I think it's near time to part ways with BMW

[jtvang125]

It's an 08 vert with 5 years under me. No doubt it was a fun car but it's always been a love and hate relationship with it. I've never had peace of mind since owning it and always had a nagging thought of when is the next time it's going to leave me stranded. And stranded it did. But I knew this going in but I always wanted a BMW and thought why not get it as a convertible. I've always tried to do as many repairs and maintenance as I can to reduce costs but I feel the electrical gremlins are starting to invade. It's been the most finicky car I've ever own. Doing an oil change can cause a bout of misfires that could last for days and then just go away on its own.

So after fixing an issue that has plagued it for almost 2 weeks I think I'm going to start prepping it to be ready for a sale soon. Being a homeowner now I'm seeing myself needing a truck more and more so I think that's what I'll be going for.

 

[pcgeek11]

Thank god BMW doesn't make trucks!

 

[T2urtle]

sounds like you made up your mind already about the car. Or maybe you fear has taken over enjoyment.

You didn't state what model you owned, 08 vert... i would assume its a 1 series or 3 series and not the 6series( or whatever the big one is). I'm not going to make a case to keep the car but from what i've seen the non turbo 128/328 motors are somewhat decent. I've never owned but have many friends that do, the 335 seems to have more issues then the slower counterpart.

I would get like 07 330/328 with no worries.

But i would say if you are that worried about the car just sell it for peace of mind. If you can't enjoy the car get rid of it for something you can enjoy and trust.

 

[AdamK47]

It's always a great feeling when you know you can drive a car hard and it won't break down on you. It's a feeling I get quite often.

 

[jtvang125]

sounds like you made up your mind already about the car. Or maybe you fear has taken over enjoyment.

You didn't state what model you owned, 08 vert... i would assume its a 1 series or 3 series and not the 6series( or whatever the big one is). I'm not going to make a case to keep the car but from what i've seen the non turbo 128/328 motors are somewhat decent. I've never owned but have many friends that do, the 335 seems to have more issues then the slower counterpart.

I would get like 07 330/328 with no worries.

But i would say if you are that worried about the car just sell it for peace of mind. If you can't enjoy the car get rid of it for something you can enjoy and trust.

It's a 328i. I initially wanted the 335 but the fuel pump issue kept me away even though they extended the warranty. My brother has the 335 but I seem to have more issues than him. But I think mechanically the engine is fine, it's just all the electrical issues that can wreck havoc. And I don't know what the deal is with fluid leaks too, just everywhere with this car. My previous car with about 10 years of age was as dry as a desert.

I just did the trans mounts and power steering flush this weekend and I hate that every I'm doing is making the car drive great again and makes me want to keep it for a little longer.

 

[BarkingGhostar]

OK, I guess I'm not going to feel bad with the wife's 2004 325i bought new with 174K on it and the power steering pump failing on Friday. Well, i think it is the PSP, but I'm waiting on the service department to call me back. I watched a video showing how the impeller can break free of the pulley wheel shaft on the Luk LF20 pump. Seems most folks use this opportunity to upgrade their LF20's on their E46's and one video I watched implied the BMW recommended repair is to swap out the LF20 for the LF30.

I can only imagine what this is going to cost me. The pump isn't drawing fluid down into the high-pressure side nor restoring reservoir levels via the high pressure side, but the belt is turning the pulley wheel.

 

[repoman0]

OK, I guess I'm not going to feel bad with the wife's 2004 325i bought new with 174K on it and the power steering pump failing on Friday. Well, i think it is the PSP, but I'm waiting on the service department to call me back. I watched a video showing how the impeller can break free of the pulley wheel shaft on the Luk LF20 pump. Seems most folks use this opportunity to upgrade their LF20's on their E46's and one video I watched implied the BMW recommended repair is to swap out the LF20 for the LF30.

I can only imagine what this is going to cost me. The pump isn't drawing fluid down into the high-pressure side nor restoring reservoir levels via the high pressure side, but the belt is turning the pulley wheel.

It's a couple hours of work at most, plus a $200-300 dollar pump and some ATF fluid. Easy repair, same thing happened to me almost as soon as I bought my last E46 in 2012. That one only made it to 103k

 

[PricklyPete]

BMW's and German cars in general don't mesh very well with a low maintenance lifestyle. They are fun to drive though. I have fond memories of working on my E46 though and hope I have no the time to work on my F30 once the CPO/maint. contract is up (I really don't, but I'm hoping by that time, it is something I can start doing with my sons.

 

[T2urtle]

It's a 328i. I initially wanted the 335 but the fuel pump issue kept me away even though they extended the warranty. My brother has the 335 but I seem to have more issues than him. But I think mechanically the engine is fine, it's just all the electrical issues that can wreck havoc. And I don't know what the deal is with fluid leaks too, just everywhere with this car. My previous car with about 10 years of age was as dry as a desert.

I just did the trans mounts and power steering flush this weekend and I hate that every I'm doing is making the car drive great again and makes me want to keep it for a little longer.

Yea motorwise the 328i should be solid. The common oil leaks are valve cover gaskets (this is for all cars) and then the oil filter housing on these units.

Your electronic stuff... well i dont know what going on there, i like my cars barebone as possible. Those new BMW navi/ Harddrive radios are not for me. I love driving my friend's 135i but aside from shifting gears and turning the wheel, i dont know how to do anything else.

If you could, get out of the BMW and just be happy.

 

[slag]

It's always a great feeling when you know you can drive a car hard and it won't break down on you. It's a feeling I get quite often.

I had that in my 98 M3. Truly a fun car to drive.

 

[evident]

changing the oil causing a misfire? no thanks, i'd dump it too.

 

[PricklyPete]

changing the oil causing a misfire? no thanks, i'd dump it too.

I have a feeling the two are not related.