[gimme135]

Poll for old timers (older than 3 years ownership ) with old BMWs.

I understand BMW has vastly improved their technology over the last few years, especially in engines. And the 1er being a very new model, past history may not tell much. But still...

How many miles maximum have you seen on a good-running BMW? More telling if you owned it, even more if you owned it from new.

I'm also curious how yours died -- what chronic problems cause its demise.

[larryn]

In 1992, I traded in my original 1986 325es (bought new) with 230k miles on it. I still wish I had that car.

[josh]

E36 M3 with 302,345 miles on it right now. Nothing's gone wrong with it yet, although it will need new cats to pass emissions.

[redwood]

I put 140-160K. I have 142K on my E46 328i and still going strong.

[Fast Kiwi]

91 318is such a cool car.. My old winter beater has gone to another home..
220,000 miles through all condictions and still ran great.. started better then my wife's 3 year old Lexus at the time.

[Nixon]

Originally Posted by gimme135

I understand BMW has vastly improved their technology over the last few years, especially in engines.

The engine is the least of the worries. It's everything else that will bring a BMW down. Many people feel the older, simpler BMW's had a better reliability record when it comes to "everything else".

I've never run a BMW into the ground to where it completely died, but I've run a few late 1980's/ early 1990's 3's and 5's up to the 150k range before selling them. The most common issue was center bearing/guibo failure on the drive shaft.

For the twin turbo engine, I would guess that it will have the same weak spot that every single turbo engine from every single car company has: Vacuum leaks. We will find out if BMW has beat this problem where no other car company had been able to beat the vacuum leak problem in about 3-4 years when the OE rubber starts aging on the 2007 335i's.

[Khobin~]

Wasn't me, but a friend had a 318is that had over 250,000 kms, and it ran good.

[Joop!]

Over 125k with an E36 318i. It still felt it was like new.

[NJKSC27]

Originally Posted by josh

E36 M3 with 302,345 miles on it right now. Nothing's gone wrong with it yet, although it will need new cats to pass emissions.

wow thats awesome.


odometer pic by any chance???

[mlevere1988]

I had an '89 325is that had 165,000 miles on it when I traded it. I was the second owner and put over 100K on myself. I owned it for 10 years. Mechanically, the E30 was bullitproof. The only problem that kept popping up was the rear shock mounts kept failing. I finally put some M3 mounts and then the problem was gone. I didn't have a single other problem with that car other than normal wear on the seats and paint.

[larryn]

Originally Posted by mlevere92

I had an '89 325is that had 165,000 miles on it when I traded it. I was the second owner and put over 100K on myself. I owned it for 10 years. Mechanically, the E30 was bullitproof. The only problem that kept popping up was the rear shock mounts kept failing. I finally put some M3 mounts and then the problem was gone. I didn't have a single other problem with that car other than normal wear on the seats and paint.

Same with my e30. The only problem I had with it was when I was watching my girlfriend spinning down the street in the ice and going into a snowbank. Front quarter and spoiler were toast. Mechanically, that car was awesome. It still had a nice feeling 230k mile clutch on it when it was traded in. Damn, I miss that car.

[mlevere1988]

Originally Posted by larryn

Same with my e30. The only problem I had with it was when I was watching my girlfriend spinning down the street in the ice and going into a snowbank. Front quarter and spoiler were toast. Mechanically, that car was awesome. It still had a nice feeling 230k mile clutch on it when it was traded in. Damn, I miss that car.

I miss mine as well. I traded it on a e90 325. I should have kept it and saved my money. I don't even have the e90 now. Had to trade it in on a larger car. mazda CX9. I love the car but wish I had my toy back. :frown: