Need car advice - make that "Volvo"

[ViperMan]

Hey guys,

For reasons I don't wanna get into right now, I've had to consider a quick replacement of my daily-driver, the 2001 Dodge Stratus R/T 2-door Coupe with 5-speed manual.  (I'll never forget the first time I rolled up to the hotel in it the night before Carlisle, 2007, and 4Cruizn looked at it and said, "well that sure doesn't LOOK like a Viper...")

Anyways, I'm looking for something CHEAP, FUN, and RELIABLE, with FOUR doors.  Those are the primary credentials.  Secondary interests are all-wheel drive, and a manual transmission (the two of which together are hard to find.)  MUST be less than $14K, really looking in the 11-13 range.

Right now I'm really interested in a 2004 BMW 325xi 4D Sedan with 68K miles, leather heated seats, moonroof, AWD 5speed Auto, for 14K (which is high - I'm going to aim for 12.5)

Does anyone have any experience with these cars?  I'm primarily concerned with the cost of maintenance and repairs, though I don't really drive that many miles.  I haven't even put 1,500 on the Stratus since it's safety inspection in February.

I've also considered a WRX, but there don't seem to be as many of those around.  I could probably get a slightly older Audi, but they're even worse to work on than BMW's.  VW's would apply, but I REALLY don't like VW's...

Any other suggestions?

[GoodysGotaCuda]

The E46 is a very good car, however it does have a few downfalls...most of which are very common and predictable.

1) Cooling system. The radiator, water pump/thermostat housing, and expansion tank should be replaced if it hasn't already. They all will go out, they all should be done at once.

2)Valve covers leak oil as well as "crankcase vent valves". The vent valve consists of a plastic valve and several hoses which will go out and leak oil/throw a check engine light. That is a bit of a pain job to do, but very routine for someone who works on the cars.

3)Not as common, but crank sensors do go out.

4) Thrust rod bushings, while driving the car at slow speeds "flick" the brake pedal. If you feel a wiggle in wheel/clunk in the front end they are shot. They are a 10 min change if you have done a million, few minutes DIY, certainly not something someone with mechanical knowledge should pay much for.

5) Pads/Rotors, like all higher end cars the brakes are expensive. Expect to buy rotors every other if not every pad change. They are NOT designed to be turned and should be replaced when low.

6)Window regulators, they'll fail at some point. Click/pop when the window goes up and down. Routine job for someone that does it day in/out, a little intimidating for a DIY job..but certainly do-able.


Overall they are sound cars. ALWAYS change the oil on time, check for sludge under the oil fill cap. NEVER over-heat it, period. If it gets hot, kill it...you will destroy the engine.

-X-BMW Master Technician

[ViperMan]

The E46 is a very good car, however it does have a few downfalls...most of which are very common and predictable.

1) Cooling system. The radiator, water pump/thermostat housing, and expansion tank should be replaced if it hasn't already. They all will go out, they all should be done at once.

2)Valve covers leak oil as well as "crankcase vent valves". The vent valve consists of a plastic valve and several hoses which will go out and leak oil/throw a check engine light. That is a bit of a pain job to do, but very routine for someone who works on the cars.

3)Not as common, but crank sensors do go out.

4) Thrust rod bushings, while driving the car at slow speeds "flick" the brake pedal. If you feel a wiggle in wheel/clunk in the front end they are shot. They are a 10 min change if you have done a million, few minutes DIY, certainly not something someone with mechanical knowledge should pay much for.

5) Pads/Rotors, like all higher end cars the brakes are expensive. Expect to buy rotors every other if not every pad change. They are NOT designed to be turned and should be replaced when low.

6)Window regulators, they'll fail at some point. Click/pop when the window goes up and down. Routine job for someone that does it day in/out, a little intimidating for a DIY job..but certainly do-able.


Overall they are sound cars. ALWAYS change the oil on time, check for sludge under the oil fill cap. NEVER over-heat it, period. If it gets hot, kill it...you will destroy the engine.

-X-BMW Master Technician

Goody, Thanks for the response

You've piqued my curiosity, as someone else mentioned the cooling system.  What's the deal with that?!  How does a cooling system fail beyond stuck thermostat, shot water pump, or bad coolant??

And what the HECK is a "thrust rod bushing"??  Sounds like something she'll NEVER let me do to her...   

I've been told to expect to spend "$4K a year" in maintenance.  What's your thought on that?  Honestly if that's true, I'll pass.  I haven't spent $4 on my Stratus over the past 4 years.

Thanks!

[tommyg29]

I love the bmw feel, but after working on my daughters 2008 many times, I cant stand working on it. Seems like everything is not only expensive, but difficult to get to or work on.
As opposed to my other daughters camry, which is an absolute delight to work on.
Again, Im only a shadetree guy, but thats my 2 cents.

