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#1
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Which 3 series - year/model - for a daily driver?
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#2
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IMO, find a 3 series with the smallest engine available and try to avoid redline-ing it. With that said anything related the engine comparment should be fine.as for the electronics, i would say you have a 70% chance of having no problems with them.
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#3
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I would pick an E46 over an E36. You can find the 320 and 323, but the 325 is a more power without going up to the 330, which I don't think is necessary. 2002 was the most popular year, there will be more around. We had a 2002 325xi and it was bulletproof. I would look for a vehicle with fewer options, it is the options and electronics that are more likely to fail than the base vehicle. Our 325 had a manual transmission, no premium or sport, but it had heated seats as a special order (and they all have the cold weather package in Canada). When I advertised it I had calls immediately, and the first person to look at it bought it.
I wouldn't worry about lemon years, just look for a 2000 model year onwards, after they had built them for a year.
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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White Retired: 2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey 2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver 2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey 2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue |
#4
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Thanks JCL.
I forgot to mention that 4 wheel drive would be ideal. Nomenclature-wise if it's 'xi' that that indicate 4 wheel drive? Last edited by Last5oh; 10-16-2011 at 06:47 PM. |
#5
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Yes, xi is awd.
Our 325xi did better in the snow than my X5, on the same Michelin tires. That is due to the lighter weight IMO, and the manual transmission didn't hurt either. Ground clearance was not an issue at all, it would push snow deeper than the bumper quite happily.
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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White Retired: 2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey 2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver 2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey 2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue |
#6
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Profeshenal spellar |
#7
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Quote:
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Mari |
#8
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+1 for the E46. My mom is still driving my 2003 325i and its been pretty reliable up to its current 156,000 miles. It does seem to love tires and brakes but otherwise its been great. No major issues w/ original engine, transmission, radio, climate etc. It's an automatic w/ Premium, Sport, Automatic, Leather, Xenons
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The Present: 2014 Audi Q5 TDI Prestige The Past: 2013 Lexus GS350 2013 VW Golf TDI 2007 BMW X5 4.8i LOADED & Loved 2009 VW Jetta 2008 VW Touareg VR6 2005 BMW X5 3.0i 2005 BMW Z4 3.0i 2004 BMW X5 3.0i 2003 BMW 325i 2000 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4 |
#9
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I've got friends with E46's with 200k+ that are great.
My experience has been to find the latest production possible. My 10/05 E90 was horrible, but the 09/11 E90 is flawless. Same with our last month of production E53. If you do get a 330i (which I don't see why not - the engine is just as reliable as the 325's) it changed from 5-speed to 6-speed manual for the 2003 model year. |
#10
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Old thread.
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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White Retired: 2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey 2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver 2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey 2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue |
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