My first BMW

[KFlynn]

Hi all,
I am looking into buying my first BMW and after a lot of research I have decided to go with a 02-04 325 xi for around $12,000. I want to go with the AWD because living in Wisconsin, winters are terrible and want to be able to keep the car on the road. I have talked to a few of my friends that own BMW's and they have given me a lot of good tips about what to check for, but I was wondering if anyone had some things I MUST know about the car before I buy it. Thanks for the tips in advance!

[2bms]

Firstly, welcome. You'll find a lot of excellent information on here. Concerning your question - maintenance is key on these cars. Well-maintained BMWs are very reliable and long-lived. A neglected BMW will be a money pit. If you can find a seller that has kept meticulous records of what has been done to the car, it would be a great advantage, but often you can tell by the overall condition. If the car is in good shape cosmetically, chances are good that it has been looked after mechanically too. But if the owner has not bothered with the appearance of the car, he/she will almost certainly not have bothered too much about maintenance either. In a perfect world, you need to find a seller like myself or many others on here who maintain the carp out of their cars. (I don't say that because I have anything for sale by the way, I don't).

[Koobie]

http://www.e46fanatics.com/faq/faqs.php

Have fun!

[SilverBeam]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=879887

That is a pretty good collection of everything you'll need to know

[pizzaman09]

Welcome to the forum! :wave

The links that others have provided are excellent starting points when looking at that car.

One point I want to make though is that the fact that the car has AWD will not necessarily make it good on ice or in the snow. Good winter tires like Blizzaks are what really makes a car good in the snow. I have driven a RWD e38 740iL in the snow and ice for the last 9 winters. The amazing traction control system makes up for any part of the fact that it is rear wheel drive. I live in an area that gets 200+ inches of snow per year and I prefer to drive the e38 with good winter tires on it compared to my all time 4X4 Jeep with all season tires.

[KFlynn]

Thanks for the helpful information!!

I have always been under the impression living in Wisconsin and all that the RWD cars are TERRIBLE in the snow, but my friend who is an avid bimmer owner enlightened me to exactly what you are saying. He was telling me that the weight distribution and traction control are so superior on bimmers that they grip better than most cars given the right tires.

Given this info, I have modified my search to a 00-04 325i or 330i(for more power :D) with under 100k for less than $12k. Given that it has had the proper 75k mile maintenance done and kept in very good condition. If you hear about one please email or PM me :D

Thanks!

[M3amazesme]

+1 for Blizzaks.

Just keep reading about the car until you can't stand anymore then read some more. There is a wealth of information that these guys can provide.

Question to the E46 guys? What is the one thing that seems to be the main issue with the E46? Such as the e36 has water pump/cooling issues and RSM's.

[KFlynn]

From what I've read so far the problem I've seen in almost all the cases are the Window Regulators.
Along with Waterpump/Cooling system around 100k.

[Koobie]

+1 for Blizzaks.

Just keep reading about the car until you can't stand anymore then read some more. There is a wealth of information that these guys can provide.

Question to the E46 guys? What is the one thing that seems to be the main issue with the E46? Such as the e36 has water pump/cooling issues and RSM's.


From what I've read so far the problem I've seen in almost all the cases are the Window Regulators.
Along with Waterpump/Cooling system around 100k.

Fylnn is right. Also, if you own an early E46 you are prone to subframe issues. It can be on newer ones too, but primarily on the first couple years of the E46.

There are a few other small issues, sunroof brackets, oil sensor, etc.

End of the day, I love my E46. It is a great car. I probably will put about 20k on my car this year and I'm very satisfied with the car.

[SilverBeam]

Subframe really only affected 1999 and 2000 models, the newer ones are all pretty much good, but it is something worth checking before buying the car.

[pizzaman09]

Thanks for the helpful information!!

I have always been under the impression living in Wisconsin and all that the RWD cars are TERRIBLE in the snow, but my friend who is an avid bimmer owner enlightened me to exactly what you are saying. He was telling me that the weight distribution and traction control are so superior on bimmers that they grip better than most cars given the right tires.

That sums it up pretty well.

Good luck on finding your dream BWM!
BTW I think cooling systems are issues on all BMW's from the 90's and probably through today.