BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier

div2

I'm not trying to be a smart aleck(for once) but is it possible that your parking brake is not fully releasing? Or possibly there's a stuck caliper piston?

kdshapiro

Is it possible the gas formulation changed resulting in different mileage?

shipo

Tires can make the difference. Most tires these days are engineered to provide as little rolling resistance as possible, however, not all tires are created equal. Your tires? I don't actually know, and even if they are terrible I doubt that they can be blamed for your entire reduction in economy, but it is certainly a place to look.

FWIW, my 530i got better mileage (1-2 mpg) with the winter set mounted as opposed to the summer rubber. Another possiblity is that not all tires of any given size are really the same size. It could be that not only do your new tires have a larger diameter due to the fact that they have new tread, they might could well be larger in overall diameter and/or travel further per revolution.

Consider the following 225/45 R17 tires:

Revs/Mile ----- Diameter ----- Make/Model
833 ---------------- 25.0" -------- BFGoodrich g-Force T/A KD
828 ---------------- 25.0" -------- Continental ContiSportContact 2
835 ---------------- 25.0" -------- Dunlop SP Sport 9000
837 ---------------- 24.9" -------- Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3
828 ---------------- 24.9" -------- Michelin Pilot SX MXX3
837 ---------------- 24.8" -------- Michelin Pilot Sport
833 ---------------- 25.0" -------- Michelin Pilot Sport PS2
824 ---------------- 24.9" -------- Pirelli PZero Rosso Asimmetrico
826 ---------------- 25.2" -------- Pirelli PZero System Direzionale
833 ---------------- 25.0" -------- Fuzion . ZRi

Hmmm, the Fuzions are actuall a little smaller that many other tires. Well that blew the hell out of that theory. I tried. :-/

Best Regards,
Shipo

kominsky

I get better milage with my winter tires too. I think that may have to do with the cooler winter air temps.

mschukar

A couple thoughts on tires:

-Obviously worn tires have a slightly smaller diameter. What is the typical wear depth of a the OEM Contis? The ones I replaced were getting pretty thin.

-Do tires get harder as they age/wear? This might account for the increase in mileage I saw over time and the sudden dropoff with new tires.

-murray

nyccarguy

Great Roundel Article. Sorry, I'm a little slow reading ROUNDEL

brave1heart

Thanks. I'm glad you liked it. They did really good coverage of One Lap this year.

dchec

Hi all. Just wanted to say these threads are pretty interesting and full of valuable information. I am looking to purchase a BMW...It will be my second car and first purchase since i graduated college. I am kind of undecided, but from looking around i am looking towards the 99 or higer 328i, or 98 or higher 540i. I am hoping i can stay under 15000 for teh 3 series and 18000 for 5 series. Car has to be a 4 door and a stick shift. does anyone have any suggestions or things i should look out for while shopping around? is it better to go to a dealer or buy from a private seller etc? any input will be greatly appreciated. I have wanted to own a BMW for a long time and i am just nervous about making the right purchase. i currently own a honda civic and its been a great reliable car, so i want to get something as reliable with more performance.

div2

I think you'd be happier with a Three Series. The 540i is a terrific car but it is a bit more maintenance-intensive. The 1999-up 328i/330i has proven to be a very reliable car. If you've never owned a BMW before you MUST have a qualified BMW tech perform the inspection. Next, I'd want to see a full service history. Was the brake fluid changed at least every two years using DOT 4 fluid? Coolant every three-BMW coolant ONLY? Find a good one and maintenance costs shouldnt average more than $50/month-and even less if you perform the minor maintenance yourself.

kyfdx

Ditto on the 3-series...

If you find yourself a little short on the money end, look at the '99-'00 323i, as well... A little shorter on power, but the same car, otherwise.. and, a little cheaper..

regards,
kyfdx

dchec

thanks a lot guys for the tips.....didnt even think about things like brake fluid, coolant etc. you guys r great....any more suggestions are welcome.

michael10

Just picked up an 01 325i sedan, 43k, prem pack, auto (wifes must have) xeon, could not be happier. How do I know if any maintence needs to be done? should I have the oil changed or wait for the computer to tell me to?

