Another question about what to do with high mileage/older e46...

I know this isn't original but I hope you'll let me vent/ask opinions for a second...

Had a long post typed up but I'll try to condense it and expand if anyone wants more info.

My 2000 has 172k miles. Very few problems, really. Replaced almost entire cooling system last summer (minus radiator) thanks to this board. Still love the car, it's the best one I've ever had including an e36, another e46, and a 2004 x3. It's running just fine right now and still looks good -- at least to me --as I've always been big on taking care of my paint and waxing often.

But I drive on highways through the middle of nowhere often, and sort of feel like I'm pushing my luck, especially since I'm not a spring chicken anymore. When you're a kid you just hop in any car and take off... It's amazing how much more you think about breakdowns the older you get!

So I've been looking for something else. Problem is, I don't like the e9x series that much. I've looked for almost a year now and have only seen a handful that I liked. Test drove one and wasn't that impressed with it anyway. And I can't even find a more-recent e46 that I like. Maybe they're getting so old that too many are in the junkyard by now, I dunno.

So what have you guys with higher-mileage cars done in this situation when you can't find a replacement you really like (even considering non-BMW, shudder) but you know you're pushing your luck to some degree with an older car, even after doing a fair amount of preventative maintenance? Bite the bullet and find something else? Just pay up for for more PM even though you know your car could be close to the end anyway?

It's confusing.

Personally id rather take a long road trip on a car that's done 200k but ive owned for 5 years and KNOW everything thats been done to it, and KNOW that its been properly looked after, over a car with 30 or 40k that I know nothing about.

Its one thing if its new, and you've got a warranty and roadside assistance and all that crap, but as far as a used car goes... mileage ain't nothing but a number if you know the history.

Originally Posted by DHK

Personally id rather take a long road trip on a car that's done 200k but ive owned for 5 years and KNOW everything thats been done to it, and KNOW that its been properly looked after, over a car with 30 or 40k that I know nothing about.

Its one thing if its new, and you've got a warranty and roadside assistance and all that crap, but as far as a used car goes... mileage ain't nothing but a number if you know the history.

+1

id keep pushing it until the engine blows. then id do an engine swap

Agreed!

On the original question, I think there are some very good condition e46 out there without high milage. I think I scored well, got my 325 with only 93k for a good price, and the engine is in immaculate condition, no oil leaks, etc. Just find one that looks great, even with higher milage, and maintain. That's if your set on a new car.

Complete ground up restoration! It'll cost less than a new car (maybe), and you'll have the freshest e46 on the block. Haha

keep enjoying your trouble free car and not blow money on replacing parts that are not broken?

Just keep it maintained and you'll be fine. If you're that nervous contact your insurance company and add road side assistance. I had a supercharged 318i with 340k miles on it that never left me stranded, don't worry so much

Sent from my DROIDX using Bimmer App

I'm selling mine even though it doesn't have any problems. I'm ready for an upgrade.

+1 on the roadside assistance like AAA.
Just keep rebuilding and maintaining until you find something that you just love and can't do without. Upgrade those parts that have become nuisances for their repeated failures/troubles.
OR upgrade because it does not perform the way you like it, eg. a LSD like the OS Giken, or better stainless exhaust, or better brakes, or wheels and so on. Whatever makes you happy.

Jim

I think a lot of guys with higher mileage E46's feel the same way you do

Originally Posted by DHK

Personally id rather take a long road trip on a car that's done 200k but ive owned for 5 years and KNOW everything thats been done to it, and KNOW that its been properly looked after, over a car with 30 or 40k that I know nothing about.

Its one thing if its new, and you've got a warranty and roadside assistance and all that crap, but as far as a used car goes... mileage ain't nothing but a number if you know the history.

^
I have 267xxx miles, and I know everything, that has been replaced, because I have done all the work myself, except the clutch and trans.


It sounds like you are conflicted about leaving the e46, and starting to become more aware of its likelihood that things will go wrong.

My advice(2cents worth, if that):
1.AAA premium
2. Get proactive with maintenance, so you are not waiting for the inevitable.
3. Drive it when you have nowhere to go, no place to be, and fall back in love.


Sent haphazardly from my HTC

I have 110k on my 328i 2000--works well, drives like new, body in excellent shape, change oil every 4k. Keeping it unless superb deal come my way. Only thing that I may need in the next 10k is a new flywheel--but we will see.

