The 5 Most Reliable BMW 3 Series Models You Can Buy
The 5 Most Reliable BMW 3 Series Models You Can Buy
Reliability and BMW Series 3 go together like gin and juice. Let's go through the best and most reliable #BMW #3Series cars out there today.
Just a hint, if it has an inline 6 engine, it's probably pretty reliable.
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my friend has a 1992 325is and i swear he never stops power sliding into intersections. literally one of the most fun cars i've driven and experienced.
They are awesome cars, reliable and fun.
e36 320I with 328I exhaust /diff /M50 intake= high RPM slidefest :D :D :D :D
@@mplewp ty for mod list i like every thing you listed also im getting a 320i
Your friend is a danger to society if they do that.
@@RepublicConstitution karen said what?
330ci E46 .... 142,000 miles and 13 years old, still a silky smooth engine, only issues been suspension (cheap easy repair) and oil leaks (cheap gasket replace).
I just bought a 2002 330ci with 190,000 miles for 3 grand flat and thats all i really needed to change and the car runs great!!
@@artcruz5603 damn im looking for one but theyre all 5-6+ :(
I just bought one yesterday a 325Ci for 1,400 (yk the stimmy hit) and I haven’t ran codes yet but the only thing wrong with it so far is the headliner and some trim pieces.. easy fixes and I love working on cars
My 2010 Mazda 3 has 264,000 miles and zero issues.
@@RepublicConstitutionhaha 😂 that’s awesome
Just bought my first BMW last week. It's a 2008 328xi 6spd Manual with 80k miles, all service history done at the dealer, it was a 1 owner car (a woman in her 50's). I paid $7600 but I got it at a dealer so after taxes, registration, and dealer fees(bs $599),and insurance, it cost me $8900 "out the door" and I could not be happier!
I'm the second owner of a 2004 E46 330Ci with 215,000 miles on the clock. Even with the ungodly amount of miles it has for its age it still looks fresh, drives fresh, feels fresh and has only required basic maintenance. I'm planning on replacing a leaking oil pan gasket and a couple of power steering hoses that have developed recently, but other than that the car has proven that even high mileage examples can be safe to drive with regular upkeep. I'm also my own mechanic so that's been helpful. I honestly feel that as long as you avoid V8 examples (although they feel and sound divine), BMW's within this generation are some of the best that you can find anywhere.
E36 five years - no isues E46 five years - some problems with the cooling sistem E90 three years - some issues with the engine gasket and the navigation. F30 three years - no issues I'm still driving F30 and I gotta say that it's a great car, flawless, but the E46 was my favorite BMW.
Thats a great summary, thanks for sharing.
@@ECPP Thank you for the video.
E46 manual 320i 2.2 M54 - 140,000+ miles. I did have problems with cooling tank. Other than that It was bulletproof over 70,000 miles.
e36 does have cooling system, did you forget about the e46 subframe problems?
@@BmwMe-uh9sy all you need is a reinforcement kit and youre good to go.
Been driving my F30 328i for 7 years with 110,000+ miles on it and to this day it still has no major issues. The reliability of this car has left such a good impression on me that I even bought a 340i because it has lasted that long
That is great news and if it works go with it because after all, these are amazing cars.
Watch out for the timing chain
@junmaecarlo how’s the 328i holding up ?
@@allangutierrez932prob broke down
2 minutes in and I can already tell he knows what he's talking about and I love this
You can't beat BMW's inline 6. I've had a couple. Currently own M3 with the S54, it's the only one with a cast iron block.
E46 is the best BMW model ever I don’t care what anyone says. E30 and E46
I agreee. I am considering converting to manual transmission any advice 316I E46 Gm Automatic presently
@@obitopenbibleinstituteofth1961 I have a 330cd just converted to manual best thing I've done to the car drives so much better Gm box it's terrible
The e39 is a beast too
The E36, E39, the E46 and the 116i 1-series are the best BMW's ever imo.
@@yuroichi6418 116i are you sure son
Love my E46 325i facelift. Bought mine with 94k miles two years ago after high school with my dad's 86 Pontiac Trans Am. Me and my dad's friend who works on BMWs at Bay Motor Works since the 80s and owns a E46 helped me restore the power of my E46 325i. The repairs may look intimidating to repair because of the badge, but they are worth fixing up and surprising affordable for being a car enthusiast on a budge in college. Highly recommend the E46. Only thing you missed was the manuals on the E36/E46 chassis having issues with the rear subframe cracking on the drive side spotweld on the rear frame.
love my E46 325i, only had to stick to the scheduled maintenance. Has over 103K with a new water pump, few tensioners installed, few suspension components, a alternator, battery and vacuum lines. Just keeping up on maintenance is key to owning a E46 or any car in general to keep them running like new.
