How Reliable Are 3 Series After Over 100,000mi?

[3Series79]

Hi, I am new to this forum. I am considering about purchasing below vehicle but was concerned about the milege and how reliable 3 series are after 100,000mi. Main reason for this consideration is the budget and I always admired bmw and would love to finally own it. Your input and advise will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Year: 2000
Make: BMW
Model: 3 SERIES
Body: 4DR
Engine: 2.5L I6
Transmission: Automatic
Drive Type: rwd
Color: TITANIUM SILVER
Interior Color: GRAY
Interior Type: LEATHER
Mileage: 111,879
Stock: T5512
VIN: WBAAM3345YFP77496

PRICED-$13,991

Mods- If this post is on the wrong forum section please remove it to correct one. Sorry about the incovenience. Thank you.

[Celsdogg]

You are looking at an E46. That forum is here:

http://www.bimmerwerkz.com/forum/index.php?showforum=17

All of us here all own older Bimmers, and most of us have gone over 100k miles, and some over 200 or 300k. if properly maintained, you can keep your bimmer for a long, long time.

[alanh]

e30's have no problems going WAY past 100k but the e46's from what i understand don't go as long...maybe 200k?

[Celsdogg]

i personally think the E46 is still too young to judge about their reliability over the years.

[daxsandman]

I've got 200k+ on my 91 318is and it still pulls super hard for a 15yr old car.

[BMW-ATI]

Actually they say the newer ones are MORE reliable, i mean bmw isnt going to Go into a downward reliability spiral i dont think, they learn over the years and make more reliable cars, this is shown through JD power survey things

[nukeduster]

Originally posted by BMW-ATI@May 22 2005, 09:40 PM
Actually they say the newer ones are MORE reliable, i mean bmw isnt going to Go into a downward reliability spiral i dont think, they learn over the years and make more reliable cars, this is shown through JD power survey things

[snapback]347023[/snapback]

not really.. ever owned a new 7 series? or an e36 for that matter? they are great cars but alot more troublesome then an e30 or e34.

which is to say still more reliable then most cars, but not as much as some of bmws "better" models/years

but, also more expensive to repair when the things do break compared to honda/ford/etc.

[BMW-ATI]

but still, their really reliable cars dont ya think?

[alanh]

^^^...thats very relative. and no e36s/e46's don't last as long as e30. and i drive an e46 so i don't think i'm biased

[BMW-ATI]

I dont think it's a "HUGE" difference though

Maybe the like Electronics or something arent as reliabile, cause theres more of them

but engine wise, I actually think their more reliable and last longer

JDpower ratings actually show that the mechanical quality is alot better
so im sure the e46's can go well over 200k

[Mad_Milo]

The weakest link in any high mileage car is the transmission. Automatics simply do not last as long without some sort of intervention.

Any car can last a long time, if cared for. It's whether or not you are willing to put in the work and money to make it happen.

[alanh]

you think the e46 engine will last longer?? no way they just arn't made to last, people dont keep there cars that long, e30s can last over 500k mi.

[ese30]

More power = lesssss reliabilty, hence newer bimmers don't last as long
e30 4 life yo

[BeachBunny]

Originally posted by Celsdogg+May 21 2005, 09:14 PM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Celsdogg @ May 21 2005, 09:14 PM)</div><div class='quotemain'>i personally think the E46 is still too young to judge about their reliability over the years.

[snapback]346776[/snapback]

[/b]

My thought as well.

Originally posted by BMW-ATI@May 22 2005, 10:40 PM
Actually they say the newer ones are MORE reliable, i mean bmw isnt going to Go into a downward reliability spiral i dont think, they learn over the years and make more reliable cars, this is shown through JD power survey things

[snapback]347023[/snapback]

It's not that they're learning how to make them more reliable really... They COULD make them a ton more reliable... but older cars are usually more solid (thinking beyond bmw's here) than the newer ones (ie, they actually have a frame instead of unibody). It's all about the profit margin. (That statement should not be generalized. Not ALL older cars are better than the newer models.)

Originally posted by BMW-ATI@May 22 2005, 11:03 PM
but still, their really reliable cars dont ya think?

[snapback]347028[/snapback]

If someone wants a reliable car, they should get a Toyota or something... Mine's never broken down on me and I've had it for years (but it's an E36 anyway). But any repair costs will rape you. If you're ONLY looking at reliability, there are better options out there.


<!--QuoteBegin-BMW-ATI@May 23 2005, 08:41 AM
I dont think it's a "HUGE" difference though

Maybe the like Electronics or something arent as reliabile, cause theres more of them

but engine wise, I actually think their more reliable and last longer

JDpower ratings actually show that the mechanical quality is alot better
so im sure the e46's can go well over 200k

[snapback]347094[/snapback]

[/quote]

Cars today have more electronics than they did in the past. You can't just pop the hood and fix whatever anymore. If something (ie, your cars computer) gets fucked, you are so fucked.

[BMW-ATI]

So im guessing yall dont think the new ones are very good on reliability

or is that with all cars in general?

well More like "long lastingness" I mean