Reliability on 2000 328i

[mwall]

I'm looking into purchasing a 2000 BMW 328 for around $3800. It has 180k miles on it (I know it's a lot) but these are the repairs the seller claims to have done. Just wondering if these model in particular is very unreliable and if I should stay away from the high mileage no matter what :

New battery as well as the cables
Tires
Power steering pump
Exhaust including one of the O2 Sensors
Alternator
Pulleys
A L L new belts INCLUDING timing
Radiator
The whole secondary air system has also been replaced.
The car has "halo" headlights and the HID bulbs were just replaced.
All oil changes done on time with synthetic oil, as well as the vehicle just getting serviced before i sell it.
** Maintenance inspection completed ( CARFAX REPORT PROVES THESE )
Air filter replaced
Automatic transmission pan gasket replaced
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Cabin air filter replaced/cleaned
Engine oil/fluid leak checked
Four wheel alignment performed
Ignition coil(s) replaced
Spark plug(s) replaced
Thermostat housing/gasket replaced
Transmission filter replaced
Transmission seal(s) replaced
Valve cover gasket(s) replaced
Water pump replaced
Wheel lug stud(s) replaced
Antifreeze/coolant flushed/changed
Brake fluid flushed/changed
Oil and filter changed
Thermostat replaced

[Honolulu]

does it run?
New stuff suggests the old was/were gone. Are the tires showing any unusual wear patterns? (How long ago was the alignment?)
When parked overnight, does it mark the spot?

A high mileage bimmers is not to be feared if 1) you do your own work and 2) things are up to date as the list of parts and jobs suggest. I just sold a '90 325i that I had for six years. Total miles 189,000. Made $1200 over purchase price but put in $2450 in parts over six years.

I suggest you understand that all the work done to replace stuff that was seventeen years old be regarded as "normal maintenance" and should not necessarily be considered as "additional" or "upgrades" unless the performance is clearly better than stock.

How bad do you want this particular car? What's the market like in your area? I just got a filthy 96,000 mile 325xi for $500 and two new tires, cleaned it myself over a weekend, and will put in a pair of control arm bushings this coming weekend if my daughter can be pried away from the car. Deals like that may not come along down the road just every day, but it illustrates the wide spread in used bimmers. The seller made quuiiiiite a lot last year online from apparently legal business, and was tired of the car since he flubbed interstate registration, lost the ownership papers and keys. Got that all fixed up pretty quick.

[Shaunturner82]

Hi the other thing to check for is make sure all the breather pipes have been done or if u buy it do them as soon as because they go very brital other than that it seems to have had all the other mejor stuff done an dont be afraid of high mileage 6 cylinder cars because they r made for it mate buy it an enjoy it

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[shoman24v]

At 180k, I would be worried about the future reliability of the automatic transmission.

[Dave1027]

Actually, the 328's came with the GM automatic transmissions which are pretty stout. It sounds by the OP's post that the trans has been maintained too with atf/filter changed.

The big thing the OP needs to look out for is the rear subframe mounting to body which were common for cracks. Having to fix that could cost $2k. But this car has an automatic which lessens the chance of subframe cracking.

[dipperc30]

Don't be afraid of the mileage if the engine is running strong. Just make sure you don't overheat it or you will blow the head gasket. My 328 is still running at 212k. The auto trans is bullet proof.

[MacLoGoS]

I have 231k miles on my 99 323i sedan. Runs strong and gets fantastic MPG's. Dont be afraid of high miles on these engines. If the seller can prove maintenance and the car shows like the seller claims then you should be good. Just expect that 17-18 year old cars have problems and usually its always the rubber parts that fail first.