Looking at 325i mid-90s models...

[haaj]

Hey,
I am a 3000GT owner and have recently realized how much of a pain it is to modify your engine for performance and still pass smog laws. Also I am tired of having no backseat to speak of. I've been considering the 95 325i since I think it is a beautiful car with style, attitude, and practicality.

That said, I need to know what types of problems tend to crop up in these cars. Many Japanese cars, especially from Honda/Mitsu/Toyota, will run for 200k+ miles without a tranny/engine rebuild if they are maintained and treated properly. How does that compare to the BMW 3 series? If I buy a 325i with 90,000mi on it should I be expecting problems down the road? Am I going to be regretting the decision? What about 75k miles?

I will probably go with a manual trans but how does this one look off-hand, for the price? http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...or=&cardist=21

I really think these cars look awesome but I don't want to be putting thousands of dollars into maintenance over the next couple years.

If someone asked me this about the 3000GT, I would tell them that there are problems with the motors spinning a bearing at higher mileages, and the 2nd gear synchro being quite weak and prone to failure. Also, I would tell them to be prepared to replace the pre-cat exhaust since the flex section in the downpipe tends to rust and crack as the motor mounts weaken over time. Oh yeah, and watch out for the electric sunroofs, mine failed and leaks slightly. Finally, the forums on www.3si.org are a goldmine, and www.importpoweronline.com is one of several great places to look for performance/aftermarket parts.

By the way, I like to work on cars, so as long as it is relatively simple stuff (replacing bolt-on parts, brakes, plugs, oil, stereo, etc) then I plan on doing all the work myself. Is the aftermarket alive and well for these models? Thanks in advance for any advice, links to other forums, FAQs, etc.

Regards,
Mike

[96 328Ci]

bimmerforums.com best bmw site ever. great people. do a search when you get there, there are a ton of people with the same questions as you