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DIY

What to Look for When Buying a Used BMW 3 Series

Owning a BMW is a fantastic experience, but for most of us, buying a new one off the lot isn’t an option because of the cost. Luckily, plenty of used BMWs are on the market just waiting for you to pick them up. If you’re want to purchase a used BMW 3 series, what should you be on the lookout for? Here are four things.

  1. Cooling System Problems

The BMW 3 series is an excellent line of vehicles, but it’s notorious for coolant system failures between 80,000 and 100,000 miles. The 3 series has three main failure points: the expansion tank, the thermostat and the water pump.

If you’re getting a BMW that has more than 100,000 miles on the odometer, find out if the cooling system has ever been serviced, and how long ago the service happened. If it hasn’t been, expect to replace all three of those parts at the same time to prevent cooling system failure.

  1. Frame Damage

Older cars are always at risk for rust or frame damage, and 3 Series BMWs are no exception. If you’ve found a good car you’re interested in purchasing, make sure to have it inspected at a BMW shop or a shop that has a BMW specialist on staff.

It isn’t a deal-breaker — especially if you’ve found your dream BMW — but it is an expensive repair, so make sure you keep that in mind.

  1. Too Many Stickers

The fact that stickers are on the car isn’t going to be a huge deal. However, it could be a clue into how the car was handled in the past. If the car is covered with racing stickers, chances are it was at least autocrossed. Again, this may not be a bad thing if it was done right, but it could also mean the car was driven hard. If the car has a snarky “eat my dust” or middle finger bumper sticker, chances are it wasn’t driven at exactly the speed limit everywhere it went.

Don’t worry, though — with the right tools, removing decals and stickers is simple. All you need is a razor blade and an adhesive remover. Slide the razor blade under the edges of the sticker, then spray beneath it with the adhesive remover. Repeat as necessary until the label comes off, then use the adhesive remover again to get rid of any remaining residue.

  1. Car History

This is a given for any used car — you should always write down the VIN and research the car’s history before you buy it. A site like CarFax or other similar resources will help you discover how many owners the vehicle had, whether the mileage is accurate and how well past owners have maintained it over the course of its life. It will also let you know if the car has ever been damaged or totaled. If anything in the car’s history doesn’t add up, you know this is probably a car you should avoid.

Picking up a used BMW 3 Series is a fantastic way to get your feet wet, so to speak, in the vast pool that is owning a BMW. Just do your research before you sign on the dotted line to make sure you’re getting the most for your money and aren’t buying a piece of junk.

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Why You Should Get a BMW for a Project car

Picking your perfect project car is a personal experience. Do you want a car that’s easy to work on or one you can sell for a lot of money later? Are you planning on turning your project car into your daily driver, or are you just tricking it out for showrooms or the track?

For many car fans, a BMW — especially an older one — can be an excellent option for a project car. Why should you pick an older BMW for your new project build? Here are four reasons.

  1. They’re High-Quality and Attractive

Utilitarian cars don’t always look the best — they’re certainly not something you’re going to take to your local car show unless it’s to show off that it’s 0-60. That’s one of the best things that BMW has going for them — they make those blocky, utilitarian cars sexy. Even if you pick up a model that is a couple of decades old, chances are it will still be in pretty good shape and might also run.

  1. They’re Everywhere

Sure, a brand-new Beamer might be out of your price range, but older BMW’s are just about everywhere.  You can pick up a used 3 series for a few thousand dollars — well below Blue Book value — nearly anywhere in the country. Seriously, pull up Craigslist right now, or your newspaper’s classified and search “Used BMW for Sale.”

A quick search for Tampa, Florida with a maximum price of $5000 brings back more than 800 results – and that’s just on Craigslist!

  1. Their Parts Are Easy to Get

You don’t have to worry about sourcing your parts from Germany anymore. You can find replacement parts online, or at your local auto parts store without too much trouble. Ordering parts online can help save you some money, but you’ll need to match up some other at the store before you bring them home to make sure you get the perfect replacement.

If you’re not able to find the perfect replacement part, don’t worry too much. Most of these old BMWs are made mostly of steel, making it easy to get custom parts stamped. Plus, metal stamping you know you’re always getting a part that fits perfectly.

  1. They’re Good for Everything

A BMW is good for just about everything — daily driving, shows, spending time on the track or any combination of the three. It doesn’t take much to swap your tires and spend some time on the road, then swap them back and drive home.

What your BMW can do will be entirely up to the work you do to it. When it comes down to it, these little cars are good for just about everything.

There’s nothing quite like owning a BMW, no matter how old it is. If you’re looking for a new project car, consider adding a BMW to your collection. You won’t be disappointed, and you may even find a new love for mechanics you would have missed out on otherwise.

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How to Tell If Your BMW Has a Blown Head Gasket

BMW may have the words “motor works” in their name, but no motor is impervious to damage. Many BMW fans prefer to keep older cars in their garage for the nostalgia and tactile driving experience they deliver. However, as cars age, they become more susceptible to breakdowns. One part that could break on older or higher mileage cars is the head gasket.

Head gasket failure is one of the most ominous issues that car owners deal with, but it doesn’t have to result in a totaled car. If you know what signs to look for to identify a leaking or blown gasket in your BMW, you can take steps to fix the problem before your situation becomes dangerous.

Here are a few signs to look for and some steps you can take to solve the problem.

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