thinking of buying a BMW

[suqish76]

I'm in the market for another car and i wanted to ask the JW BMW owners the pro's and con's of owning their own Bimmers.
i've never driven a bmw so don't know what to expect.
im probably looking at a 95-97 model 325i.
whats their power output and handling etc like is there any major problems i should be wary of ?
i've tried to get some stats of them from the net but cant find anything useful :(
any help is appreciated. :wink:

[altedza]

I'm in the market for another car and i wanted to ask the JW BMW owners the pro's and con's of owning their own Bimmers.
i've never driven a bmw so don't know what to expect.
im probably looking at a 95-97 model 325i.
whats their power output and handling etc like is there any major problems i should be wary of ?
i've tried to get some stats of them from the net but cant find anything useful :(
any help is appreciated. :wink:

I'm not particularly fond of E36s, but that's just me. Some people still really like them, despite being over a 10 year-old design. Your car won't be very quick, but it won't be slow. It will handle well. You will enjoy the ride. The interior will be dated, remember, since the E46s are gone already (replaced by the E90s). I really dislike the old keys. As for major problems, I'd imagine at this point everything would be handled and I've seen those go up to pretty damn high mileage. The only problems I ever catch in 90's BMWs are dying LCDs.

[GTO]

^ Good cars but too expensive here.

AUstralia eh, dont go near them, too expensive, problematic and expensive when things go wrong.

What do you want out of a car and whats your budget?

[ZfrkS62]

hmm..E36 weak points:

-Wheel bearings
-seat belt pre-tensioners
-airbag contact ring behind the steering wheel gets noisy
-at this age the ABS hydraulic unit starts going out
-318's tend to lose their radiator if it hasn't been replaced by now
-as was mentioned before, the LCD's on the A/C control panel and radio fade out
-control arm bushings tend to last only about 50K, but that goes from the E30 straight to the E46

Keep in mind that this doesn't all happen at once :wink: but these are the most common issues with the E36.

[RC45]

BMTroubleU... ;)

Great car to own new with warranty - but don't forget that a cheap used BMW still cost's the same to maintain as a nice expensive new one :)

[ZfrkS62]

BMTroubleU... ;)

Great car to own new with warranty - but don't forget that a cheap used BMW still cost's the same to maintain as a nice expensive new one :)

same with any car though.

[ae86_16v]

hmm..E36 weak points:

-Wheel bearings
-seat belt pre-tensioners
-airbag contact ring behind the steering wheel gets noisy
-at this age the ABS hydraulic unit starts going out
-318's tend to lose their radiator if it hasn't been replaced by now
-as was mentioned before, the LCD's on the A/C control panel and radio fade out
-control arm bushings tend to last only about 50K, but that goes from the E30 straight to the E46

Keep in mind that this doesn't all happen at once :wink: but these are the most common issues with the E36.

- Rear Shock Mounts
- Water pumps (need to be replace by metal impeller kind pre-96)
- Oxygen 2 sensors will need replacing
- Suspension components
- Dated exterior (personal taste)
- Dated interior (personal taste)

I can't think of anything else off the top of my head. I had a 97 328is and now I am driving a 98 M3. Overall both cars has extremely reliable. And I hope it stays that way.

Generally speaking preventive maintanence will save you a lot of trouble in the long run.

This has to do w/ the US/North America Market only:

The 2.5 L M50B25 used in the 325 models was replaced in 1996 with the 2.8 L M52B28, creating the 328 line. Another 2.5 L engine, the M52B25, was reintroduced for 1998 but the cars were sold as 323 rather than 325.

So if you want a 325, then you could only have it in 1995. 96-97 had the 328. And 1998, the last year for E36 Sedans had the 323.

Both the 2.5L motors had 168hp, while the 2.8 had 190hp.

There was a facelift in 1997. It had more sculpted front nose, updated side markers. The interior and climate controls were updated in 1996. 1997+ had the options of center arm rest. 1998-99 had rear headrest and side impact airbags. 98.5+ and 99 Coupes had M Technic kit that was similar to M3s.

