bmw m3

[cleargrip]

look ..i own a 02 s2000 and love it but i need some honest advise for you guys i am planning on buying a 2002 bmw m3 and does anyone know how reliable they are i mean i know they are not hondas but can i expect it to just break down right off the bat or are they actually decent cars

[SilverS2K422]

well its not a ford so i dont think its just ganna crap out.

[cleargrip]

lol yeah but its just i dont know if honda has spoiled me and everything

[D1sclaimer]

Every company has its good ones and lemons. Most of the people who own BMWs keep it up very nice and don't miss maintenaince. I know a few people with M3's and they've had no problems for them. Each have about 30k. My friends mother drives a newer 5 series as her daily driver. The only problem shes had is with a flat tire and she has trouble controlling the nob for the navigation and radio.

I don't see any potential problems with them. I just don't prefer german cars personally.

[ppat1989]

they are really nice cars. i wish i could afford one. my buddy has a 99 and he absolutely loves that thing. i know that they are two different models (e36 and e46) but either way they are amazing. his has 105,000 and it hasnt had any major problems.

[philiam]

Get a copy of the latest Consumer Reports. The
only 2 makes that are recommended 100% are Honda
and Subaru. Overall BMW's are more expensive to maintain. Some models are more reliable than others. Lotsa black dots.

Worst Cars I have owned, Ford Anglia, Ford Anglia and BMW 2002. I'm sure Beemers must be better now.

[Neil]

I remember riding in a Ford Anglia when I was a kid, as far as BMW don't know to much about that particular model, BMW, Audi, Porche, VW, all good German Vehicles.
Go to a BMW forum and post your questions.

[jagg]

Don't you already own an M5...?

You could probably use that as an example.
All M cars are very expensive to maintain, even over and above what the regular models cost in upkeep.


jagg

[TheSoundMan21]

I owned a 1997 BMW 328is. I was 19 at the time and trying to race everything I could (being a stupid kid). Needless to say after all the brutal driving hell I gave that car even at 150,000 miles I never once had any mechanical issues with her. I miss that wonderful car and intend to buy one again asap. I want my ole e36 body back.

The car your looking into is a e46 body style my absolute favorite. Its a straight 6 3.2 liter (I think) 333hp beauty. As far as reliability I would have to rank it second to Honda. Go get the car you cant go wrong. (keep the S though for the sunny days)

[hammerhead300]

Like what's already been said, they're trouble-free for the most part, but when they do have trouble, you'll spend a pretty penny to alleviate it.

[Java Junky]

Hm-m-m-m-m . . . only a couple'r three weeks back ya posted "not to sure about the M5 i just got like literally a week ago" cg.
Wouldn't that make you the guy fer you ta check with on ownership'uv'a beemer?
'Always hate it when I forget that I've got big, expensive toys layin' aroun'.
'Wouldn't be losin' track'a things now, would'ja cg?
Java

[makopolo]

I would spend the money on some track time in the S!

[Neil]

Originally Posted by Java Junky

Hm-m-m-m-m . . . only a couple'r three weeks back ya posted "not to sure about the M5 i just got like literally a week ago" cg.
Wouldn't that make you the guy fer you ta check with on ownership'uv'a beemer?
'Always hate it when I forget that I've got big, expensive toys layin' aroun'.
'Wouldn't be losin' track'a things now, would'ja cg?
Java

Ginkgo Java..................pots warming..

[rickjkerstetter]

How ironic, My friend has a 2002 M3 convertable, 6 speed w/ hard top. Its has has some minor issues, but a great car otherwise. He baby's it and it just turned 40k miles. Its really fast, If your interested let me know, I can get you his #. Its silver.

[gomarlins3]

Very nice, but expensive to fix.

[cleargrip]

yes i have an m5 but i have driven it only a few times i just cant get out of my s2

[Pablo]

Originally Posted by gomarlins3

Very nice, but expensive to fix.

I TOTALLY agree with G3. They are very nice cars however repairs are $$$. My daughter has a '03 325I ( I think that is the model # anyway). She recently took it to the dealer for an oil change ....no s_ _ T,......... $300 A while back she took it to a local mechanic, some one I know, for front brakes ONLY (have to replace the rotors they cannot be re surfaced ......$ 400. Before that the front lower control arm bushings crapped out. NOT covered under warranty.......Dealer cost $ 800. Special tool required local mechanics would not touch it.

