Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
You have to remember that the US dealer franchise laws make if nearly impossible for manufacturers to get rid of a dealer short of actionable fraud or established criminal activity. I know for a fact that BMW NA is not pleased by this conduct, but their hands are literally tied. I've found that dealer prices for identical work can vary by a factor of three or more. Some dealers-like mine-do good excellent work at a fair price. That said, I also have a good indie BMW tech I use for some work, especially on my "vintage" BMWs.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Would regular oil and filter change at 6 months (for less than 5K/m month driving) and big stuff like fluids (transmission, radiator, brake, steering wheel) change every 3-4 years are enough or it need more than that?
Coolant (flush and replace with BMW approved coolant only): Every 4 years
Brake fluid (flush and replace with DOT 4 only): Every 2 years
Manual transmission fluid (no recommended replacement): Probably should be done at least every 100,000 miles
Automatic transmission fluid (no recommended replacement): Probably should be done at least every 100,000 miles
Steering wheel: Last time I checked, those were good to go for the life of the car
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Does BMW requires to do maintenance by their dealer only? Now with the digital advancement, more and more cars (even camry too) have electronics/computers in it. Does other repair shop needs to have some sort of computer?
For example, I have heard most German cars require you do tire rotation or changing all 4 tires at once (esp. in AWD and which is not necessary in my opinion) or changing all season to winter tires by them otherwise car computer senses a mismatch. Is this the case with BMW?
These are thing which I asked has to be done on every car, is there any thing special needs to be done with BMW?
A annual oil change should be fine.
Does BMW requires to do maintenance by their dealer only? Now with the digital advancement, more and more cars (even camry too) have electronics/computers in it. Does other repair shop needs to have some sort of computer?
If the car is under the new car warranty have the work performed at the dealer as it is free. Out of warranty a good BMW tech can handle most all maintenance and repairs. That said, many dealers-such as mine-often can perform work at prices as good or better than some indie shops.
For example, I have heard most German cars require you do tire rotation or changing all 4 tires at once (esp. in AWD and which is not necessary in my opinion) or changing all season to winter tires by them otherwise car computer senses a mismatch. Is this the case with BMW?
The work doesn't have to be performed by a dealer, but if you only replace one tire on an AWD car there is a very good chance that it will cause additional wear or set a malfunction code- especially if the remaining tires are over 25%-30% worn.
These are thing which I asked has to be done on every car, is there any thing special needs to be done with BMW?
Follow the BMW service schedule and you'll be fine.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.murraybmwofdenver.com/bmw-mobility-program.aspx
Don't know if this program is retroactive, but it's a pretty new car so it wouldn't hurt to check. Anyway, there's a link at the bottom of the page to find facilities that will do mods like this.
Here's what looks like a low-cost, even do-it-yourself hand control mod:
http://www.quickconnectionhandcontrols.com/benefits.htm
What known common mechanical problems are there?
What is the price range for repairs on these vehicles? Would something that is normally a $250 repair cost me $500?
Will I need to take this ONLY to a BMW specialist?
Basically, I realize that owning a BMW is obviously going to be an expense higher than something such as a Honda, but I'm wanting to get a general idea of what that expense is actually going to be, and if I want to get myself into that or not.
I'm seeing the common asking price for used 3 series 1998 BMWs at roughly $5500-$6000 (autotrader.com)....
I bought my 87 '325 when it was 12 years old (back in 1999), so a little older than what you're looking for. In the past 9 years, I've spent around $4500 on maintenance and repairs, with me doing most of the work. Besides brake pads and rotors, tune ups, headlights, that sort of stuff, the two major things I had done was the timing belt and water pump replaced and the lower control arms replaced, which were done by a private mechanic who I have used over the years and does good work.
If every thing I had done myself I had done by a dealer or my mechanic, I'm sure that $4500 would have been more like $9K or $10K.
I'm just wondering what people's mechanical experience with the car is. Like I said, I don't expect many issues at all from the 3 series; from what I've heard it's a very good car (by comparison, I've heard that the 5 series has many cosmetic faults, depending on the year). I'm just making the double check.
Thanks.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I know the dealer or rather I've had my two BMWs serviced with them.
What kind of yearly upkeep (beyond oil changes) will an e90 require? I haven't owned an out-of-warranty car since 2001. And that car which I had for 7 years was grossly mistreated by me, always receiving reactionary repairs instead of preventative maintenance.
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
ya know, blueguy, they've only gotten heavier and softer.
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Well, I'd change the brake fluid every two years, and the coolant every four(even though BMW doesn't call for it. As for mileage related services, I'd change the transmission and final drive oil every 50K. If you keep it past 100K I'd throw in a new fuel filter along with new plugs. As for everything else, I'd just go by the book.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
A used 3 might be a better deal than a new leased 3 - depends on expected maintenance costs v. depreciation.
