Finally! I've been looking for a reliability video on our car for years, and you freakin' did it! Glad i follow you, my dude! I have a 07 328i manual transmission, and its been pretty damn reliable for me so far. I don't have crazy high mileage though. I barely past 61,000. I have had thoughts of selling it in the past, because of being scared of reliability! All I know is that this car has been so good to me, since I've owned it since 07. I bought it in Italy through the military, and had it shipped to Baltimore. From there I drove it up to New York, before making my trip back to California. I drove for 3 days straight with no sleep, and that was the most comfortable drives I've ever had. It took me about exactly 3,000 miles to get back to Los Angeles. If I can... I'd like to make this car last forever. If my engine ever blows, then I'd like to revive it with a new engine. The ONLY mod I've changed to my ride is add two 12's(MEMPHIS Speakers), and a 500 watt amp, with a blue tooth connection I found from our fellow youtuber BMWFANATIC, and 35% window tint. I've thought about changing my wheels, but i'm loving the run flat tires. I've only had to change my tires once in the past 11 years of ownership. I've gotten nails stuck in my tires a couple times, and i've been able to get around with no problem! Especially if i'm in a rush, and don't have time to waste. Then when i have time, i just plug the hole, after taking the nail out. This baby's FUN TO DRIVE, CLEAN LOOKING, & RELIABLE! #shesakeeper
Yes! Too many memories, and so much sentimental value. I was stationed in Italy, and actually had it shipped from Germany, however it had US specs. Free shipping for the win overseas, but when I got to the US, I drove from state to state. Stationed in Virginia for my last 2 years. Drove it to Mexico as well! Its been great.
Haha they are great cars. I bought my 2009 328i with 117k miles on it last year. Now i has 139k miles and its engine is running great! I did have a few issues that i want you to know about though. First, my water pump and starter went out AT THE EXACT SAME TIME?! Also, the intelligent battery sensor needed to be replaced. So that entire fix cost about $1200 with parts and labor for me. Then, the mickey mouse looking (thats really what it looks like lol) coolant hose broke on me.I fixed that myself for about $120. Right now gasoline is leaking which is also common... The fuel pressure regulator plastic cracks and gas spews out of it. It stinks up the car and the outside of it but its not too big of a deal. That fix is about $300 parts and labor i think. Also i have an oil leak. So now that im typing this out, im thinking its time to fix her up and say goodbye LOL. Jk, MINE. I love the car and it drives great.
Excellent video, Justin. Reliability is based on the car itself and the ownership. I've seen highly ranked cars fail simply because of neglectful owners. You obviously take care of you car and it shows in your ownership experience. Thanks again.
I've had three e36's, an e46 and now on a e90. Apart from usual wear n tear items, all have been hugely reliable. In fact when I think back on horror stories of breakdowns and costly repairs I've experienced, they were all with other cars I've owned, not the BMW's.
I’m almost at 200,000 miles in my BMW 330i e90. I’m the 4th owner. I use my BMW as a “weekend car” but lately my commute car, a 2012 Malibu has been having so many engine problems that now I’m driving the bmw as my commute car. I’ve had my 330i for two years now (Super bowl 52 Go eagles) and probably have spend right around $500 total on maintenance and repairs. I feel like that’s an insanely low amount compared to how much people like to say it costs in ownership. I think these e90s are honestly tanks.
I have the same 06 330xi currently at 130k miles(bought it with 30k). The car has been solid. Other than normal maintenance I've only had one major repair. One of the springs for the lifters came off of the roller and dug into the camshaft. Luckily we I got it fixed before it wore through the camshaft. It cost around $1100 parts and labor to replace the camshaft and replace any gaskets. If I would say anything to someone looking to buy one of these cars or any German car... Look online and make sure you have a GOOD local shop that can help when needed. You really don't want to take these older cars to a dealership to get fixed if you can avoid it. Otherwise I would highly recommend them. I love my car and hope I can still drive it for years to come. Thanks Justin, your videos are amazing! Keep it up!
Most people who say BMW is unreliable have never owned one. Funny how that works. I've owned a 04 530i E60 with 260k with zero problems now I have an 09 328i E90 with 160k same thing. I'm definitely a BMW fan. Over everything
Hi Justin, 2011 BMW 328i Coupe daily driver here...most reliable care I've ever had and the fun of driving it is worth any minor hassles, which occur with any car brand. I think the key, like you said, is to keep the car stock as I've done and avoid any mods. Thanks for the great videos. Nice tat on your wife...good artist...let her know. Cheers bro..
Great video once again! I'm about 2 months shy of owning my 06 330i for a total of 3 years. Got it with 65k miles, and right now it is nearly at 85k miles. It has been surprisingly reliable and a joy to drive! Only things I've had to do maintenance wise have been regular oil changes, swapped headlights when they burned out, and cabin air filter change. Nothing crazy. Just like yourself, I live in an area with terrible roads during the rainy season, so I've had a number of tire punctures (mainly nails), and once had to get a new wheel when it cracked in a pothole. But that's not a BMW specific problem, can happen to any car/truck. All in all, she's treated me very well! There's nothing more fun and relaxing than driving her around some twisty backroads! My favorite thing about it is how the car has multiple personalities: it can be a relaxing luxury car or a fun responsive sports car like sedan. Just depends on how you want to drive for the day haha. Anyway, keep up with the great videos! I love your content and the work you put in to make your videos look very professional!
Good stuff man - well said! I’m working on my 5 year ownership cost video for the N54 as we speak 👍🏻 I always preach maintenance before mods, along with some proper review prior to buying your BMW. This will help with long term reliability, which will contribute to a great ownership experience since you’re buying something that isn’t trashed!
Bought a 2006 325i in 2015, and the water pump went bad on the highway in April 2017. Spent $1800 on that and no problem at all afterwards. I've driven it from 89k miles to 120k miles now. Did the 3-stage air intake conversion in 2016 myself and flashed the ECU at a shop. The car still looks and drives fantastic, actually better than I first got it because of the engine mod :)
Great channel, keep up the good work! I’ve also got a 06 bmw 3 series. Mine has 211K on it. I’ve only owned it for a year but I haven’t had any major issues besides replacing the rear shocks and break pads + rotors. My dashboard did randomly shut off for a day but it fixed it self lol. Still waiting to get the blower wire recall complete, but overall very impressed with bmw!
Look into replacing chassis ground cables. If there isn’t a healthy return to ground then the electronics will funk out. It’s amazing how much can be solved just by doing that and yet not many people know about it.
Totally agree! I have had my 2006 330i for almost 4 yrs now and no major issues, and is still in excellent nick. Thank you Justin for your videos they have been very helpful.
I was scared to buy my 328i sport package because of "BMWs are unrealiable." The previous owner was the only owner and he took such good care of it, even go as far as to take it to the dealership. It was such a good deal that I couldn't resist. It's been only a couple of months but wow am I enjoying it. This channel really does help alot.
I have a 07 e92 and the only issue I have had that wasn't a maintenance item was a radiator hose fitting broke and I needed to get another one. I am a firm believer that you need to properly maintain your vehicle if you wish for it to last.
To be honest the 3 series has always been a fairly reliable car. You will have minor things that break but mine was the most reliable vehicle I've owned so far.
08 335i owner here since 2010. This car has up/downs like any other car I've owned. Love hearing her start up every morning. 188k miles and still going... til the wheels fall off!
In total I have owned 14 bmw's , I currently own 4 . They all just driven and driven aggressively but maintained very well . E46 m3 6mt- very reliable ! E46 325i (m54b30 zhp swapped , catless headers , tune , Cai) - very reliable! E39 -540i 6mt ..fairly reliable considering it has over 350,000 miles . E92 335i n54 - abused and neglected by previous owner , currently a single turbo project reliability when it was driving 6/10 .
I’ve had four 3 series. All four pots since 2001 e36 petrol,e46,petrol,e90 diesel and f30 diesel and all have been relatively cheap to keep on the road ,but none have let me down. Just look after them and they’re likely to run forever . (UK) Great vid btw.
I have a 2006 325xi manual 6 speed BMW with 278,000 miles on it.. I changed the clutch, DMS flywheel, struts and it runs like a champ. Haven't had any issue.