These forums have been a great help. Thanks to all for the info.

kyfdx

Your car had free dealer maintenance for the first 3yr/36K... Stop by your local BMW dealer service department, and they should be able to print out a service history..

regards,
kyfdx

sunilb

The car may have the on-board computer (not sure if it was standard)... if so, when you first turn the car there should be an indicator on the dash (where the odometer is) that states "Service 1000 miles" or "Inspection 1000 miles", which basically tells you how many miles before the next service/inspection.

jeffhou

Can anyone that has had their cars aligned on Hunter equipment (most often used equipment) please respond with what specications were used to align the car. Apparently, many technicians believe that on NON-SPORT 330i's, believe the correct alignment is to use the Sport Suspension with Low ride-height because the struts on the NON-SPORT say "SPORT Z" on them. Turns out that seems to be incorrect. As a result, technicians in the past have had to add almost 500 pounds of weight to my car to achieve the ride-height that Hunter says is required for this low ride-height alignment. Only the Sport Package calls for low ride-height as it sits about an inch anyhow. Anyhow, after using the correct specificaitons, very little weight was required to get to the correct ride-height before aligning (3 bags in the rear I think was all that was necessary). For those that have seen my postings before about bad handling, I think this has been my problem all along - incorrect alignments!! I'd be interested what others experience has been on this. The GOOD news is that most non-BMW locations don't weight the vehicle...so it isn't as bad a problem. This was BMW dealers using the incorrect specs!!! Until I found a technician that new what he was doing!!! Comments??

woodno9

Hey guys... I'm thinking of getting a '02 330xi, but then saw that the 02 325xi seems to be much cheaper. Any thoughts on the performance differences between these two? Is the 325xi going to feel really sluggish?

shipo

One word: "Yes".

Best Regards,
Shipo

jim1395

i posted a while back about having bubbles on all 4 of my new dunlop winter m2s, after several emails to dunlop and a knowledgeable tire tech at a local tire shop. i'm getting my new tires on dunlop. since the m2s have been discontinued i got the m3s. hopefully it was just a bad first set. any way i just wanted to gloat about my persistence. if i had to do it all over again, i don't think i'd go with dunlops but at least the company did the right thing.

erickpl

I have an 02 325xi and it works just fine for me. I knew I would want a 330xi if I drove one, so I didn't. So it doesn't feel sluggish to me because I haven't driven the 330.

Wanna buy an 02 325xi? I may be replacing it soon with a 2 seater.

-Paul

akulkarni

Hi,

I am looking for recommendations on a roof rack for my 2005 3 series sedan. I usually carry bikes - but would prefer something that is versatile and allows me to load skis or other equipment.

Looking for recommendations on brand, where to buy, etc.

Thanks
Ash

sunilb

Thule makes a nice one, which is BMW-specific.

gordonwd

I'll second the Thule recommendation. It is very slick in that it uses the rack mounts that are already built into your car's roof (a lot of (most?) owners don't even know that those mounts are there). Very nicely engineered product, with a lot of options for what you can put on top of the rails (bike or ski carriers, luggage boxes, etc.). I think that it cost me about $450 or so for the basic rack plus two top-line bike carrier rails.

Note: Do NOT try to drive your car into your garage, having forgotten that your bikes are up there on the roof rack! Don't ask me how I know this.

mschukar

Add me to the happy Thule users. I also like it because it's very easy to put on/take off. Usually only takes 5 minutes or so.

-murray

nyccarguy

Although I don't own a BMW, I do have a Thule rack on my Prelude and it is great. Very well engineered. I'm on my second one. The first got stolen, so don't waste your money on those locks.

nshaw

Okay, our car has a "motor oil, Castrol recommended" cap on the motor and another cap that says ATF Oil Only. What is that? We think it's the power steering, but do you use automatic transmission fluid in the power steering? Is it possible it's an incorrect cap? It's in front of the engine and is a small cylinder about 4 inches across.

tearex

The cap you're looking at is indeed the power steering fluid reservoir and, oddly enough, the cap is correct. It calls for "DEXRON III or equivilent ATF fluid". My 2002 530i Sport (same 3.0L engine) has the same thing right next to the oil filter housing. The stem under the cap has a lower ring (the MIN. level) and an upper ring (the MAX. level). No drain in the system, so it shouldn't need any additional fluid unless your system has a leak. Great car though, huh?

div2

Your Owners Manual contains all the relevant information about the fluids your E90 uses. That said, I prefer Mobil 1 0W-40 over BMW's Castrol house brand, but either should work fine.

ek01

I have a 2002 330 with approximately 90,000KMs on it which requires regular maintenance service. Can any of you recommend a non-dealer garage which will work on BMWs in the Toronto area. Thanks in advance.

keycard

I have a 99'-328i--with around 120K miles on it--runs fine--had fuel pump replaced at 60,000--died out on me...and oil change every 8K..runs fine.