Like I said, nice car, have deep pockets.

[ppat1989]

Originally Posted by TheSoundMan21

I owned a 1997 BMW 328is. I was 19 at the time and trying to race everything I could (being a stupid kid). Needless to say after all the brutal driving hell I gave that car even at 150,000 miles I never once had any mechanical issues with her. I miss that wonderful car and intend to buy one again asap. I want my ole e36 body back.

The car your looking into is a e46 body style my absolute favorite. Its a straight 6 3.2 liter (I think) 333hp beauty. As far as reliability I would have to rank it second to Honda. Go get the car you cant go wrong. (keep the S though for the sunny days)

ya you are correct the e36 m3 came with a 3.0 liter I6 and also a 3.2L I6 with around 220HP then the e46 came in with the same engine as the e36 eurospec (3.2L I6) with 333HP. they just shafted the U.S. with the e36 by reducing the power, which they then used the e46 to make up for it. the e92 which is coming out here shortly uses a 414HP V8! but i dont expect anyone to like it much due to the fact that it is huge and its not going to handle like and m3 anymore, its more like and M5 with an M3 badge.

[cleargrip]

the the new m3 doesnt really appeal to me that much

[ppat1989]

or most people from what i here

[jagg]

I've got alot of seat time in the Bavarian buggies, and they are excellent cars. On the other hand, they are no more dependable than any American Iron around, and alot more expensive to maintain and (Heaven forbid) repair. (even when they're slappin' american trannys behind them fancy straight sixes) In some ways, they are less dependable than your average grocery getter of any brand. It's a status symbol car, and for this redneck it was annoying for people to judge my merits based upon the emblem glued to the hood with the same dope they use to put blue ovals on Crown Vics.

Ultimate driving machine? yeah, it's in the runnin.
Unbreakable, not bloody likely.

Show me a pic of that M5 cg, and I'll tell you which setup you've got. Here's a pic of a biggun.
003.jpg
regards, jagg

[Daddy Zach]

BMW = Brought My Wallet

[philiam]

Originally Posted by Neil

I remember riding in a Ford Anglia when I was a kid, as far as BMW don't know to much about that particular model, BMW, Audi, Porche, VW, all good German Vehicles.
Go to a BMW forum and post your questions.

The Anglias were flat head 4's. Miniature Model A engines. Had to buy a second
one because the dealer was the only one who would give me anything for it.

The Bay M Vay (German for BMW) was one of the first post war models to come over here. It came as a 1600 or 2 litre (2002). It was priced just above the VW's;.
Cost me $3500 out the door. It was a drivers car and drive it I did. In 80K, the clutch master cyl broke, as did both window winders, the clutch slipped and it was an oilcoholic. Datsun made a similar car with independent rear suspension for less money and it was probably a better car.

[JOECHY]

My wife was recently in the market for a entry luxury car in December. She narrowed it down between a 3 series and the lexus IS 250. After reviewing maintenance fees, owner reviews and consumer reports we decided to go with the Lexus. Everyone is right, you are going to pay out the butt for repairs after 50,000 miles! As I read in a user review BMW stands for Bring Money Withyou.

Since we are talking about reliability I thought I'd share that I still have my 1993 Honda Prelude from college that I use as my daily burner. It is at 299,979 miles. Ill tick over the 300,000 mile mark by Saturday! Nothing more than changing the alternator and scheduled maintenance AND it was flooded during hurican Alyson to the dash! Honda is the "ish" when it comes to reliability!!

KEEP YOUR HONDA FOR BACK UP!!

[cleargrip]

damn see thats why i love hondas vtec all the way

[nfrs2000]

Imo,not worth it the s2k is much more fun to drive.A plus on the Bmw is the women love it,but they also love the s.The bmws have electrical problems that & the cost to maintain one is high,overall they are a great car but be aware of what you are getting.I agree Philiam to get a Carfax and again imo i would get a certified m3.

[nfrs2000]

Good choice joechy you made the right choice

[cleargrip]

well thanks guys i just kinda get more of a kinship feeling with my s2 ya know plus parts for it are MUCH cheaper plus i like taking long road trips and i figured a v-tech would be the much better choice

[nfrs2000]

I drove 16 hours strait yesterday, and im really impressed with the s2k so keep it lol

[cleargrip]

well i never wanted to get rid of it