2004-2005 BMW 325/330 - thoughts?

[Christien]

Specifically the convertibles. Sold the Mini yesterday and need to replace it pretty quickly. Requirements are convertible and a decent back seat - the Mini back seat was too small for the kids through the winter, with snowpants, boots, etc.

I'm zeroing in on the 04-05 3-series convertibles. I'd like to find one with a stick, but I'll settle for an auto if necessary. Long-term ownership isn't an issue, as I'll only be keeping it for a year or so. Though by the same token, depreciation is a concern. The Mini's value dropped like a stone - I was surprised, even for someone in the business.

What are these cars like to live with?

[fastfredracing]

[gprsh924]

The M3 version is a much better car. Not just faster and sportier, but better quality and more reliable.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Relatively cheap interiors that wear quickly
Rear subframe that tears loose from the unibody
Suspension bushings that are trash before 100k
Cooling system that is trash before 100k
Window regulators that might last one year
Value drops like a stone from space (but so do all premium German makes)

But other than that.......

[Christien]

Good stuff guys, thanks.

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

Value drops like a stone from space (but so do all premium German makes)
.

Yeah, I saw this first-hand with the mini.

So what other convertibles are there with a decent back seat? Looks like the pickings are slim. And the first person to suggest a Sebring gets their Pelican forums membership revoked

[Reg]

He Christien
Look at the Mitsu.... is it called a Spyder? A friend is on his second one now. Plenty ex rentals out on the markeytonly 1-2 yr old and they're cheap. Could be a stop gap but FWD. Not a Sebring!

[Reg]

..just checked 2012 for under 20k at a dealer with 40,000
drive for a year and sell with the big hit already past.

[RWebb]

iDrive?

[onewhippedpuppy]

You didn't say price, but I'll assume under $20k based on the BMWs you are considering. A few others:

Infiniti G37
Lexus SC430
Audi A4/S4
996 (not big back seats, but doable for kids)
964 (same story)
Mustang
Toyota Camry Solara (not real sporty)
Jaguar XK8/XKR
Mercedes CLK
Volvo C70

[Drisump]

Guys don't hit me but my wife drives an e-46 328i (the 04-05 are e-46's). We use it for winter road trips (the 911 is the summer ride) and I think it's a great car. She (the car) loves high speed cruising, is comfortable, achieves really good fuel economy, has really good power and must say, for a four door, handles very well. I've done my own maintenance (only routine) and recently had to put bushings in the front (like Whipped says). BMW wanted $1k for the job but I bought from our host, the parts for $118...and managed to easily do the job in three hours. With a lift and a proper set up....probably could be done in an hour. BMW has an awfully high opinion of themselves eh? I bought the car for $8200 a year and a half ago with just over 100k kms on the clock. I guess the values do drop like a stone, but I'm not not buying a new car and the most it can depreciate is the cost of entry. Cheers and good luck on your choice.

[dewolf]

E46 M3 Vert.

[aigel]

Originally Posted by dewolf

E46 M3 Vert.

Yeah - that's nice. I'd even replace the bushings ever 100k on that!

G

[Christien]

Trying to stay under or around 15k actually.

Infiniti G37 - hadn't considered - good idea
Lexus SC430 - fugly
Audi A4/S4 - looking at these
996 (not big back seats, but doable for kids) - in the running, but sub-20k most are garbage
964 (same story) - too hard to resell
Mustang - are you nuts? seriously though, can't stand them
Toyota Camry Solara (not real sporty) - see above
Jaguar XK8/XKR - never - way too unreliable
Mercedes CLK - same as jag. had 3 MBs in the past (plus a smart), all have been bad
Volvo C70 - I don't mind it but my wife thought it was boring

[Christien]

Is the M3 that much better built than the standard 3-series?

[dewolf]

Originally Posted by Christien

Is the M3 that much better built than the standard 3-series?

Yes. I have an E46 M3 Coupe. The body shell is stronger (well apart from the subframe), The front and rear arches are wider than a standard E46. The interior is a very nice place to sit and the stereo is excellent. The steering is quicker, the brakes are bigger, has a six speed box.
I have the SMG which is an awesome bit of kit. You hear all the horror stories but the internet never has "my SMG has done 150,000 without a problem". They sold 1,000's of SMG's and like the Boxster and 996 IMSB issues they are blown out of proportion.
If my wife and I taking the M3 out I have to flip a coin to see who's driving. She likes it that much.
Oh....and then there's that sweet I6 that pulls all the way to 8,000rpm. Makes more than 100bhp/lt and around town taking it easy I get 10lt/100kms. On the open road 8-9lt/100kms.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Do some reading on the XK8/XKR, they are easily as reliable as the BMW. Buy a 2000+ and you will be soundly in the middle of the Jag/Ford merger days, Ford helped them do wonders with quality and reliability. I had a 2000 XJR, which has the exact same drivetrain and shares many components. It was a fantastic car that I would take over any of my three past BMWs. Plus they are freaking gorgeous, and the XKR goes like hell.

E46 M3 is a good car as well, and probably worth the hassle. Though I personally prefer the simplicity and control of the stick. Plus the SMG would be terrible to DIY.

[Drisump]

I reread your first post, if I was to buy a car to use "for a year", I'd go Japanese. You might be able to get your money back if you bought well and you can't go wrong with the reliability. I have my doubts if an M3 would be any more reliable than the normal e-46, I realize that they have many performance and cosmetic enhancements but it isn't the rigidity of the chassis or the size of the discs that gets you down the road without breakdowns. Don't get me wrong, I love the M3 but IMHO a 15k M3 is risky ( probably high mileage and possibly abused). Cheers

[gatotom]

Just had a good friend trade his 91 Carrera for a 05 M3 convertible, he just said wow. He got 18.5 for the P-car and gave 3 more for the M3.

I would trade my Audi for a M3 if it came in AWD, live in the mtns and too much snow not to have AWD. So am looking at S4 or 335ix.

But if the M3 is better built and the 335ix is scrape metal, the S4???

[onewhippedpuppy]

I would stay away from any 335 model, to the best of my knowledge BMW has not resolved their issues with high pressure fuel pump failure. It is a common issue that will leave you on the side of the road.

The S4 is a good car but has issues with failing timing chain tensioners. The parts are not super expensive put the chain is on the back of the engine, hence replacement requires an engine pull.

[gatotom]

onewhippedpuppy, isn't that with the v8 engine??? I have replaced many timing belts in 6 and 4 cylinder audis, all in the front. I like the 2011 S4 with the 3.0l 6 cylinder. Have not worked on a 3.0l just the 2.8l 6, a total piece of work that is, leaks like a sieve and I believe the problem was solved with the 3.0l engine.