Any recommended non-dealer garage in the SF/Peninsula area?

Thanks in advance

KC

grantchstr

A point to note is that its possible that non dealer garages do not have the sphisitcated software required to diagnise and correct problems on your BMW. In effect this is a form of restraint of trade but it is nevertheless unlikely that many indys (independent garages) are going to layout the thousands of dollars for the required software nor to pay the monthly fees require for access and updates etc.

Perhaps some BMW pros or experts more knowledgeable that me could opine on this issue as its come up with my wifes Volvo S60.....and BMW is at least as sophisticated a car I should think.

div2

As you noted, BMW does offer online service data as well as diagnostic equipment for sale, but the cost is prohibitive for shops that don't service large numbers of BMWs. That said, my local BMW indie has had no problem servicing E39s and E46s. In my locale the BMW dealer has gotten serious about offering good service at reasonable prices, even offering a 20% CCA discount on parts and labor(a change of ATFand synthetic final drive oil on my E39 was only $110). Of course, a competent home mechanic can perform a lot of maintenance and repairs if he/she has a Peake code reader and a Bentley manual.

sunilb

I used Palo Alto Bimmer once... but now that friendly people here have given me some tips, I do my own oil changes and Inspection I and II (will probably use them for the brakes and tranny/diff fluid changes).

erickpl

They are VERY easy to do. There are writeups with pics up on the web to do it if you need visuals like I did. There are also writeups for the tranny and diffs too.

If you don't mind turning a wrench, they can even be fun!

-Paul

topspin628

I recently test drove an 03 5 speed ci and found the stick to be nice but a bit notchy, not nearly as smooth as the Honda S2000 which might be the gold standard. How is the newer 6 speed on the ci and cic's?

Thank you

bmwfrevr

hello team,
did anybody come across the possibility of fitting the original 16" wheels and tires from an 05 325ci to an 06 325i with "sport package if it matters", I am thinking to do that as a winter package rather than buying from tirerack i really found a sweet deal on ebay.

shipo

I cannot find the reference at the moment, however, I remember seeing somewhere that there is no offset between the 16" wheels of the E46 and the 16" wheels of the E90. I'm thinking that if you call TireRack and something like the following:

"I currently own an E46 325ci that I'd like to buy a winter wheel set for, however, I'm going to be getting an E90 325i next spring. Will wheels from the 325ci fit the 325i?"

Let us know what you find out.

Best Regards,
Shipo

brislance1

Got my PBR pads installed on my 03 330 a couple weeks ago by an independent shop. Brakes are great and no brake dust! Will see how the dust is when we make the long trip to our winter home in Arizona sometime in November. Thanks for your advice and help on ordering the pads. It was a long wait, but well worth the effort. Are you still on for a European delivery next year?

Regards.

shipo

Congratulations on finally getting your hands on those new pads and getting them on. I trust that you won't believe just how clean your wheels are going to stay. ;-)

Regarding the ED trip that I've been planning for Aprilish next year, well, my best guess is that the odds on that are slipping a bit. Why? Simple, I changed my driving patterns quite dramatically a couple of months back, going from an annual mileage of about 12,000 to almost 8,000 in just the last 10 weeks. Yikes! Now that the initial hit of miles is complete, my traveling rate has stabilized at about 2,500 per month, which is WAY beyond acceptable for leasing, something I've done for my last five cars. What that means is that unless my driving patterns return to normal sometime soon (maybe 40% odds), leasing another BMW is out for the next car.

Buying seems to be the order of the day given what I've just written and the only BMW that meets the financial criteria as set forth by our CPA is the 1-Series, specifically the 130i, however, it looks unlikely that the 1er will make it over to this side of the pond in time for me to buy it. Currently my short list includes the following cars: Audi A3, Mini Cooper, VW Passat, Saab 93, and Acura TSX. I'm fairly certain that my driving habits will return to normal within a couple of years at the outside, so assuming that happens, I'll most likely opt for the then latest 3-Series.

Best Regards,
Shipo

erickpl

Do they make them for other BMW Series? I have a friend at work with a 545 (E60) who wants to use them on his, but I didn't know if they made em for the 5 (or 6 or 7).