[Chryco Psycho]

BMW would be one of my last choices ... expensive , difficult to work on , electrical nightmare typically , I would buy one while under warranty only !!
 It seems you have to be an Ahole to own one , you can almost guess which people you meet own BMW LOL

[dougs bs23]

For a back and forth  to work car consider a nissan sentra or a yota. Cheap reliable easy maintenance costs and you may  even get a break on  insurace costs.

[Super Blue 72]

I love the bmw feel, but after working on my daughters 2008 many times, I cant stand working on it. Seems like everything is not only expensive, but difficult to get to or work on.
As opposed to my other daughters camry, which is an absolute delight to work on.
Again, Im only a shadetree guy, but thats my 2 cents.

Reminds me when I was helping a neighbor with his VW Jetta/passat car.  To change the thermostat or to get to the relays he had to take off the front bumper cover to get to it. 

After working on different cars, I have always had an easy time relatively working on Hondas...when you have to work on them.   

When I walked into a Ford dealership years ago wearing my Acura uniform they said, "Oh, oh, here comes the Maytag man."   

My minimal experience with German cars are they are built like tanks, nice engineering but parts/service is expensive.  Japanese cars may have the same labor rates but may end up in the shop less and parts may cost less in many cases.

Yes, they may not be as much of a thrill but it all depends what you want.  9 years ago I had a chance to buy a '98 540i Sport, was custom ordered by a Saudi Arabian prince in M3 Estoriol Blue with grey leather interior, 6 speed manual, Sport rims.  It was 4 years used, and the check engine light was already on at the used car dealership.  I ended up getting a new 2003 Accord.  Which car had mor zip and cool factor?  The BMW, no doubt.  Which one was already a headache even before I bought it?  The BMW.  The Accord has just been oil changes and brake pads since I've had it.  Don't get me wrong.  BMWs are nice cars, all depends what you want.   

[Chryco Psycho]

I have to agree with the Hondas they are built like tanks & are easy to work on , watch out for some of the Auto trans cars though , they have serious issues with them in some models

[Super Blue 72]

I have to agree with the Hondas they are built like tanks & are easy to work on , watch out for some of the Auto trans cars though , they have serious issues with them in some models

   The Honda trannies have been the Achilles tendon for them.  I think most of the issues have been reseolved for the most part with all of the 5 speed auto trannies after I think like 2004 or so.  The 4 speed autos had a lot of "service bulletins", Honda doesn't like the work "recall". 

Anyhows, back to Beamers.  I would always like to get a late 90's M3 just for kicks.  They are nice track cars and nice daily drivers.

An older M5 would be even better.

[ViperMan]

Hondas just aren't fun to drive.  If I'm going to be stuck with a 4-door car, I want it to be something fun...

Turns out I can get an Audi A4 relatively cheap, but I suspect they're as bad to work on as a BMW...

[Chryco Psycho]

A friend , young & in university bought an M5 a few years old , it was a must have car for him , after 1 year he gave up & sold it , the clutch was something near $3500 for it & it had flywheel issues as well as engine leaks etc . Just not the right car for a college kid , waaay to costly to keep running .
 Std trans is a MUST with any Honda , the reports i have read on the Odyssey & Ridgeline is that even the 2012 still have trans issues & they have not yet been sorted out .

[Bullitt-]

I drove an '08 Audi A4 a couple of years ago & I don't see why anyone would want one.... I'm still loving my '98 GT Mustang I bought in '99 & got back from my son after 6-years if school. Total maintenance so far 1-battery, 1- serpentine belt, 1-clutch, 1-clutch sector, 2-sets of tires/alignment, 1- K&N air filter, wiper-blades, fluid changes. Maybe I'm just a redneck but you can keep your high maintenance euro crap. 

[ViperMan]

It seems you have to be an Ahole to own one , you can almost guess which people you meet own BMW LOL

Actually I was joking with my wife about this: "Well everyone already thinks I'm an Ahole because I have a Viper - I might as well get the daily-driver on par too!!"

lol!

A mustang won't work for me - needs to be four door.  On that note of course I've considered the Charger (can get an older SRT8 for around 20) but of course the gas mileage sucks, it's a BIG freakin' car, and I really don't know that they're any more reliable than the Beemer.  At least repairing it would be cheaper...

Maybe I need to reconsider that option though...

[Chryco Psycho]

The Subarus seem reliable there are a lot of the WRX in Alberta .
 You don't seem to fit the BMW profile Jeff , definatly not an Ahole !! 

[ChallengerHK]

Hondas just aren't fun to drive.  If I'm going to be stuck with a 4-door car, I want it to be something fun...

Like Phil I worked at a Honda dealer, although mine was a while back. My friend Roger has bought nothing but Civics for probably 15 years, and I've driven each of them. I think they're pretty fun to drive, but definitely not in a musclecar way. Even stock, they carve corners pretty well, and the engines will wind forever.