I would wonder why there has been 2 private owners in the 3 years it has
existed. Seems to be a lot of money being wasted as each time you buy and
sell, you lose money in taxes, etc. I would have a thorough inspection at
BMW before signing any papers. Ususally costs around $100 and they hook it
up to the computer and everything to test it all out.

Deep

I just replaced the original front brake pads/rotors at 55K on my '01 330xi;
they had another 15K or so left (but one of the rotors was warped and
causing some shudder.)

Absolutely *nothing* has been done to it mechanically except oil changes
since delivery.  There have been 4 warranty repairs:  passenger seat rail,
radio, throttle potentiometer, and gas cap.  The only one of those that's
a recurring problem with this model/year is the throttle.

An extended warranty is *quite* expensive - at least $2500 for 2-3
years/40K miles or so.  They just don't make sense, even on expensive
cars.  And the chances of anything going wrong mechanically with
this car is very small.

Floyd

I would definitely worry about the window regulators (moves the
windows up and down).  After buying mine I read about the problem, the
before I'd had it for 30 days my daughter opened the window, then as
she was closing it, clunk, it broke!

If you buy the car, make sure that you run the windows up and down a
bunch of times to make sure that they break (if they're going to)
before your warranty runs out, otherwise it will cost you $460+ to fix
each one!!

Brett
01 Yamaha R1
99 Honda F4 (Track bike)
89 Katana 750

Check for excessive movement in the front wheels in the fore and aft,
indicative of worn lower wishbone rear rubber bushes, normally at 36,000
miles onwards according to my dealer's parts man. Mine have just been
replaced at 42,000miles. Apparently the ball joints on the lower wishbone
itself can also wear.
Badger.

I would definitely worry about the window regulators (moves the
windows up and down).  After buying mine I read about the problem, the
before I'd had it for 30 days my daughter opened the window, then as
she was closing it, clunk, it broke!

If you buy the car, make sure that you run the windows up and down a
bunch of times to make sure that they break (if they're going to)
before your warranty runs out, otherwise it will cost you $460+ to fix
each one!!

Brett
01 Yamaha R1
99 Honda F4 (Track bike)
89 Katana 750

I've got a 2000 323i with around 50,000 miles (bought it new, btw).
Today it's in the shop having the fourth (4!!) window regulator/motor
replaced -- the second time it's been replaced on the driver's windows.
Extremely annoying !!

The car was relatively trouble free for the first three years, while
under warranty. But since that time, I've had lots of little stuff go
wrong ( window regulators, broken sunroof track, short in parking light
assembly, passenger-side rearview mirror not returning to proper
position, etc ). I've also been surprised with the extent and cost of
the regular maintenance. For example, got a front brake job done and was
surprised to learn that the front disc rotors must *always* be replaced
with the pads (ie. they are designed to wear out, and cannot be
"turned"). That was almost $400 (for just the front brakes; rear brakes
not included). Had to replace all the belts *and tensioners*, for over
$500. Replaced bad powersteering hoses for $225.

I loved my 3-series for the first couple of years. But the number of
times I've had to take it into the shop, and the amount of repair money
I've had to lay out -- both due in a large part to design decisions made
on this model -- have definitely cooled my enthusiasm for the car. My
previous car was a Japanese make and comparatively trouble free for the
almost 10 years I drove it ( and even today, since it's still driven
daily by my neighbor's teenager whom I sold it to!! ). Next time around,
I'm going to think long and hard before getting another BMW. I'm
definitely going to reconsider going back to an Japanese model(Acura,
etc) .

    FWIW,
    Joe