I have an 06 BMW 325i. Had to get the following repaired in the last 3/4 years . Engine oil leak , 3/4 window regulators replaced , 1 door lock actuator , replaced one of my coils and had the CCC unit of the car fail so radio and Navi screen are inactive . It seems that whatever issues I had were common once I’ve researched the issues on forums. I’m just happy that there is a bunch of information out there so we don’t have to spend an arm and leg for every minor thing with the car . Just performed the oil change thanks to your previous video 👍
Yeah the engine oil leak is basically the gasket , it usually doesn't poor it's just a little leak and is nothing dangerous , they do that also on the gasket that links the oil filter
2008 328xi e92. Purchased in Jan 2017 with 44,000 miles. Currently at 61,800 miles. Absolutely no issues. Just oil changes every 5k and I did the spark plugs around 60,000 miles just as a precaution. Absolutely love the N52 engine. It’s smooth and not plagued with issues like the turbo charged n54.
I have a 2003 E46 and it has been reliable as hell, never left me stranded or anything. Like him I've done regular maintenance and even some preventative like replacing all hoses including fuel and coolant , CCV, engine block coolant hoses and I'm now working on replacing all of my bushings. Love that car and has become a hobby too because I've leaned so much about working on a car. Before this car I've never even changed the oil myself on any vehicle.
I've had my 2003 E46 N42 for just over 5 years. I've changed the: - Front Left window Regulator twice - Front right window regulator once - Radiator - Expansion tank - Cooling hoses - Control arms - Control arm bushes three times - All four shock absorbers - Roof lining - I'm waiting for a replacement voltage regulator - Crank postion sensor - Fuel pump twice And now I want the E93. Yes something is wrong with me...
I just bought a 2014 328i and it's amazing that some of the things you disliked about the car hasn't changed--small cup holder, a very confusing windshield wiper switch, etc. I've had two Hondas and this is a leap of faith for me. I love the performance, but a little disappointed in the multimedia interface. Can't get the USB port to work on the armrest. Can't put my purse in the passenger seat without the seatbelt warning lights going off...of course, all minor things, I hope I can adjust to. and there is no perfect car... I'm glad I found this channel. You've been very helpful.
6 months of ownership with my 335xi and everything works, nothing has broken, in fact I subbed to you before I bought it to have an idea of what owning a BMW was like
Speak for yourself. 335xi 139k (only put 20k on it) and I've had to replace, injectors, water pump (twice), power steering pump, valve cover, turbos, oil filter housing gasket, headlight, drive shaft, center support bearing, radiator, telephone module, I can't read my oil level because of a bad ecu, and my tpms isn't working. I love the car just not the maintenance. I'm glad I'm capable of fixing it all myself or else I wouldn't be able to afford the car.
I have a 2010 e90 320d lci M sport in sapphire black.I have owned the car for about 3 years.Apart from a service I haven't done anything to the car.I live in the UK and we get cold winters and mild to warm summer's.Ive drove about 20,000 miles and my car has never given me any problems.The desiel engine in my opinion are stronger and withstand alot of abuse.overall a very good car
Justin is such a nice guy and so honest...... love his channel. I’ve recently bought my first (320d) E90 2007, after my 2009 Mercedes C Class got totalled by a Shell Tanker. I’m well impressed with the BMW so far.
2006 525i, 84K, original owner. Once beyond 10 years, gaskets and many seals become an issue. I have had to replace water pump, starter, and as a precaution, the fuel pump. That said, the car functions like new once a problem is addressed - every switch, dial, button or feature works. Live in South Texas and started taking road trips (4500 miles) to Kansas, then east coast and return to TX. Flat tire in Memphis was the only hiccup. Next Road trip in 5 weeks.
I have a 2006 330xi as well. Mine has 150k miles. I purchased the car about a year ago and I've put 10k miles on it myself. I've replaced several things but most were already broken / worn when I bought the car. Things I've replaced are: power steering pump, rear shocks, front drive shaft and starter. I've put around $2800 into repairing the car and I still have a few things that need work (oil leak and lower control arms.) But even with the high mileage and repairs I can still say that I love the car. It has a timeless body line and drives like a dream. I hope to keep it for many more years.
I bought a certified pre-owned 2006 325xi (N52 engine) with 33,000 kms on it in 2010. It’s now 2019 and I just passed 305,000 kms today so I have driven my e90 more than most. Over the years I have had to fix the usual e90 issues including water pump, belt tensioner, oil filter housing gasket, small coolant return plastic tube at top of rad, eccentric shaft sensor (oil leak requiring changing sensor and valve cover gaskets), rear shocks, starter, battery, bolts from downpipe to exhaust (stainless exhaust will last forever but the iron bolts will erode to nothing) and finally wheel bearings at all 4 corners. I also had to glue the lower rear window rubber seal. Regular maintenance items I have done many times include tires, brakes, plugs (twice.) Amzingly, I have never had to replace an ignition coil or an O2 sensor! (I must be the only person to every drive that far without replacing ignition coils.) The car could use front shocks (compression is suffering but rebound is still fine.) I’ve never had to do a suspension bushing or tie rod but have had alignment done a couple of times because I’m fussy about that. Other usual issues are red LEDs in radio fading when hot and the ticking caused by the the hydraulic lifter issue which was never fixed from new but hasn’t been a problem. Overall, a surprisingly reliable car given its age and mileage comparable to my similar age and mileage Toyota which I have owned since new. Note however, that I have done almost all the regular servicing and repairs myself (eccentric shaft sensor was a 10 hour job!) so for me costs have been reasonable but if I was going to a dealer each time it would have been expensive.
This is a great video. I just got my 2012 BMW 335i and I've been told countless amount of times to stay away because of maintenance and monthly costs but I'm satisfied now considering I do take care of my cars very well. So thank you for letting me know about all of this. Appreciate it. Not too worried now.
I wanted a reliable economic daily because I couldn’t drive my Mustang everyday since gas prices in California are robbery. I had my heart set out on a Lexus GS because of all of the negative things I had heard about BMW and other German cars. When I drove the F10 BMW, I knew at that point that the 5er was twice the driving experience of that of the Lexus. The interior has much more style and feels more solid, most important to me were the driving dynamics, and in that department BMW cannot be matched in their segment. The Lexus felt like an appliance car, to get you from point A to point B, BMW was more than that.
Bought an E34 with an M50B20 never had any issues with it and its my daily driver for the last 5 years. She is 26years old and does make E90s cry on the road. Only major thing I did on the car was I rebuild the engine which is still stock, best $1000 ever spent. My dad used to drive lots of E30s bought from down on South Africa back in the 80s so I guess I had to buy something close to that when I got the chance. But I am a fan boy. Nairobi, Kenya.
I've got a 2009 320d (E90) with 200000 Km on the clock, bought it 2010 n it had 8000km on the clock when i got it...it's very reliable, in 8years owning the car only replaced tyres n wiper blades n other normal wear n tear... never had a breakdown.
I own a 05 530i E60 with 159000 km. It is just amazing. No major problems, only one parking sensor replace and one angel eye went off, so i change both from yellow to white Led. Looking awesome. Of course, very aware for the regular maintenance to always keep it in great conditions.
I have a 2007 328i. Only had it for a little over a year now but it’s been very reliable so far. Bought it with 72k miles now it’s 85k. Only thing besides regular maintenance I’ve had to is a window regulator and oil filter housing gasket. The owner before hadn’t done anything special either. Here’s the catch: the regular maintience is pretty expensive. When little things break it’s expensive to fix them. Parts are expensive and things that are simple on other cars are very hard and complicated.
Have owned 4 bmws, 1994 325i, 2004 325i, 05 z4 2.5i, 07 z4 coupe 3.0si. Mileage between 50k to 175k. Great reliability. Have never done any mods to the cars. Oil leaks every 4-5 years. All maintenance done by me. Convertible top motor has been the most expensive fix. Got burned up while living in the hot desert.
I have 2009 E90 runs like a dream, had to fix few things but all wear and tear stuff. Nothing big or unexpected, I think if you take care of your BMW it will take care of you.
Had a 2005 325i (e91 manual ) and only thing that went wrong was a ABS sensor and boot window button over 20k miles (100k mileage) no interior wear either. Perfect car, loved it!
I owned several BMWs X5 550i 328i, personally I feel the cost of ownership depends on how you operate your vehicle. The 550i I drove it like I stole it and all the engines gaskets decide to sip out at 74k besides that nothing else was wrong with the car. The X5 never gave me a problem besides the fuel economy being terrible. The 328i has been the only certified vehicle I have owned from Bmw and so far it's been fine.
