Yep, once he finishes college and gets a good paying job he can buy a new BMW.

For now an Altima, Corolla, Camry, Accord, Civic, Mazda 3, Focus, .... etc.. Is a much better choice.
 
I'll add that if you are set on a euro lux car, consider leasing. That's probably what we'll do when we replace the wife's E46. Historically I was not a fan of leading a vehicle but it's looking more attractive with cars getting more complex.

3 years fixed cost, just make sure the maintenance is included during the whole lease term.

My wife only puts about 2,500 miles/year on her car but mileage might be a leasing concern if you drive a lot.
 
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Buy an Accord or Camry for the same amount of money.

Does he need a BMW to impress the college women ????

I doubt it lol

My mom looks at the miles on a car. I recommended a Honda or Acura, but when she sees 140-150k miles for the same money as a 100k mile BMW she sees the Honda as a worse buy.

Honda Accord of the same year with 140-150k miles is selling for the same amount as BMW with 100k miles is telling you something.

The MSRP of 2003 Accord was about 30-40% less than BMW 3 series. After 12 years with 40-50k miles more and asking for the same amount means more buyers is buying Accord. Why ? because it is known to be more reliable than BMW after 12-15 years.
 
Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: Mr Nice
Buy an Accord or Camry for the same amount of money.

Does he need a BMW to impress the college women ????


I doubt it lol

My mom looks at the miles on a car. I recommended a Honda or Acura, but when she sees 140-150k miles for the same money as a 100k mile BMW she sees the Honda as a worse buy.

I asked here because should they decide it's what they are going to buy I at least want to be able to steer them away from one with and obvious problem. They looked at one Saturday that was a 325ci and I told them to wait. After a little research that car had the SULEV engine as apposed to the preferred ULEV engine.

I'm mechanically inclined myself, but I've never owned a BMW. I owned an Audi TT several years ago and it was a decent car for me.


Stay away from the SULEV 3ers.


That's what I hear. The SULEV car I drove was a very very nice car.

We passed on the Blue 325xi. I noticed quickly that the car had been painted on and had a quarter panel put on the passenger side. I grew up around a body shop so I can usually spot fixes pretty quick. We never even started or drove the car.

I drove this. http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/cto/5182926954.html One on Saturday and it was almost perfect except being a SULEV car.

We found a couple mid 2000's Subaru Legacy GT's with right at or below 100k miles. What are your thoughts on these?
 
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Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I'm pretty sure those Subarus are plagued with head gasket issues.



I think i've convinced them to hold out for a 06-07 Civic LX with 100k or less miles.
 
Originally Posted By: donnyj08
Originally Posted By: Nick1994
I'm pretty sure those Subarus are plagued with head gasket issues.



I think i've convinced them to hold out for a 06-07 Civic LX with 100k or less miles.
Do some research into which Hondas had bad automatic transmissions.
 
If you can fix it yourself I rather have the BMW, simpler to work on, cheaper parts and all around a better car than anything FWD and Japanese.

I'd rather have a 330I with a stick though.

Sorry I don't worship at the nippon alter.
 
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Originally Posted By: hattaresguy
If you can fix it yourself I rather have the BMW, simpler to work on, cheaper parts and all around a better car than anything FWD and Japanese.

I'd rather have a 330I with a stick though.

Sorry I don't worship at the nippon alter.



I do agree with you partly, as the SULEV car I drive drove and handled spectacular. If it was for me personally I would have no reservations as I'm mechanically inclined and fairly auto savvy. My younger brother on the other hand is not at all.
 
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