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Car Forum / BMW Cars / November 2008opinions ? 1999 328
I'm considering a 1999 328i with a little over 100K on the odometer. The car looked, drove and felt like a dream. Appeared very well maintained. Any opinions on this model/year ? I'm a bit shy about buying given the reputation of high repair cost and would like a few exper opinions.. thanks > I'm considering a 1999 328i with a little over 100K on the odometer. > The car looked, drove and felt like a dream. Appeared very well [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I'm a bit shy about buying given the reputation of high repair cost > and would like a few exper opinions.. Late E36 or early E46? Manual or Auto? I've heard horror stories about E36 automatic gearbox problems at those mileages. If it's an auto, get a good warranty for the g'box. Personally I love my 1999 E36 323i Sport Auto Touring (160k miles so far). I don't have much experience with he E46 however. JB > Late E36 or early E46? Manual or Auto? I've heard horror stories about E36 > automatic gearbox problems at those mileages. If it's an auto, get a good > warranty for the g'box. Not sure what the difference is..can you tell by VIN? It's 5 speed manual > Personally I love my 1999 E36 323i Sport Auto Touring (160k miles so far). I > don't have much experience with he E46 however. > > JB >> Late E36 or early E46? Manual or Auto? I've heard horror stories about >> E36 [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Not sure what the difference is..can you tell by VIN? > It's 5 speed manual If you are in the U.S., the '99 2 door (coupe or convertible) was the last year of the E36 and the '99 4 dr. sedan was the first year for the E46 series. I have a '99 E46 328i 5 speed with 88,000 miles and it is still a joy to drive. Check the A/C, front suspension and cooling system, and check if the 100,000 miles service has been done as that calls for replacement of the plugs and O2 sensors which can run into $$$. Tom K. >> Late E36 or early E46? Manual or Auto? I've heard horror stories about >> E36 [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Not sure what the difference is..can you tell by VIN? > It's 5 speed manual Have a look at John Burns' most definitive site: http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw.html for model info. regards, JB do not get it ... get the 2000 year model or better, all the new technology is in it. mind you the 2000 year, is the beta version, the first off the production line. 2001 is better and on and on it goes. So ... you got a good car, just you gonna pay bucks for it and not really get what you can ... regarding fuel mileage, smog control, better vehicle performance, etc. Pay a few bucks more and get a very much better car ... just 12 months down the road on the production line even if it is higher mileage. My 2000 528i came to me as the second owner but with 140K miles on it from hot desert Arizona that was well maintained ... it was big bucks. Get a bank loan, make payments. sumbuddie hopes this helps in article 70554995-c7f1-4181-b768-13c3d11e6601@j32g2000yqn.googlegroups.com, don.higgins@gmail.com at don.higgins@gmail.com wrote on 11/20/08 8:09 AM: > I'm considering a 1999 328i with a little over 100K on the odometer. > The car looked, drove and felt like a dream. Appeared very well [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > thanks >do not get it ... > >get the 2000 year model or better, all the new technology is in it. Why does anyone WANT all the new technology? Sheesh, I want a car that drives well, not a freaking computer network on wheels that nobody can do basic maintenance on outside of the dealership. --scott  Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." >>do not get it ... >> [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > drives well, not a freaking computer network on wheels that nobody can do > basic maintenance on outside of the dealership. *Ding*. Why do you think I still have my E36? The E46/E39 are to me at least, the first of the 'non-user-serviceable' BMWs (by that I mean the mandatory use of expensive diagnostic eqpt and throw-away/non-repairable parts). As such I'll stick with the older tech thanks very much. JB >>>do not get it ... >>> [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >mandatory use of expensive diagnostic eqpt and throw-away/non-repairable >parts). As such I'll stick with the older tech thanks very much. I don't know about that... the E28 has that funny diagnostic connector, which is designed for a special maintenance panel that nobody has any longer.... BMW has been going in that direction for far too long. It's only recently that it has become quite the crisis, though. And Mercedes is even worse. --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." >>>>do not get it ... >>>> [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > is even worse. > --scott The E23/E28/E30/E34/E36 all share the round diags connector. It's actually a pretty simple interface, needing only £4.00 of components to connect to. There's a fair bit of freeware/shareware out there too. I built a simple interface lead and use a shareware program for my diags/code readings, but you don't even need that. JB >The E23/E28/E30/E34/E36 all share the round diags connector. It's actually a >pretty simple interface, needing only £4.00 of components to connect to. >There's a fair bit of