Bought my 2006 BMW 330IX (automatic) last January with 56k miles. So far the car is perfect. I wanted something to commute in that has better gas mileage than my GMC Yukon Denali XL and the BMW matches my needs perfectly.
2 years of ownership now and all I've put money into (apart from mods), are new fluids (for peace of mind, not out of necessity), and new ignition coils + spark plugs. The N52 is no doubt a sturdy engine; one of the most reliable BMW has made!
My 2006 325i has 205K miles on it. Runs great. Used Mobil 1 0W 40 for a number of years then switched to Castrol Edge 0w 40. Through normal wear (mostly) I have replaced over the years: waterpump @130K, radiator @130K, computer module for sunroof and communication @65K (warranty), shocks, struts @120K, power steering pump @140K, 2 gas caps, Vanos solenoid @80K, spark plugs @65K and 150K, cupholder (give up on these). Just had leaky first flange joint from manifold to straight pipe cut out and replaced @205K. Mechanic says rest of exhaust system very solid. German exhausts system seem to be built like tanks as well as the clutch. Have replaced pads and rotors once in front and twice in the rear. Miscellaneous Mann air filters, oil filters and serpentine belt @120K. Cosmetic wear is showing in the interior on the armrests. Leather seats still look great. Some dings and nicks on the exterior. One small bubble under the Clear Armor on the hood. I would recommend Clear Armor or 3M film if you want to keep the nose and hood looking its best. Paint on these cars are pretty tough but front bumper lip takes a beating from the road rocks and sand. It helps to wash and wax if you really want to keep the best protection. Only big expense on the horizon is the oil pan gasket because of slow oil leak. Estimate is about $1,100 ($120 for the gasket set/oil and $980 for the labor).
mine's a 2011 3281xi with 181,000 miles and i'm in the same boat as you.. the car is as reliable as can be.. I have changed out the water pump and a few other things proactively at around 150k.. it's a great car!
I had a 05 Hyundai Santa Fe. It was extremely reliable. Rebuilt the alternator twice, new battery and never ever changed the fluids in it. I missed an oil change once for two yrs. basically was maintenance free. Never had to replace the water pump or radiator or drain the fluids on transmission just change the oil. Made it to 400,000 miles and sold it. The guy I sold it to traded it in for another car. That’s what I call reliability. Not changing out a lot of parts and saying it’s reliable. Without a mechanic around the car isn’t reliable isn’t reliable
My first BMW was a 2000 323ci, that car unfortunately had so many issues and because it was the first year the e46 coupe was produced I think it just fell into that unlucky category. If it could go wrong on that car it did. - my second BMW was a 2004 325ci which believe it or not was a super solid car. It had its usual issues that most bmw owners go through like leaky valve cover gaskets and the cooling system but over all was a good car. I then went into a 2013 f30 and my current car, a 2012 e92 M sport and this thing is SOLID. After 4 years of ownership the only thing I have had to replace outside of routine maintenance was the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket! :) my next car will be an e46 M3 and i can’t wait
I just picked up a 2008 328i. It was a 1 owner. While all the major repairs were done from the previous owner. It runs absolutely flawlessly even at 114k
My experience with bmw has been just horror stories lol, bought my first bmw an e60 spent $4000 in the year because I didnt get the car checked out and jus bought it as is , anyways the car ended up being written off in an accident that wasnt my fault so I was lookin for a replacement ( e92 ) ended up getting a ppi done and It had problems but I didnt pass as the dealership said they would take care of the issues. About 4 days later the car has issues accelerating and Im back to no car while they try to figure it out! thats life
My 2007 e90 has 60k miles and I had no major problems with it except the drivers door actuator and the cup holder trim. It’s just age, in general the car is absolutely reliable if you maintain it properly.
the developing of your videos gets better with each one. love my 08 335xi. 1 year and so far nothing catastrophic! BMW needs more credit for their reliability; as long as you do basic maintenance.
My bimmer was the most reliable car i ever owned. Never had any issues or problems. Granted i had a good warranty to back me up if anything were to go bad but thankfully never had to use it. Just keep up with maintenance and i advise anyone, regardless of make, to put extra money aside for repairs if/when things go wrong.
Man I’ve got a 06 325xi and I love it, only problem I have right now his a valve cover gasket leak, and oil filter housing. Solenoids need to be replaced. Also serpentine belt. All in all spending about 1500 to fix everything including replacing coils and plugs. Not to sure if I’m getting a fair price but my car did lose most of the oil in less than a half hour. I do absolutely love it.
Bought an 2009 e92 328i back in 2015 with 98k miles already... its june 2018 and im already at 177k miles. Only thing ive done are the brake pads, rotors, oil changes, valve cover replacement, ignition coils and spark plugs, cabin air filter and the timing belt.
I’ve owned my 2004 330i for a year now and ive only had to replace the coolant hose on it. Other than that it drives the same as the day I bought it. I just rolled over 180000 miles and I feel like it has plenty of life left in it still
Great video. I've owned an e90 320d for over 2 years and that car was great. No big issues whatsoever, i just had to rebuild my front suspension because of the bad roads. I passed that car to my dad and I bought an '14 f10 535xi LCI with only 100k miles and a full hystory and the engine died on me unfortunately( speaking of the n55:). I will stick till the end with bmw but their reliability went down with the newer cars.
Got a 13' 535xi with 61k miles with msport+nightivison assist and its running like a champ. Never had to do any type of repair with owning the car for a year now *knock on wood* I feel you about the Michigan roads its get stupid crazy out here during winter
So I am 18. Decided to buy a bmw as my second vehicle ever. My parents always said bmw was an amazing car brand but it was way to expensive to fix. I decided to buy it and try it out. I bought an 09 bmw 328i xdrive for 8k. At the time it had 81,000 miles and in a year of owner ship I have put roughly 15,000 miles on it. Have NEVER had a mechanical issue. Now I know I haven’t owned for a long time, but I have had barely any issues. Got the recalls taken care of, the only issue I have had was a light bulb for my day time running lights, a oil pan gasket leak (guy sold it to me with it and had no idea.. DID cost $600) but other than that it has been great. Runs amazing and have take 2 road trips 1,000 plus miles and it never failed me once. The oil leak was a little expensive, but I can do some repairs on my own and the car has been great. I plan on buying another bmw again, and I like this 3.0. The gas mileage could be better, I average about 22mpg (live in Arkansas it’s really hilly) but it’s been a great car.
I have a 2012 BMW x1. I really love this car. When One of my friends at work saw me driving it, he jokingly asked me asked if I have started selling drugs. It is a real hood can
08 328i cabrio. Second owner. First owner had all maintenance done at the local dealer with all records. That's a major reason I decided on it. Also the fact that it did not have the iDrive, which to me has not aged that well. Everything works perfectly. I put the hard top down all the time, as even as complicated as it is, still works quick. As with most things, if you take care of it and it will take care of you.
You hit the nail on the head! When buying these car choosing the right drivetrain is very important if you want one that won’t cost you a lot to maintain and also buy a lower mileage well cared for example in the first place! I have had BMWs since 1995 and never had any major issues! But I am choosy about which model I buy and the condition the car is in before I buy it
Thanks for the vlog, you definitely made some interesting points. I have a 2007 E92 (328i coupe) and I absolutely love it. I had quit a few headaches when I first brought, but when I found out that I may have a classic on hand, because of the deletion from the line up, I was determined to get it right. The previous owner must not have known what oil changes were. But most of my issues were from neglect and simple ware n tear. Had I known there was a NA M3 I probably would have looked for that, I like NA over turbo, but HELL YEAH I would buy another one. 💪🏽
Hey Justin, I have a 2006 BMW 330i 6MT that I bought a couple months ago. It does have higher miles, but has been a fantastic car so far. This is my first car so I'm hoping it does well. I love the handling of the 3 series! BTW, I love your videos, the editing is top-notch, and I love the modern look.
BMWs are reliable and easy to work on, in my experience. Currently an 07 E70 X5 and a 2010 E93 M3; cheap to own and run if you maintain yourself, so far, had them for years. When that rubber coating starts peeling, just rub the rest off and it looks better than the tatty look if left as is.
Wow great video. It really clicked for me when u said how u got it and when u got it. Similar story with mine except its a 2010 e90 335i n54 just barely had below 20k mi. 1 owner retired and the wife didn't drive and it sat in his parking garage a lot so the paint and interior is like new! Yes I am aware that some things might go wrong from it sitting...but bless up man I'm glad to hear similar storys like this and makes me more confident on the decision i made to pull the trigger on this car 3 months ago!
