Girlfriend wants a BMW

[redsubdivisions]

This is the truth. This is why I stopped working at a shop which catered to imports.

But really, as a DD goes, the e90 is superior to the e46 in many many ways.

Any particular reasons? I am honestly curious, I'm not being a smartass. I have contemplated an E90 in place of my E46.

[Stanley Rockafella]

miles and climbing

never had any whines, or groans from the system either. I attribute it to constant flushing the first year I had it. I was under the impression that the res fluid needed to be as clean as the fluid I was pouring in.

many years and miles later, I have yet to add a drop.

The only place I ever leaked from, was the HG of my M20

[nando]

wow, ya don't say



I'm on my orig rack on the e30 with about 150k. Never been opened once 'cept for new tie rod ends

150k kilometers or miles? One thing I like about my E90 is it has just over 100k miles on it and it doesn't leak a single drop of fluid. Not like my E30, the Exxon Valdez.. there's still an oil stain in the parking lot at work from it. lol

you do have to take some of these failures with a grain of salt:
- the forums are where people go to complain about problems, not talk about how their car isn't broken.
- people on forums are typically younger, and a lot of them beat the fuck out of their cars
- many of these cars are heavily modified (and not always well, as we know with E30s that have been through 4-5 people).
- they're also cheap bastards, even worse than here IMO. I guess because of their $600/mo payments for a new car, and fixing it all the time or whatever. :p

[Skychismo]

What's wrong with your 335d? I have heard that it has a very strong and reliable engine.

The engine itself is strong, but it has a poorly designed emissions system. At 32k miles it needed a new intake manifold, MAF, valve cover gasket, EGR, EGR cooler, and swirl flaps. They also walnut blasted the head. All because of carbon buildup. Luckily it's under warranty. There were two other 335d's at the dealership for the same problem. Their DDM's are also prone to failure. However, the torque and fuel efficiency is addicting.

[Stanley Rockafella]

PS pumps on e90s too. My mom's just blew the PS lines and stuff all over.
On the 90forums they say to change the PS fluid every 30k to prevent this...

wow, ya don't say



I'm on my orig rack on the e30 with about 150k. Never been opened once 'cept for new tie rod ends

[mitch55]

The first question you should ask is how often she will be driving it and how many miles a year approx.. I had a clean 330ci but realized I put 35k on it in one year. The value of newer bmws starts to drop off exponentially when you approach 200k. So I sold that and got an e28. Putting 35k miles a year on an e28 or e30 won't be such losing investment.

[golde30]

Troo troo.....my only gripe is the people who buy these 2nd hand to have a BMW and come from driving mid level Japanese cars.

"$1000 for a water pump and thermostat!?"

"$600 for a trans service!?"

90% of the people driving these things haven't got a clue about them. They just know they drive a BMW something-or-other.

Also, the N series engine.....watch that drive belt and pulleys! It'll suck the belt into the crankcase should something break or seize up. Seen them wrapped up into the timing chain and up to the cams.

This is the truth. This is why I stopped working at a shop which catered to imports.

But really, as a DD goes, the e90 is superior to the e46 in many many ways.

[nando]

yeah I looked at mine, I think it's been replaced already too. Wifes looks good but I'll replace it early to be sure.

[slammin.e28]

meh. the increased efficiency probably pays for itself at the pump. the whole idea behind the electric waterpump and composite block are pretty cool IMO, even if the pump is possibly flawed (I'm not sure it is, waterpumps don't typically last forever).

Troo troo.....my only gripe is the people who buy these 2nd hand to have a BMW and come from driving mid level Japanese cars.

"$1000 for a water pump and thermostat!?"

"$600 for a trans service!?"

90% of the people driving these things haven't got a clue about them. They just know they drive a BMW something-or-other.

Also, the N series engine.....watch that drive belt and pulleys! It'll suck the belt into the crankcase should something break or seize up. Seen them wrapped up into the timing chain and up to the cams.

[DER E30]

PS pumps on e90s too. My mom's just blew the PS lines and stuff all over.
On the 90forums they say to change the PS fluid every 30k to prevent this...

[BLACKCHARM88]

E46 would probably be the best choice for her. What would probably be the best idea is to have her test drive a few models to see what one she feels the most.

[nando]

meh. the increased efficiency probably pays for itself at the pump. the whole idea behind the electric waterpump and composite block are pretty cool IMO, even if the pump is possibly flawed (I'm not sure it is, waterpumps don't typically last forever).

[slammin.e28]

E46 M3 waterpump is like $350.. the N52 pump is more like $400 but yeah. I'm hoping mine will last to 150k which is longer than an M20's lasts but it's also 10x more expensive.

We've had them rolling into the shop at 90-100k.

Do the t-stat too. It's all mounted together.

...and don't forget to get the bolt kit. Efficient dynamics FTW.

[nando]

E46 M3 waterpump is like $350.. the N52 pump is more like $400 but yeah. I'm hoping mine will last to 150k which is longer than an M20's lasts but it's also 10x more expensive.

[slammin.e28]

E60 V8s have the water pipe issue. Very expensive and time consuming to repair, even with the aftermarket "fixes".

The e9x e6x 6cyls (early 530 excluded) have the electronic waterpumps. $500 for the part alone. Have fun with that. Also the automatic transmissions are $$$$ to flush as the pan IS the filter. Around $250 for that, plus you must replace the bolts....

Besides, e60s look like ass. SRSLY. WTF.

E9xs aren't terrible.....but e46 is better. Really, the last great BMW three series. You can get into a nice 330i (wouldn't even consider a 328/5/3) for well under $14k. ZHP maybe around $10k, add in a LSD for around $2.5k and be done. M3 is a little more $$, especially if you aren't a putz and want one with a manual trans instead of that stupid flappy paddle thing, but they are more to maintain.

Id rather have a ZHP 330i than an e46 M3.

...for a girl I'd get an e36. She's just gonna pile it full of garbage anyways.