Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy
And it isn't like those models are going to become cult classics and start going up in value. You used to be able to get E30s for cheap, then when those started going up, E36s.The E46 M models (and lately the ZHP) have gone up, and the older E30/E36 models have either become insanely priced (for good-to-excellent examples) or either de-converted track rats or "needs some work and extensive rust repair, ran when parked 10 years ago" cars. I like the E46 because aside from its looks, it was the last of the BMWs where you could do all of the stuff I did (Euro mods, etc.) without going and having everything re-coded, or worse yet not being able to do them at all.
The original X3 must have fared even worse because it wasn't a "real" BMW, being designed and built by Magna Steyr. And it had those awful Rubbermaid bumpers.
For those who don't remember my E46 wagon (click the pic for more info):
That pretty much did it for me, BMW-wise. I still have it and other than having a phase of going through CV joints (all but the first replaced under parts warranty), the usual window regulators, and a recent service which involved replacing pretty much everything between the radiator and engine block due to increasing coolant leaks from multiple places (BMW's cheap plastic) and a DTML pump, it has been well behaved for 18+ years now. |
My mom had a facelift 1st gen x3. I was a bit disdainful of it at the time but ended up buying it from her when it was 10 years old and keeping it a year. In retrospect, it was one of the overall best Bmws that myself or family have owned. Solidly built with no rattles, sweet n52 3.0 engine that was an improvement over the m54, super comfortable, classic bmw steeerubg feel, boxy practicality and solid reliability. The facelift also addressed the black plastic bumpers. I think the fact that it was based on the e46 helped - by the time this car rolled off the line bmw had over 10 years experience refining that platform. The looks grew on me over time.
I replaced it with a second gen x3 35i. While built by bmw, the quality was atrocious with rubber maid plastics and lots of rattles. The drivetrain abd steering also weren’t as good as the 1st gen. I should’ve just kept that 1st gen and run it into the ground.
I actually think magna does a better job of assembling cars than some of the manufacturers do. The current jaguar I-pace and e-pace are both built by magna and have higher jd power scores than their jlr built brethren. Plus they build the g wagen which is reknowned for its build quality. Any Mercedes built car I’ve sat in recently is a creaky squeaky mess in comparison.
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