2005 325ci
Asked by zb1012 Oct 15, 2012 at 07:47 PM about the 2005 BMW 3 Series 325Ci Coupe RWD
Question type: General
i found a 2005 325ci with 70k. immac condition, one owner all records, lots of upgrades.
everyone is telling me it would be too expensive to maintain, and to get a toyota or something. the guys asking 11k OBO. will let me take it to a shop etc.
nothing is guaranteed, but is this a stupid purchase if you don't have a bimmer type paycheck?
thanks.
i can send the info on the car if that helps.
6 Answers
They are expensive cars to maintain if you have the dealer do it. Depending on where you live you can find a well priced speciality shop to handle most repairs. But the best is to do the repairs yourself save you a lot of money. But yes BMW's do require more maitance then most cars because they are performance vehicles and are so finely tuned. But do have it checked you by a specialist before you purchase you don't want any issue found out later that could be avoided. As for your price it depends on the area you live in. In the midwest that is a good price for the vehicle if it's in good shape. Hope this helps.
thanks... I'm in orange co ca.. so think the price is good. my dad is so against a bimmer but what ur saying is how i look at it ..plus nothing is a sure thing. if it makes a difference I can show u all the info on it. the seller is willing to have it looked at. I don't kno a lot about them other than what I read I'm 23 in school and working
Yes please share all recent repair information any issues currently present. That way I can give you a heads up on common issues that may happen in your future. Also make sure you find out why the seller is selling the vehicle.
I would highly recommend that if you are considering a your first Bimmer, 2005 is the end of the E46 and beginning of the E90 run, that you do your research, find a reputable mechanic, and buy a Bentley Maintenance manual. Most Bimmer owners start out with an E30, as it sets the tone for what to expect from the boys in Munich as technology became as integral as the mechanics. Jumping into the mainstream is expensive without a thorough understanding of both. Current vehicles require time on the diagnostic unit rather than the mechanic just taking a test drive. The average shop rate at a BMW dealership is $180/hr. If that is not in your budget, keep shopping.
BMWs are a bit more expensive to own than a Honda or Toyota of the same year and mileage. And that expense is multiplied if you cannot locate a good, independent shop to maintain the car for you. I've put a lot of miles on several different Hondas and currently own a 2003 330i with almost 130k miles. I would say that, on average, a BMW is going to cost about 50%-75% more in annual maintenance and repairs, compared to a Honda or Toyota. Reliability is close to the same, but parts cost more, and there are suspension components and electronic sensors that seem to wear out a wee bit faster. Having said that, I am pretty content with my ten year ownership experience -- its a different driving experience, and judging from the number of e46's on the road, an experience that a lot of people are willing to pay a little bit more (say, $700 a year in maintenance and repairs, vs. $400) to have. As mentioned, getting a BMW that is at the end of the design model life (in this case the end of the e46) and with relatively low miles, is a good combination. One owner, and complete service records also make it desirable, and the price is reasonable for the model described. Good luck!
Hey zb1012, I am also a 23 year old working and going to school. I own a BMW 325ci year 2005. So far, the maintenance has not been too bad. I've had it for 2 1/2 years and so far I have spent probably a little under 2000 on maintenance. I've had to get the tires changed, oil change a few times, other random stuff, the front aligned, and a few other minor things. My right front headlight just went out - so I'm just hoping this will not be an expensive thing to fix. My vehicle has 100,000 miles and it's doing pretty fine right now. I purchased it used with about 78,000 miles. At my school I see a lot of kids riding around luxury cars including Mercedes.