I've owned 5 Audis, 1 Merc, 3 VWs and have a BMW that I've just put 30000 miles on in the last year. All are similar build quality and all have been as good as expected
I completely agree with the rubber coating. It’s probably the most annoying part of owning an older BMW model, not much that can be done to fix it. I currently drive an ‘06 with 150k miles. I’ve owned it for nearly two years and the only major repair that’s needed to be done is replacing the head gasket. However, the car has been overall amazing and extremely reliable. It’s funny that even for an ‘06 model the car does not look it’s age. Most people assume when they look at the car it’s at least a few years newer.
anthonyk I found a 07 328i 6 speed with high mileage (240k) what would be some key things to look for when I check out the car, it in great condition looks like it was well maintained. Just didn’t want to pass it up for the price it’s going for .
At 180 000 km, my 2005 330 👁️ E90 have never failed. I will be replacing my water pump next week, but it is on the road. I have had since 15 000 km, Now that is reliable
I have a 2006 BMW 325xi it have 223000 miles on engine running great only thing I do is maintained it bushing, brakes oil change, tires and some little other things great car
I agree. I have a 2006. Main issue for me was the failure of the CCC unit (radio/nav/comm interface) failed. Used units on line are very expensive. New dealer replacement was $1200. I found a small shop in Texas who repairs them. I am waiting to get my back now. $490. Not cheap but better than no radio.
I have the exact same car as Justin, except mine isn’t All wheel drive and it’s the sport pkg one with the lowered suspension from the factory. Its my first car bought it when I was 17 about a year ago man has it been a trip with my car. It’s has 150k miles but it still able to be pushed to it’s limit. Drove over 140mph in “Mexico” and the engine still sounds and feels amazing. But reliability hasn’t been to great a lot of problems started to arise because of the mileage. I’ve had to replace a DTML pump, charcoal canister, Oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, upper windshield trim, rotors and pads, transmission fluid flush, break fluid change. In all about $2000 worth of repairs but it’s worth it I have a smile on my face everyday I drive the car. BMW’s always give a special type of feel. Yeah it’s treated me like dirt but I know now that I’ve replaced those parts there gonna last another 12 years 😏 either than common problems the only true unreliable repair I’ve done is the charcoal canister
Just get that and your thermostat changed. Better safe than sorry. You will get stuck and have to get it towed then wait a day or however long for the guy to change it (unless you do it yourself... i wouldnt) - just order the parts online and take it to an independent mechanic. Trust me, its worth it. I was without my bmw for 1 week :(
Lyubomir Georgiev I been doing thorough maintenance care, I had the coolant flushed at the dealership they said I should start making plans to get it done, am also gonna change out six fuel injectors, coil packs and spark plugs at 100k miles, not at the stealership though lol they are charging mortgage down payment for maintenance, those guys are crazy, I think I need dtc steering sensor replacement as well.
Sourabh Sharma one week without your bimmer that must sucks, that’s the thing with bmw when they are in the shop there’s this huge anxiety of you wanting your car back so bad this is why I better start ordering parts tonight for crying out loud.
yes sir lol am getting scared, I love my car though, it’s been pretty solid though knock on wood, I haven’t had any major issues, I change the oil every 3 months.
I've got the same car. '06 330xi with all available packages. Bought it 3 years ago with 89k miles. Now has 176k. :) I would call it reliable. Here's what I've had to fix/replace: (other than regular wear and tear stuff) New water pump and thermostat New transfer case. (that one hurt $3k) New front drive shaft Oil Filter housing gasket. (almost annually) Common fail. Couple of radiator hoses and temp sensor. All 4 front control arms New starter. (that's a bitch to install) Headlight bulbs Center speaker (on dash) Side turning lights All 6 ignition coils and plugs Oil level sensor Charge A/C Power steering reservoir cap Still love the way it drives. Nothing smoother than a straight 6.
As long as there is proper maintenance, any car can run forever. I own an 1999 e39 540i and have never been stranded. The alternator broke once, but the car kept running until the battery died. XD
Couldn't agree more man. You bought a simply made straight 6 engine. This was before BMW tried to get clever with the first gen N54. I can't wait to do a video on how reliable my M3 has been...all the haters will say Bring My Wallet...but they are missing out!
I, being in your shoes as far as ownership for 4 years goes, would agree with everything you said in this video except for the soft touch plastic trim is fixable in a few different ways. I wrapped mine, after sanding, with vivvid black metallic mat wrap and it looks escentially stock. I suggest giving that a go.
I have a 2009 316i E90 LCI and what broke down are the following 1) Ignition coil 2) AC condenser 3) interior light witch for the low beam 4) Front suspension at 81,000 km 5) and other normal maintenance
I have an '05 120i with 240k kms and I honestly expected to have more issues. I've had no expensive repairs, no catastrophic failures, nothing. BMWs ARE reliable if you take care of them.
Hey Justin , we have a Used BMW that we received by a oerson who was on haul and wanted us to sell it to get him out. It's a 2006 Manuel 6 speed. I'm not sure of the rest . I'll go check. But it was hit on the passenger side by the back wheel area, or in front of the wheel area. It needs body work done now. Not to badly. I just wanted to text you to let you know some of my info. It is a ( 325 I ) manuel tran 6 speed. The battery is in the back , It went down yesterday and I didn't know how to get it opened because if its dead, the key opener won't work . I only have 1 key to it also.. but I believe you can get under the hood to charge up the battery there. (Not sure) ok that's all I need to let you know, sorry if I went on about it. Thank you very much for the videos they have been a big help already. Sharon Covey, East Tennessee area.
I had a 1995 bmw 320i. drove it for 3 years without service. doing close to 60K kilo's. only thing that broke was the water pump. Sold it after 7 years of ownership. got a 2001 330i drove it for 2 years, no problems. got a 2003 330i drove it for 2 years until an unlicensed kid drove into me. written off. Never had any problems. looking to get a 335i.
Good video! I am so glad I decided not purchase a Lexus, but BMW. One of my friends (a pretty good mechanic) advised me not to buy a BMW because of poor reliability. He had a BMW X5 with over 150K, closer to 200K. If you have a car with over 150K and older than 8 years, you are going to start seeing various mechanical and electrical issues regardless of its MAKE and MODEL, especially if it had multiple owners and no proper servicing/maintenance history. Do not listen to those who love Japanese cars and say that they never break etc and that German cars always do. In U.S., Japanese car makers aggressively practice marketing/advertising styles to present their cars, and they will often spread wrong information about their German competitors. There are reliable BMWs, and there are some that are not. But it applies to any make and model! I always laugh when people say I have my Lexus with near 200K or Acura and it never breaks....! It is a myth.
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![DON'T BUY A BMW UNTIL YOU WATCH THIS! [Part 2]](/img/n.gif)
Finally! I've been looking for a reliability video on our car for years, and you freakin' did it! Glad i follow you, my dude! I have a 07 328i manual transmission, and its been pretty damn reliable for me so far. I don't have crazy high mileage though. I barely past 61,000. I have had thoughts of selling it in the past, because of being scared of reliability! All I know is that this car has been so good to me, since I've owned it since 07. I bought it in Italy through the military, and had it shipped to Baltimore. From there I drove it up to New York, before making my trip back to California. I drove for 3 days straight with no sleep, and that was the most comfortable drives I've ever had. It took me about exactly 3,000 miles to get back to Los Angeles. If I can... I'd like to make this car last forever. If my engine ever blows, then I'd like to revive it with a new engine. The ONLY mod I've changed to my ride is add two 12's(MEMPHIS Speakers), and a 500 watt amp, with a blue tooth connection I found from our fellow youtuber BMWFANATIC, and 35% window tint. I've thought about changing my wheels, but i'm loving the run flat tires. I've only had to change my tires once in the past 11 years of ownership. I've gotten nails stuck in my tires a couple times, and i've been able to get around with no problem! Especially if i'm in a rush, and don't have time to waste. Then when i have time, i just plug the hole, after taking the nail out. This baby's FUN TO DRIVE, CLEAN LOOKING, & RELIABLE! #shesakeeper
That's an awesome story! If you take care if it, it will take car of you. Damn, Italy to Los Angeles, that's quite the journey!
Yes! Too many memories, and so much sentimental value. I was stationed in Italy, and actually had it shipped from Germany, however it had US specs. Free shipping for the win overseas, but when I got to the US, I drove from state to state. Stationed in Virginia for my last 2 years. Drove it to Mexico as well! Its been great.
