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Author Topic: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005  (Read 5921 times)

Offline Autos_Editor

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CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« on: June 06, 2007, 10:58:37 pm »
Today's Used Vehicle Review:
BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005Though very popular, 3 Series cars built from 1999 to 2005 have had some reliability issues, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  Consumer Reports gives them an "average" used car rating.
   
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Read the article |
All the Used Vehicle Reviews
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Offline initial_D

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #1 on: June 06, 2007, 11:52:46 pm »
Very nice cars! Price of the base 325i model is reasonable. Lots of them on the road, probably more still, potential US imports. As nice as they are, have no desire to own one when it is out of factory warranty.  :)
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Offline Mitlov

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #2 on: June 07, 2007, 01:06:42 am »
Best.  Looking.  Car.  Ever.
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Offline G0dspd

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #3 on: June 07, 2007, 02:58:00 am »
I've seen a few driving around in Ottawa .... around 200-300 just today.  :rofl2:
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Offline rrocket

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #4 on: June 07, 2007, 04:35:27 am »
You haven't seen alot of these until you've been in a mall/highschool parking lot in California......
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Offline Jameel

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #5 on: June 07, 2007, 05:33:29 am »
There are so many of these car nowadays, either people are getting more rich or you can thank BMWs lease program.
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Offline airbalancer

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #6 on: June 07, 2007, 06:26:14 am »
the wife avg about 11l/100km in her car, and that was mostly city driving
Also there is probably more DIY info on this model then any other car out there
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Offline tpl

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #7 on: June 07, 2007, 06:33:23 am »
Quote from: airbalancer on June 07, 2007, 06:26:14 am
the wife avg about 11l/100km in her car, and that was mostly city driving
Also there is probably more DIY info on this model then any other car out there

And they are not THAT difficult to work on provided that you have the means to get them up in the air safely and you have the indispensable tools... a torque wrench set to 25lbs/ft** and the Bentley manual.
A bmw specific code reader from Peake is not that expensive and the Bentley manual lists all the codes, OBD and BMW.  I would strongly suggest a subscription to the BMW Car Club of America if only for the tech columns in their magazine.

** seems that about 1/2 the bolts on the car are going into Aluminium and are 25lbs/ft.
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Offline mmret

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #8 on: June 07, 2007, 07:53:33 am »
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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #9 on: June 07, 2007, 10:52:58 am »
Quote from: Mitlov on June 07, 2007, 01:06:42 am
Best.  Looking.  Car.  Ever.

They look good, but nowhere near the top of that list for me. 
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Offline initial_D

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #10 on: June 07, 2007, 11:16:47 am »
Quote from: rrocket on June 07, 2007, 04:35:27 am
You haven't seen alot of these until you've been in a mall/highschool parking lot in California......

What about D/T Calgary?  :) Was in the US last summer for a very long drive ... 4 weeks. Some Mall Security even use the X3, and E46s for as their patrol vehicles.  :)

Best looking ever ? ...  :) Sure.  ;D But are they as well built as the best vehicles on the road, GM?  :D :)
« Last Edit: June 07, 2007, 11:24:14 am by initial_D »
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Offline ovr50

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #11 on: June 07, 2007, 11:31:32 am »
Quote from: Mitlov on June 07, 2007, 01:06:42 am
Best.  Looking.  Car.  Ever.

They are attractive, but so is the new E90 series, can't say which I prefer, both good.
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Offline initial_D

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #12 on: June 07, 2007, 11:42:19 am »
I like the current 3-series much better. The last 1/4 of the E46 sedans just don't do it for me, coupes a bit better looking, but the lines just doesn't seem to continue to flow with the same elegance as the front of the car.
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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #13 on: June 07, 2007, 12:22:38 pm »
One of these days I'll get an E46. What a car  8)
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Offline CSH

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #14 on: June 07, 2007, 01:12:02 pm »
How much will a typical used 2003/2002/2001 sedan driven about 75K, used cost to maintain per month??
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Offline Mitlov

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #15 on: June 07, 2007, 01:33:27 pm »
Quote from: ovr50 on June 07, 2007, 11:31:32 am
They are attractive, but so is the new E90 series, can't say which I prefer, both good.

The E90 3-series reminds me of a pickle.  I think it's hideous.  The E92 coupe is a different story.
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Offline ovr50

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #16 on: June 07, 2007, 01:39:20 pm »
Quote from: Mitlov on June 07, 2007, 01:33:27 pm
Quote from: ovr50 on June 07, 2007, 11:31:32 am
They are attractive, but so is the new E90 series, can't say which I prefer, both good.

The E90 3-series reminds me of a pickle.  I think it's hideous.  The E92 coupe is a different story.

To each, his/her own....besides, I like pickles..... ;D
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Offline airbalancer

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #17 on: June 07, 2007, 03:18:43 pm »
Quote from: Chetan on June 07, 2007, 01:12:02 pm
How much will a typical used 2003/2002/2001 sedan driven about 75K, used cost to maintain per month??

How much does it cost to maintain any car?
7l of oil every 10,000 km, and filter
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Offline CSH

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #18 on: June 07, 2007, 03:48:28 pm »
I mean the cost including repairs. It is impossible to exactly estimate the cost as it depends on several factors however there should be a ballpark figure for a typical car
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Offline airbalancer

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Re: CD Article: BMW 3 Series, 1999-2005
« Reply #19 on: June 07, 2007, 04:00:33 pm »
Quote from: Chetan on June 07, 2007, 03:48:28 pm
I mean the cost including repairs. It is impossible to exactly estimate the cost as it depends on several factors however there should be a ballpark figure for a typical car
My understanding,  a couple of years ago I was given a figure of $100 month, this also include items like tires
with my truck since Dec 03, I have done oil changes and tire rotation, bought a used tire and a couple of air filters
on the BMW,  it been a final stage resistor, $75, replaced myself, rears shocks-about $400, couple of oil changes, a coil, a couple of hundred, a battery $268 and now have problems with the top :banghead:
It is a 7 year old car
Maintence has not been bad at all
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