freeware/shareware out there too. >I built a simple interface lead and use a shareware program for my >diags/code readings, but you don't even need that. Please tell me more! I built a little box with a lamp and a button to reset the service indicator counters, but I did not realize that it was still possible to extract anything else useful out of the interface. What data can I get off of there, and how? --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." Thanks everyone's for input.. I'm going to decide tonight so what say folks, thumbs up or thumbs down ? appears in excellent condition (though confessed bmw newbie) 99 328i 4dr 5 speed, black, black leather all the options, very well maintained 107,000 miles for $7900 in article df0321b7-06f6-4fbf-8dfd-2146b5604743@n10g2000yqm.googlegroups.com, don.higgins@gmail.com at don.higgins@gmail.com wrote on 11/20/08 5:19 PM: > $7900 out the door including tax ... get new tires, new brakes, and new oxygen sensor. that way you can go maybe 50,000 miles with oil service and not have much else to do for your money. if they don't want to go that way for the money ... get the 2000 model or better up ... I drive the 528i ... much better, more robust. sumbuddie wear blind sea :) > in article > df0321b7-06f6-4fbf-8dfd-2146b5604743@n10g2000yqm.googlegroups.com, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > get the 2000 model or better up ... What, exactly were the differences between the 1999 and 2000 328i sedans? They are both E46 series! Tom K. > What, exactly were the differences between the 1999 and 2000 328i sedans? > They are both E46 series! > > Tom K. Hi Tom ... just to name few ... better computer, better cruise control, better aerodynamics, better fuel mileage, better diagnositics, better maintence ... for the 2000 plus models over the 1990 or the 1980 or the 1970 series for example. They keep a production line open for about 10 years for a specific model, by Federal Law in the USA they have to provide spare parts for 20 yeares after they STOP making a model. So these factors would of course go into their design scheme in making money. There are different times like the 1976 1/2 Boss 302 Mustang ... which was made in the June of 76, not in Janurary for example. So it got the half year nomenclature. IMO and all that rot !!! > tom_k: > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >mileage, better diagnositics, better maintence ... for the 2000 plus models >over the 1990 or the 1980 or the 1970 series for example. What a load of crap! The 99 and 00 sedans are the same freaking thing, you moron. > What a load of crap! The 99 and 00 sedans are the same freaking > thing, you moron. fine with me ... you win !!! me not gonna buy a 1990 series vehicle on the last day ... you go ahead. >> What, exactly were the differences between the 1999 and 2000 328i sedans? >> They are both E46 series! [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > models > over the 1990 or the 1980 or the 1970 series for example. Alan, we're not comparing the 2000 with 1990, the issue is 2000 and 1999 - and the 328i models from those two years are virtually identical. They have the same cruise control, aerodynamics, fuel mileage, diagnositics (sic), etc. - they are both E46. Tom K. > Alan, we're not comparing the 2000 with 1990, the issue is 2000 and 1999 - > and the 328i models from those two years are virtually identical. They have > the same cruise control, aerodynamics, fuel mileage, diagnositics (sic), > etc. - they are both E46. > > Tom K. you win also Tom ... me not gonna fight. the guyu wants to buy it ... go ahead I say and upgrade from what he has already. just get new tires, new brakes, and new O2 sensor ... out the door; including tax and license so there is some kind of good chance for him to go 50K miles with just gas/oil maintenance for his thousands of dollars. sumbuddie happy today ... :) Nedavno Scott Dorsey napisa: > >The E23/E28/E30/E34/E36 all share the round diags connector. It's > >actually a pretty simple interface, needing only £4.00 of components [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > > What data can I get off of there, and how? I am also interested! Signature___ ____ /__/ / \ ** Registrovani korisnik Linuksa #291606 ** / / \/ /\ \ ** Registered Linux user #291606 ** /__/\____/--\__\ ** http://counter.li.org/ ** > > Why does anyone WANT all the new technology? Sheesh, I want a car that > > drives well, not a freaking computer network on wheels that nobody can do > > basic maintenance on outside of the dealership. > *Ding*. Why do you think I still have my E36? The E46/E39 are to me at > least, the first of the 'non-user-serviceable' BMWs (by that I mean the > mandatory use of expensive diagnostic eqpt and throw-away/non-repairable > parts). As such I'll stick with the older tech thanks very much. Which parts on an E39 are non repairable where they were on say an E34? Signature*The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth. Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >> > Why does anyone WANT all the new technology? Sheesh, I want a car that >> > drives well, not a freaking computer network on wheels that nobody can [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Which parts on an E39 are non repairable where they were on say an E34? I should have said non _home_ user serviceable. I successfully recon'd the alternator on my old E34. You can't even get the one on the E39 I looked at apart! getting spares for the auto box on a colleague's E39 540 was futile. We eventually got him a used box from a breakers in the end. I've rebuilt 3 of the older ZF autos on E34s as you can actually get the spares. For the record, if you ever get transmission hassles, speak to TES Transmissions in westbury, Wilts. Superb service and very, very knowledgeable. JB > Why does anyone WANT all the new technology? better gas mileage ... the computer makes about 60 corrections a minute to the engine making for the excellent gas savings. also .. once the key is turned, and the dash lights go out, the engine just passed smog !!! The computer tests it all the time. Real smooth. Passing the smog test, is a cake walk that way. Drive in, print out, mail the registration check. It is also a robust computer, each time the key turns it re-boots, fixes itself all the time. Pay the big bucks and get the big bang. sumbuddie wear blind sea > Why does anyone WANT all the new technology? Sheesh, I want a car that > drives well, not a freaking computer network on wheels that nobody can do > basic maintenance on outside of the dealership. I'd say that it's a myth that basic maintenance is any more difficult these days than it ever was. In many ways it's easier. Fault finding and repairs may be a different matter requiring the repairer to learn new techniques. But it was ever thus with motoring. Signature*No sentence fragments * Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >> Why does anyone WANT all the new technology? Sheesh, I want a car that >> drives well, not a freaking computer network on wheels that nobody can do [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] >repairs may be a different matter requiring the repairer to learn new >techniques. But it was ever thus with motoring. This is both true and not true. I'll say that the engine control systems now are spectacularly better than carbs and automatic chokes, and having everything running closed-loop with a computer is a great advance. HOWEVER, from a maintenance standpoint this is only a good thing if you can look at the data coming into the computer and the data coming out of it. The problem is that the tools to do this are very expensive for the BMW, and so for the most part independant mechanics don't have them. The more common multi-vehicle OBD-II readers won't pull more than just the error codes off of the newer BMW engines. So, this is a complaint that I have about BMW, not about the technology. On the other hand, there is a lot of other stuff out there, varying from fancy temperature control systems, iDrive, and anti-theft systems that really don't improve my driving pleasure any. And they are very complex, and get more complex every day. The more complex a system is, the greater the chances it will break. Over the years BMW has gone from door switches in series with the dome light so that the dome light comes on when the door is open... to a transistorized module with solder joints that commonly fail in order to turn the light out after a timed period... to a microprocessor box that does nothing but turn the lights on and off and may require firmware updates. From the standpoint of reliability and maintainability, this is not an improvement, and the newer system does not make me any more comfortable or happy than the switch and the wire did. --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." > Over the years BMW has gone from door switches in series with the dome > light so that the dome light comes on when the door is open... to a [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > -- > "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." Couldn't agree more, Scott. When people complain that they're having numerous problems with their late-model BMW, invariably it's a "loaded" one, with every option. The people that aren't having problems just as invariably have a "stripped" model with few options. This is where BMW has missed the mark - too many electronics has spoiled the soup. In article <cb302cd0-6c2e-40bc-97be-37776761f0e4@f20g2000yqg.googlegroups.com>, > When people complain that they're having numerous problems with their > late-model BMW, invariably it's a "loaded" one, with every option. > The people that aren't having problems just as invariably have a > "stripped" model with few options. I've not got a late model - but an E39 - and I wish everything about it was as long lived and reliable as the electronics. Worst fault I've had was a suspension strut collapse. All the 'loaded' stuff still works correctly. Only electrical faults have been the final stage resistor (3 times), crank position sensor, and aux cooling fan. In 10 years of ownership. Signature*Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things. Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. > In article > <cb302cd0-6c2e-40bc-97be-37776761f0e4@f20g2000yqg.googlegroups.com>, [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] > > In 10 years of ownership. I haven't even had those electrical problems with my '99 328i - although when a family of chipmunks adopted a front wheel well and chewed some wiring, it did cost $320 to replace the ambient temperature sensor! On the other hand, because of pixel malfunctioning in the dash computer readout, my wife can't even read the time in her 2000 SAAB. Tom > Over the years BMW has gone from door switches in series with the dome > light so that the dome light comes on when the door is open... to a [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > not an improvement, and the newer system does not make me any more > comfortable or happy than the switch and the wire did. I love the way they fade in and out... Signature*Husband and cat lost -- reward for cat Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.uk London SW To e-mail, change noise into sound. >Over the years BMW has gone from door switches in series with the dome >light so that the dome light comes on when the door is open... to a [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >updates. From the standpoint of reliability and maintainability, this is >not an improvement, Says who? I say you're wrong. (Braces for the fact-free "What, are you nuts? It's common sense!" tirade...) There's zero reason why automotive electronics cannot out-last the rest of the car. IME, old cars with crude electrics, breaker-points, etc, had FAR more problems than do newer cars. >>Over the years BMW has gone from door switches in series with the dome >>light so that the dome light comes on when the door is open... to a [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] >Says who? I say you're wrong. (Braces for the fact-free "What, are >you nuts? It's common sense!" tirade...) Well, you can look at the questions asked in this group, an awful lot of which have to do with electrical system flakiness. You could look at the Consumer's Reports surveys; these aren't always representative and they tend to overrepresent disgruntled purchasers, but they do show an awfully high proportion of electronics issues on late-model BMW and Mercedes cars. >There's zero reason why automotive electronics cannot out-last the >rest of the car. IME, old cars with crude electrics, breaker-points, >etc, had FAR more problems than do newer cars. They had different kinds of problems. As I said earlier, the engine control systems have improved immensely, and it's the accessory stuff that has become a problem. And there is one reason why they can't out-last the rest of the car: because customers want fancy gewgaws but they don't want to pay the money to have them built to a high standard of reliability. As complexity increases, the cost to do it right increases even faster. --scott Signature"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis." > do not get it ... > > get the 2000 year model or better, all the new technology is in it. Since he hasn't said what type (sedan, coupe or convertible), this statement is possibly incorrect, as '99 was the first year for the E46 sedan. FloydR > > do not get it ... > [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > FloydR it's 4 dr sedan, manual > "Alan B. Mac Farlane" <al...@sonic.net> wrote > [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > FloydR it's 4 dr sedan, manual ================== The transmission is irrelevant - it's the # of doors which determines whether a '99 is an E36 or E46. Since it has 4 doors, it's an E46. Tom K. I bought a '94 325 in 2000 with about the same miles as your car, and another '94 325 in 2004 because the first one was totalled. My first BMW was going strong with 250k miles in 2004. My experience is that my BMW are very easy for me to do my own work on, and I do most of my own work so this is important to me. I found that my BMW does not take very much service that I can't do myself, and the service I have to pay for isn't much more expensive than other cars. I had to pay for a clutch to be installed, but this was done well in excess of 200k miles. It cost $800-ish for clutch work, but after more than 200k miles, the cost per mile was actually pretty low. I have no regrets with my two 325's, and my daughter drives a '00 323 that has done pretty well from a service cost perspective. Again, I do much of my own work, and I find the cars to be easy to work on. > I'm considering a 1999 328i with a little over 100K on the odometer. > The car looked, drove and felt like a dream. Appeared very well [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > thanks > I'm considering a 1999 328i with a little over 100K on the odometer. > The car looked, drove and felt like a dream. Appeared very well [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > I'm a bit shy about buying given the reputation of high repair cost > and would like a few exper opinions.. So. The price seems good. It's the first model year, but sedans have fewer problems than the coupes (window regulators), there is no difference between 1999 & 2000 models, the clutch and transmission could very well last another 50K-100K. You should change all fluids (unless the current owner's records indicate they're new). You may be in for suspension ball-joint/bushing replacement, and the cooling system is at the end of it's usable life (again unless the current owner has done so.) FloydR >I'm considering a 1999 328i with a little over 100K on the odometer. >The car looked, drove and felt like a dream. Appeared very well [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] >I'm a bit shy about buying given the reputation of high repair cost >and would like a few exper opinions.. It may be due for new O2 sensors, which is like $1000, and you should probably change ALL fluids. As others have said the bushings in front are a wear item as well, but have probably already been done once on a 99... |
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