FWIW, I've found the 325/328 with 17s to be a better ride than the 330i/335i with 18s. I simply can't get used to the way 18 inch RFTs skip on the roads of San Diego.
By the book come down to 1k a year? More or less on average?
Regards,
OW
A lot depends on where you live. My local dealer(Swope BMW, Louisville) performed an Inspection II and brake fluid flush on my wife's X3 for just $374. Santa Monica BMW charges $1105 for the same work. I know that the cost of living in California is higher than that of Kentucky, but 295% higher? That said I'd say $1000 per year may be a bit high.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
28k miles on the odometer, silver, not a scratch on the outside (nicks on the driver's door trim aluminum), otherwise pristine.
Given my profit on the cooper and my payments on the 335i match the cooper's, I basically paid $500 to switch to a larger, faster, more family friendly car. Hard to argue with that. And the 335i has more included maintenance left, plus a longer warranty and 4 brand new tires (my cooper needed new tires).
Do you feel your 335i rides different than your 330i that you got rid of?
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Best of luck! Hope you don't flip it, though!
Regards,
OW
Thirty-five dollars for an oil change on a BMW? Where are you buying your parts? Last time I checked, oil that met the BMW LL-01 oil specification was around $7.00 per quart (times 7 for the oil change), and filters were typically between $10 and $15. With that in mind, my math suggests that the cheapest one can do an oil change on a 3-Series is $60. Yes, no?
Best regards,
Shipo
So, assuming 1/2 hour labor, I don't think you'll get much cheaper than $85-$90, total... The last time I paid for a change (at least 4 years ago), my dealer charged around $95... I could see an independent doing it for $75-$80, if you are a repeat customer...
I'm sure prices are higher now..
Edmunds Price Checker
Edmunds Lease Calculator
Did you get a good deal? Be sure to come back and share!
Edmunds Moderator
Unless you have a lift at home, I think paying $75 bucks for an oil service is well worth it....presuming they use a quality product and presuming they really do check everything for you.
I stay away from Quickie-Change places, however.
FWIW, our town recycles our used oil.
Best regards,
Shipo
Doesn't this no-dipstick thing make you crazy? It feels like we're being led at gunpoint to the dealership.
Best regards,
Shipo
I have a 2009 BMW 335i. It has a dual muffler, the pipe on the right hand side tends to exhaust more than the pipe on the left hand side, which makes the pipe on the right looks smoked. Anyone knows what the problem is? Or is it just normal?
Thanks a lot.
I'm test driving a 98 328i 4dr, I6, automatic on Friday, what do I need to be checking for mechanically to make sure I'm not buying someone elses BMW nightmare? Tranny's, valve leaks, wiring malfunctions, high dollar fixes.
Also, don't know that having a service tech run the codes will be an option.
Something about this deal seems too good to be true, less than 90k miles, for under $4k...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Amen, brother. Something tells me that in 20 years Roundel articles aren't going to be about modifying today's cars, but rather crutching along 2002s & other early models that can actually be worked on.
It took the trifecta of RFTs, big drops in lease subsidies and the dipstick/take everything to the dealer attitude to keep me out of my first BMW 3-series. Oh, and it didn't help that the early oil level sensors quit working on a regular basis -- there was no way, short of draining the oil & measuring it, to know how much there was in the car. Wonder what the oil level sensor costs, relative to the stick, to say nothing of the warranty costs of replacing all the defective ones.
The usual BMW suspects. You'd best have the car professionally checked out or you might have to spend enough $$$ to square a neglected car away, that you could have gone out and bought a pristine '98 for $6,000.
Is there anything else that I should plan on replacing on my car while doing the struts/shocks?
The VW requires a special wrench to remove the top strut bolts... my experience so far is that VWs require a special tool to do everything. Is there a need for any special tools when doing the BMW, besides a spring compressor?
Any recommendations on brand/model of parts for my car? I'm thinking Bilstein HD's or Sports. The car has 150K miles on it so I will definitely consider other brands w/less of a warranty.
thanks!
I'd repace the upper and lower spring pads and the upper spring pocket- part numbers 7, 8, and 11 on the ETK. It only amounts to @$20 more per wheel.
As for shock selection, Bilsteins are the gold standard; if I was going to keep the car that's the route I would take. I know Shifty won't agree, but I've heard good things about Monroe shocks. Their BMW shocks are made in Europe and several guys over on the Yahoo E39 Group have used them with no complaints. Me, I'd go with the HDs. And I probably don't need to mention that this is an ideal time to fit new sport springs as well...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive