03-12-2021, 09:15 PM | #1 |
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E46 to F30 - 22 Years of Joy
I purchased my first BMW, a 1999 328i (5-speed manual, Sport Package), 22 years ago. Ordered it and waited for its delivery and took possession on 12/31/98. I've driven that car and cared for it for 22 years. I've been lucky to have short commutes along the way and the car has "only" 187,000 miles on it.
Finally got the bug and found a beautiful low mileage 2017 F30 which I couldn't resist (340i, 6-speed manual, RWD, M-Sport, M-Track...). Not sure if I'll get 22 years out of this one, or if we'll all be forced into government-issued, self-driving, electric pods before then, but I just can't get the smile off my face. Loving the experience. Enjoy the ride. |
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tturedraider4974.50 FrankDK170.00 zamboni1130.50 Chaos236208.50 CJ4211559.00 Pauloxxi339.00 CianoAmerico21.00 e_b_d_i18.00 anielsen71558.50 Boiler34014.00 |
03-12-2021, 10:00 PM | #2 |
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Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38]
2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00] |
Looking good. Congrats!
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03-12-2021, 11:40 PM | #3 |
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What an upgrade. Congratulations.
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03-13-2021, 01:19 AM | #5 |
I want to drive a Zamboni
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Congrat nice car do a BMW MPPK kit and get additional 40HP.
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18 F80 Imola Red 6MT
16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni |
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03-13-2021, 01:36 AM | #6 |
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Skipped one of the best generation, E90. F30 with VSS, sucks.
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03-13-2021, 05:51 AM | #8 |
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I took exactly the same route as you, OP. A '99 328i in hideous Fern Green, to a '16 340i 6-spd.
I still cry every night I miss my e46 so much--we did 240k miles together in my 14 years with it--left it running great with only 386k miles. Still getting used to this f30.
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03-13-2021, 09:09 AM | #9 |
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I bet you wished keep both!
Nice F30 anyway. Enjoy! |
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03-13-2021, 11:31 AM | #10 |
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Congrats and welcome to the F30! I love hearing stories of people who take good care of their cars to keep them running for several years.
I love my 2012 F30 (N20), and while I hope to keep it for several years, I have started to get the itch for an M340i. With 118k miles on the odo, I have numerous maintenance items coming up, not to mention a turbo wastegate rattle that needs fixing ($3500). The total prospective maintenance is in the ballpark of $6-7k (having already spent $6k since 2016 when the complimentary maintenance/warranty expired). I don't mind spending this amount (still cheaper than a new car payment!), but I will be really bugged if after all this the timing chain suddenly fails (an achilles heel on the N20 engine) and causes catastrophic engine failure. That makes me wonder whether I should just save the $7k in maintenance, trade the car in for $6k, and get an M340i. I guess the point of my essay is to ask you: what inspired you to keep maintaining an older car for so long, and how much did you spend overall maintaining it in the post-warranty years?
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03-13-2021, 01:16 PM | #11 |
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03-13-2021, 01:33 PM | #12 |
I want to drive a Zamboni
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I tend to stay with OEM for durability of the engine since you'll keep the car for a long period, no one know and understand the car better than BMW engineers.
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18 F80 Imola Red 6MT
16 K71 F800GT Montego Blue 13 E93 M3 Melbourne Red 2000 E46,2006 E90,09 E82,13 E93 328i,14 F30 335i,18 F80 M3 My next vehicle would be a Zamboni |
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03-13-2021, 02:30 PM | #13 |
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No other car from 1999 as aged as well...still catches my eye every time I see one.
Congrats on your upgrade!
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2009 328i xDrive 6MT (Retired and I miss her)
2015 335i xDrive 6MT (Retired and I dont miss her) 2018 M2 6MT (Never retiring) |
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03-13-2021, 02:48 PM | #14 |
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I agree, life is short. I am guessing that the resell value on the N20 cars will be quite lower if the timing chain isn't replaced.
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03-13-2021, 02:52 PM | #15 | |
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Quote:
Should we talk about the lifetime transmission fluid? And wheel bolts??? Can I get studs already!!!
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03-13-2021, 02:53 PM | #16 |
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Isn't the BMW MPPK included in the BMS3 free maps?
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03-13-2021, 03:04 PM | #17 | |
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Quote:
Anyway, my point is that over 22 years and 187,000 miles there were certainly a lot of repair and maintenance tasks, but the car was fun to work on and I developed a keen respect for its construction. I always told people, 'when you have a 20-year-old car, you have a hobby'. And it was a very enjoyable hobby. I hope my F30 is as rewarding as my E46. So far, so good. |
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03-13-2021, 03:58 PM | #18 | |
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Wish you as many happy years with the F30, and more
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2020 M550i (G30) | Carbon Black/Black Nappa | DHP | DAP | Executive | Luxury Seating | Park Asst | Ceramic Controls | Front/Rear Heated Seats | 20" 668M wheels
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03-13-2021, 04:17 PM | #19 |
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I can afford it, but the thing is I am very happy with my current car other than the couple of what-ifs I mentioned earlier. I guess I'm not feeling inclined to get rid of an otherwise good car based on what-ifs, as tempting as the M340i is.
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2020 M550i (G30) | Carbon Black/Black Nappa | DHP | DAP | Executive | Luxury Seating | Park Asst | Ceramic Controls | Front/Rear Heated Seats | 20" 668M wheels
2021 X3 (G02) | Dark Graphite Metallic/Cognac | Premium | DAP | Front/Rear Heated Seats Sold/Retired: 2012 328i (F30) |
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03-13-2021, 06:44 PM | #20 |
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Congrats - great upgrade! The 340i is nicely balanced from the factory ...the B58 engine really sings with a good exhaust like the MPPSK (expensive) or Dinan. It sounds pretty good stock, too.
One thing I notice going from an E46 to an E90/F30 is the stiffer chassis. Best of luck with the car. Charles
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