If your bored then move on. There's nothing wrong with that. Before my car I had a really nice 20th Anniversary GTI. Everything was perfect but it didn't excite me. I just wanted an upgrade.
Although a motor swap sounds nice. It's all personal preference. What other cars were you interested in?

Originally Posted by jayb328i

I have 110k on my 328i 2000--works well, drives like new, body in excellent shape, change oil every 4k

Isn't 4k a bit frequent for oil change intervals?
At least let it go 7k

Sent haphazardly from my HTC

Oh hell, I'm in a similar boat. My 2000 328i has 212k miles. I let some maintenance go for a while because I was contemplating getting something else. After a little looking around I decided I still like my car and bringing it up to snuff is still cheaper than a new or newer car. I'm in the process of dropping about $2-3k on it.

Thanks, guys. Good replies.

I'll respond to this one as others echoed the sentiment:

Originally Posted by DHK

Personally id rather take a long road trip on a car that's done 200k but ive owned for 5 years and KNOW everything thats been done to it, and KNOW that its been properly looked after, over a car with 30 or 40k that I know nothing about.

I kind of felt like that, but I'm too amateur a mechanic to know if that was the right way to look at it. But yeah, that's how I feel about my car compared to my X3. The X3 has 87k and is four years younger, and the ride is much smoother. But I trust the cooling system in the e46 with almost 100k more miles on it because I did all that with OEM stuff last summer.

Plus, it feels solid as a rock. I've always felt like some cars are just assembled better than others, and this one was just well put together, much better than my previous 323 from the same year. X3 has never felt as solid for whatever reason.

So maybe I will just keep driving it.

To answer some other questions, I'm really not bored with it, just trying not to push my luck too much with a 12 year old car. Doesn't help that I don't have a good indie mechanic... I used to, but he got waaay too expensive (like dealership expensive) and moved about 20 miles away to boot.

Someone asked what other cars I've looked at. I should be asking you guys that because I'm stumped. I really don't want an Accord or something soulless like that. Considered an Acura TSX but they're still kind of blah for the money. I sort of like the VW CC as they are reasonable now that they're a few years old, but VW reliability seems very spotty.

I've actually thought about finding a good deal on a little Toyota or Honda econobox hatch just to drive at times and keep the miles off my BMW. I wouldn't want that as my only car, but I actually kind of like driving the little go-cart like things, they're cheap to maintain and reliable, and I know a mechanic just down the block who works cheap and really knows his stuff on Japanese cars. He just won't touch BMW. (Just have to tint the windows really dark so no females see me in it. )

Originally Posted by Chocolate Lab

Thanks, guys. Good replies.
I've actually thought about finding a good deal on a little Toyota or Honda econobox hatch just to drive at times and keep the miles off my BMW. I wouldn't want that as my only car, but I actually kind of like driving the little go-cart like things, they're cheap to maintain and reliable, and I know a mechanic just down the block who works cheap and really knows his stuff on Japanese cars. He just won't touch BMW. (Just have to tint the windows really dark so no females see me in it. )

Not a bad idea. A good car guy will find fun in any car

On that note though, a good mechanic will man up and realize that in many ways an E46 is easier to work on than most Japanese cars

Seriously though, I don't get how German cars have this stigma with mechanics as being difficult to work on. I replaced a bunch of stuff on my '97 Civic back in HS and plenty of stuff on my 3 E36's and I swear that over all I found the BMW's easier to work on And I know it's not just an age or experience thing either because I've helped friends with their cars too and Acura's and Hyundai's, to name a few, have some really stupid little quirks that make them a PITA to work on.

Audis are notoriously difficult to work on. New BMWS with the 2 and 3 turbos are getting to be the same.

Older beamers with strait 4s and strait 6s though I dont get, they are pretty much as simple as it gets.

Originally Posted by DHK

Audis are notoriously difficult to work on. New BMWS with the 2 and 3 turbos are getting to be the same.

Older beamers with strait 4s and strait 6s though I dont get, they are pretty much as simple as it gets.

That's what I mean though, I feel like it's always been assumed that just because it's European it's somehow harder to work on. With older BMW's though, that's the opposite of true. BMW's of old were designed with the DIYer in mind, that's part of why I love them so much

Originally Posted by DHK

Audis are notoriously difficult to work on. New BMWS with the 2 and 3 turbos are getting to be the same.

Older beamers with strait 4s and strait 6s though I dont get, they are pretty much as simple as it gets.

Whoa! What new BMW has 3 turbos? And why...