Haha they are great cars. I bought my 2009 328i with 117k miles on it last year. Now i has 139k miles and its engine is running great! I did have a few issues that i want you to know about though. First, my water pump and starter went out AT THE EXACT SAME TIME?! Also, the intelligent battery sensor needed to be replaced. So that entire fix cost about $1200 with parts and labor for me. Then, the mickey mouse looking (thats really what it looks like lol) coolant hose broke on me.I fixed that myself for about $120. Right now gasoline is leaking which is also common... The fuel pressure regulator plastic cracks and gas spews out of it. It stinks up the car and the outside of it but its not too big of a deal. That fix is about $300 parts and labor i think. Also i have an oil leak. So now that im typing this out, im thinking its time to fix her up and say goodbye LOL. Jk, MINE. I love the car and it drives great.
Bro got an 09 with 130k dont sell it that babys got plenty left in her
Oj Pilpa yo!! Where can i get a Bluetooth add- on for this whip
This car doesn't look 12 years old at all!! Great angles and personality
Excellent video, Justin. Reliability is based on the car itself and the ownership. I've seen highly ranked cars fail simply because of neglectful owners. You obviously take care of you car and it shows in your ownership experience. Thanks again.
I've had three e36's, an e46 and now on a e90. Apart from usual wear n tear items, all have been hugely reliable. In fact when I think back on horror stories of breakdowns and costly repairs I've experienced, they were all with other cars I've owned, not the BMW's.
I’m almost at 200,000 miles in my BMW 330i e90. I’m the 4th owner. I use my BMW as a “weekend car” but lately my commute car, a 2012 Malibu has been having so many engine problems that now I’m driving the bmw as my commute car. I’ve had my 330i for two years now (Super bowl 52 Go eagles) and probably have spend right around $500 total on maintenance and repairs. I feel like that’s an insanely low amount compared to how much people like to say it costs in ownership. I think these e90s are honestly tanks.
I have the same 06 330xi currently at 130k miles(bought it with 30k). The car has been solid. Other than normal maintenance I've only had one major repair. One of the springs for the lifters came off of the roller and dug into the camshaft. Luckily we I got it fixed before it wore through the camshaft. It cost around $1100 parts and labor to replace the camshaft and replace any gaskets. If I would say anything to someone looking to buy one of these cars or any German car... Look online and make sure you have a GOOD local shop that can help when needed. You really don't want to take these older cars to a dealership to get fixed if you can avoid it. Otherwise I would highly recommend them. I love my car and hope I can still drive it for years to come.
Thanks Justin, your videos are amazing! Keep it up!
Thank you!
Most people who say BMW is unreliable have never owned one. Funny how that works. I've owned a 04 530i E60 with 260k with zero problems now I have an 09 328i E90 with 160k same thing. I'm definitely a BMW fan. Over everything
Same bro 0 problems with my 09 328i bmw for life
Apparently as long as it's a N/A 6 cylinder your good. Problem is mostly all turbo now
Ive had a few problems with my 09 328i, how many miles?
I wouldn't go over a 5 series though because the 7 series is a different story. Love BMW's though
@@sourabhsharma7939 over 100k 220k with my E60
Hi Justin, 2011 BMW 328i Coupe daily driver here...most reliable care I've ever had and the fun of driving it is worth any minor hassles, which occur with any car brand. I think the key, like you said, is to keep the car stock as I've done and avoid any mods. Thanks for the great videos. Nice tat on your wife...good artist...let her know. Cheers bro..
Great video once again! I'm about 2 months shy of owning my 06 330i for a total of 3 years. Got it with 65k miles, and right now it is nearly at 85k miles. It has been surprisingly reliable and a joy to drive! Only things I've had to do maintenance wise have been regular oil changes, swapped headlights when they burned out, and cabin air filter change. Nothing crazy. Just like yourself, I live in an area with terrible roads during the rainy season, so I've had a number of tire punctures (mainly nails), and once had to get a new wheel when it cracked in a pothole. But that's not a BMW specific problem, can happen to any car/truck. All in all, she's treated me very well! There's nothing more fun and relaxing than driving her around some twisty backroads! My favorite thing about it is how the car has multiple personalities: it can be a relaxing luxury car or a fun responsive sports car like sedan. Just depends on how you want to drive for the day haha. Anyway, keep up with the great videos! I love your content and the work you put in to make your videos look very professional!
Good stuff man - well said! I’m working on my 5 year ownership cost video for the N54 as we speak 👍🏻
I always preach maintenance before mods, along with some proper review prior to buying your BMW. This will help with long term reliability, which will contribute to a great ownership experience since you’re buying something that isn’t trashed!
Hey man i gave you a cameo appearance a couple videos ago in the “Can a car really make you happy” video 😎 you have to look close
Bought a 2006 325i in 2015, and the water pump went bad on the highway in April 2017. Spent $1800 on that and no problem at all afterwards. I've driven it from 89k miles to 120k miles now. Did the 3-stage air intake conversion in 2016 myself and flashed the ECU at a shop. The car still looks and drives fantastic, actually better than I first got it because of the engine mod :)
Great channel, keep up the good work! I’ve also got a 06 bmw 3 series. Mine has 211K on it. I’ve only owned it for a year but I haven’t had any major issues besides replacing the rear shocks and break pads + rotors. My dashboard did randomly shut off for a day but it fixed it self lol. Still waiting to get the blower wire recall complete, but overall very impressed with bmw!
Look into replacing chassis ground cables. If there isn’t a healthy return to ground then the electronics will funk out. It’s amazing how much can be solved just by doing that and yet not many people know about it.
Totally agree! I have had my 2006 330i for almost 4 yrs now and no major issues, and is still in excellent nick. Thank you Justin for your videos they have been very helpful.
I was scared to buy my 328i sport package because of "BMWs are unrealiable." The previous owner was the only owner and he took such good care of it, even go as far as to take it to the dealership. It was such a good deal that I couldn't resist. It's been only a couple of months but wow am I enjoying it. This channel really does help alot.
I have a 07 e92 and the only issue I have had that wasn't a maintenance item was a radiator hose fitting broke and I needed to get another one. I am a firm believer that you need to properly maintain your vehicle if you wish for it to last.
To be honest the 3 series has always been a fairly reliable car. You will have minor things that break but mine was the most reliable vehicle I've owned so far.
blacka dax what do you think of an 330i e92 of 2008? Are 199.000km Too much?
08 335i owner here since 2010. This car has up/downs like any other car I've owned. Love hearing her start up every morning. 188k miles and still going... til the wheels fall off!
In total I have owned 14 bmw's , I currently own 4 .
They all just driven and driven aggressively but maintained very well .
E46 m3 6mt- very reliable !
E46 325i (m54b30 zhp swapped , catless headers , tune , Cai) - very reliable!
E39 -540i 6mt ..fairly reliable considering it has over 350,000 miles .
E92 335i n54 - abused and neglected by previous owner , currently a single turbo project reliability when it was driving 6/10 .
I’ve had four 3 series. All four pots since 2001 e36 petrol,e46,petrol,e90 diesel and f30 diesel and all have been relatively cheap to keep on the road ,but none have let me down. Just look after them and they’re likely to run forever . (UK)
Great vid btw.
I have a 2006 325xi manual 6 speed BMW with 278,000 miles on it.. I changed the clutch, DMS flywheel, struts and it runs like a champ. Haven't had any issue.
I have an 06 BMW 325i. Had to get the following repaired in the last 3/4 years . Engine oil leak , 3/4 window regulators replaced , 1 door lock actuator , replaced one of my coils and had the CCC unit of the car fail so radio and Navi screen are inactive .
It seems that whatever issues I had were common once I’ve researched the issues on forums. I’m just happy that there is a bunch of information out there so we don’t have to spend an arm and leg for every minor thing with the car . Just performed the oil change thanks to your previous video 👍
Yeah the engine oil leak is basically the gasket , it usually doesn't poor it's just a little leak and is nothing dangerous , they do that also on the gasket that links the oil filter
2008 328xi e92. Purchased in Jan 2017 with 44,000 miles. Currently at 61,800 miles. Absolutely no issues. Just oil changes every 5k and I did the spark plugs around 60,000 miles just as a precaution. Absolutely love the N52 engine. It’s smooth and not plagued with issues like the turbo charged n54.
