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Thread: Some guidance on a 3 series year and model

  1. #1
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    Some guidance on a 3 series year and model

    Hi there. 63 yo retiree looking for some advice on

    choosing a used 3 series for under 10K. Year and model flexible. I’m guessing under 150K miles would be better. I see some beauties on cargurus.com regularly but I have no idea which models or years are the best choice. Would love to hear from you. I want this car to take me the rest of the way so I want to get it right. I owned a 1995 540i for a few years and ignorantly sold it. Note: This car will be my every day wheels. Thanks for reading !

  2. #2
    MauiM3Mania's Avatar
    MauiM3Mania is offline Observer/Master Skeptic Moderator
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    You might be best to slim done your focus as the 3-Series has been around since 1975 and is in it's seventh generation.
    04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by MauiM3Mania View Post
    You might be best to slim done your focus as the 3-Series has been around since 1975 and is in it's seventh generation.
    That thought actually did cross my mind……………………..advice well taken…………..1995 to 2005 is my gut feeling………..

  4. #4
    MauiM3Mania's Avatar
    MauiM3Mania is offline Observer/Master Skeptic Moderator
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    Check out the various 3-Series forums here...
    04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
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  5. #5
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    For the price range specified, I think the latest year E46 would fit the bill. 330i or 330ci. One note of caution: the M54 engine is notorious for becoming an oil consumer due to the piston rings used in them. It’s not a 100% issue, but seems to be associated with following the extended oil change intervals that BMW recommended. The M54 also has a ridiculously complex crankcase ventilation system (CCV) which can also cause oil consumption issues.

    If you stick a finger into the exhaust pipes (when cold!) and feel for the amount of soot or even some oil, you’ll know whether the car has that issue or not.

    Another newer option would be the 2010-2011 E90 3 series, which was the last non-turbo generation. The N52 engine is reliable and doesn’t have the piston ring issues that the M54 does.

    Good luck finding what you want for $10k. Used car price inflation is crazy right now.

  6. #6
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    As noted, the 3 liter M54 engine (M54B30 in BMWspeak) does burn oil due to the low tension oil control rings. This design is exasperated by the small diameter oil drain holes in the pistons. Frequent oil changes doesn’t seem to help much. I can speak from experience as I owned a 2001 330Ci for 17 years. I changed the oil (Mobil 1 0w40) and filter (Mann) religious at 7k miles. I installed an oil catch can at year 15, to not much avail. The solution seems to be DMSO (https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dimethyl_sulfoxide). There’s an excellent write up on how to use this at E46Fanatics. It works.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by RBNetEngr View Post
    For the price range specified, I think the latest year E46 would fit the bill. 330i or 330ci. One note of caution: the M54 engine is notorious for becoming an oil consumer due to the piston rings used in them. It’s not a 100% issue, but seems to be associated with following the extended oil change intervals that BMW recommended. The M54 also has a ridiculously complex crankcase ventilation system (CCV) which can also cause oil consumption issues.

    If you stick a finger into the exhaust pipes (when cold!) and feel for the amount of soot or even some oil, you’ll know whether the car has that issue or not.

    Another newer option would be the 2010-2011 E90 3 series, which was the last non-turbo generation. The N52 engine is reliable and doesn’t have the piston ring issues that the M54 does.

    Good luck finding what you want for $10k. Used car price inflation is crazy right now.

    thanks very much for the great detailed pointers ! Love the 2010/2011 suggestion and will probably go with that. I am still very green as far as all the lingo goes but a reliable engine without piston issues sounds like a great start for me………

    - - - Updated - - -

    Thanks for the quick and informed reply………….I’m soaking all this great info in as quickly as I can so that I can go ahead and pick one up soon with a grain or two of confidence !!!!!

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    6 speed manual N52 engine car from 2010-2011. Don’t get the SULEV version of the engine sold in CA if you have a choice.

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