[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

My 2002 E39 had 140K miles (not KM) when I sold it. It was running great even after 10 years.

To date, it's the only car (of many) I ever regret selling and remember fondly.

Yes my E39 will always be remembered. It was sold before the first round of 100k miles refresh. The new owner now has 200k miles, and is contemplating if the car will be kept(and hence next round of refresh). In fact a $3000 offer was extended to me buying back the car, although there is no garage space(nor DIY time) right now .... :[

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by metallicpea

I'm not familiar yet, but here's hoping that by the time I have it 12 years I have it my F30 figured out. I tried to spec mine on the simple side with this in mind. I am not getting burned by another moonroof.

My F30 does have the moonroof as part of ZPP to get leather too. The old E39's moonroof had no issue up to current mileage(190k of 2nd owner), so hopefully F30 moonroof can last past 100k miles trouble free. It is used maybe once/year.

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

Same. Every car I've owned for an extended period of time has developed problems with power seats and sunroofs (BMW, Saab, Ford, doesn't seem to matter). I don't need another sunroof dumping water into the cabin all over the electronics. DIY maintenance is nothing revolutionary with the F30, but I surely did not want to troubleshoot the complicated expensive optional equipment when it eventually broke, hence my car being optioned sparingly.

Interestingly, power seat and moonroof motors can break even if used once a year. In contrast window regulators may still work past 100k miles even if used daily ....

[jmg]

45k and I'm looking for a new car.

[ihateredlight]

I always got rid of my bimmers based off me wanting a new one not because of "too many miles".

Bimmers can run forever with proper maintenance I think we all get new BMW's based off our increase in income IMO.

- Wayde

[Kafkaesque328]

Originally Posted by ihateredlight

I always got rid of my bimmers based off me wanting a new one not because of "too many miles".

Bimmers can run forever with proper maintenance I think we all get new BMW's based off our increase in income IMO.

- Wayde

That too. So often, people buy a car and say "I am going to keep this forever!" and then 4-5 years later they get something else. Maybe they are bored, maybe they start making more money, maybe they have a few kids or there is a change in lifestyle. Really difficult to predict whether or not I will want the same car in several years. I think of my past 2 cars, not including this one. I had the MKVI GTI for 3 years. That one I bought and it was paid off and then we had a child and I was tired of it always being in the shop, the boy racer vibe and the fact that it was a 2 door, so I sold it and leased the 320i ZSP which I had for just under 3 years. Now I have this 328 which I generally love, definitely the most vs. my last 2 cars, but can I see myself driving it in 5 more years? Jesus that seems like a long time. My life has changed a great deal since I got that GTI in 2010 and it would feel silly to me having that GTI right now. Also can't imagine still being in the 320.. 3 year cycles seem perfect my taste as 3 years seems to be how long it takes for there to be significant changes or improvements in my life, so I can look back and tie specific cars to specific times or 'eras'. I know that made me sound like a total narcissist, but I'm really not..

My current car is the first car since 2010 that I can imagine having longer than 3 years. We'll see what happens.

[Gen13 F36]

My friend got a 2004 330ci and already have 180k miles on it....no major work done. Everthing was change according to maintenance interval. Just he does oil change every 7k miles.

Btw: most work was done by himself. Garage loved car😁

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

My friend got a 2004 330ci and already have 180k miles on it....no major work done. Everthing was change according to maintenance interval. Just he does oil change every 7k miles.

Btw: most work was done by himself. Garage loved car😁

Most work was done by himself, meaning just oil change, air/cabin filter change, coolant change, brake change, spark plug change, and those are all?

If true, that's really trouble free 180k miles.

Or he had to do AT fluid, diff fluid, belts, control arm bushings, window regulators, VCG, OFHG, Vanos, PCV valve, etc, etc, as well?

If so, that will still be lots of work ....

[JamesWWIII]

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

Same. Every car I've owned for an extended period of time has developed problems with power seats and sunroofs (BMW, Saab, Ford, doesn't seem to matter).