Same here.
Lol even the less reliable BMWs will make it past 103k...E46 is reliable but at this mileage if you're considering reliability you're worrying too much.
06 330i, 6 speed manual, 192000 miles and still going strong as ever
I just purchased the same car with 124 thousand on it and 6 speed manual ! And the codes on the dash that freak ya out turns out it is mild simple sensor fix ! The car is fun as all hell !
@@jackdickey6015 just bought a 01 a few days ago and the airbag light just turned on lol
Only 192000 miles? Haha. That's still a baby.
Vlad Amarandi how long do these last??? I’m looking to buy one with 180,000 miles ?
E46 320d 463000km and going
Loving my E36 328i Touring, still going strong with no flaws (at the moment of course, things have broken but they've been fixed) at 354k km and the Nikasil liner thing isn't a problem anymore +20 years later
2:19 RIP headphone users 😁
I saw your comment and it still scared me
Saw the comment and turned them down just in time
jajaja
was reading comments innocently then BAM BAM
I have a 2004 BMW 325Ci and have driven it for 14 years. Best, most reliable and most fun car I have ever had. It has over 150,000 km and still going strong.
I’m thinking of getting a 2006 BMW 530i (used), should I?
I have had my 325ci 147000 miles now and no problem super fun car !
Please so can you send me one
In my opinion, e46 is one of the most reliable cars and also the most beautiful lines in BMWs, and even compared to other makes as well.
What about the legendary E36?
Beautiful yes, reliable ehh
@@SuperEman500 97?
Got me E92 330i m sport and I absolutely love this car. Naturally aspirated engine 272 bhp. Beautiful
Another great video with important and very objective knowledge for the BMW lovers. Tanks for the tips. I keep my eyes open when I buy one BMW. Don't stop to send us your experience! Thanks a lot.
Thanks a lot for watching
Agree 100% with everything stated! I bought a 2010 e92 328i w/manual gearbox 2 years ago and love the thing. Just as a precaution, I replaced the coolant pump and many hoses as I use it to commute 1 hr. each way to work. Recently, I replaced the valve cover and oil pan gasket due to a minor oil leak. Both were fun projects and gave me a chance to confirm the car was very well maintained by the previous owner(s). I was super glad of not having an all-wheel drive system, it makes it much simpler to work with 🙂. The car runs great!
YOU SURE DID YOUR HOMEWORK. Our 97 E36 z3 roadster is simply stunning. Also done almost 400 000km s and still same basic engine. An engineering master piece indeed.
YOU DID IT ....YOU ACTUALLY MADE IT....THANK YOU MAN
You betcha. Thanks for watching.
Had a 92 325is and that car was crazy reliable. Changed the water pump. Was really good about oil changes. I now have a 2001 330ci. Great car but have a put a few bucks into it. I like the e46 coupe look but also miss my e36 coupe. Both black on black. I’d say the e46 looks better. Timeless imo
Good review. I couldn't agree more about the e46. A pleasure to drive. Worth the expense. Drives like a dream.
My 8 year old E90 with an N52 has been very good to me. The only issue I've had with her so far is a broken sport/manual mode. They designed it in such a way that it puts strain on the wires every time you use sport or manual mode causing them to break over time (it's repairable though so no biggie). After 5 years and 80k km of thrashing, she's still going strong. Keep up with your maintenance and you've got nothing to worry about, they're tanks.
I agree, a little maintenance goes a long way with these cars.
Was it manual or DCT?
@@jatinkumawat9187 My car has the GM automatic. If I'm not mistaken, the DCT was only available on the M3. To this day, I'm still beating the crap out of it with no major issues. Just normal 12 year old car things, like a valve cover, suspension refresh, brakes, spark plugs, etc.
My 2004 325XI currently has 318,000 miles on it and runs fine only big repairs were the cooling system and the US spec catalytic converters in the exhaust manifold, take care of them and they will keep going
At least here in Canada we chop the Cats out and never look back. Thanks for watching.
My 01 325xi wagon has 166,660 miles on it currently and just recently replaced my cooling system, it's the only big replacement I've had to do, aside from some suspension upgrades, car drives beautifully, cant wait for more great winters in my e46
Great job Marc...you just earned a new subscription from Montreal! Hi to Calgary!
Hello and welcome to the channel. Thanks alot and its great to hear from a fellow Canadian. Cheers.
I’ve got a 2000 bmw 323ci and I love the thing. It’s been pretty reliable to me. Gotta love those inline 6 engines mated to manual transmissions
I appreciate this video so much thank you for persuading my parents to buying me a 325I 😂
Spoiled kiddo
Original owner of 2004 330i e46 with ZHP option. 155K miles. Been a great car, overall very reliable. The major things that have been replaced: Fuel pump, alternator, FCABs, RTABs, entire cooling system (preventative), and most recently the valve cover gasket and oil filter gasket. Will need to replace the oil pan gasket and front struts at the next service interval. It does burn oil now due to the poor ring design on the cylinders, about a quart every 500 miles. The bolster on the left side of the driver seat is getting worn, not sure how to avoid further wear there. However, no plans to sell the car anytime soon. It is a joy to drive, and is my daily driver.
Great cars
Just got an e46 330ci in near mint condition. Absolutely love it!
Fun cars and great with a manual gearbox
I have the F30 328i N26 with 86xxx miles now and never had a single issue other than a busted fog lamp due to the snow. I have it checked every 2 or 3 months of usage
Thanks for the information.
im glad my car made it to the list lol ... even though u listed the E90 whereas mine is its sister, the coupe version E92 6 speed manual.
Exactly, they are the same E90 and E92 but are both good models in the right engine configuration.
Oh man, e92 is a beauty!
ExoticCar PlayPlace which is the bests year
N52 or n54 which one is more reliable?
Got my '87 E30 325 new. It's on its 3rd battery, each lasting about 13 years. Just replaced the original clutch @240k miles. These things are pretty solid IMO.
Great cars
@Don Wolff - I don't know if there is such an indicator on certain newer models. The best way to check (in my opinion) would be to bring it to trusted shop with a good battery tester that can determine the battery status. In my experience, I noticed hard starting with slow cranking about two days before the battery died completely. I had purchased a new battery and had it in the trunk ready to install.
Current N51 engine mileage on my E93 is 119,645 miles and still going strong. Engine doesnt skip a beat! Plan on keeping her another 100k!
I have a 2015 BMW 328xi M sport and im almost to 100k miles. Car still pulls and shifts smooth and feels great!
Nice review! I have to agree with the select few on here about the F30 being the most reliable - particularly the 328i model. I have a 2013 F30 328i Sport Line. Great car, very efficient, low maintenance and technologically advanced. This generation is believed to be the best 3 series per many of the automotive reviewers in the notable publications. Consumer reports rates it very reliable - higher overall scores than any of the prior generations of 3 series. Plus this body style is the most sporty and aesthetically versatile with the longer overall body. Turbo power is quick and nimble and the higher fuel economy is icing on the cake! Get a low mileage 328i if you are in the market for a beamer. I was a huge fan of the E90 328i but the F30 sold me. It can happen for you too.
Man I love my e90 328i 2011 lci model almost 200000k on the clock, looking for an f30 2013 to add my collection I love these cars. BEEEEEEEEEEAMER for lifestyle fun adult car.
Will reliability be the same for an F32 ?
@@lucianozuniga9695 I would imagine so. The chassis is the same , just a different body. The F series just looks better than the G series - has the classic beamer style and likely will age better in my opinion.
isnt the reliability rating of the E46 gen just screwed bc people buy them when theyre used up and destroyed then probably leave ratings anyway?
Just bought a 2008 328i and I breathed a sigh of relief when it was on this list
There is a 2009 328i that has only 90K miles for $3,000. Would you recommend buying it?
2008 new face-lift but still has the n54 true twin turbo not turbo scroll shits bread and butter
Sandman 328 doesn’t have n54 it has n52
DeathAngel does it have a rebuilt title? If not I would recommend
Marques Productions yea it was a rebuilt title i had to pass it. I bought a 2007 328i tho and it’s amazing
I have a 3 Series 2001 and what an awesome car. Took delivery of the last one in 2001. Love my Beamers 😎🖐👍
love when video have chapters so we know where what information is right to the point, but here is my timestamps below: 3:02 1st e36 325i 4:05 2nd e46 330i, 330CI, or 330 ZHP 5:02 3rd e46 325i 6:31 4th e90 328i 7:28 5th e90 330i
You are wrong about the 328i engine. It really depends on where you live. The main problem was because of the gas providers. It is a much silky engine with excellent low end torque than the 325, pulls way stronger. The down side of the 328i was because of the OBD2.
