reliability ?????

[bugsas99]

looking into buying 2002 bmw 325xi. has 100,000 miles on it. never owned anything but american. is car reliable?? what kind of problems likely to encounter.?? in excellent shape not to familiar with bmw with this many miles. paying 13,000 dollars for car good deal???

[mike@af]

That's a lot of mileage. I have a friend with a 325xi and he loves it, no problems.

[KamilMk]

I think BMWs with AWD just isn't really a BMW anymore... I dont know, just my opinion... I think AWD BMWs are
But the price sounds reasonable... it's a '02, so I wouldn't expect it to have much under 100,000 miles, if it was a daily driver...

[getfast37]

Make sure it has had all its Inspection II's and other maintenance done, check every piece of rubber in the suspension/chassis/steering/driveline, prepare to buy shocks/struts if it hasn't had 'em already, check the wheelbearings, etc.

Jon

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by KiillaKam

it's a '02, so I wouldn't expect it to have much under 100,000 miles, if it was a daily driver...

Do you put 20,000+ miles a year on your car?

[KamilMk]

Originally Posted by GTmike400

Do you put 20,000+ miles a year on your car?

Scary thought... But I did that last year...

[daddyo8]

I bought a '93 325i last April at 112K approx. and I now have 153K. I drive 120 mi to and from work on country 2 lane but out here in KS that's straight lines at 68mph (no hurry to get to work...chillin goin home).
Love my Bimmer. Things going wrong= sunroof track, window switches, rubber stuff, but hey its a 93!!

[CassiesMan]

Originally Posted by GTmike400

Do you put 20,000+ miles a year on your car?

My 325i is three years old, has 58k on it. Mostly highway, driving to and from school, etc.

As long as the car was handled properly (just like any other car), it will be perfectly reliable. It may need some suspension touch ups if it was driven hard, but otherwise it should be fine. If you are buying it used, do it just like buying any other used car. If you don't know what to look for, ask if you can take it to someone to give it a good inspection. Most garages should do this for a minimal fee. Just offer to pay the fee. If you offer to pay, and they say no to an inspection, then I would be somewhat wary of the car.

[WV Jim]

I also have a '93 325i that I bought in January, with 125,000 miles. I have another car to drive, but damn ... it's tough to park the Bimmer and drive a work car.

[DinanM3_S2]

I would say that it all matters on how the car has been driven and how it has been maintained.

If the owner has been keeping up on everything and not driving the car like a madman, 100,000 miles would be fine. If the car has been abused and raced, 100,000 would be alot.

Comparing BMWs to domestics for reliability- Generally the components on the BMW will last a long time and won't be too prone to break. They arn't as reliable as a Toyota or a Honda, but they are generally very reliable. The big complaints on BMWs come when those parts do eventually break. You'll pay a bunch more for BMW parts then you will for domestic or Japanese parts.

[bmwgolfguy]

Hang on to your wallet if a BMW dealer works on it. Find a local mechanic who can handle bimmer repairs. You could save a lot.

I also agree. You should get it inspected by someone who knows bimmers.

Good luck!

[InlovewithmyBMW]

i have one that is 22 years old and has 225,000 miles on it and still runs good. it has cosmetic trouble, and the odometer froze up two years ago so it really has more miles than what it shows, but all in all i'd say they are great, this is my second one to reach over 200,000

[Phasm]

My 320i is 24 yrs old with over 277,000 kms. Reliable? Yes.

[[email protected]]

Yeah it should be great if it has been maintained correctly

[bimmerpilot]

After 90,000+ miles the plastic parts on the radiator are ready to break, the water pump and thermostst should be replaced, be prepared to replace the catalyst, exhaust to the back of the car. If you do these things, the car can be reliable, but parts are expensive. My experience; 1993 325is 5-spd, 120,000+ miles, but I wouldn't trade for anything else!