Talk BMWs to me

[seaboltman]

Hey guys, I frequent the porsche boards (as i own a 86 944) and need some help with a purchase decision

Ok well my mother wants me to do some research on BMWs for her, and i know relativly little about BMWs aside from they are germay and far superior to anything else. My mom currently drives a 1999 Toyota Solara SLE (V6) and wants to switch over. She wont be buying new, it will be certified preowned. Questions:

1) Which series is best as a replacement for the Solara?
2) Which has about equlvilant room?
- If you recommend a certin Series like 3 Series, recommend me a car inside of the siries like 325i
3) What is the best year/model that she should look at the can be had for under 30k.

Thanks for the help.

[RANDY P]

3 series would be the answer to the closest match. However, from what I gather (I just bought a 2000 328 Coupe) buy one, make it a 330 CI with low mileage and buy it used from the dealer so you can get the good BMW preowned warranty -

Bought mine based on my previous experience with an E30 325 and a 633 that were well buit, solid and killer to drive. My E30 had 180K on in when I sold it and it still wasn't using oil, everythiing still worked on it. Loved that car.

NOW THE NEW ONES

Great driving car, has more character than anything Japanese, more highbrow, quick, definitely a driver's car smooth and powerful, drivetrain well built but some bugaboos from what I've researched so far (experts feel free to correct me / ease my mind if I'm wrong)

1- tendency to eat lower control arms - seen guys who've had them replaced multiple times even before 50K. Manifests itself as a kick in the steering wheel when you tap the brakes hard. Really bad when you have wobble at high speeds. Dealers carry 'em in stock as proof of issues.

2- Rear subframe mounts and differental mounts (this issue scares the crap out of me - found out this could be a problem after I bought it) - car has a tendency to rip out the rear suspension around the rear strut area and the differental has been known to completely tear away from the car - expensive welding required to fix. People have claimed under normal driving this has been a problem in as little as 30K miles. Hard drivers, obviously more occurences. This has been a problem with E36 and E46 and a few other models here and there.

Check it out: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=195602

On the other hand, given the amounts of 3 series on the roads it could be limited to those who truly abuse their cars, of which will always break. The fact that this is brought up on a BBS would just indicate a small sampling - sincerely hope this issue isn't the norm.

3 - Clips break in the moonroof shade, not hard to fix if you somewhat mechanically inclined - more of an annoyance.

4- cooling fan failure on lots of 'em around 40-50K miles and automatics. (just my observation)

Other good things are they are pretty low maintenance thanks to synthetic fluids and whatnot. If it wasn't for those issues mentioned these cars would be the best in their class. I love driving mine but the issues have me rattled. Too late since I now own one.

Hope someone proves me wrong..

rjp

PS they are expecting the new 3 series (E90) in spring 05 so you might want to wait till then since the price will drop.

[Jeron]

I would say the prices are dropping now. I've had my 330i for sale for several months and I keep lowering the price.

The 3-series is smaller than the Camry/Solara line. My mom switched froma Camry to a 2004 325i. She likes the BMW and no longer needed the larger size. The 325 will be quicker than the V6 Solara.

You can easliy find 325 and 330 2001+ for under $30k. The next step up in size would be to a 5-series. You can probably get a 530 in her range.

Randy's observations are correct but the lower control arms should last quite a bit longer in a mom driven car. The rear subframe problem was a big problem on the E36. It usually occurs after modifying/stiffening the suspension. I would not be concerned about rear subframe problems on a mom car.

The sunroof shade tabs WILL break, but only if you use the sunroof

[RANDY P]

Hoping that a recall occurs. Guess the E12's did the same thing with the suspension and they all got redone.