DD Dying. Need advice on replacement

[Joshu]

Ok, my minivan is dying. I am going to check out this BMW tomorrow. Any opinions or thoughts on these kinds of cars? What do you think of this car?

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/in...5&cardist=5509

[Joe 1320]

do yourself a favor and check on some repair parts costs.

[Black97]

Yep they are not cheap. Several co-workers have one and they keep complaining about the cost.

Funny coincidence, I saw that dealership you provided the link for last week when I visited a customer of ours. Out of their office bulding we looked down onto the lot and I commented about how small the lot is and how they stack up the cars.

[Joshu]

It's all depending on how much I can get for the van. If I can't unload the van I am looking at an Audi A4 2.8 Quattro @75K. The cost of the repairs are of mild concern right now because I am used to paying a ton just to keep the van running.

[Trash man]

do yourself a huge favor, do not buy german. being a mechanic, i dreaded seeing those cars, especially at 5pm on a friday night. they can be a nightmare to work on. go find like an escort, cav, civic, sentra, etc. or if your looking for a truck, then S10s, rangers or a half ton

[Jeff_in_Atl]

Here is the best source I have found for BMW parts. http://www.bavauto.com/
My wife has a 2001 325i and it has been a reliable car. Yes I had a bunch of work done back in the spring for some stuff but everything needs some work at some point when they get to 120k miles but the car has never not worked. Engine runs great. Transmission is great (auto not 5 spd like the one you are looking at). Some things that seem to be common is rear axle bearings. Had 1 replaced. Front control arm bushings which will make the front end shimmy when you hit the brakes. We had a power steering pump hose leeking. Took it and they replaced both hoses but now it is leaking power steering fluid again. My wife's car needs front shocks. I think 1 is broken due to the road construction in downtown Atlanta.

The car drives great. It's really a nice road car. I put some aftermarket front and rear sway bars on it and we go to the mountains quite often in it.

I like BMWs and with that website above parts are no more expensive than anything else.

The really weird thing about BMWs is how you change the oil filter. They are not a replaceable canister like everything else on the planet. There is a canister on top by the power steering can that holds the filter. You have to unscrew the lid and take the element. It took me several time to get to where I could do it wihout making a huge mess. That website sells a tool to take the lid off for about $17 I think.

Oh and about that car you linked to, I wish that was my wife's car. And if it means anything, my wife will probably continue to drive BMWs for a long time. She wants a Z4 coupe. I'm good with that.

[Trash man]

Jeff - alot of companies do that cartridge filter now, i use to drain the oil and then i think it was a 1/2" drive ratchet/extension to get the cap off. and you dont need to replace the o-ring everytime, just make sure its not torn

[Joshu]

I drove it and the car felt good. A few blemishes on the inside but its Ok.
8800 after trade in and dealer fees so I feel it's a good deal. There is one major thing that concerns me. The car has an aftermarket exhaust, K&N filter, and I couldn't tell about this other thing. Look in the picture with the engine...above the driver's side headlight there is something with wires running to/and from it that didn't appear to be stock. Basically I am afraid some ricer beat the hell out of it before I test drove it today.

[Jeff_in_Atl]

That wiring harness is not on my wife's car. I'm wondering if those projector headlights are not factory and that harness has something to do with them.

Let me understand this, they are "asking" $8995 and you are trading in the van and still having to pay $8800? So you are getting $195 for the van and the fees and they didn't come down anything?

[Joshu]

It includes the car, dealer fee, business license tax req'ed by Arlington (or VA). Minus the van. The dealer fee is 295.

BUT it doesn't matter. I've decided to not purchase this car and shop around more.

[ryan34]

The really weird thing about BMWs is how you change the oil filter. They are not a replaceable canister like everything else on the planet. There is a canister on top by the power steering can that holds the filter. You have to unscrew the lid and take the element. It took me several time to get to where I could do it wihout making a huge mess. That website sells a tool to take the lid off for about $17 I think.

Saturn ION has the same setup. I've actually grown fond of it. Although its not my car and it just doesn't feel like all the oil is drained out of it.