I have a 2003 E46 and it has been reliable as hell, never left me stranded or anything. Like him I've done regular maintenance and even some preventative like replacing all hoses including fuel and coolant , CCV, engine block coolant hoses and I'm now working on replacing all of my bushings. Love that car and has become a hobby too because I've leaned so much about working on a car. Before this car I've never even changed the oil myself on any vehicle.
Haha! Definitely has been “Mass-Debated”... Great video Justin!!
Likeable kid seem honest and down to earth... good informative vid..
I've had my 2003 E46 N42 for just over 5 years.
I've changed the:
- Front Left window Regulator twice
- Front right window regulator once
- Radiator
- Expansion tank
- Cooling hoses
- Control arms
- Control arm bushes three times
- All four shock absorbers
- Roof lining
- I'm waiting for a replacement voltage regulator
- Crank postion sensor
- Fuel pump twice
And now I want the E93. Yes something is wrong with me...
The e90 is much more reliable than the e46
I just bought a 2014 328i and it's amazing that some of the things you disliked about the car hasn't changed--small cup holder, a very confusing windshield wiper switch, etc. I've had two Hondas and this is a leap of faith for me. I love the performance, but a little disappointed in the multimedia interface. Can't get the USB port to work on the armrest. Can't put my purse in the passenger seat without the seatbelt warning lights going off...of course, all minor things, I hope I can adjust to. and there is no perfect car... I'm glad I found this channel. You've been very helpful.
6 months of ownership with my 335xi and everything works, nothing has broken, in fact I subbed to you before I bought it to have an idea of what owning a BMW was like
Speak for yourself. 335xi 139k (only put 20k on it) and I've had to replace, injectors, water pump (twice), power steering pump, valve cover, turbos, oil filter housing gasket, headlight, drive shaft, center support bearing, radiator, telephone module, I can't read my oil level because of a bad ecu, and my tpms isn't working.
I love the car just not the maintenance. I'm glad I'm capable of fixing it all myself or else I wouldn't be able to afford the car.
I have a 2010 e90 320d lci M sport in sapphire black.I have owned the car for about 3 years.Apart from a service I haven't done anything to the car.I live in the UK and we get cold winters and mild to warm summer's.Ive drove about 20,000 miles and my car has never given me any problems.The desiel engine in my opinion are stronger and withstand alot of abuse.overall a very good car
Justin is such a nice guy and so honest...... love his channel.
I’ve recently bought my first (320d) E90 2007, after my 2009 Mercedes C Class got totalled by a Shell Tanker.
I’m well impressed with the BMW so far.
2006 525i, 84K, original owner. Once beyond 10 years, gaskets and many seals become an issue. I have had to replace water pump, starter, and as a precaution, the fuel pump. That said, the car functions like new once a problem is addressed - every switch, dial, button or feature works. Live in South Texas and started taking road trips (4500 miles) to Kansas, then east coast and return to TX. Flat tire in Memphis was the only hiccup. Next Road trip in 5 weeks.
I have a 2006 330xi as well. Mine has 150k miles. I purchased the car about a year ago and I've put 10k miles on it myself. I've replaced several things but most were already broken / worn when I bought the car. Things I've replaced are: power steering pump, rear shocks, front drive shaft and starter. I've put around $2800 into repairing the car and I still have a few things that need work (oil leak and lower control arms.) But even with the high mileage and repairs I can still say that I love the car. It has a timeless body line and drives like a dream. I hope to keep it for many more years.
I bought a certified pre-owned 2006 325xi (N52 engine) with 33,000 kms on it in 2010. It’s now 2019 and I just passed 305,000 kms today so I have driven my e90 more than most. Over the years I have had to fix the usual e90 issues including water pump, belt tensioner, oil filter housing gasket, small coolant return plastic tube at top of rad, eccentric shaft sensor (oil leak requiring changing sensor and valve cover gaskets), rear shocks, starter, battery, bolts from downpipe to exhaust (stainless exhaust will last forever but the iron bolts will erode to nothing) and finally wheel bearings at all 4 corners. I also had to glue the lower rear window rubber seal. Regular maintenance items I have done many times include tires, brakes, plugs (twice.) Amzingly, I have never had to replace an ignition coil or an O2 sensor! (I must be the only person to every drive that far without replacing ignition coils.) The car could use front shocks (compression is suffering but rebound is still fine.) I’ve never had to do a suspension bushing or tie rod but have had alignment done a couple of times because I’m fussy about that. Other usual issues are red LEDs in radio fading when hot and the ticking caused by the the hydraulic lifter issue which was never fixed from new but hasn’t been a problem. Overall, a surprisingly reliable car given its age and mileage comparable to my similar age and mileage Toyota which I have owned since new. Note however, that I have done almost all the regular servicing and repairs myself (eccentric shaft sensor was a 10 hour job!) so for me costs have been reasonable but if I was going to a dealer each time it would have been expensive.
This is a great video. I just got my 2012 BMW 335i and I've been told countless amount of times to stay away because of maintenance and monthly costs but I'm satisfied now considering I do take care of my cars very well. So thank you for letting me know about all of this. Appreciate it. Not too worried now.
I wanted a reliable economic daily because I couldn’t drive my Mustang everyday since gas prices in California are robbery. I had my heart set out on a Lexus GS because of all of the negative things I had heard about BMW and other German cars. When I drove the F10 BMW, I knew at that point that the 5er was twice the driving experience of that of the Lexus. The interior has much more style and feels more solid, most important to me were the driving dynamics, and in that department BMW cannot be matched in their segment. The Lexus felt like an appliance car, to get you from point A to point B, BMW was more than that.
You deserve a like just for that thumbnail 😂
Bought an E34 with an M50B20 never had any issues with it and its my daily driver for the last 5 years. She is 26years old and does make E90s cry on the road. Only major thing I did on the car was I rebuild the engine which is still stock, best $1000 ever spent. My dad used to drive lots of E30s bought from down on South Africa back in the 80s so I guess I had to buy something close to that when I got the chance. But I am a fan boy. Nairobi, Kenya.
I've got a 2009 320d (E90) with 200000 Km on the clock, bought it 2010 n it had 8000km on the clock when i got it...it's very reliable, in 8years owning the car only replaced tyres n wiper blades n other normal wear n tear... never had a breakdown.
I own a 05 530i E60 with 159000 km. It is just amazing. No major problems, only one parking sensor replace and one angel eye went off, so i change both from yellow to white Led. Looking awesome. Of course, very aware for the regular maintenance to always keep it in great conditions.
I have a 2007 328i. Only had it for a little over a year now but it’s been very reliable so far. Bought it with 72k miles now it’s 85k. Only thing besides regular maintenance I’ve had to is a window regulator and oil filter housing gasket. The owner before hadn’t done anything special either.
Here’s the catch: the regular maintience is pretty expensive. When little things break it’s expensive to fix them. Parts are expensive and things that are simple on other cars are very hard and complicated.
Have owned 4 bmws, 1994 325i, 2004 325i, 05 z4 2.5i, 07 z4 coupe 3.0si. Mileage between 50k to 175k. Great reliability. Have never done any mods to the cars. Oil leaks every 4-5 years. All maintenance done by me. Convertible top motor has been the most expensive fix. Got burned up while living in the hot desert.
I have a 06 330i, n52 e90, white. Rwd. I love mine, regular maintenance so far. I got it at 100,000. Quick, fun and reliable. Great car.
I own a 2005 E90 320D and I had never owned a BMW before that and the interior quality is amazing and reliability has been sweet
1 month of ownership
1600 in repair
Left stranded 3 time
And it’s back in the shop as we speak
I have 2009 E90 runs like a dream, had to fix few things but all wear and tear stuff. Nothing big or unexpected, I think if you take care of your BMW it will take care of you.
Had a 2005 325i (e91 manual ) and only thing that went wrong was a ABS sensor and boot window button over 20k miles (100k mileage) no interior wear either.
Perfect car, loved it!
I owned several BMWs X5 550i 328i, personally I feel the cost of ownership depends on how you operate your vehicle. The 550i I drove it like I stole it and all the engines gaskets decide to sip out at 74k besides that nothing else was wrong with the car. The X5 never gave me a problem besides the fuel economy being terrible. The 328i has been the only certified vehicle I have owned from Bmw and so far it's been fine.
Bought my 2006 BMW 330IX (automatic) last January with 56k miles. So far the car is perfect. I wanted something to commute in that has better gas mileage than my GMC Yukon Denali XL and the BMW matches my needs perfectly.
2 years of ownership now and all I've put money into (apart from mods), are new fluids (for peace of mind, not out of necessity), and new ignition coils + spark plugs. The N52 is no doubt a sturdy engine; one of the most reliable BMW has made!
My 2006 325i has 205K miles on it. Runs great. Used Mobil 1 0W 40 for a number of years then switched to Castrol Edge 0w 40. Through normal wear (mostly) I have replaced over the years: waterpump @130K, radiator @130K, computer module for sunroof and communication @65K (warranty), shocks, struts @120K, power steering pump @140K, 2 gas caps, Vanos solenoid @80K, spark plugs @65K and 150K, cupholder (give up on these). Just had leaky first flange joint from manifold to straight pipe cut out and replaced @205K. Mechanic says rest of exhaust system very solid. German exhausts system seem to be built like tanks as well as the clutch. Have replaced pads and rotors once in front and twice in the rear. Miscellaneous Mann air filters, oil filters and serpentine belt @120K. Cosmetic wear is showing in the interior on the armrests. Leather seats still look great. Some dings and nicks on the exterior. One small bubble under the Clear Armor on the hood. I would recommend Clear Armor or 3M film if you want to keep the nose and hood looking its best. Paint on these cars are pretty tough but front bumper lip takes a beating from the road rocks and sand. It helps to wash and wax if you really want to keep the best protection. Only big expense on the horizon is the oil pan gasket because of slow oil leak. Estimate is about $1,100 ($120 for the gasket set/oil and $980 for the labor).
mine's a 2011 3281xi with 181,000 miles and i'm in the same boat as you.. the car is as reliable as can be.. I have changed out the water pump and a few other things proactively at around 150k.. it's a great car!
Just purchased my first BMW a 2008 328i. Found out about your channel when i was in the market for a BMW. Awesome videos.
I had a 05 Hyundai Santa Fe. It was extremely reliable. Rebuilt the alternator twice, new battery and never ever changed the fluids in it. I missed an oil change once for two yrs. basically was maintenance free. Never had to replace the water pump or radiator or drain the fluids on transmission just change the oil. Made it to 400,000 miles and sold it. The guy I sold it to traded it in for another car. That’s what I call reliability. Not changing out a lot of parts and saying it’s reliable. Without a mechanic around the car isn’t reliable isn’t reliable
My first BMW was a 2000 323ci, that car unfortunately had so many issues and because it was the first year the e46 coupe was produced I think it just fell into that unlucky category. If it could go wrong on that car it did. - my second BMW was a 2004 325ci which believe it or not was a super solid car. It had its usual issues that most bmw owners go through like leaky valve cover gaskets and the cooling system but over all was a good car. I then went into a 2013 f30 and my current car, a 2012 e92 M sport and this thing is SOLID. After 4 years of ownership the only thing I have had to replace outside of routine maintenance was the valve cover gasket and the oil filter housing gasket! :) my next car will be an e46 M3 and i can’t wait
I just picked up a 2008 328i. It was a 1 owner. While all the major repairs were done from the previous owner. It runs absolutely flawlessly even at 114k
My experience with bmw has been just horror stories lol, bought my first bmw an e60 spent $4000 in the year because I didnt get the car checked out and jus bought it as is , anyways the car ended up being written off in an accident that wasnt my fault so I was lookin for a replacement ( e92 ) ended up getting a ppi done and It had problems but I didnt pass as the dealership said they would take care of the issues. About 4 days later the car has issues accelerating and Im back to no car while they try to figure it out! thats life
My 2007 e90 has 60k miles and I had no major problems with it except the drivers door actuator and the cup holder trim. It’s just age, in general the car is absolutely reliable if you maintain it properly.
the developing of your videos gets better with each one. love my 08 335xi. 1 year and so far nothing catastrophic! BMW needs more credit for their reliability; as long as you do basic maintenance.
My bimmer was the most reliable car i ever owned. Never had any issues or problems. Granted i had a good warranty to back me up if anything were to go bad but thankfully never had to use it. Just keep up with maintenance and i advise anyone, regardless of make, to put extra money aside for repairs if/when things go wrong.
Man I’ve got a 06 325xi and I love it, only problem I have right now his a valve cover gasket leak, and oil filter housing. Solenoids need to be replaced. Also serpentine belt. All in all spending about 1500 to fix everything including replacing coils and plugs. Not to sure if I’m getting a fair price but my car did lose most of the oil in less than a half hour. I do absolutely love it.
Bought an 2009 e92 328i back in 2015 with 98k miles already... its june 2018 and im already at 177k miles. Only thing ive done are the brake pads, rotors, oil changes, valve cover replacement, ignition coils and spark plugs, cabin air filter and the timing belt.
I’ve owned my 2004 330i for a year now and ive only had to replace the coolant hose on it. Other than that it drives the same as the day I bought it. I just rolled over 180000 miles and I feel like it has plenty of life left in it still
Great video. I've owned an e90 320d for over 2 years and that car was great. No big issues whatsoever, i just had to rebuild my front suspension because of the bad roads. I passed that car to my dad and I bought an '14 f10 535xi LCI with only 100k miles and a full hystory and the engine died on me unfortunately( speaking of the n55:). I will stick till the end with bmw but their reliability went down with the newer cars.
Got a 13' 535xi with 61k miles with msport+nightivison assist and its running like a champ. Never had to do any type of repair with owning the car for a year now *knock on wood* I feel you about the Michigan roads its get stupid crazy out here during winter
So I am 18. Decided to buy a bmw as my second vehicle ever. My parents always said bmw was an amazing car brand but it was way to expensive to fix. I decided to buy it and try it out. I bought an 09 bmw 328i xdrive for 8k. At the time it had 81,000 miles and in a year of owner ship I have put roughly 15,000 miles on it. Have NEVER had a mechanical issue. Now I know I haven’t owned for a long time, but I have had barely any issues. Got the recalls taken care of, the only issue I have had was a light bulb for my day time running lights, a oil pan gasket leak (guy sold it to me with it and had no idea.. DID cost $600) but other than that it has been great. Runs amazing and have take 2 road trips 1,000 plus miles and it never failed me once. The oil leak was a little expensive, but I can do some repairs on my own and the car has been great. I plan on buying another bmw again, and I like this 3.0. The gas mileage could be better, I average about 22mpg (live in Arkansas it’s really hilly) but it’s been a great car.
I dig the quality on your videos
Lmao 0:06-0:09 that was so subtle I almost missed it. That's funny.
I've owned 8 diff 750 models over the last 20 years.
Worst problem was a head gasket replaced under warranty.
Never any major issues!
I have a 2012 BMW x1. I really love this car. When One of my friends at work saw me driving it, he jokingly asked me asked if I have started selling drugs. It is a real hood can
N52 is practically bulletproof and an absolute joy to drive, what an excellent engine.
Thoroughly enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work. All the way from South Africa
08 328i cabrio. Second owner. First owner had all maintenance done at the local dealer with all records. That's a major reason I decided on it. Also the fact that it did not have the iDrive, which to me has not aged that well. Everything works perfectly. I put the hard top down all the time, as even as complicated as it is, still works quick. As with most things, if you take care of it and it will take care of you.
You hit the nail on the head! When buying these car choosing the right drivetrain is very important if you want one that won’t cost you a lot to maintain and also buy a lower mileage well cared for example in the first place! I have had BMWs since 1995 and never had any major issues! But I am choosy about which model I buy and the condition the car is in before I buy it
Thanks for the vlog, you definitely made some interesting points. I have a 2007 E92 (328i coupe) and I absolutely love it. I had quit a few headaches when I first brought, but when I found out that I may have a classic on hand, because of the deletion from the line up, I was determined to get it right. The previous owner must not have known what oil changes were. But most of my issues were from neglect and simple ware n tear. Had I known there was a NA M3 I probably would have looked for that, I like NA over turbo, but HELL YEAH I would buy another one. 💪🏽
Hey Justin, I have a 2006 BMW 330i 6MT that I bought a couple months ago. It does have higher miles, but has been a fantastic car so far. This is my first car so I'm hoping it does well. I love the handling of the 3 series! BTW, I love your videos, the editing is top-notch, and I love the modern look.
BMWs are reliable and easy to work on, in my experience. Currently an 07 E70 X5 and a 2010 E93 M3; cheap to own and run if you maintain yourself, so far, had them for years. When that rubber coating starts peeling, just rub the rest off and it looks better than the tatty look if left as is.
