[Tim Hancock]

Thanks Randy

I will definitely put the car on a lift before any purchase. After searching, I found that the E-36 cars were also having the same frame tears. I am going to put mine on the lift today and check it. My car is lowered with Bilstein sports and it sounds like the modified cars are more likely to fail. If I end up buying an E46 I will leave the suspension stock and check it out on my lift often.

The windows and suspension bushings do not scare me too much, but I hope the newer engines and drive trains are built as well as my old 92.
I have had no trouble with my engine or powertrain (still original clutch!).
This car still drives wonderfully (maybe I just got lucky with this one).
I have done brakes,voltage regulator, muffler, shocks, belts, heater core and o-ring in the ac evaporator since I puchased this car with 135,000 miles on it. Half of which I had to do when I bought it at a low
price. Other than these items, this car has been troublefree. I now add a quart of oil at 3-4k miles (I change oil at 6-7k).

I want to see how many miles I can put on it so I think I will start driving it myself as a daily driver once my wife gets hers. Besides, it gets about 26 mpg on regular gas vs 20 with my current daily drivers (Toyota Tacoma winter, 951 summer premium gas).

PS my airbag light has been on for the past 4 yrs, so I guess it is not a new problem.