2003 325i, Should I keep it?

blondboinsd · #1 05-11-2008, 01:48 PM

Hello All,

I'm really debating on keeping or trading in my 2003 BMW 325i (Steel Grey/Black Leather, Premium Pkg, Sport Pkg, HK Sound, Leather and Wood, Automatic)

It's original to me, I drove it off the lot on my 18th birthday back in 2003 and it now carried 79,500 miles on it with a CPO warranty until 4/09 or 100,000 mile

Now I love driving it, minus the sport seats that do tend to fatigue after time, It's really never had any problems minus software updates and regular maintenance, so I'm thrilled it's so gosh darn good to me.

Now It has a few issues:

The Rain Sensor was cracked during window replacement and needs to be fixed
I attempted to auto-adjust the Bi-Xenons, but ended up breaking somehow the interior halogens, they no longer work on both side, any ideas?

And It's Short falls:
-Lordy does this car eat TIRES! it's needed a new expensive set every year!!!

SO, the plan was to trade her in for a Mercury Milan for work, so in the mean time It's become my new work car, but it's essentially paid off, but I'm worried about how reliable it will be after the warranty is up, I can't be having a cash cow

Any Ideas?

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trueX5er · #2 05-11-2008, 03:09 PM

keep it until the warranty goes bust.

Then get the Milan.

Drum · #3 05-11-2008, 04:06 PM

Not familiar with the Milan at all, but assuming that your E46 has been lovingly cared for so far, it ought to be a maintainable automobile for another 50-100K miles or more.

Find yourself a trustworthy independant mechanic who can/will fix Bimmers and run that one until the wheels fall off or you finally get bored with her.

That would be my advice. I regularly drive an E39 540i and now an X3 and I still really miss my lil' old E30 325is.

Good luck with the decision.

D

jpm4.8is · #4 05-11-2008, 05:29 PM

e46s are quite nice bmws...wait until the warranty runs out and then do the trade...

AzNMpower32 · #5 05-12-2008, 08:57 AM

Keep the e46 until the end of time. Find a good BMW indy shop. In general, if a BMW is reliable now, it'll be that way for a while.

It should not be going thru a set of tires annually..........check your alignment.

FSETH · #6 05-12-2008, 09:13 AM

Keep it. I would drive an older e46 over a new Milan hands down. It will cost you more to maintain, but it is worth it. You have to make the decision. Which would you rather drive? BMW or Mercury? If it takes you more than .00001 second to answer this question, you may have issues.

AzNMpower32 · #7 05-12-2008, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FSETH

hich would you rather drive? BMW or Ford? If it takes you more than .00001 second to answer this question, you may have issues.

Fixed your post!

Remember what Ford stands for: Fix Or Replace Daily.

blondboinsd · #8 05-12-2008, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Fixed your post!

Remember what Ford stands for: Fix Or Replace Daily.

OK but I won't be handing over my credit card.....

FSETH · #9 05-12-2008, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

Fixed your post!

Remember what Ford stands for: Fix Or Replace Daily.

I thought it was actually Found On Road Dead

Actually, I am not sure Ford's reliability is all that bad today and it is hard for me to throw "reliability stones" driving an e53, but I would still rather drive an e46 over a Milan.