325i e46 or E90 electronic reliability

[merced88]

I'm leaning towards E46 325i. There're 2 thing to think of:-

1) Service record - Is it important to have a full one? How bout some record is missing?

2) Does the service record can be forged or they gonna pakat one i.e just put an unknown or far address and using their friend company or some their friend workshop(Thus going there to validate also pointless)?

3) Full service record but with high mileage i.e 150-159k? Yes is good condition but lotsa thing to change (time to change gearbox)

4) Engine oil and for new 17/18 inch tyre ( not just new but cheapo tyre) is a must. If they refused to bear the cost or said it's still can use , then just walk away despite the unit is acceptable, but time given there should be much more better unit.

5) How accurate is the mechanic to know if there's no full service record. After all mechanic is still a human being. I think they wont be able to tell. "ok, this part still can use for 2-3yrs before worn off" but after I got it, it need to be replaced within 6mths
and some other unexpected wear and tear comes out. Would there be such a case?

6) Maybe the boss is experience by someone he's occupied and the check done by his student. Possible? And we can'y say like "never mind if u're doing a major servicing. I can wait for u"(despire it's gonna be like half a day or so"

7) The result of the check cost xxx due to wear and tear. But the seller refuse to bear it or at most give penny discount. If I walk away then he'll blame me for my fault of not closing the deal and said wasting his time and request me to pay for his time.

8) How does the mechanic usually charge? is it per car inspection or one lump sum upon closing the deal?

9) is it possible the mechanic somehow purposely miss out some part so that he can get some business in future( he's sure I'll send back to him for maintenance)?

10) And if they change the sport rim to non bmw rim, does it matter? Let say if I argue with them , i'm sure they'll say the rim is much more expensive than the ori.

11) The player I think is a cassette player. Thus must I get the bmw specialist to install the new cd player and not by the audio specialist?

12) For an old car like this would the noise insulation is still better than the new Jetta/passat?

Unless for a long time never found a good one or I gave up then what option I'd look into is

jetta/passat (pay and forget about it)

Ps: beside the light steering, I wonder why nobody said any other drawback of the VW car? It's still a German car anyway.

 

[jwah]

When ever the driver sits in BMW, they smile and enjoy the drive...

 

[Maniac]

fuyoh, this is an awesome thread....!
bmw vs other brands, of course bmw la (this is of course an enthusiast forum).
new car vs old car, of course new car better la - features, tech improvements, etc
maintenance, there are so many good recommendations here for reliable, trustworthy workshops

bro merced88, for you, go ahead to subscribe to the deep end theory. just jump in, and you'll soon learn to swim, or if you suddenly decide that you don't like the water. UDM's are owned for a true driver's experience.

once you get behind the wheel, and get the thrill of pure driving satisfaction, you'll ask yourself "why did i have so many questions earlier???"

 

[dark1234]

bro merced88 , you think too much everything leaning towards the big $$ cost.
you have made you decision on jetta, passat , just go with it lor.
"new car smell, 2 year warranty , low interest rate" .
it all good ! till you follow a e46 and see its 50:50 weight distribution on corner or you park next to a e90 and you think you could have gotten that. like the confusing feeling of what if.
i think all bmw owner here is happy with our car no complain, also good with jetta at least you have option to upgrade to other brand drive bmw is damn addictive you keep on want more and more and change to different model not brand.

 

[initialM]

Bro,

Dun compare VW with BMW coz it diff league. VW is like proton in Germany as its a mass market product while BMW is a premium brand.
No offense to VW owner. With attractive price and warranty VW is better than Japs car for me. At the end of the day its your money and preference. Follow your heart as we live once.

 

[Cupin]

bro merced88,
If I'm thinking your way, i will choose the LRT instead of a car.

 

[Pikeman]

Hi..., I just got my self a 323 per registered .... Power ok lah.... I'm not a fast driver but when required it deliver, cornering superb...., Y I said so.... Before I got my ride, I had tried pasatt cc, GTI & Audi A4. Still lacking on handling, BMW is still my pick.... from my opinion the car that can come close is the passtt cc,

Secondly BMW also give u status .... good for business and chicks too - so it worth the money. Audi - u need to know the car to value the person driving it. VW - fast car that abt it. So apart of performance what other needs do you need ....?
If your answer STATUS ..... is the next requirement - than BMW is the car (even car Joki give priority to BMW)

Thirdly - to pimp up your ride and bring value/status one step higher (base on my opinion only)
1st - your tint > never never get the shining tint, always get the mat dark color tint
2nd - your rims

Someday i need try 320d.... I didn't consider 320d because the car cost more than the 320i and the resell value is lower than the 320i.

 

[coffee]

Hi merced888,

I understand where you coming from because buying a car is always a big investment. There are sure to be doubts and insecurities on what to expect.
Hence, based on all the questions that you have, I think you need to view a few cars to help yourself 'form' an expected benchmark on what to expect from a used BMW.

You can join some of the TT sessions, so that you can view some of the forummers cars and also have answers to all your questions.

I think that would really be helpful.

 

[gameover]

I'm leaning towards E46 325i. There're 2 thing to think of:-

You said you had 2 things but listed 12

Let me be completely frank, a used BMW purchase is not for the faint hearted. Things will go wrong, even with a full service record although at least you can see what went wrong before with the records. If it's a SKD model you can verify the record with one of the dealers. If it's an AP model then whatever you see is completely open to forgery

Think about this, BMW Malaysia only warranties their brand new cars for 2 years while all other german manufacturers warranty them for 3-5 years (Audi 3 years, MB and Porsche 4 years, VW 5 years).

I had the means to buy a BMW many many years ago but I never could bring myself to do it for the same concerns you listed above so I didn't. When I was ready then I took the plunge. There's no shame or regret, just anticipation of being able to buy a much newer BMW in the future and not worry about so many things.

 

[coffee]

Well said gameover. Either buying new or used, you need to 'pay to play'.

 

[astroboy]

.. even a brand new zero mileage BMW is not for the faint hearted.. be prepared for surprises..

 

[jcjames]

You said you had 2 things but listed 12

Let me be completely frank, a used BMW purchase is not for the faint hearted. Things will go wrong, even with a full service record although at least you can see what went wrong before with the records. If it's a SKD model you can verify the record with one of the dealers. If it's an AP model then whatever you see is completely open to forgery

Think about this, BMW Malaysia only warranties their brand new cars for 2 years while all other german manufacturers warranty them for 3-5 years (Audi 3 years, MB and Porsche 4 years, VW 5 years).

I had the means to buy a BMW many many years ago but I never could bring myself to do it for the same concerns you listed above so I didn't. When I was ready then I took the plunge. There's no shame or regret, just anticipation of being able to buy a much newer BMW in the future and not worry about so many things.

LIKE LIKE well said!

 

[EL118]

.. even a brand new zero mileage BMW is not for the faint hearted.. be prepared for surprises..

I agreed with this. BMW sure gives you lots of love-hate feeling. if you enjoy driving, it gives you a real grin everytime u drive it hard. but no matter how careful you are with maintenance, you are for sure end up in workshop "much much more " often than the japs and cost you "much much more" in $$$.

if you treat it as a hobby and want to enjoy while life is short, it suits you.

if you are working hard to build your net worth, your child's future education, your retirement plan, better stay far far away. it will suck you dry.

I love my E39 but the maintenance keeps bothering me, not only monetarily but the time wasted to send in and out (need someone to fetch you to and fro the workshop), as well as the threat that anytime it will surprise you with a stall in the middle of the road, under the hot sun.

So think carefully and make your choice.