potential problems?

[dpnguyen]

I'm still considering a 330i this year but would like to know if anyone has experienced or know of any inherent potential catastrophic failure problems associated with the 3-series? My wife has a Saab 9-5 and all Saab owners know it's only a matter of time before the DI (Digital Ignition, I believe) Cassette dies and they get towed. Also, I looked into an RX-8, and my understanding is that the rotary engine flooding problem can be quite severe--again, towed to garage. My question is, are there any major issues with the 3-series?

Second question: should I wait an extra year for the re-designed 3-series?

 

[LoMo987]

I have a 2001 330ci, same components for the most part as the four door and I have had no problems with the vehicle and I have it 3 years and 6 months. The one drawback to the car is the maintenance costs after the maintenance warranty is up (3yrs or 36,000 miles). My car is due for the 45k mile filter change and its like 650 bucks and I need new rotors and they are gonna cost me like 800 dollars. But if you can afford the car, you can afford the maintenance. It would be nice to wait for the new body style 3 series to come out but there may be a lot of bugs that need to be worked out with that car. I know back in 2000 when BMW changed the 3 series there were a lot of issues with their vehicles. But yet it is also nice to have the new up to date car to show off. I think I would hold off and get the new body style. I am not sure if they are putting that I-drive system in the new 3 series, but if they are, I would get the current 3 series and skip over the hassels of that I-drive sh*t!!

 

[akbmw]

Read the threads on the "sliptronic".

 

[LoMo987]

Is BMW putting the I-drive system in the new 3 series?? I really hope not!

 

[bmwrocks]

Read the threads on the "sliptronic".

That is not a catastrophic failure.

The only cat failure I know of is the LSZ program that will drain your battery. Getting the LSZ reprogrammed fixes it though so I would say that is not even catastrophic.

 

[bahnstormer]

LoMo seems to be using the dealer to take care of his car. while the warranty is there go for it
after that move to either your own garage and do the work or find a nice independant bmw mechanic in your area.

oh yea and order teh parts off the internet, you'll save incredible amounts of money from the stealer, sometimes referred to as a "dealer"

 

[DrWho]

Prior to getting my '04 330Ci, I had a '00 330Ci manual (for 3 years), with absolutely no problems, which is why I had no qualms about upgrading to the newer model. I was also worried about what they may do to the future 3/4 series (given current trends), so I thought I'd get the last of the current (great) line...

 

[MrElussive]

I don't think you should worry about getting a 3-series. Most of the problems associated with BMW's are merely electrical and once you get past that, they are great long-lasting cars. As for purchasing time, it all depends. As DrWho stated, the E46 3-Series may be the last of a beautiful car so it is tempting to purchase now. But on the other hand, you could wait a year or two and see how the new 3-series Sedan looks (the Sedan will be out for a year before the new Coupe comes out), and then if you don't like the new model, you can just pickup a left-over E46 3-Series. But then again, you're gonna be bashing your head (like so: ) that you didn't purchase/lease the car a year ago. Any way you go, you really can't lose as you do have quite a few options at this point.

DrWho, that is a beautiful picture !