If you can, try to get a 1997 328i or iS for the Coupe. Great power, handles wonderfully, and great starter BMW. Try to find something that has records, showing that the owner did not neglect the car. If so, the bills could start adding up fast.

Also if at all possible, try to get a manual. It really is that much better. :)

Goodluck, feel free to ask any more questions. ZfrkS62 will be able to handle most of your technical questions.

Check out these links as well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_3_Series
http://www.answers.com/topic/bmw-3-series

(I love wikipedia :D )

[suqish76]

GTO...my budget... well i'm not sure just yet, it kinda depends on a couple things first.
Brembo...Audi, BMW, yeah they're all kinda expensive here.
RC45...thats one of my concerns, maintanence.
ae86...was your 328 a daily driver?. as this will be my only car, i need something that will be reliable and used every day.

[RC45]

BMTroubleU... ;)

Great car to own new with warranty - but don't forget that a cheap used BMW still cost's the same to maintain as a nice expensive new one :)

same with any car though.

Not at all.

This is not true for "peoples cars" that are easily and cheaply serviced under the oak tree in your back yard with parts bought at Autozone :P

I have had my eye on either a first gen BMW 750iL or an 850 or even a 5xx/6xxSL or a 5xx/6xxSE for the longest time - the reason I have never just driven one of these "cheap" $12,000 V12's home, is that routine maintenance and repairs are still the same cost as when the cars were new...

And in todays dollars, that means the same as the cost of keeping a $100,000+ car clothed and fed. :)

[bmwmpower]

yeah 328 is better then 325, more power same fuel consumtion

[Toronto]

go to the dealer and drive the car, if you like it, you won't mind spending money on it :wink:

[ae86_16v]

GTO...my budget... well i'm not sure just yet, it kinda depends on a couple things first.
Brembo...Audi, BMW, yeah they're all kinda expensive here.
RC45...thats one of my concerns, maintanence.
ae86...was your 328 a daily driver?. as this will be my only car, i need something that will be reliable and used every day.

Yup for over 4 years it was my daily driver. Pretty reliable. I had to replace a few sensors (cam position & oxygen 2), plus a few minor things, but nothing big. The Inspections Is and IIs are kind of expensive. Those are regular inspection recommended by BMW, but the best part is that you don't have to take the car into a dealer to have those done. If you are a DYI guy, you could even do it yourself. The list of items to change/replace/check is readily available online.

Right now my M3 is a semi-daily driver and it has proven to be great as well.

Like I said, find something that preferrably has one owner w/ all the records then move from there. You don't want to buy into someone else's problems.

Oh another problem I just remember that is kind of expensive is the AirBag Sensor. Usually it is either the seat belt sensor or the occupancy sensor. That is a $500 part + labor. My 328is it went out twice and in my M3 it went out once. So it adds up.

[ZfrkS62]

http://www.bmw-m.net/Gallery/inspection/inspect.htm

here's one of the inspection checklists 8)

[bmwmpower]

or try to find E books from Total bmw mag

[ae86_16v]

http://www.bmw-m.net/Gallery/inspection/inspect.htm

here's one of the inspection checklists 8)

Hahah, you got to me before I could edit my post :D. Thanks!!!

http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm

[bmwmpower]

http://rapidshare.de/files/4929096/BuyingAug02.PDF.html

u re lucky, just read this buyers guide to 3 series

[GTO]

BMTroubleU... ;)
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Stuff BMW, too expensive if things go wrong, fair enough if your like ae86_16v who can do your own repair work that off setts the cost but really you want a car that only needs fuel and as you know that’s even that is Fken expensive right now!

BMW depreciate worse than Audi here but still BOTH are over priced for what they are Here.

Daily driver I’d go for a late model Japanese car. If you want luxury maybe a second hand Honda accord Euro, Integra Luxury or Subaru Liberty? Great daily driver cars, run on fumes and great build quality and THE most reliable cars on the market.

