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01-23-2006, 02:03 AM | #1 |
Jeeped
Join Date: Sep 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata
Location: Seattle
Posts: 10,214
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Question 1: BMW Longevity / Ownership Issues?
Hi guys,
Hope you don't mind if I seek your input on some BMW related stuff. I have a few questions but figured I'd ask them one at a time so we could focus (I've seen how these threads can go. ) First question involves the long-term ownership of BMWs: Would it be best to get a 330i w/ Sport Package or a 330 ZHP if the car is to be kept until it's 10+ years old? As a follow up to some a similar topic a few months ago, my fiance and I are looking to consolidate down to a single daily driver. (Yes, still haven't gotten it yet, we're waiting until after we're married and back from the honeymoon and thats 5 weeks away). I've narrowed it down to a BMW 330i ZSP but the ZHP has really caught my attention. However, due to price considerations we'd have to look at 2002 or 2003 model years so the cars would be 3-4 years old to start with. The long-term owner ship comes into hanging onto the car for probably close to 8 years (making for an 11-12 year old BMW). I figure it'll be 3-4 years before we have a kid when she'd need more of a mommymobile (getting a 2nd car) and I'd just keep driving the BMW for 3-4 years beyond that. So, with the idea that higher performance cars require more maintenance and / or the more specialized the more expensive the up keep, is the ZHP tuned high enough to warrant second thoughts for keeping the car around until it's 10+ years old? Would it be better to go with a "less stressed" 330i w/ the sport package? Or is the degree of tuning on the ZHP not a significant wear consideration? How many people keep BMWs that long? Do they break down significantly more than other cars at those ages? Thanks guys. It's always great to read throug the threads on this forum. |
01-23-2006, 08:03 AM | #2 | |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,609
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Quote:
I would get (and did get) the ZHP, just because a) I think the suspension tweaks are worth it alone; b) I like the cloth interior; and c) I like the wheels and aerokit. Either car will likely need a fresh set of shocks no later than 40K miles, so that reduces some of the utility of getting the ZHP in the first instance, but you still get the rest of the package. |
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01-23-2006, 08:30 AM | #3 |
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 13,514
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Has BMW fixed the stalling "ZHP" engines yet?
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01-23-2006, 08:31 AM | #4 | |
195
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 24,609
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01-23-2006, 09:09 AM | #5 | |
Solving problems
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: M5 / 718 GTS / Cooper S / GTI / LR4
Location: Metro Boston
Posts: 25,260
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Quote:
I'm still on my original alignment, no true rattles to speak of, and overall a VERY reliable car. Only issue was the ignition coils (which now have a recall), and my alcantara wheel that wore too quickly and got replaced. It doesn't like to sit for a few days when temperatures drop. My shocks *feel* fine despite horrendous roads, low-profile tires, and 38.5K miles. EDIT: It goes without saying that some stuff still isn't cheap. Like $1K for a set of tires and BMW prices when things need replacing, synthetic oil, etc. But nothing bad. It's just not a corolla, you know? |
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01-23-2006, 09:14 AM | #6 | |
swinging for the fences
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: 987, X7 M60i, e36 M3
Location: Boston, MA
Posts: 5,036
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01-23-2006, 08:50 AM | #7 | |
Alphanumeric
Join Date: Aug 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i
Posts: 9,584
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Quote:
Had it all the way down to -10F, no reliability issues. Engine stronger and more economical than new. The m54 may not be the most exciting engine but it gives me the impression of being built for the long haul. |
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01-23-2006, 08:33 AM | #8 |
No more BMWs
Join Date: Apr 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Ram, MS3, CX-5, RX-8
Location: Glenwood, MD
Posts: 14,753
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I owned a ten-year old BMW and found it to be very reasonable to maintain. Uninformed folks tend to complain about BMW parts costs but other than big things (VANOS comes to mind) the prices don't seem too bad for brakes, shocks, suspension arms, cooling system stuff, etc.
I'd go with the ZHP, no question. |
01-23-2006, 05:02 PM | #9 |
Mugwump
Join Date: Oct 2003
Carmudgeonly Ride: E46 330i, Chevy Colorado, Tesla Model 3
Location: NY
Posts: 17,475
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Speaking of control arms:
For those over the age of 15: ** E46 Fanatics warning ** Shop charges $749 for new control arms |
01-23-2006, 09:42 PM | #10 |
Jeeped
Join Date: Sep 2005
Carmudgeonly Ride: Modified Jeep Tj and '07 Miata
Location: Seattle
Posts: 10,214
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Hm, that Bavarian Autosport seems like a good resource. They had the Meyle HD bushing replacement control arms for $150 ea, cheaper than the $200 ea being quoted by guys in Rumatt's thread link.
Apart from doing the diagnosis outlined by ///Mechanic in the thread how can you tell the control arms are going? Loose feeling steering? Clunking noise? This is more of a question of what should I look for on the test drive. I'd be inclined to do this repair myself given a day (weekend?) to fart around with the car. Things always take longer than I figure. Robg, (or anyone else) when you talk about the "later E46 cooling system" being more reliable what years are you talking about? '01 and up? '03 and up? |
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