I know this might be crazy but I'm looking to replace our '97 Honda with something new. That car is bullet proof in many ways for sure but I just want that daily driver that would be fun all the time to drive. So I was looking around and saw a low mileage 328i with a manual. A must for me! Do you think a car like this would handle around 600miles a week with both stop and go and no traffic commuting? What big maintenance items would start cropping up at 50K? Thanks
I'd say consider an E92 328i (E92=coupe). Preventive-maintenance electric coolant pump replacement every 50-55k. Charlson will know regular maintenance due @ 50k, although probably a good time for fluids - coolant flush, trans & diff oils. Pluses - as far as I know, E9x's don't have the subframe/body-tearing problem so common on E46's and variably, E36's. Last model with hydraulic steering. E9x's ride nicely, particularly without runflats - non-runflats w/ 17" wheels, for instance. Negatives - no spare tire, although there are mini-spare kits to be had, if you don't mind the trunk space. Runflats do what they do, but they still can and do suffer catastrophic blowouts. If the sidewall gets trashed, you're stuck, or you're running on the rim. However, many have commented they suffered a non-catastrophic flat and the rft's allowed them to continue. The lower profile rim/tire combo you run, the higher the risk of catastrophic tire damage. Modern German plastics mostly don't seem to age well - if the E9x sunfroof designs are similar to previous (maybe they're not!), the plastic sunroof 'tray' that acts as the locating guides for the sunroof cables can suffer failure, and is an expensive repair - or, after a certain number of years age, just skip opening the sunroof. Maybe it's possible, but I wouldn't expect to get to 404k as you did with your honda without spending more on maintenance, possibly even a lot more. Lots of rubber suspension bushings, all those wear and need replacement eventually, probably somewhere (mostly) 70-80k onwards. Guibos, center support bearing, shock tower bushings & strut mounts, control arm bushings, sway bar bushings, subframe bushings, control arm bushings, etc. etc. etc. If previous drivers weren't abusive to the drivetrain and knew how to drive a manual properly, then the guibo & csb hopefully wouldn't be 'til something like after 100k or around150k. No limited slip diff - yes, there's traction control though, but that doesn't do what a lsd does. They can be fitted, but it's not cheap, check VAC Motorsports for approx. prices. Airbag - there's a recall out for replacement, but I think there may be serious supplier lag - got a notice last year, no notice of replacement yet, although they're prioritizing high heat & humidity areas first. It's a little disconcerting to be thinking your car's airbag deployment might have the potential to be fatal. Google BMW E92 positives/negatives (or some such variety of search terms), there should be a lot of commentary out there on what people have experienced. Different topic, but, no need to double-post - the forum by default shows the most recent posts, so, not to worry, we'll see it.
The e9x vehicle are really great running cars. But doing that kind of mileage driving the cost of maintenance will be quite a bit higher than a Honda for sure. Not because of things breaking down but BMW's maintenance costs are much higher than a Honda. Like Mgarrison said the water pump will need to be replaced since it is electric. Other things you will need to do is oil leaks from valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket. Coils will fail causing misfires and need to replaced. Oil changes are done ever 10k, transmission I recommend ever 60k, same with diffs. Fuel filter is in tank so doesn't need to be replaced until there is a problem. Brake fluid ever 2 years, same with micro filter. With more fun comes more cost but you will just have to do a cost comparison and see if it is worth it.
Thanks for your insight MGarrison and charlson, i knew even thinking about it there would be a considerable cost increase. Hard to not want a lovely Bimmer asa daily driver. If we get the raises we are after might be possible to live the dream!
Although I like the RFT's that come on these cars, they are kind of pricey to replace. My wife's newer 328xd now has Bridgestone Driveguard RFT's on it that cost around $170 per tire. Similar go-flats are around $30 cheaper or more per tire. Also, I would not buy an xDrive car - although they have their place and they're not that much more (either to buy or maintain), there is the additional diff and front axle to worry about. After you buy it, just remember that it's cheaper to maintain a used car than buying a new one!
Do you think a 328i looked after would be a decent daily driver then. Would not have thought about an X drive since like you said weight, extra parts would not be of much use.
Since we gave our '91 525i to our son, I've had a 3-series (and my wife has had one for the last 2-3) as a daily since 2001. A cared-for 328, especially 2008 and later, should be sweet.