-Paul

keycard

Thanks! I'll give them a buzz the next time---was at a local garage in Burligame (Pacific Auto--don't have the BMW software etc..) but at least he was up front. Fixed my front Wheel Bearing for $230.00--not sure if that is cheap or not, but at least it got the problem fixed.

I've 120K on my 99-328i now--I checked BMW's web site, but didn't find the answer I was looking for..Is there a Schedule III? Lost my Manual a long long long time ago..

Thanks.
KC

brislance1

I got mine through Import Replacement Parts and was well satisfied with their service. They do have pads for most BMW's, but not sure of the E60. www.importrp.com. Give them a try. Good luck

erickpl

I'll pass it on to him!

-Paul

sunilb

No Insp III as far as I know.... schedule should be something like this:

15K - Oil Service
30K - Insp I
45K - Oil Service
60K - Insp II


Also, I've heard good things about Shulba in Belmont, but I've never used them.

dewey

specifically the 130i, however, it looks unlikely that the 1er will make it over to this side of the pond in time for me to buy it.

Similarily it looks like the 130i wont make it on this side of the ocean when I buy my next car! And that wont be for a few more years! BMW has been quite evasive about the 1 series in North America! My dream car: a BMW 130d. Dream on , dream on!

330blast

Hi there,

I have a 2001 330i, Auto with 75K miles. I would like to get some idea of the maintenance cost if I keep the car for another 3 years, when the mileage will likely hit 120K.

Other than regular maintenance specified by the manual (oil, inspection, all fluid, oxygen sensor, spark plug), is there any other possible or likely maintenance cost I should expect? If so, how much?

I have read that auto transmission likely to fail between 80K - 120K miles according to the Techtalk of Roundel. If it occurs in the next 11 months, my car is still under CPO, so no big deal. But if it happens after the CPO expires, the cost to fix will be steep and I'd rather sell the car before instead of paying the repair bill.

Other major parts that will require work on? Water pump, Timing Belt (not sure if the E46 is using a timing belt or not), etc?

Thanks,

330blast

My 01 330i has exactly the same issue. However, mine will bounce back twice (either one-touch or manually hold on the button) and the 3rd attempts always succeed. And yes, it only happens when I open the roof completely, which means when closing, it has to drag the sunshield out. If I don't push the sunshield in while opening, no problem at all.

It has been like that for almost 2 years, and I have asked a couple of dealers. They want to charge diagnose fee and told me that if they found out the problem was not covered by CPO, I would have to pay for the fix and diag. And the problem sounds more like some manaul parts (track, clip, glide, or whatever) and there is a fair that it is not an electronic problem).

So I just don't open the roof completely anymore (and in fact, I don't open the roof often at all).

I will be glad to know what the fix is and the cost even though it is not a main concern to me, either.

brave1heart

Water pump yes ($250 installed), Timing Belt no.

kyfdx

Most likely it is busted clips, or a track that is bent...

Either way, it is not likely to be covered under the CPO warranty... Mine was fixed twice (clips first, track second) under the original warranty... I have no idea what it would have cost... but figure probably $300-$600, depending on what it is..

regards,
kyfdx
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matwags

Shipo,

I have been test driving many cars lately, including the A3, TL, G35, etc... trying to find a car better than my 2002 330i. Still looking. In the latest C+D, they discussed the 2006 Jetta GLI and compared it with the A3. I test drove them side by side and came away pretty impressed with the GLI. I suggest that if you are looking at the Passat or A3, that you check it out. The suspension and the engine are awesome and it is cheaper than a similarly equipped Passat or A3. I found the Sport seats to be a little tighter than the BMW's but very supportive. Pretty sweet package for 27k, and good mileage to boot. I had a bad experience with a 2003 Passat, so I am gun shy of VW.

Cheers,

Matt

shipo

Hey Matt,

Thanks for the "Heads Up" on the Jetta GLI. I've pretty much figured that unless I find that I need to get a diesel, I'm probably not going to opt for the Jetta. Just can't get past the looks, yeah I know it looks like a mini Passat, somehow to my eye the look works on the Passat and not on the Jetta, weird. Also when I eyeballed the Jetta (when I was looking at the Passat) and mentally compared it to the A3, it seemed to be capable of far less utility what with its mini-wagonesque shape.

All in all, I'd still prefer a new E90...

Best Regards,
Shipo