New member, new (used) car. 2007 328xi

[StarLord]

Hey guys, I just joined this forum. Been lurking here for a little while doing some research on the 2007 328xi and 3 series in general. Hopefully, I will be a first time bimmer owner :). Really excited!

Cars got 68K miles on it.
Owner seemed to have taken care of it well. He was 2nd owner and chose to get extended warranty so he's got a good amount of service records.


Pre-purchase inspection was done with the following issues:

TPMS sensor indicator on. Tire pressure is fine with no leaks. Sensor issue. Apparently the owner got it looked at under warranty but it was never fixed. Not sure why? Maybe they couldn't fix it??
Rear shock leaking heavily. Quoted me $900+:banghead:
Transmission fluid leaking at pan gasket and connecter sleeve. Recommended replacing the pan gasket and plug adapter seal. Quoted at $600+ (this doesn't include a new pan and filter)
Service light on with --> brake fluid service, cabin filter


I've seen that DIY for the trans pan and filter change as well as the rear shock change. I might try the shocks myself. I don't know if I trust myself to do the tranny work.

I did have a few important questions.
1.This is the only xi I've driven. The steering wheel feels more "rigid" in comparison to other bimmers. It takes a little bit more to turn the wheel. Is this normal?
2. The acceleration is a tad bit slow on take off. When you hit the gas pedal, there is a certain delay before the car moves. Maybe the computer has learned the current owner's driving style (which is a slow accel)?

Is this normal with these cars?

Any comments, suggestions, advice would be greatly appreciated! Going to pick this car up on Saturday if yall don't scare me into not buying it LOL!

[Pyewacket69]

Unless you're an accomplished BMW service DIY'er, why would you purchase a used BMW with problems?

Doesn't make economic sense...

[StarLord]

Well it's my first bmw so haven't done any previous work on them. But I have done a lot of work on my old mercedes e class. The car does have problems but rear shocks is an easy fix and so is the leaking seal.
I'm just wondering about the rigid steering wheel and slow accel. Trying to see if that's normal with this car

[Nikojt]

Well it's my first bmw so haven't done any previous work on them. But I have done a lot of work on my old mercedes e class. The car does have problems but rear shocks is an easy fix and so is the leaking seal. I'm just wondering about the rigid steering wheel and slow accel. Trying to see if that's normal with this car

The slow acceleration is not normal... It's not extremely fast, but it shouldn't feel slow coming from an old Merc. Check air filter, spark plugs, new engine oil, and the transmission and transfer case & diffs likely need new oil. This will make the car feel much more urgent and giddy to go.
The heavy steering is common, but it shouldn't feel overly heavy. Check the steering rack for leaks. Otherwise "heavy" has many gradients. Your heavy will be different from my heavy

By the way, I own this exact car with 60,5xx on it

[jjflip]

I have this car as well. It just hit 90k miles, I've owed it for about 5 months relatively trouble free. I had an 89 5 series and loved it so when it died i thought a bimmer from this century was a good idea.

My car steers heavy too, I like it heavy like it is. I know caster settings have allot to do with how "heavy" turning feels, so i think it can be "tuned" out if you talk to a mechanic that really knows how to align a suspension.

As far as the slow start, mine also does this...i floor it and the car thinks about what i just did, then it says..oh yea i must accelerate then zooom off i go. The throttle is electronic and from what i have found out is you can buy a new module that bolts in behind the gas pedal that takes allot of that away. Its on my wish list! For now though if you have the automatic put it in sport mode and this also helps some.

Zooooom

[StarLord]

Nikojt, you're definitely right about the "heavy." It's all a matter of perspective. The service light is on for the air filter so i'm definitely going to get that changed. I'll look at the spark plugs and diff fluid too but the steering rack? I would hope the guys who performed the prepurchase inspection on my car would've seen a leak?

Also, just to be more clear, when I said slow accel, I meant like a slightly delayed response or slow response when touching the gas pedal. Slightly delayed..

I've read someone say that this "slower response" is due to the car being in D mode. D mode starts off in 2nd gear. While DS is 1st gear? Any truth to this?
I didn't test drive the car in DS but I'll definitely do that right before handing over the money.

Btw, have you guys seen heavy snow with this car? I'm waiting to drive it in the snow! I'm coming off of my rear wheel drive 01 merc e430 that won't leave the parking spot if there's even a quarter inch of snow on the ground so you can tell how excited I am.

[Nikojt]

Nikojt, you're definitely right about the "heavy." It's all a matter of perspective.
I would hope the guys who performed the prepurchase inspection on my car would've seen a leak?…

D mode starts off in 2nd gear. While DS is 1st gear? Any truth to this?…

Btw, have you guys seen heavy snow with this car?…

Yeah they should have, depends on where you took it really... I forgot you'd done a PPI, so forgive me on that suggestion.

D vs DS; not necessarily. Mine still does 2nd as first gear at times, but shortens the throttle response. You can reset the transmission by putting the car into accessory mode (car/electronics on, engine off) and holding the accelerator pedal for 30 seconds.

Have not seen snow with this car, but I have seen heavy rain... The car feels just as planted as when I'm in the dry, which was insane to experience the first time I drove it in the wet. Still running the RFT Bridgestone tires too. Can't wait to swap to Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

[NY Scotsman]

I have a 328xi w auto. The "genteel" response to the accelerator peddle is typical in the D mode and once you get used to it is ok for routine driving. DS should be much snappier and is where you go if you want a more dynamic response. If it is still slow to respond in DS mode I'd move on as there are literally thousands of 328xi autos on sale at any given time. Get a good one.

The car is awesome in snow. I have two hard winters with the car and even with all season tires it has made winter driving a breeze. No more white knuckle commutes when the white stuff falls.