The us bmw market never talks about the diesel engines
I have a 330cd e46 293bhp 478ftlbs here in the 🇬🇧. It’s my second I had a saloon 330d that was on 191,000 miles and it’s still going!
Thank you so much for that info!
You are very welcome
Yes I'm glad you said the 328i is super reliable, I'm thinking of buying a used 2008 328i but don't want it to fall apart as soon as I drive it
Just bought my first BMW last week. It's a 2008 328xi 6spd Manual with 80k miles, all service history done at the dealer, it was a 1 owner car (a woman in her 50's). I paid $7600 but I got it at a dealer so after taxes, registration, and dealer fees(bs $599),and insurance, it cost me $8900 "out the door" and I could not be happier!
@@saganworshipper6062 If it wasn't done, be prepared for Water pump/thermostat and the U shaped house to get changed. It's GOING to fail. After that, just watch for the valve cover leaks and maintain the car as usual and you're good.
Water pump and thermostat and some hoses were replaced at 70k. Had my mechanic go over the whole car. Valve cover gasket is good (for now anyways). Only thing he saw was a "tiny" leak from the oil pan gasket that he said I won't even notice but to keep an eye on it. I said, why not just change it, can't be too expensive? He said, yea it's not expensive for the gasket, but it will take me like 8 hours to get to it cuz of the x-drive lol. Said if it was just a RWD it'd be a lot easier. Other than that, I think I am looking pretty good. The car was babied it's whole life and garaged the whole time. Sucks that I don't have a garage myself. I will definitely stay on top of the maintenance as I've done with all my cars. My 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 270k miles on it and the bulletproof 4.0L straight 6 still fires right up. She leaks like a quart every 4 months though lol.
@@saganworshipper6062 The last good thing Chrysler did was the straight 6 engine in the Cherokees (until they killed it for a V6). But sounds good on your E90! I want to upgrade to an F30 within two years, but the turbo charged 4 bangers aren't even remotely attractive. There are bound to be a plethora of problems with them as the turbo charged BMW engine are renowned for problems and wear issues.
@@Alecxace can’t they be modded more than the N/A I6 though.
Bought used 2002 316i (E46) with 177,000 km; regularly run 200km/h on 700+km runs... never had a problem. Aral sells 105 unleaded... FWIW.
First had the E36 328i, was one of the best BMW’s they made 125,000 on the clock before I sold it with no problems the whole time. Was think what BMW could buy next , went for the E46 330d on a 2000 plate 20 years later a few wearable things replaced, only 79000 on the clock not rust on body work same stainless steel Exhaust and drives like it is new. This model has to be the best BMW they ever made
Love my N52 engine in my 330i. Happy to see my engine in your video😁
Glad to hear the e90 330i made this list because I've been looking at one manual transmission and I have pretty much everyone I know telling me to stay away from bmw but I really fell in love with this one after test driving it but all the things I hear about bmw being very unreliable and expensive to repair kinda scaring me from getting it but now hearing how that model is reliable I'm feeling a little more confident in getting it now
How'd it end up for you?
@@user-nm9qd6bo6h never got it because dealership was trying to screw me
@@swatz22 Dang fr? Would you mind elaborating a bit? Looking to buy my first sometime soon. Thanks for the quick reply.
@@user-nm9qd6bo6h it was awhile ago but from what I remember there was a couple things wrong with the car such as a huge cracked windshield and wipers not working and they were asking too much for the car and not willing to negotiate so I just walked and kept my old car until recently I bought me a 2017 charger which I'm very happy with and love more than the bmw. Only downside is that it isn't a manual transmission 😢
@@swatz22charger will be way more unreliable than the bmw, id put money on it. not trashing ur car, but if reliability was something to consider
I'm looking at buying a used 3 for my teen son and greatly appreciate your insight. Very informative, thank you!
You are very welcome
Never get a sporty first car, I’m 18 honestly it’s such a bad idea
@@edharris3668 why
@@TEENAGECROWN because the insurance is way overpriced, you’re inexperienced, there are things that are much better to spend money on. Not to say I’m against getting a nice car just wait till they have some proper experience like 3 years minimum.
