Educate me about BMW 3 series

[s_wilwerding]

I'm looking to replace my daily driver, and I notice that BMW 3 series cars always tend to get high marks. Could someone educate me about the 3 series?

What do the model numbers mean (330i, 330xi, etc.)? Are any years more reliable than other years (I seem to recall an article stating that late-90s BMWs are near bulletproof)? What should I look for in a used BMW?

Thanks.

[David]

I'd do some searching on http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/
We've had our 99 323i since 2001. It's the first year of the e46 model. It's had some problems with front suspension bushings and brake disks. The AC compressor started causing and ignition misfire?? and had to be replaced. Over all it's been a good a car. A 98 might be more reliable since it's the last year but I'd still rather have the newer model.

I assume you'll get the manual tranny. I have heard of problems with the auto.

The small engine has plenty of power for daily driving and it gets better than advertised mileage. The 2.5 six gets better mileage than our old 4 cylinder Accord.

[speedracer]

I had a 2000 328i and it was a great car. The difference between a 330i and a 330xi is that the xi is all wheel drive. The i in 330 indicates it is a sedan. Generally they are fairly reliable but not as realiable as a Toyota, or even a honda. Drivers side wear on the seat bolster is very common sometimes only after 30-40,000 miles. BMW has taken some heat over the quality of their leather, however mine did not have this problem.

[KNS]

Lots of these are used as daily drivers. If you buy one, look for one made near the end of the E36 (92-98) or E46 (99-05) model line. Thoses will have most of the bugs worked out by then. The E46s have had some issues with control arm bushings and window regulators but are otherwise pretty nice. I have also heard of auto tranny problems. I would buy one with as few electronic options as possible and vinyl upholstery (leatheratte). The leatheratte looks just like leather and is supposed to wear very well.

[kaisen]

i= injection, and with no other letter signifies sedan
ci= coupe, injection
ic= injection, convertible
ix= injection, all wheel drive (only available on sedan now)

318= 'very old' four cylinder
325= 'old' small inline six
328= 'old' big inline six
323= 'new' small inline six
330= 'new' big inline six

There is little difference between a 328 and 330 motors...just a little torque.

Just like any car, stay away from the first year of the new (e46) bodystyle (1999 if sedan, 2000 if coupe, 2001 if convert)

Look for service/maint history, make sure services are up to date. Absolutely do a pre-purchase inspection.

A lot of 3's were owned/leased by wanna-be's that couldn't really afford to maintain or treat them properly. 3's are the step up from a ricer in the twenty-something crowd. On bimmerforums you'll find plenty of body kit, neon lit, rollin' on dubs 3's.

Buy one from a reputable dealer, or from a owner that seems a bit more mature.
If the seller says 'dude' over the phone....pass.

E

[kaisen]

Oh, and the 'Sport' option package is well worth it:
Great looking 17" wheels
Lower/firmer suspension
Aggressive sport seats
Motorsports steering wheel

[CarreraS2]

The way BMW numbers generally work.

The first number is the "Type." Like 3 series, etc.

The next two numbers are (theoretically) the displacement. So a 330 would be a 3.0 liter 3 series.

They used to be fairly accurate on the displacement, but of course over time, marketing needs start to come into play, and some accuracy is lost.

The generation of the chassis is the "e" number - the current one is called the "e46" I believe. Although the new model is just coming out.

I assume you are looking at 99 or newer, which is the e46 chassis. They are all very good cars. Like most cars, over the 7 or year so life of the model, they tend to get little upgrades, a mid-run minor facelift at around the 4 year mark, and some bugs worked out. But the e46 has never been known as a troublesome car, right out of the box.

Like most cars, I'd prefer a documented, unmodified car with a clean history owned by an adult.

The 330 was also quite a bit more than the 323/325 when new, but doesn't seem that much more when used. I'd really look for a nice 330. The extra engine size is nice to have, and the car is outfitted with nicer standard options. A 330 manual trans car is a ton of fun to drive.

[RANDY P]

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

enough said.

rjp

[krichard]

My first BMW was a '91 318is that ran like a top for many years with little to no issues. It was just a great car. I didn't get another one till I was out of college and married. My wife opted for an '01 330i. That car was again very nice with plenty of power and no issues in the two years we owned it. I traded the 330 for an '03 M3 and drive it for a year. I then saw the light and got a porsche.

My wife now has a 530i which shares it's engine with the 330i. It's a little bigger than the 3 series but is basically the same. We have had it for a little over a year and have had no issues at all with it.

Now with all that said I bought an '01 4.4 X5 and had a ton of issues. It was in the shop all the time. Every window regulator in the car failed at least once and when they failed the window fell down in the door and you were screwed if it was raining. The worst problem I had with it was when the clutch on the engine fan seized while it was in the shop and the tech was driving it. The fan basicall exploded and cut every hose and wire in sight. It was out of manufactures warranty so BMW wouldn't cover it, my extended warranty company wouldn't cover it so I was out 5k for all the damage their POS fan caused.

moral of the story - 3 and 5 series = good cars, other models = $$$

[widebody911]

In terms of Bang for the Buck, the two things you can't beat are Thai hookers and M3's