Weird, every car I've ever owned has had a sun/moonroof, and I've yet to have a single problem with any of them. Just goes to show you how different ownership experiences can be.

I've also never had any trouble with a power seat, and I've had those in all but my first car.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Most work was done by himself, meaning just oil change, air/cabin filter change, coolant change, brake change, spark plug change, and those are all?

If true, that's really trouble free 180k miles.

Or he had to do AT fluid, diff fluid, belts, control arm bushings, window regulators, VCG, OFHG, Vanos, PCV valve, etc, etc, as well?

If so, that will still be lots of work ....

Yeah I sometimes see stories about people with trouble-free E46’s and it makes me envious. Over 12+ years of ownership mine only ever refused to start once (but started immediately the next day when the tow truck got there, go figure), but it did need a lot of maintenance the last 5-6 years.

At least two radiators, multiple overflow tanks, a solid half-dozen window regulators, fuel pump, all the belts and hoses, most everything you mentioned except no Vanos issues, sunroof cassette, and plenty of other stuff. Still with all that it was cheaper than a new car payment and always a blast to drive, though.

[Gen13 F36]

Originally Posted by bavarianride

Most work was done by himself, meaning just oil change, air/cabin filter change, coolant change, brake change, spark plug change, and those are all?

If true, that's really trouble free 180k miles.

Or he had to do AT fluid, diff fluid, belts, control arm bushings, window regulators, VCG, OFHG, Vanos, PCV valve, etc, etc, as well?

If so, that will still be lots of work ....

He did the diff fluid and at fluild.....but it look like the car still on original bushings, i help him on the water pump and belts.

I always joke with him....that I have plenty of friends driving BMW should we make this a business lol.😁

[bavarianride]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Yeah I sometimes see stories about people with trouble-free E46’s and it makes me envious. Over 12+ years of ownership mine only ever refused to start once (but started immediately the next day when the tow truck got there, go figure), but it did need a lot of maintenance the last 5-6 years.

At least two radiators, multiple overflow tanks, a solid half-dozen window regulators, fuel pump, all the belts and hoses, most everything you mentioned except no Vanos issues, sunroof cassette, and plenty of other stuff. Still with all that it was cheaper than a new car payment and always a blast to drive, though.

Yes maintaining E46/E39 is a unique experience compared to, say, Accord/Camry.

The cost analysis is a bit tricky if labor cost/DIY time is included, on any car.

It is just that Japanese brands tend to not have so many issues with VCG, OFHG, Vanos, window regulators, moonroof, cooling components, etc, etc.

BTW, wait until F30 owners need to replace M sport cooling system, there are 10+ coolant hoses large and small!!!

[GunGuy]

In my view, once the car gets to 130k, there is a reliability issue.

Now, if I was 20 years old again, and money was a huge issue, 230k is still in the realm of possibility.

[530iDriver]

Originally Posted by bingobob2

Hey everyone, I have a CPO 2015 328i with 17k miles, I'm wondering when should I get plan on getting rid of it (before any major repairs/mechanical or electrical appear)? Right after the warranty ends? Though that's a bit soon for me at 1.5 years from now.

Is there any mileage or year milestone that I should get rid of it before after the warranty expires? I could extend the warranty but that seems like a move that will only serve to line my dealership's pocketbook at ~1.7k for only 1 more year, especially considering my low mileage. There's also the matter of declining resale value, but if I just looked at that I should probably sell it tommorow!

If you take care of your car, it can last you 150K-200K miles.

Neglect or cheap out on repairs and maintenance.... oh well.

BMWs don't like cheap owners that cut corners on service and repairs.

[Ikester19]

If you look after it you will have minimal issues. I’ve owned 4 BMW’s touch wood no issues although I have looked after them all very meticulously. The highest number kms I’ve gotten to was 120k but I think about 80k is the sweet spot.

[metallicpea]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

He did the diff fluid and at fluild.....but it look like the car still on original bushings, i help him on the water pump and belts.