@@edharris3668 planning on getting a 330ci zhp so that’ll be fun
I drive a 330 Xi E46 only thing I've changed is the alternator & power steering return hose. Have 176k still going strong love my car!!. It's a power House in the winter months. Hello from NY 🗽🗽
I'm looking to purchase a 2009 328i with 130k. No major mechanical issue but found out through the interwebs that the water pump, thermostat and cooling system commonly fail. Any input or advice ? Btw the video was informative and detailed. Keep the vids coming.
E36 320i is the best for me, bigger engines just consume waay to much,still has the famous inline 6 M52, sounds amazing (with the right exhaust,i love the magnaflow) and good power 150Hp and 190NM of torque.
I like the e46 330CD, that diesel engine is great too and doesnt give trouble at all, i saw one with 220k miles on it
Renato Silva i had one till last month now got a e92 335d Lets how it goes
@@MrTarcira Did you like it?
Renato Silva yhh for sure had it for 4 years .and put over 60k mills on it
R A for me it was good .
R A here im uk diesel is the answer if for cheap fun cars .with my 335d on stage 1 i push out 346 bhp and still get 35 mpg in town. 335i cant do this. Fuel is expensive here in uk and not every one rich 🙂
Great cars... I have owned over 10 E46s so carried out some of the most common jobs, with videos. ;)
Thanks for watching
I have a 328 i yr 2012. Love it...never have any problems with it except a run flat tire that keeps deflating when temps drop.
My E46 2003 320i after 6,5 years with me has 338 000 km and I still love the car 🥰
Great cars. I had an e36 320i and it was very reliable and I loved it but the only thing I hated was it was an auto and it would have been a lot better in a manual.
In the US, the E90 330i was only offered in 2006 unfortunately. I own one and love it over the e90 328i. More power, bigger front and rear brakes, better exhaust, the 3 stage intake manifold, and a ZF transmission (the 328i has a GM transmission). All these things add up into a more sporty package than the 328 and has more reliability over the 335i. Love it.
So the n52 doesn’t come in a 2013 e90?
@@Ahmed_Rashide90 wasn’t made in 2013. e92 was i think and if it was a 328 it had an n52/n51/n53 which are all basically the same engines
Hi, Thanks for the great reviews, this might be out of the class of your reviews but could you possibly do a review on the F30 316i auto (2013)? I've had a e36 328i Cabriolet (1999) - my first car - only wheel bearing issue (some Merc & Jetta inbetween), e46 318i FL (2004) - heater matrix issue, e46 330ci (2002) - had to replace an alternator and cooling system, e90 320i (2008) - no issues and now F30 316i (2013) - no issues and probably the best BMW I've had so far although I miss the e46 dashboard. Thank you.
Your presentation has insanely progressed over the last three years! keep it up!
Thank you very much
@@ECPP Thank you!
So I want to buy an E36 I should go for the 325i and basically the engine and transmission is bullet proof as long as I keep up regular maintenance? What parts should I immediately check on and or change once I've purchased one?
The E46 320i rev2 with the M54 2.2l engine is by far the most reliable E46. It's the most detuned engine BMW made at the time and I've run one to 150,000+ miles with no issues beyond the plastic on the cooling system self destructing and needing replaced. The actual block, head and bottom end is flawless. Big engine and low power = Flawless reliability. Would I want more power from it ; yes but I've got a highly tuned E85 Z42.5si with 218bhp from that engine so it's all good. Rust on the e46 is an issue around the wheels though. Mine's an 02 and it it needed new wings last year and probably will need new back wings this year. Not a huge expense but worth noting. Luv and Peace.
Agreed, I had an e36 320 with the Inline6 and it too was bulletproof. Only thing that went was one window regulator and a thermostat. All with 250, 000 kms
@@ECPP I’m so confused who do I listen to you or Scotty? I want the e90 2009 but he told the only reliable one is the e36. I’m torn
Excellent information.
Thanks a lot for watching.
Loved the video thanks.
Our pleasure!
I got a 325ci e46, it has 140k miles, works perfectly, only standard maintenance except a thermostat and a camshaft sensor at 120k, water pump is still the origninal one.. Bulletproof car
They really are great machines and those items are generally low cost minor issues or maintenance items. Thanks for watching.
Sameeeeeeeee
Agreed , as long as you take care of these cars they will take care of you.
