I'm thinking of buying a 2006 or 2007 3 series. I was wondering what the consensus is around here about BMW's engines. I had a bad experience with my current car, an Audi 1.8 turbo, and don't want to go through that again. I've heard good things about BMW's 6 cylinder motors. How do you folks feel? Thanks for your input.
They are great but.............. watch out for the vanos units they can present problems and are expensive to replace. Otherwise - no cam belts all chains and a sweet revving motor. The shorter the stroke the sweeter - 2.0 6 nice as is the
2.3, 2.8, 3.0 and the 3.3 & 3.5 but the last two are old units now.
Almost bullet proof -------------------- but change the oil regularly.
One thing - from past experience they can drop valve seats if overheated and the plastic impeller water pumps can break and try to replace with the iron impeller type.
They're very good engines. Much more bullet-proof than the 1.8T, although with a chip that was a fun engine, too. It just required more meticulous maintenance, proper synthetic oil (somehow nobody bothered to tell the US dealers about this) and proper turbo warmup/cooldown procedures (which many people who never owned a turbo engine did not adhere to).
Every car has its problems though. Like the previous poster mentioned - sudden overheating issues due to a cooling system failure were common on the previous e46 and e39 (and probably a few others). Not sure if BMW finally took care of it with the latest 3 series. It's probably too early to tell.
I normally drive another well-known German marque that is not what you have, that has a range of very good engines but even I join the chorus of approval of the BMW 6-cyl motors. Widely recognised as being very good.
DAS
For direct replies replace nospam with schmetterling
I have a 2006 E90 (330xi), that's the new 6cyl 3.0 255 hp unit (not the dual turbo).
Very nice, very smooth, very pull-y. On occasion, when the engine is cold, at idle I do notice what sounds like a bit of a clicking, as in valve lifter ticking or light rattle. Once engine warms up with driving (5-10 min), all is quiet. Again, only happens occasionally.
BMW dealer tech rep said this is normal, and is a result of some slight foaming of oil into the hydraulic lifters thus the audible sound, until the air bubbles clear and you get solid oil, and no sound.
I checked the oil and it said "OK", but the orange line showed halfway between the lines. Wonder if this engine truly needs to be kept topped off with oil.
The tech did not seem concerned. I did not notice this the first several months I had the car (got it Sept. 2006).
I drive the shit out of my '03 330, it is fantastic.
I had a 540 before, so it seems slow to me but is very torqey and smooth. Use that would be "abuse" to most cars seems to be desired by this engine... push it hard and it feels best. Cruises beautifully at 140-170 kph, revs are high, but smooth and powerful.
I have to add a litre of oil every now and then between changes tho... The only thing about my e46 I dislike is the 5 speed... I should have waited for the next year 6 speed tranny :(
I think that everyone responding so far was in agreement...BMW makes a great engine. That has always been my impression from what I've read and heard. I am now looking for my next car...a BMW 3 series. Maybe
2006 or 2007 since I can't quite see paying for a brandy new one. Any options I should stay away from, or any I should definitiely get? Once again, I appreciate all responses. Thanks to all.
Easy, stay away from BMW NAV and idrive. Compared to the Japanese version, its garbage!
What you should get: if you're buying new, definitely get the Xenon light option. At about $800, its a bargain. Further, a 5 or 6 speed manual is a must for any enthusiast. Moreover, don't forget the sports suspension. Are limited slip differentials still available? If so, get one!
try to avoid the runflat tires - crapola in a big way. Many used bimmers will have had them swapped out for real rubber.
The single most important thing in buying a used bimmer - Papertrail of everything - full history of service and part replacements. An independant inspection by an old German speaking mechanic is always worth the expense ;)
Xenon is worth every penny too Also, starting in 04, the 330 was also a 6 speed - a very nice feature. I would not want an auto - I did test it just for fun, and although pretty quick, manual is wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy more fun ;)
A neglected German car will eventually cost you a fortune if it wasn't maintained properly.
Fair enough. Then you'll probably like the latest auto tranny offered. According to several of the writers in Roundel, its suppose to be the best ever!
"Enthusiast" implies a degree of enthusiasm for the activity and precision control of driving which is well beyond that which can be exhibited with an automatic transmission.
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