Wow great video. It really clicked for me when u said how u got it and when u got it. Similar story with mine except its a 2010 e90 335i n54 just barely had below 20k mi. 1 owner retired and the wife didn't drive and it sat in his parking garage a lot so the paint and interior is like new! Yes I am aware that some things might go wrong from it sitting...but bless up man I'm glad to hear similar storys like this and makes me more confident on the decision i made to pull the trigger on this car 3 months ago!
I've owned 5 Audis, 1 Merc, 3 VWs and have a BMW that I've just put 30000 miles on in the last year. All are similar build quality and all have been as good as expected
I completely agree with the rubber coating. It’s probably the most annoying part of owning an older BMW model, not much that can be done to fix it. I currently drive an ‘06 with 150k miles. I’ve owned it for nearly two years and the only major repair that’s needed to be done is replacing the head gasket. However, the car has been overall amazing and extremely reliable. It’s funny that even for an ‘06 model the car does not look it’s age. Most people assume when they look at the car it’s at least a few years newer.
My 2002 BMW X5 has 215,000 miles on it and it still runs great. My other BMW has 250,000 miles on it. It's a 1999 BMW 528i
anthonyk great two cars mate ! I got a 525d e39 2003 at 160,000miles and it purrs like a kitten.
anthonyk I found a 07 328i 6 speed with high mileage (240k) what would be some key things to look for when I check out the car, it in great condition looks like it was well maintained. Just didn’t want to pass it up for the price it’s going for .
At 180 000 km, my 2005 330 👁️ E90 have never failed. I will be replacing my water pump next week, but it is on the road. I have had since 15 000 km, Now that is reliable
Hello i live in the UK. Recently got an e90 318i 2010 it has done 77800 miles
You should do a video of how they do the re spray for the clear coat! I'd love to see how they fix that up :D
That’s a good idea! But I’m thinking I’ll use this as an excuse to get an M sport bumper 😎
I have a 2006 BMW 325xi it have 223000 miles on engine running great only thing I do is maintained it bushing, brakes oil change, tires and some little other things great car
I agree. I have a 2006. Main issue for me was the failure of the CCC unit (radio/nav/comm interface) failed. Used units on line are very expensive. New dealer replacement was $1200. I found a small shop in Texas who repairs them. I am waiting to get my back now. $490. Not cheap but better than no radio.
Have an E60 545i, had to put 7 grand into it but since has been perfectly reliable with zero issues
"Mass-debated?" LOL
😉
I have the exact same car as Justin, except mine isn’t All wheel drive and it’s the sport pkg one with the lowered suspension from the factory. Its my first car bought it when I was 17 about a year ago man has it been a trip with my car. It’s has 150k miles but it still able to be pushed to it’s limit. Drove over 140mph in “Mexico” and the engine still sounds and feels amazing. But reliability hasn’t been to great a lot of problems started to arise because of the mileage. I’ve had to replace a DTML pump, charcoal canister, Oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, upper windshield trim, rotors and pads, transmission fluid flush, break fluid change. In all about $2000 worth of repairs but it’s worth it I have a smile on my face everyday I drive the car. BMW’s always give a special type of feel. Yeah it’s treated me like dirt but I know now that I’ve replaced those parts there gonna last another 12 years 😏 either than common problems the only true unreliable repair I’ve done is the charcoal canister
For a 2006 model, it sounds pretty reliable to me, my 2009 bmw is still running with the same factory waterpump at 90k miles.
Mcgyver B better change it just in case..
Just get that and your thermostat changed. Better safe than sorry. You will get stuck and have to get it towed then wait a day or however long for the guy to change it (unless you do it yourself... i wouldnt) - just order the parts online and take it to an independent mechanic. Trust me, its worth it. I was without my bmw for 1 week :(
Lyubomir Georgiev I been doing thorough maintenance care, I had the coolant flushed at the dealership they said I should start making plans to get it done, am also gonna change out six fuel injectors, coil packs and spark plugs at 100k miles, not at the stealership though lol they are charging mortgage down payment for maintenance, those guys are crazy, I think I need dtc steering sensor replacement as well.
Sourabh Sharma one week without your bimmer that must sucks, that’s the thing with bmw when they are in the shop there’s this huge anxiety of you wanting your car back so bad this is why I better start ordering parts tonight for crying out loud.
yes sir lol am getting scared, I love my car though, it’s been pretty solid though knock on wood, I haven’t had any major issues, I change the oil every 3 months.
I've got the same car. '06 330xi with all available packages. Bought it 3 years ago with 89k miles. Now has 176k. :)
I would call it reliable. Here's what I've had to fix/replace: (other than regular wear and tear stuff)
New water pump and thermostat
New transfer case. (that one hurt $3k)
New front drive shaft
Oil Filter housing gasket. (almost annually) Common fail.
Couple of radiator hoses and temp sensor.
All 4 front control arms
New starter. (that's a bitch to install)
Headlight bulbs
Center speaker (on dash)
Side turning lights
All 6 ignition coils and plugs
Oil level sensor
Charge A/C
Power steering reservoir cap
Still love the way it drives. Nothing smoother than a straight 6.
As long as there is proper maintenance, any car can run forever.
I own an 1999 e39 540i and have never been stranded. The alternator broke once, but the car kept running until the battery died.
XD
The BMW I drive is not for sale in the US. But it’s the F20 BMW 1 series. It’s quick and nimble. No major problems so far after 2 years of ownership.
Couldn't agree more man. You bought a simply made straight 6 engine. This was before BMW tried to get clever with the first gen N54. I can't wait to do a video on how reliable my M3 has been...all the haters will say Bring My Wallet...but they are missing out!
I, being in your shoes as far as ownership for 4 years goes, would agree with everything you said in this video except for the soft touch plastic trim is fixable in a few different ways. I wrapped mine, after sanding, with vivvid black metallic mat wrap and it looks escentially stock. I suggest giving that a go.
I have a 2009 316i E90 LCI and what broke down are the following
1) Ignition coil
2) AC condenser
3) interior light witch for the low beam
4) Front suspension at 81,000 km
5) and other normal maintenance
mohsallam77 always keep your a/c on.
2014 335i with 72k miles. Replaced the battery and charge pipe. Other than that, still running strong.
I have an '05 120i with 240k kms and I honestly expected to have more issues. I've had no expensive repairs, no catastrophic failures, nothing. BMWs ARE reliable if you take care of them.
Hey Justin , we have a Used BMW that we received by a oerson who was on haul and wanted us to sell it to get him out. It's a 2006 Manuel 6 speed. I'm not sure of the rest . I'll go check. But it was hit on the passenger side by the back wheel area, or in front of the wheel area. It needs body work done now. Not to badly. I just wanted to text you to let you know some of my info. It is a ( 325 I ) manuel tran 6 speed. The battery is in the back , It went down yesterday and I didn't know how to get it opened because if its dead, the key opener won't work . I only have 1 key to it also.. but I believe you can get under the hood to charge up the battery there. (Not sure) ok that's all I need to let you know, sorry if I went on about it. Thank you very much for the videos they have been a big help already.
Sharon Covey, East Tennessee area.
I daily my 06’ e90 325i, 155k miles, no CEL, no oil leaks, runs like butter man, n52 is extremely reliable
I had a 1995 bmw 320i. drove it for 3 years without service. doing close to 60K kilo's. only thing that broke was the water pump. Sold it after 7 years of ownership. got a 2001 330i drove it for 2 years, no problems. got a 2003 330i drove it for 2 years until an unlicensed kid drove into me. written off. Never had any problems. looking to get a 335i.
Good video! I am so glad I decided not purchase a Lexus, but BMW. One of my friends (a pretty good mechanic) advised me not to buy a BMW because of poor reliability. He had a BMW X5 with over 150K, closer to 200K. If you have a car with over 150K and older than 8 years, you are going to start seeing various mechanical and electrical issues regardless of its MAKE and MODEL, especially if it had multiple owners and no proper servicing/maintenance history. Do not listen to those who love Japanese cars and say that they never break etc and that German cars always do. In U.S., Japanese car makers aggressively practice marketing/advertising styles to present their cars, and they will often spread wrong information about their German competitors. There are reliable BMWs, and there are some that are not. But it applies to any make and model! I always laugh when people say I have my Lexus with near 200K or Acura and it never breaks....! It is a myth.