In all it depends on your budget

[suqish76]

Daily driver I’d go for a late model Japanese car. If you want luxury maybe a second hand Honda accord Euro, Integra Luxury or Subaru Liberty? Great daily driver cars, run on fumes and great build quality and THE most reliable cars on the market.

In all it depends on your budget
yeah i was looking at a mkiii supra but the insurance cost would been a bit to much in the long run.
i don't want a 4cyl, want something with a bit more grunt.
had my eye on either bimmer or a holden vs seriesii berlina, the later is local with only 70k full electrics and climate ctl, so its kinda got luxurys :lol:
i live in a small town so i really want something different other than the usual holden or ford :wink:

[ae86_16v]

BMTroubleU... ;)
:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Stuff BMW, too expensive if things go wrong, fair enough if your like ae86_16v who can do your own repair work that off setts the cost but really you want a car that only needs fuel and as you know that’s even that is Fken expensive right now!

BMW depreciate worse than Audi here but still BOTH are over priced for what they are Here.

Daily driver I’d go for a late model Japanese car. If you want luxury maybe a second hand Honda accord Euro, Integra Luxury or Subaru Liberty? Great daily driver cars, run on fumes and great build quality and THE most reliable cars on the market.

In all it depends on your budget

Well, I definitely do not know much about the Australian car market. But I actually do not do much of my own work. What I was trying to point out is that they have been relatively trouble free, at least in my case. But I pointed the Inspection list because often you could save a lot of money either one, Do-It-Yourself or take it to an independent shop.

In terms of luxury, the Japanese has definitely caught up and surpass in some cases. Lexus is a great example of luxury. But then, it still does not give you the same driving experience as a BMW, i.e. IS300. (Haven't driven the latest IS350, so I'll reserve my judgement until I do.)

But if you really only care about reliability, then yeah, get a Civic or Corolla and put in gas and go. (Remember to change your oils though :) ).

[GTO]

In terms of luxury, the Japanese has definitely caught up and surpass in some cases. Lexus is a great example of luxury. But then, it still does not give you the same driving experience as a BMW, i.e. IS300. (Haven't driven the latest IS350, so I'll reserve my judgement until I do.)

But if you really only care about reliability, then yeah, get a Civic or Corolla and put in gas and go. (Remember to change your oils though :) ).
Yeah definatly Japanese cars have come a long way. Take a look at the Subaru Legacy now and just in 2003, the diffrence seems like 10 years! Honda Accord Euro is awesome too and less than 1/2 the price of a BMW. Lexus too, I like the IS200, havn't driven the IS300 either.
My pick though would be the Legacy Outback, its stylish, well refined, realiable and at its core still a tractor.

I've only driven Old BMW 3 series E36 (i think) and its heavy, not my type of car. Also the latest CLK240, that was nice but considering its 3 times what I paid for my Subaru and its slow, definatly not worth the money here IMO.

I like Civic and Corolla beacuse the fill'n go factor, talking my GF into getting a Corolla, its really a great car for the price.

[ae86_16v]

Yeah definatly Japanese cars have come a long way. Take a look at the Subaru Legacy now and just in 2003, the diffrence seems like 10 years! Honda Accord Euro is awesome too and less than 1/2 the price of a BMW. Lexus too, I like the IS200, havn't driven the IS300 either.
My pick though would be the Legacy Outback, its stylish, well refined, realiable and at its core still a tractor.

I've only driven Old BMW 3 series E36 (i think) and its heavy, not my type of car. Also the latest CLK240, that was nice but considering its 3 times what I paid for my Subaru and its slow, definatly not worth the money here IMO.

I like Civic and Corolla beacuse the fill'n go factor, talking my GF into getting a Corolla, its really a great car for the price.

Oh yeah, I saw a Subaru Legacy last week all decked out in leather and everything it was nice. Very refined look indeed.

The E36 3 series is definitely heavy. But that's what I like about it. It gives off that solid feel, at the same time when the corners comes up, it is also very agile. That's what I liked about it. Inline 6s has lots of torque and good HP.

But like I said, you have to get a manual to really enjoy it.