325i or stick with my 4.6is?

[x5Alpine]

I just recently purchased an 02 4.6is in estoril blue. The car is beautiful but dulls on me because im always worried about something breaking. It has 120k miles on it. I'm seriously considering buying an 04 325i with 116k miles and selling the X but I really am stuck between a rock and a hard spot. Just a little advice is needed please.

Thanks!!

[pnoyako85]

do preventative maintenance..Cooling system,
gaskets and seals...and you should be good...

maybe do your suspensions (control arms 12pcs set)


other than that.....that is all you need i think...

I just bought 4.8is 121k ......did my preventative already..now she sitting pretty....

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...-here-she.html

[x5Alpine]

Its already been done, pretty much every gasket in the engine and even the chain guides and tensioners, its just that I feel like the 325i would be much better in terms of reliability and crusing at higher rpm which I do on the long trips that I often take.

[pnoyako85]

325 will have cheaper parts and less gas than 4.6..... but nothing will beat the feeling of being in the 4.6 and getting the looks and head turn you come across. i would not worry about reliability as both should be good..

[x5Alpine]

I guess I just needed a second opinion so thank you, The only major thing left now is a transmission but I'm taking it in on Tuesday to Bavarian auto haus here in Reno to have the tranny fluid and filter changed. I'm just draining and not flushing so I'm hoping I get a bit more life out of the transmission.

[Sweep_the_Leg]

Sounds like you've already taken care of as many preventative maintenance issues as you can. If the extra gas doesn't bother you, then by all means stick with the X. The 3 is a great car, but the X will definitely be more functional...and probably more fun, too.

325s are far from trouble-free, especially at that age/mileage. The wife and I are having to put some pretty good money into hers now, and it's not even quite as high mileage as the one you were looking at.

[x5Alpine]

Yea, I guess what I was trying to say is that the 325's main issues are a bit cheaper than the x5's and I feel like the 6 doesn't mind the higher rpm as much as the 8. It's just little things like rod bearings which one member had go on his 4.6 and my vanos makes a bit of noise when the oil is up to temp.

[pezho405]

I say keep the 4.6, much more usefull than a 325 and much much quicker. but thats my opinion. especially when you have such a nice color

[epdarks]

IMO the 3 series is the perfect compliment to the X5. In a perfect world, one would have both.

I can relate about never knowing when something is going to happen... part of the BMW game, unfortunately. I'm not sure an older, high mileage 3 series will be that much more reliable than your X5.

The 2 options are so different, it's hard to give an objective opinion.

[DTMdan]

Just get a 330, ZHP if possible (a 325 would be a disappointment)... they are much more reliable than the X.