Yeah same mine has minor problems only the fuel pump costed the most at $480
Shelton 27 Be careful with the waterpump. Slap a metal one in there, and your good for life.
Truth is any non-turbo 3 series can be very reliable if you take care of it. Sold mine with 250k miles a year ago and the guy I sold it to haven't had any issues with it and my cousin traded in his with almost 400k miles on it.
Pretty much the story other than M3's.
my first BMW was a 1985 535 it was to big felt like i was in a fishbowl but it ran good, then a 1994 325i manual trans had 248,000 and going strong when a guy ran a red light and t-boned me. next was a 95 325i auto trans ran that one up to 326,000 miles and traded it for a black on black 1995 525 ti wagon still have it with 153,000 on it. current driver is a 1997 328i with 190,850 miles on it. i have only had the usual problems plastic overflow tank split, thermostat housing housing cracked that was on my last 2 325i cars. As soon as i got the 328i I put in a new water pump, aluminum thermostat housing, water pump, and a new clutch on the engine fan. On all of my BMWs i went from the 200 bar or 30 lb. coolant tank to a 150 bar 19.5 lb coolant tank cap no issues ever with any cooling componets after that. my 97 also has the oil vapor catch can (Moroso) and the CCV system removed with a in line PCV valve in the return (manifold vacuum) hose mounted the catch can under the air box so you cant really see it and i also added a petcock on the bottom with a small extension hose to drain it. turn the wheels all the way to the left and put the line into an empty 1 qt oil container and drain it out. Works great and keeps all the goo and gum from building up in the intake manifold. On top of that it initially failed the Calif emissi0ns test because of the hydrocarbons at 15 mph on the dyno were 58 max is 55 at 25 mph max was 39 ppm and i was ok at 21. came home installed the catch can changed the oil and drove it about 200 miles and then had it rechecked. results then were 42 ppm at 15 mph and 17 ppm at 25 mph. cats are working great max CO is 0.50 i am at 0.02 and NO max is 437 and i am at 37. Always check you gasket on the oil fill cap and the 2 o-rings on your dipstick if either one of those are bad you will get a internal crankcase vacuum leak causing more internal airflow in the crankcase and less hang time in the CCV system which in turn causes increased oil mist and vapor to be sucked into the intake manifold. Causing oil consumption and sometimes a bit of blue smok and increasing HC output and emissions and speeding up the death of your cats. we can ask the Dr. and correct me if I am wrong but I think the ideal or normal crankcase vacuum is about 2.5 to 3.0 inches of mercury. A good friend of mine has worked at a local BMW dealership for 28 years and does all the routine maintenance on one of their customers 1995 325i with over 600,000 miles on it and never been inside the motor or even had the head off.
I myself bought an e46 318 ci build in the year 2000 3 years ago and it still runns smooth and drives wonderful, it catched up rust on the door and on the back but i will get ne parts to fix it other than that no isuess whatsoever this car got a 170000 km on it right now and it still stears so smooth 10/10 would buy again
I got a 2000 BMW Z3 with the 2.5l engine. Currently at 160K miles and still going strong.
I really like the 135 and the Z4 M's
Both girls eat fun drivers. I recently fell in love with the z4 m as it has great style.
I have a 2000 323i which is still rock solid
I just bought one of these
E46 318Ci coup 169, 670 miles, no rust, just a joy to own and drive.
Yes Sr. Everything you said about the 2010 328i is very true 👍 it's a great engine the N52. 10 years 100.000 miles well taken care of all those years and, there you go BMW E92 328i 3 stage manifold and let the hourse's go. Very good maintenance is the key, preventive maintenance more so. All & All great driving car. And fast.
E30 - 323i was the best most reliable car i ever owend .. I had it for 6 years.. thrashed the fec out of it every day never let me down. sold it for the E39 2.8 another fantastic car..
2003 plate E46 320d 191k miles no problems
I have a F30 320xi 2014. I needed the awd because of the winter season. So far, no problems.
They look to be quite reliable so far.
@@ECPP fuel economy is not bad. I was wondering what do you think about Modding it? I would like to give it a little more horses.
Great channel mate! And i have a question, what is your take on BMW N52B30/25 or N43B20 engines, reliable with bit of that good old BMW performance?
Have a 323i E46 2000 upgraded 18 inch wheels, ESS super charger and Switzer performance exhaust short shift,. Great drive.
Supercharge ? Oh yea, That would be a fun toy.
