BMW 328i - Decent car?

[GothingNC]

I know this is in the off-topic but there seems to be more activity then the BMW forums.

I'm looking for a used BMW and I've set my budget to $11,000 max.

I spotted a 2000 328i with 105,000 miles with a manual transmission for $9,500.

Are there any issues/weaknesses that I need to be aware of besides timng belt/water pumps?

Also, is the 330 a better model?

Thanks !

[KNS]

Great cars, can easily go to 200K. *Some* early 323 and 328s have had rear subframes tearing from their mounts. No belts (timing chains instead). Water pump should be changed out at 50 to 60 thousand miles. I've got an E46 325 and it has been bulletproof so far.

[David]

Go to bimmerforums and look under the e46 forum. There's a sticky on what to look for.

[GothingNC]

Thanks,

I'll take a look at their forums.

[jtfreels]

I've got a 99 328is, just over 100K miles. Almost no problems, I did replace the secondary air pump and valve last summer. Other than that only brake pads.
This is the 2 door coupe with the "M" sports package.
Oh, did I mention I'd be willing to sell

Jay

[deathpunk dan]

The M50-derived engine is more durable than any 911 I know of. The biggest weakness of E36 and their kissing-cousins E46 cars are their propensity to eat ball joints. Upgrade to e46 M3 rear shock mounts, upgrade the RTABs and rear subframe bushings, get bilstein HDs when oem shocks wear out, drive and enjoy!

[GothingNC]

Jay,

PM me about your BMW.


Thanks !

[cantdrv55]

I miss my '96 328ic. Beautufl car. Ran like a champ and gave me no problems at all but it propbably needed a new clutch in 5K miles or so. Sold it for $16.5K w/61K miles back in 2004 (I was the third owner).

[RANDY P]

gotta love busted window regulators, and lower control arm bushings every 50K or so..

rjp


edit - listen for popping noises as the windows go up and down. Also, jab the brakes in a panic stop a few times and check for kickback through the steering wheel..

rjp

[GothingNC]

Originally posted by RANDY P
gotta love busted window regulators, and lower control arm bushings every 50K or so..

We're the window regualtors supplied by the same company that VW/Audi uses?

[David]

It seems that all cars have little quirks. The good side of the BMW quirks is that when all is going well, you get to drive a BMW .

Changing an e46 window regulator or lower front control arm is a pretty easy job.

[RANDY P]

I couldn't tell ya. From what I understand it's not too hard of a fix..

Originally posted by GothingNC
We're the window regualtors supplied by the same company that VW/Audi uses?

[GothingNC]

Wow,

It seems like everything is easy to fix on these cars except for the subframe rips and strut tower mushrooming

[David]

I thought I posted this on the bimmerforum thread, but I guess I didn't.

Repairs for my old '99 e46 323i that we just sold at 94K miles:

Lower front control arms and bushings (replaced with stronger coupe arms)
Left rear wheel bearing
Three window regulators
Plastic trim around windows (both sides at different times)
Driveshaft guibos
One clutch
Several sets of brake disks and pads
Bunches of tires
One battery
Power steering fluid hose
A/C compressor (nothing wrong with A/C but it caused an ignition misfire!!?!?!)
Air bag light (never fixed it)
Spark plugs (don't buy from dealer )
A/C filter
Belts and hoses but they really didn't need it.

[GothingNC]

David,

Was that list over the life of the car since new?
If yes, that doesnt seem too bad for 97,000 miles.

Now I'm thinking about the 325i after hearing about the 328 subframe & strut frame issues and they're a bit cheaper

[fumanchu]

2000 323 sportwagon-

Just replaced the window regulator and lock actauator for 700.00 under warranty. All cam sensors about a year ago under warranty (1300.00). Other than that just maintainence. If you get an auto, make sure you replace the lifetime tranny fluid with the expensive Esso stuff. Its been a great car other than the ********* dealer.
They(dealer) really are the worst thing about the car.

[Kraftwerk]

i love my 1996 M3! great car it does everything well.
It ain't a Porsche replacement tho, but a great all around everyday driver.
well thought out balanced & pure.
"gotta love busted window regulators" too true! every car has it's weaknesses
this is something I have been meaning to fix for a while... p.i.t.a. to open a door up!
Buy a used BMW in your budget there are a lot of good ones out there. Like anything be wary of non-stock parts or teen-speed demons etc.

[David]

Originally posted by GothingNC
David,

Was that list over the life of the car since new?
If yes, that doesnt seem too bad for 97,000 miles.

Now I'm thinking about the 325i after hearing about the 328 subframe & strut frame issues and they're a bit cheaper

We got the 323 in 2001 with 15K miles on it. I doubt much went wrong before we got it.

Since all the e46's had pretty much the same chassis, I don't think one has more problems than another. I think it matters more on who owns it and how they drive it. I did check for these problems before we sold it to a friend and it showed no sign of damage. I hear more of these stories on e36's, but obviously both models can have it. My wife and I both drove it pretty hard, we just didn't do really stupid stuff in it (at least not very often ).

If you want power go with a 328 or 330, if you want mileage go with a 323 or 325. I'm still amazed by the mileage we got in the 323. It was normally over 25 mpg in town and always over 30 on the highway. Our new 328 gets about 23 in town.