Ok, so I have a 2003 BMW 325i. Automatic, 155k miles.

I bought it 2 years ago at a dealer auction for about $7500. This is my daily driver and it has given me all of the usual 10+ year old BMW problems.

In the last 2 years I have replaced:
Power Steering Pump
Fuel Filter
Mass Airflow Sensor
2 Oxygen Sensors

Here's the current list of "bad":
A/C only blows cold if I clamp the heater hose closed. There seems to be an issue with some faulty air vent doors or something.

Driver side window does not roll down more than 1/2 inch. (this should be an easy fix and I will be fixing this weekend)

There's a very small oil leak in (i think) the rear main seal.

The headliner needs to basically be replaced/re-glued.

Windshield washer nozzles do not spray. Havent really looked into why.

Driver side door lock does not work with key (something inside is broken...I'll try to fix this when I fix the window)



What should I do with this thing? It drives great, and is honestly a blast to drive. But obviously it's a shitload of upkeep and is turning out to be a huge fucking headache. I've decided I want a Tacoma, so I need to get rid of this thing somehow. It's tough to fit a deer in the back of this thing during hunting season

Should I try to sell it or just trade it in at Carmax or something? Will they even take a car like this in at Carmax?

6/3/2013 4:40:09 PM

look into the barter sections of craigslist and type trade in the search box for the cars for sale by owner part on there.

Id trade it if i could.

6/3/2013 4:48:41 PM

That may be the blend door but good look either way

6/3/2013 5:52:29 PM

Quote :

"In the last 2 years I have replaced: Power Steering Pump Fuel Filter Mass Airflow Sensor 2 Oxygen Sensors"

That's a relatively trivial amount of work for a vehicle of this age and with this many miles. I'd say you're ahead so far.

- Fix AC, window, and door lock if easy fix. Working AC adds a lot of value to a used car in NC; especially a used Bimmer and the other issues are worth taking a stab at as well.
- Don't worry about oil leak if minor. Just keep the fluid level where it needs to be.
- Windshield washers are probably clogged from waxing the car or other debris. Disconnect the hose that goes to them and see if it will spray fluid. If so, either replace the little washer jets or maybe try soaking them in a strong cleaner to break up whatever is clogging them. Cheap fix and definitely not worth selling a 10 year old car over.

Nothing you've mentioned sounds like a big deal on a car of that age except maybe the AC. If you want a Tacoma you might as well put a weekend of work into it so that you can get the most out of it when you sell.

Carmax will buy it, but they will send it to auction rather than putting it on their lot. Their offer will be laughable though. I'd be surprised if they offered you $3.5k.

6/3/2013 6:22:41 PM

Quote :

"That's a relatively trivial amount of work for a vehicle of this age and with this many miles from Germany"

[Edited on June 3, 2013 at 7:24 PM. Reason : some junk]

6/3/2013 7:24:23 PM

seems like a reliable e46.

6/4/2013 6:22:35 PM

Dump that POS before the transmission explodes.

6/5/2013 8:26:59 AM

I've sold two BMWs in the past two years on Craigslist.

I got $3,200 for a '96 325i with 180k on it. On a scale of 1-10, I'd say it was a 6 on "condition" for a car that old with that many miles on it.

I got $3,300 for a '97 325i with 250k on it. On a scale of 1-10, it was a 9.5 on "condition" for a car that old with that many miles on it. That car truly was in immaculate condition.

Basically...sell it and you might get close to your purchasing price. I got tons of offers on both of those cars from craigslist. People have a soft spot for BMWs. Get it detailed, take some good pictures, and list all of the receipts for the work you've had done on it recently.

6/5/2013 11:34:54 AM

I have a similar dilemma, but with a different car.

2000 Honda Accord 2 dr coupe 4 cyl auto with ~240k
No major problems, uses a little oil, sunroof leaks a bit when it rains for several days straight, paint is not in very good condition, due for timing belt.

Do I get rid of it now before it gets any worse? If so, do I sell it or trade it? Or should I just drive it until it quits?

6/5/2013 5:44:40 PM

well it's worth a lot more than the OP's bmw

6/5/2013 7:50:42 PM

I highly doubt the oil leak is in the rear main seal given the mileage. Most likely oil filter housing or valve cover gasket, but either way $Texas if you're not willing to do some work yourself (and both involve real work). As others have said the rest of the list is maybe an afternoon worth of work if you're capable of using a wrench and Google.

Craigslist is always the best bet. Hell, even if you list it as it is at a decent price and are up front about the issues someone who knows and likes BMW's will happily buy it. The Blue book on it is $4,700 in "Fair", and you could probably get close to that. You paid WAY too much at auction, the Arab dealers just love BMWs and bid them up.

6/6/2013 4:34:59 AM

Get rid of that POS. Unless you like fixing cars. BMWs are the most unreliable cars I have ever dealt with.

6/6/2013 9:11:08 AM

^Hey now, I love my BMW and they're awesome cars for your money if you're competent to do some basic work yourself. My e36 has 200k on it and still drives and handles beautifully, and I picked it up for nearly nothing since the windows didn't work and it leaked oil from the valve cover gasket (took only one evening to fix both).

6/9/2013 6:03:38 AM