Just shy of 330 HP, 150.000 K
lol I just have a standard one. but I still like how it drives,and its easy to work on although it has been very reliable.
2011 BMW 328i Xdrive sedan, here. 75k miles. Oil and service and everything reported with car fax since birth. No major issues as of yet. Crossing my fingers.
BMW 3 1.8ti compact 2003 model. Stick shift. 40mpg. 143bhp. 65000 miles on clock. Love it. Nice Video Cool Guy. Thanks
You are very welcome Paul.
40mpg, You mean when you are in the countryside rolling like a grandma?
@@kay19833 yep I'm age 60 enyway
@@paulgregroy1986 Knew it.
@@kay19833 it's not all about Driving Slow! Sometimes I drive fast! If your engine is in good tune are you are skilled at driving from over the years with a manual gear shift you will get good miles to the gallon it's all about the skill
98 e36 323i. Is my baby and hasn't had to much done 170,000 miles, just changed it's first head gasket and that is the only major things I've done
tommycox63 wouldn't say it's reliable if the head gasket needed changing
Well it has 170,000 miles and it was my fault it blew
I drive a 2004 E46 ZHP sedan in Imola Red (usually an M series only color) on brown leather. I have 88k miles on it and still love the way this thing drives and handles twisty mountain roads. Such a blast to drive! So far my biggest issue is the upgraded Xenon headlights. They give off so little light that I can see my cars shadow in front of me when a car is driving behind me with its headlights on too. Add in a rainy or snowy night and they’re dangerous. I cant afford to spend $2k to replace them (and that’s just the parts cost, it doesn’t include installation fees). Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can affordably correct this problem?
You can adjust where your headlights point
I have aftermarket depo projectors with Hikari LED bulbs and the visibility is great
Thank you sir for the information
You are very welcome.
Had an e90 328 back in 2017 only problems I had were all the of the recalls that happened that year unfortunately car was totaled but I'm getting an e92 328 this week
I agree with you I wouldnt buy the F30/80 because I dont like how the computer tech is mixed in with the Engine I just like how the E46 didnt have that back then
And thats why those are the most reliable 3 series generations.
I got 2 cars from your list and totally agree. E91 328i wagon and e46 330i ZHP, both have been reliable and have over 100k miles. Only need to refresh cooling system on time, every 60-80k miles. I think my e46 had over 130k miles on the cooling system when I refreshed it.
True, just a little timely maintenance and they will last a long time.
I got an ‘03 325i with an _automatic_ gearbox, and apart from the occasional bad shift to third (I worked around it by manually shifting to third then to drive), it is nearing the 140k miles point and it haven’t had any engine related issues whatsoever since I had it
Good stuff. They are not totally indestructible, but with reasonable maintenance, they can give great fun and service for a lot of miles.
ZF boxes are good. 170k on 5hp24, 130k on 6hp and now 70k on 8speed. Zero issues. I do replace fluid starting at 80k. Elec waterpump more miss than hit. E90 325/328 non turbo is excellent. 106k on mine just coils and starter
E90s are shit to maintain trust me
I'm not sure where you are locatred, but the years quoted for these cars is off quite a bit in some cases, at least as they relate to US cars. For example, the E90 was produced from 2006 to 2013 but the 330i version was only produced in 2006. Although the number was different, this car had the same N52 engine as the later 328i E90 models. Over the past 30 years, I've owned nearly every E version 3 series car starting with the E21 as daily drivers. I currently own 8 BMWs . Years ago, I ran an E30 325 up over 350k miles, an E36 328i up over 350k and an E46 330i up over 240k. I've also owned every 5 series starting with a '76 E12. All of the non-turbo BMW 6 cylinder engines are basically bullet proof and will remain bulletproof AS LONG AS YOU MAINTAIN THEM! If you are looking for any of these cars, your best bet is to find one WITH RECORDS. Used car dealers rarely have records but most private sellers have at least the records for the time they've owned the car. RECORDS ARE THE ONLY WAY TO DETERMINE HOW A CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. The only other thing I can say is that the higher performance the engine, the more likely it is that somebody has driven it hard. That is usually, but not always the case. This might be why ECPP recommends the smaller versions of some engines over the larger ones (i..e E46 325i over 330i even though they are essentially the same engine). This is also a good reason to stay away from turbos, although I currently own 2 BMW turbos (an E93 335i and an E91 535xi) and have had no issues with their N54 engines since BMW installed the 2012 version of injectors and high pressure fuel pumps under recall/warranty. If you wrench your own car, I would have to say the later (2004-5 or 2006 if a convertible) E46 330i (M54 engine) is your best bet for overall reliability. If you don't wrench your own car or if you own really good diagnostic tools, then the E90 328i (N52 or N51 SULEV if in California) is your best choice.
