Maintenance cost question..

persian54 · 07-05-2009, 01:07 PM

This may be posted in an incorrect section, so my apologies in advance.

My cousin is looking for a car, and I was thinking of an older (1995-1998) BMW 3 series, maybe even a M3

I was wondering, how much is the maintenance going to cost him average per year?

I found this:
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...252290123.html
I'm sure I could get him lower than his asking price (maybe 4k? 5k? )

I'm just worried that he will end up spending more money on repairs.....
My family says we should get him a late 90s honda civic....

any help greatly appreciated to my PM
Thanks

F32Fleet · 07-07-2009, 09:21 AM

Mike Miller from Roundel and Bimmer has a maintenance schedule for these older BMW's, but here's what I remember about the E36.

Cooling system (Radiator, H2O pump, hoses).
A/T (Set aside some $$ for rebuilt BMW A/T).
Look for cracking around the rear sub-frame. Turner has a kit which will shore it up.

I'm sure people who are more familiar with this car have better info, but this is about what I remember from those who asked the same question in Roundel.

If your friend is good with a wrench then maintenance shouldn't be much of a problem.
Everything is a little more expensive on BMW's and just a tad more on "M" parts, but it's worth it IMO, and if you use BMW parts then you shouldn't be under the car every couple of months.

driverseven · 07-14-2009, 12:03 PM

Is he going to do his own repairs?

One thing that I believe is very important with an older BMW is that you have a good BMW mechanic lined up, unless you are capable of doing it yourself.

There is a big difference between just having a good mechanic and one who knows BMWs (and is willing to use BMW parts).

07-05-2009, 01:07 PM	#1
persian54 Lieutenant General 923 Rep 15,818 Posts Drives: M760/G83M4 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: The Valley, SoCal iTrader: (298)	Maintenance cost question.. This may be posted in an incorrect section, so my apologies in advance. My cousin is looking for a car, and I was thinking of an older (1995-1998) BMW 3 series, maybe even a M3 I was wondering, how much is the maintenance going to cost him average per year? I found this: http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst...252290123.html I'm sure I could get him lower than his asking price (maybe 4k? 5k? ) I'm just worried that he will end up spending more money on repairs..... My family says we should get him a late 90s honda civic.... any help greatly appreciated to my PM Thanks
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07-07-2009, 09:21 AM	#2
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3575 Rep 10,355 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Mike Miller from Roundel and Bimmer has a maintenance schedule for these older BMW's, but here's what I remember about the E36. Cooling system (Radiator, H2O pump, hoses). A/T (Set aside some $$ for rebuilt BMW A/T). Look for cracking around the rear sub-frame. Turner has a kit which will shore it up. I'm sure people who are more familiar with this car have better info, but this is about what I remember from those who asked the same question in Roundel. If your friend is good with a wrench then maintenance shouldn't be much of a problem. Everything is a little more expensive on BMW's and just a tad more on "M" parts, but it's worth it IMO, and if you use BMW parts then you shouldn't be under the car every couple of months.
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07-14-2009, 12:03 PM	#3
driverseven Curve junky 16 Rep 274 Posts Drives: 228 Black Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Westchester, NY iTrader: (0)	Is he going to do his own repairs? One thing that I believe is very important with an older BMW is that you have a good BMW mechanic lined up, unless you are capable of doing it yourself. There is a big difference between just having a good mechanic and one who knows BMWs (and is willing to use BMW parts). __________________ 228 \| In-service: Nov '14
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