I am looking at getting a 2000 323i BMW and was wondering how much the repairs would be, also how many miles would it last. i need a car that would last at least another 4 years will minimal repair costs.|||I agree with snoiwe on all of these problems and would like to add that there are a few more things you need to worry about on the newer models mostly electrical in nature. The consumer database shows many owners reporting probelms with the central computer module which is alays needing upgrades or replacement. This module controls just about everything electrical in the vehicle and when it fails, good bye transportation. Interestingly, statistically speaking, the 1999 models and older where more reliable than the newer models today. The most reliable were the 1980-1988 models but I doubt you want to go that old.
However, I would like to point out that the reason BMW swtiched to the Hydramatic transmssions from GM was because they were 100% reliable whereas the trans they used before were alwasy breaking down. As you can see, Wetsombereo does not know whay he/she is talking about- ZF is made by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, a German company which has had many problems. BMW has had no problems with the GM transmission.
I would advise you to avoid this vehicle and go with something more reliable. The 2003 Lexus IS300 is a great soild car. It drives excellent and is of course very reliable. Its about the same size. The only downside is some find the styling to be 'boy racer' compared to more classy models.
Good Luck|||I like the E46 body style. But unfortunately, the 1999/2000 model year cars are bad.
Automatic transmissions for many E46 models (not just 99/2000) have been known to fail due to a defective component inside their ZF5HP19 steptronic transmissions. (see photos: http://www.noreverse.org/docs/trannyauto… ). When this happens, owners will completely lose their reverse gear. BMW will only help if you write in (and FEDEX in a GOOD letter), and even so, they usually only pay 50% - so you're still stuck with paying some $3k. That happened to me 3 years ago, when the car had just 100k miles.
Here's the link:
http://www.noreverse.org/
1999/2000 cars also suffer from a serious defect in the rear subframe. The sheet metal where the subframe mounts on to will fatigue over time causing the whole subframe mount to rip out from the car body itself! I'm currently suffering from this issue now and actually am going to the dealer who arranged a rep from BMW USA to look at it tomorrow. This repair will cost $4k - $7k depending how severe the damage is.
Here're some links:
http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/det…
BMW service bulletin here: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.…
An internet forum where close to 200 members have the same problem. http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.…
My advice, E46 cars are nice, but the early cars all have serious defects. Go for only 2001 or newer cars. Also, be aware that ALL E46 cars suffer from front strut tower "mushrooming" problem, where the 3 strut bolts start pointing AWAY from each other instead of straight up as the whole tower structure weakens and bulge up over time. If a strut tower bar or at least a set of strut tower reinforcement plates (such as this one http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/det… ) was installed beforehand, it will solve this problem.
While this may cause minor alignment problems, it could also be the beginning of structural cracks in the corner support near the strut tower.
See this photo: http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/att…
and this post:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/sho…
Major repairs:
Transmission failed at 100k. $3k partial payment.
Front control arm (pair) @ around 125k miles. (BMW quote $2,000 - I bought an upgraded part from bavauto.com, spent an afternoon with a buddy - total cost: $400 plus a 6-pack). The ball joint was the culprit. But BMWs do not have replaceable ball joints, so you need to change out the whole control arm and bushings.
Sensor failed, tripped the check engine light @ around 90k miles - $180
Rear shock mount torn. I changed out the whole set of rear shocks. $230. BMW will probably charge $800
Thermostat failed, expansion tank cracked. $250
ABS/DSC controller malfunction. BMW says the part ALONE is $1k. (happening now)... probably will look at replacing it with a cheaper used part. So now I have NO ABS or DSC.
I change my own oil, oil/air/cabin/fuel filters, spark plugs, belts, brakes, battery, all fluids (tranny,diff, brake, power steering, coolant)... if I didn't, I'm sure I'd be a lot poorer with BMW labor rates going at $110/hr.|||the maintance on it will cost you a bit but the car will last a very long time if you treat it right. with proper care and maintance you should have a problem getting 150+ miles out of it without issue...|||If you have to ask, you can't afford it!
Keep in mind an oil change is a lot more than what you'd expect.|||They are very dependable and you can usually get 2-300000 miles out of them but when they start to have problems get rid of it because it will cost you a ridiculous amount of money to keep it going.Parts are very expensive and only a small handful of repair shops will touch it and the ones that will are usually very expensive.If the cars has decent miles on it it will definitely last 4 years or more before you have to put much money into it besides your normal maintenance.But just like anything it depends on how its cared for.GOOD LUCK!|||you know what BMW stands for?
Bring Money With!
having said that, i own 2 and will never part with them|||BMW repairs are not any more expensive than fixing a Honda. Honda labor and parts are as expensive if not more. The motor in the car you are looking at is solid. Its been pretty much the same motor in the 3 series for years. The transmission IS a ZF....so its made by GM, BUT this isn't a bad thing. The ZF trannies are capable of taking more abuse. BMW put ZF trannies in the 5 Series in 1992 and it was definately better than the old Gertag units.
I have owned 7 BMW's now, 4 out of the 7 went over 300,000 miles. I would call that long lasting.
Also, out of the 7 I have owned, the only car that ever left me stranded was because of a head gasket, and thats a pretty normal problem to have after 250,000 miles, so I would call that reliable.
If you are buying a 323i, don't buy one with more than 100k on it, and it will last much longer than 4 years. (and still be worth something afterwards too which we can't say for some of our asian car maker friends. Resale kicks *** on BMWs)
Snowie has some great info up there for you...he knows his stuff.
Snowie: The ABS/DSC box can be fixed by a Bosch certified tech. (the hard part is finding one) Its also not just a problem on the 3's. The E39 5's had this same problem. I got mine from a wrecker here in Portland for $600. I am sure the sale could be duplicated for the same price. PM me if you want the phone number.|||yes the car will last another 4 years no problem, but NOT with minimal repair costs.
I have a 2002 BMW 325i that i purchased used 2 years ago with 59k miles on it. today the car has 96k miles on it. during the 2 years and 37k miles I have put about $4,000 in maintainence. That's just normal wear and tear (brakes, oil changes, a tune up, etc.)
if you have to question whether you can afford the repairs or not, then the car is not for you. BMW's cost a lot to maintain and it takes a different type of person to appreciate the car and fork over the money to fix it, without getting upset.
I'm very passionate about my BMW and will not drive anything but a BMW, and I dont mind forking over my money to keep it running like the day it was first sold :)|||BMWs are very lousy. 1st off GM has a contract with the 3 series. Automatic 3 series are using GM based automatic transmissions. Anything for BMW to cutback and gain more on profits. BMW failed years ago in aviation and decided to move into the automobile industry. Bad mistake they should give it all up.|||1) $29.00 2) 6months - 8 yrs 3) very
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