Thanks Scott for your comments and for watching. True, maintenance is essential for any long living car. Fun fact, did you know that a top fuel dragster only gets a few 1/4 mile passes and then requires and engine refresh.
Scott Hodges, that's a lotta beemers. I've only owned three BMW's. It's my understanding that if it's plastic and under the hood, it's poor quality and will need replacing. Especially any tubing carrying coolant, emissions, or oil. So many YT channels agree on this, but you didn't comment. What say you?
I'm really looking fwd to buying an e90 325i (2009) and would appreciate your advice whether they're reliable and should i go for it as the market here in India is flooded with diesels and petrols are hard to come by.. thanks!
Scott Hodges I wanted to get one on the BMW, is it really much expensive to maintain?
I owned the 2011 (last year of the E90 N52 engine) 328i xdrive Sulev till this past fri Feb 1, 2019. Only 64. 400 miles, had to replace the valvetronic motor, and Eccentric Shaft Sensor from an Indie. Last year something was leaking onto the the timing chain. Trunk latch, Tires a pair every year (the run flats lasted only 2 years on smooth paved roads of Chapel Hill, NC.) Other than that it was still on original brake pads and battery, which i was about to have changed, but the entire cost even from an Indie was about 3200 or so and I would have to replace the pair of back tires later on for 700 or so from the dealer including alignment. I would have loved to have kept the car but i still had payments and i could visualize expenses this year and the next year 2020 end, on top of payments, so I had to let go and get a economical car (subaru impreza 2017 cpo). Someday, when fortune smiles on me again....
What about the e93 2008 320i ? How reliable is it ?
Did you have the E36 318i with the M43 in Canada? I had one for 11 years. It was incredible. Most of the time, all I had to do for the annual test was wash it. Simple, light, reliable, chuckable, economical and fun.
Hi Jim, I am pretty sure we did and the one I owned was the 318TI with the chopped rear. Possibly similar engine setup.
Awesome 😀 😀 BMW 3 series review .
E36 328 here, still my daily driver. The nikasil issue I don't remember being an issue 4or 5 years ago when I was a heavy bbs user. Had mine since 45k, now at 240k miles. Nothing but normal wear parts. Cooling system is Achilles heel. I've replaced it 2x now as prevention maintenance. 0-60 still in mid 6 range, mixed daily driver 24 mpg, 30+ hwy.
Thanks for the feedback David, sounds like you are another satisfied BMW customer, overall. They are fun and reliable performance cars that all others aspire to be. Cheers.
Get some spacers or decent wheels for the rear axle of your X5.
no
@@Jonjs99 yes
My 2016 328i had 39k miles when I bought in and I barely did much maintenance to it all the way until 68k miles
Yep, i agree on the e46 325 and 330 series, best bmw ever made. you can still find them used in great condition.
I almost got a 128i with the N52 engine 2012. So the N52 is a reliable engine good to know. Thanks
Got my 2012, 128i in 09/2019. 62k miles, 1 owner (not a lease), perfect carfax. N52 leaps off the line and runs so smooth.
The words “reliable” and BMW can’t be used in the same sentence
Says the guy who hasn’t owned a bmw ever in his life and is biased to comments of other people who never owned bmws. My friend has a e36 328i with 431k miles on it and it runs like a charm. It’s all in the preventative maintenance my friend. Sorry if I came off rude in the beginning. But you can’t judge a brand based on some dumb asses who shame it cause they had one bad experience or just simply can’t afford one or taking care of it 😂🤷♂️ peoples bmws break cause they use poo poo ka ka fluids and filters on them and change all of those way too late.
I had a 1998 323 with a 2.5..240,000 before i got rid of it and a 2000 328ci with the 2.8 and 190,000. Loved them
When you say the M52 in the 328i is not reliable do you refer only to the nikasil issue? In EU countries only UK had high sulphur petrol as far as I know. Or did the M52 have other issues? Thank you for the great video!
Best 3 series on the market hands down is the E9X 328i with a manual transmission with no I-drive it’s new enough to have low miles relative to the year and the price is affordable and the car overall coupe sedan wagon or convertible are beautiful to look at