Home Forums Articles How To's FAQ Register
Go Back   Xoutpost.com > BMW SAV Forums > Other BMWs
Fluid Motor Union
User Name
Password
Member List Premier Membership Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Xoutpost server transfer and maintenance is occurring....
Xoutpost is currently undergoing a planned server migration.... stay tuned for new developments.... sincerely, the management


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-16-2011, 09:06 AM
Last5oh's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 599
Last5oh is on a distinguished road
Which 3 series - year/model - for a daily driver?

After 15 years of reliable service, our daily driver (Ford Contour) will need replacement soon. I'm inclined to go with a used 3-series but it has to be a solid and reliable model. I'm favoring the late E36 to E46. Are there any 'lemon models' to avoid?
Reply With Quote

Sponsored Links

  #2  
Old 10-16-2011, 09:29 AM
aimtimes100's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: new york
Posts: 369
aimtimes100 is on a distinguished road
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.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-16-2011, 11:43 AM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
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.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-16-2011, 05:30 PM
Last5oh's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 599
Last5oh is on a distinguished road
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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-16-2011, 07:43 PM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
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.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-16-2011, 09:41 PM
FSETH's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Marietta, GA
Posts: 5,302
FSETH is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by JCL View Post
I would pick an E46 over an E36.
and I had an e36 325i for 9 years.
__________________
Profeshenal spellar
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-05-2013, 11:05 PM
blackbeauty's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Lalaland
Posts: 1,033
blackbeauty is on a distinguished road
Quote:
Originally Posted by JCL View Post
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.
i'm no help bc i just got a 3 series a couple of months ago but still miss my X5. with that said, your post stuck out to me b/c i was actually nervous about driving the car in the snow and how much clearance i would actually in the snow. my X always plowed through everything but reading your post put me at ease somewhat.
__________________
Mari

Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-06-2013, 12:47 PM
blondboinsd's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,823
blondboinsd is on a distinguished road
+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
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-06-2013, 12:53 PM
Meiac09's Avatar
Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Chicago
Posts: 4,227
Meiac09 is on a distinguished road
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.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-06-2013, 01:59 PM
JCL's Avatar
JCL JCL is offline
Premier Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 11,853
JCL will become famous soon enoughJCL will become famous soon enough
Old thread.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:15 AM.
vBulletin, Copyright 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd. SEO by vBSEO 3.6.0
© 2017 Xoutpost.com. All rights reserved. Xoutpost.com is a private enthusiast site not associated with BMW AG.
The BMW name, marks, M stripe logo, and Roundel logo as well as X3, X5 and X6 designations used in the pages of this Web Site are the property of BMW AG.
This web site is not sponsored or affiliated in any way with BMW AG or any of its subsidiaries.