Purchasing High Mileage Car - BMW Forum

BobK530 · 08-05-2005, 01:04 AM

I've been looking for some time to purchase a 97-99 3-series with about 90 to 120k miles on the odometer. My wife does not want me to purchase a high mileage car even though these cars are known to go several hundred thousand miles before replacing the engine and transmission. She says anything is possible if you are willing to spend the dollars into it. Help! What is the likelyhood of spending $$$ before the car reaches 200k on the odometer? What kind of problem should I expect? I don't mind fixing a worn part but do not want repetitive problems that could drain my wallet.

///M Power · 08-05-2005, 01:18 AM

Oh shut up thats not high mileage. You're good to go.

<---277,000 miles e34

Phrozen · 08-05-2005, 02:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 4 2005, 10:18 PM
Oh shut up thats not high mileage. You're good to go.

<---277,000 miles e34

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Word. With proper care, these cars can go to 300k and more. I bought my car with 150k miles on it, and I drive "spirited." I spent about 600 dollars in mechanical repairs (consisting of oilchange, belt replacement, and alternator pulley). My next projects are replacing the guibo (60 dollars, plus 2 hours diy), and then replacing the plastic impeller for a metal impeller thingy...(watever it is

), and then all I have to worry about next is body damage.

You asked what problems you could expect, I can't really help you there since I own a 95'. I would imagine that the common faults with the E36 would have been pretty much fixed by then (i.e. 95's are famous for brake light curcuit failure, taillight contact point rust, smelly A/C system, etc.) Don't take my word for it though, maybe someone with that year can give you detailed info on what to expect.

Oh yea, buy a Bentley E36 manual, if you do most of the work yourself, you're bound to save yourself a lot of money. The manual is very helpful and can help you do regular maintainence on your car, as well as diagnose common problems that may arise. A lot of the guys that do their own work on this board probably save more than other people with new cars that go to the shops...

On that note, my mechanic wanted to charge me $400 dollars to replace my guibo...$60 part + do it myself= $340 dollars I don't have to spend. =D

I say keep it clean, use supreme, and treat your car like shes a beautiful lady, she'll take care of you, even when shes old. =D

///M Power · 08-05-2005, 03:03 AM

Yeah I replaced the plastic impellor in the water pump as well with a metal one with recomendations by Sporky I believe.

Phrozen · 08-05-2005, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 5 2005, 12:03 AM
Yeah I replaced the plastic impellor in the water pump as well with a metal one with recomendations by Sporky I believe.

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^^^ Yea! That's it! The water pump!!!

How much did it cost?

///M Power · 08-05-2005, 03:13 AM

$80 for the new water pump. Cant just change the blade itself.

Phrozen · 08-05-2005, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ///M Power@Aug 5 2005, 12:13 AM
$80 for the new water pump. Cant just change the blade itself.

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Ohhh alritey, thanks!

Oh and sorry BobK530, It appears I've used my terrorist techniques to hi-jack your post!

Dudesky_E36 · 08-05-2005, 06:00 AM

$80 is a lot for the water pump. Get it at Autohauzaz.com for $58. I got mine on eBay for $45.

BobK530, I think your wife's point is moot. It comes down to your choice. Either buy a newer car and pay more up front, or buy an older car for less and pay for repairs/maintenance along the way. Any high mileage car will need attention. As far as the E36 line of BMW's, the later model years will give you less headaches.

fredo328 · 08-05-2005, 07:07 AM

I think the main thing here is how much you are willing to do yourself. Our cars dont really need anymore than other high performance cars its just that the shops charge more to work on them. Parts are usually more expensive and labor costs are ridiculous. Like it was mentioned earlier, get the Bentley and look around the net for DIY sites like:
http://www.bimmerdiy.com
Our cars are simple to work on, easier than my Trooper or wife's Honda.
Simple example is Firestone wanting to charge me $750 to replace all rotors and pads. I bought the stuff online for $170 shipped and did it myself in an evening.

93 325i · 08-05-2005, 08:00 AM

i've spent about $1500 in maintence stuff and repairs (about half was BMW labor fees). Since then i have gotten myself a bentley manual and have DIY most of the repairs. Get a nice set of tools, jack stands, and a nice hydralic jack and you can save yourself hundreds and hundreds in labor charges. Got the car with 124K and have done:

Fuel pump & filter
Spark Plugs
valve cover gasket
guibo<---dealer
rear wheel bearings<---dealer
Brakes & rotors
Power steering hoses/ flush<---dealer
o2 sensor
water pump/ thermostat

and prolly more i cant think of. Car has 138K now and is running smooth as silk. Do the repairs yourself to save a fortune and these cars will last forever.

fredo328 · 08-05-2005, 08:03 AM

What he said...........

drz · 08-05-2005, 11:30 AM

Just make sure that you get at leats a good sense of what type of care the car has been given. I purchased my car with 168,000 on the odo, and it is all good. Mkae sure you count with around $1000 to get it rolling like new, if you don{t get the seller to fix anything that evidently needs attention. I am talking about mostly replacing worn parts, especially rubber bushings and such things. I have learned as I have gone with my e36. 90 to 120k is a good range. That's the kind of mileage I hope to look for in my next BMW (and I will consider that a splurge).