Our Cars (dream or actual)

Clint_D

Is the BMW series 3 any good or is it considered a lemon? Keep coming across older used models pretty cheap so I’m curious if the prices are simply reflected in the age or if they’re problem cars. I’m talking ones that are 10 yrs or older

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They're not bad if they have maintenance records and have been well taken care of which is rarely the case. The twin turbo straight six N54 engine has issues if not kept up, fuel systems are finicky as well on those. The N63 or N63TU are both nightmares and there is a class action lawsuit against BMW ongoing. That being said, BMW's are a joy if you can find a clean used example which has been cared for. My brother is a BMW master tech and fortunately, he keeps my 235i running great! His advice to everyone who asks is to stay away from the 4 or 8 cylinder engines and stick with newer models running the N55 (most models ending in -35i built after ~2011) or B58 (models ending in -40i) engines. No car manufacturer builds a better gas straight six than BMW.

gaseousclay

@Clint_D:

@louisbosco:

YUM. always been a fan of proper american trucks. (none of than ranger/hilux/triton bullshit) this would've cost 100-150k in australia. i'm curious as to how much you got it for?

I ended up paying $12,900 which I think was more than fair in the end. It appears to be pretty well kept and maintained but it's probably due for some maintenance. I'm going to try to do spark plugs, coil packs and change all fluids soon. The parts are fairly reasonable but from what I've read it can be very time consuming, especially the spark plugs (2 plugs per cylinder!) and coil packs on the 6.2L gassers.

I doubt I'll be putting that many miles on it as it will mostly be towing and other runs within a ~50 mile radius of my house.

That’s a steal [emoji108]

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

louisbosco

@Clint_D:

I ended up paying $12,900 which I think was more than fair in the end.

the same truck here would've cost 100k. early 2000 models that have been imported and converted would be around 30-40k..

@Clint_D:

His advice to everyone who asks is to stay away from the 4 or 8 cylinder engines and stick with newer models running the N55 (most models ending in -35i built after ~2011) or B58 (models ending in -40i) engines.

OH COME ON. SURELY THE E90 M3 WITH THAT NA V8 IS ALRIGHT. that engine the s65 and it's brother the s85 were over-engineered beauties. i haven't come across anyone that would say no to either of those.. much more reliable that the n54 twin scroll sixes.. which is still a fairly mint engine..

Clint_D

All of the S-series engines are pretty solid as long as they’re maintained. The aftermarket has solved some of the rod bearing, throttle actuator issues and VANOS problems. Again, as long as they’re well maintained and taken care of, they’re phenomenal!

Appfaff

Rule of thumb - if you want a V8 German car, you better buy it new…

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Streetwise Hercules

I’ve never met anyone who’s had vanos issues with the S65 and I don’t even recall reading about it in the last few years on UK M3 forums.

Rod bearings are a nightmare if they fail but in the UK most that are replaced as preventative maintenance appear healthy and most specialists I know have rarely or never seen a failure in spite of the Internet hysteria surrounding them. American cars seem to fail more regularly for what ever reason.
I disagree that the aftermarket has solved the (tiny) problem over OE as I don’t think anyone really understands it.
Thrashing the car from cold is the most common theory for spun shells.

Throttle actuators are shit though and replacements are usually far superior and usually warranted for life. That said, mine are original and I’ve just hit 77k with no sign of…

I’ll not tempt fate.

gaseousclay

Any of you own an obd2 scanner? Thinking of getting the ancel ad410 just to have handy. Curious what you use

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

louisbosco

yeah. the only VANOS issues i mostly hear and come across are the E9x 4 pots.. and the occasional 6 in the 25i versions..

Clint_D

I know that my brother has personally seen a few E90 M3's and E60 M5's/M6's come through their shop with blown engines. I agree that the rod bearing issue does get blown out of proportion, similar to early 2000's Porsche 911's RMS issues. I don't personally own a full fat M car, just a humble m235i so I haven't had any personal experience.

louisbosco

yeah had a e90 25i back in the day.. loved that straight 6. one of the best NA 6 out there..

https://activeautowerkeblog.wordpress.com/2015/04/16/if-you-own-an-e60-m5-heres-how-to-save-yourself-10k-dollars/

worthy read about //M rod bearing issues..

Clint_D

I was very nearly bit by the E60 bug when I was shopping for a "new to me" vehicle. I had searched out quite a few within ~500 miles or so of me and had a few prospects. That V-10 howl is unrivaled by damn near anything on the market, it's just intoxicating. In fact, when I was test driving my 235i, I passed another grail car on my drive, the Lexus LFA which was the only one I'd ever seen in the wild. After buying my truck, my wife would murder me if I came home with a 3rd vehicle

louisbosco

@Clint_D:

I was very nearly bit by the E60 bug when I was shopping for a "new to me" vehicle. I had searched out quite a few within ~500 miles or so of me and had a few prospects. That V-10 howl is unrivaled by damn near anything on the market, it's just intoxicating. In fact, when I was test driving my 235i, I passed another grail car on my drive, the Lexus LFA which was the only one I'd ever seen in the wild. After buying my truck, my wife would murder me if I came home with a 3rd vehicle

hahaha. a garage needs 3 vehicles.. HIS, HERS, OURS.

louisbosco

couple of rare evo wagons i spotted on successive days. even in jdm crazy and common australia, i didn't see that many of these..

Seul

Love that Evo!..

Graeme

Autocar has an article about a Land Rover Defender prototype from the late nineties.

It had a slightly redesigned body (dropping the CD from 0.66 to 0.45) and a lightweight aluminium space frame. It's a bit different to the new Defender.