I always joke with him....that I have plenty of friends driving BMW should we make this a business lol.😁

There is no way it's on original front control arm bushings. I never beat my cars and my originals were replace twice under the 4 year 50k warranty, so they lasted less than 2 years and 25k for each pair. They did not figure out this design/manufacturing issue during the life of the E46.

Or they are totally shot and he doesn't notice the noise and can't figure out why his front tires don't last too long.

[MIK911]

My other ride:
1985 535i with almost 200K miles. That's how long.....

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

IME owning a BMW up to 60k is easy peasy. But around 60-80k you get a lot of items needing to be replaced or just breaking down as expected wear and tear. Stuff like radiators, water pumps, fuel pumps, various seals and gaskets, hoses and belts, etc. And there’s also 60k maintenance items like tranny and diff flushes that should be considered.

So your risk/reward balance really depends on your appetite for sinking repair/maintenance money into an older car vs payments on a newer car. But IME between 60-120k, repairs shouldn’t approach anything close to a new car payment. Plus if you’re in a state that charges registration fees based on the value of the car, you save a ton with an older car vs a newer car, along with lower insurance costs.

The only boogeyman hiding in the closet is a major component failing like the engine or tranny, but those should be solid well beyond 120k unless you’re really unlucky. Concern about the auto tranny was partly why I sold me 2002 330i in 2014 with 130k on the clock, but now 4 years later the current owner reports the car is still doing great.

You should not be expected to replace a radiator or water pump at 60k miles today. Waterpump at 100k? fine...radiator if taken care of? never??? 10 years at a minimum? It's not 1984 anymore and these aren't chrysler products.

BMW had significant issues with cooling systems E36 - E90 I would hope those days are behind them.

Fuel pumps shouldn't fail at 60k either.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

You should not be expected to replace a radiator or water pump at 60k miles today. Waterpump at 100k? fine...radiator if taken care of? never??? 10 years at a minimum? It's not 1984 anymore and these aren't chrysler products.

BMW had significant issues with cooling systems E36 - E90 I would hope those days are behind them.

Fuel pumps shouldn't fail at 60k either.

Can’t say I disagree. IIRC the E46 radiator had some plastic parts, and those would break, forcing you to replace the whole thing. The heat in AZ was probably a factor - plastic and rubber just gets killed out here in summer; it might’ve contributed to my fuel and water pump failures as well.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

Can’t say I disagree. IIRC the E46 radiator had some plastic parts, and those would break, forcing you to replace the whole thing. The heat in AZ was probably a factor - plastic and rubber just gets killed out here in summer; it might’ve contributed to my fuel and water pump failures as well.

Yup and plastic impellers on water pumps so that you sent plastic bits through your cooling system when it fails? Just dumb shit...

[whosagrubb]

Originally Posted by GunGuy

In my view, once the car gets to 130k, there is a reliability issue.

Now, if I was 20 years old again, and money was a huge issue, 230k is still in the realm of possibility.

Ha! That's exactly the logic behind my moving on from my 328. It was approaching 130k, had a random starting issue over Thanksgiving which went away when the tow truck came to take it to the shop, but otherwise is bullet proof. I do a lot of long distance driving and just figured maybe it was time to buy something newer "just incase".

I kept it though and it's going to be my daughter's first car. It's perfectly reliable for a kid who's being gifted a car.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by whosagrubb

Ha! That's exactly the logic behind my moving on from my 328. It was approaching 130k, had a random starting issue over Thanksgiving which went away when the tow truck came to take it to the shop, but otherwise is bullet proof. I do a lot of long distance driving and just figured maybe it was time to buy something newer "just incase".

I kept it though and it's going to be my daughter's first car. It's perfectly reliable for a kid who's being gifted a car.

If the engine was hot when it failed to start, it might’ve been the fuel pump. Sometimes when they’re getting flaky they crap out when hot but then work ok once cooled off.