[akajt]

In Nov. 2007 I purchased a 2006 325i with 8k on the ODO, loaded except nav-all the goodies: Premium, Sport, heated, xenon...Paid 32k with factory warranty + CPO. Love the car! Here's the questions: 1) How long can I expect to drive it? Will it last to around 150k? and 2) What are the recommended "maintenance" intervals, i.e., tranny fluid, oil, etc. I know, lots of questions. But I'm used to driving cars over 100k (two different RX-7's to 160k+, and others). I would like to drive this car for several years after it's paid off. I've been changing the oil myself between recommended factory intervals at around 6-7k. In years past I've always purchased shop manuals for my cars and maintained the cars myself. The car now has 36k on the ODO.

Thanks...Jim

[MrDummy]

Well I to have a 2006 325 but mine is the xi version (awd) and I think it will last that long, at least I am hoping it will, as I want to keep it awhile once it is paid off.

Watch out for these issues as they got me already but at around 40-50k they are to be expected from what I have been told.

1. leaky headlight washers, if you have them.
2. rear seal around back window on the right side peels off and hangs, defect by bmw.
3. some interior items will start to peel, shift knob, seats, wood trim might get small cracks or splits.

But on the maint. side of things, I would not worry as everything you need to know is HERE on this site. And there are a TON of smart guys/gals here that will help you with anything they can. SO you shouldnt need a book or anything else, look over in the DIY section for a lot of good info.

I have had some minor issues and my car now has 51,500 miles on it. My current one is the rear view mirror that is very loose. I have a thread about it and will need to have it looked at next time I am at the dealership.

But welcome to the site and use the search feature 1st, then if you cant find the answer you need make a new thread.

[carrabassett786]

My '06 325xi
45,600 miles

3 batteries
5 trips for slow crank. finally fixed when my car wouldn't start because my Intelligent Battery Sensor went
3 Windshield Washer pumps
2 Weather Stripping replacements

I hope to sell my car at 70-80K, even though I got all the extended maintenance and stuff. For one reason, I won't deal with it without the warranty, I'm already antsy about not having full coverage, and just had a no-start situation. Thats complete and utter bullshit with a 3 year old BMW. The other being that the thing rattles like a jeep already. I'll go insane doing 25K a year in that too much longer. Next time I'm not buying used. The previous owner f*cked my car HARD.

[MrDummy]

^^^ Sorry to hear, I know I had my share of issues as well with my 06 325xi.

[akajt]

Seems I've read and heard of more issues with xi models than with i models, and more issues with 335's versus NA 325/328's.

[MrDummy]

^^ seems about right from what I have heard and read as well

[atwell3993]

mines an 06, the most I've had to do is to replace a piece of ripped leatherette...

[just4kickz]

nov 2005 build/received feb 2006, roughly 32k miles

weather stripping for rear windshield at 5k miles
steering wheel column at 20k miles\

not too bad for me.

[akajt]

Bump.

[wj4]

There are several members now with 325i/328i that have gone over 100k with quite a few problems.

[Captain Oblivious]

If you've been changing the oil every 7k miles, there shouldn't be any reason why your car won't last for 150k miles, easily. Is it manual or auto? I think most people would change their tranny fluid at 30k and their diff fluid at 60k. I always change my oil every 7k miles.

[wj4]

Originally Posted by Captain Oblivious

If you've been changing the oil every 7k miles, there shouldn't be any reason why your car won't last for 150k miles, easily. Is it manual or auto? I think most people would change their tranny fluid at 30k and their diff fluid at 60k. I always change my oil every 7k miles.

I went to 2 different dealerships to request tranny fluid to be changed, I was willing to pay for the service and both decline the service.

BMW claims their tranny fluid is lifetime, which ultimately means 100k miles.

[MrDummy]

^^ hahaha me to my friend, after reading that the bmw 6 speed steps have a issue with dying over the 100k mile mark.

[BK]

Wow, sorry to see those problems with the 325xi above. My 330i has been ultra reliable. I recently had a scheduled service, and when I picked up the car, the door lock actuator was not working. I wonder if it was something they did during the service, but whatever, they replaced the door lock actuator.

Otherwise, it's been great, still a blast to drive and never let me down or left me stranded. We have an 06 Honda we bought at the same time, and it has had a few issues, but the Bimmer has been way more reliable. I feel like I got lucky. Mine was one of the last 06 builds (June 06), so I tell myself maybe they worked out some issues by the time they reached the end of the build cycle.

/knocking on wood!

[gino58]

i got 2006 325i (Sept 05 build) strep, zsp, no nav, with 45K mileage. so far no issues, dealer doing oil change per computer while I do my own change around 7500. got it CPO at 34K from reputable dealer in norcal. plan to do my own auto tranny and diff change at 50K, will keep car over 100K

[Saint330i]

I have a 2006 330i delivered August 2005. 51,000 miles. No major issues. Replaced all 4 window regulators. Extended Warranty for 3 more years to 100,000 miles. Awesome car. Dinan Stage 2 Suspension. Dinan Intake and exhaust. Plan to drive it forever.

[omelet1978]

From everything I've heard bmw's are pretty reliable with the exception of electrical problems. I also think it depends on the individual car. If you have been problem free then you probably have a good car.

Also depends on how much you owe on it. If you can get it paid off and have a reliable couple of years without a car payment then that is several thousand dollars in your pocket

[MrDummy]

Add one more thing, if you have leatherette seats, they WILL tear and get small cuts eventually. I looked at mine very throughly, I thought, but today when vacuuming my car out I noticed the sides of both front seats have cuts from the vinyl rubbing on the plastic when sitting in the car.

[enigmaticdream]

325i here...Only big issue I've had is having to replace the windshield (with AC cuz of shorting out from water leaking in) which apparently wasn't the originally installed windshield. The only small issue I can think of is the rear window trim coming off which I'm working on reattaching right now. Other than that the engine has been rock solid. I'm just about at 60k miles on her and she still runs great.

[CirrusSR22]

What do you mean by how long will it "last"? The only thing that really kills cars are corrosion and crashes. Everything else can be replaced, so if you really wanted to, you could drive it for 500,000+ miles. It just depends on how much rust you are will to put up with and how willing you are to replace parts when they fail vs. buy a new car.

[wasup1357]

mine 325i at 36k miles, no major issues: replaced fused on doors, door trimmed falling creaking and then falling out two times (one out of warranty i have to do it myself), peeling interior (out of warranty = no fix for me), gas stop filling prematurelly at gas stations -_-, planning to start doing my own oil changes every 6k miles from now on tho.

[MrDummy]

Originally Posted by CirrusSR22

What do you mean by how long will it "last"? The only thing that really kills cars are corrosion and crashes. Everything else can be replaced, so if you really wanted to, you could drive it for 500,000+ miles. It just depends on how much rust you are will to put up with and how willing you are to replace parts when they fail vs. buy a new car.

Very valid points, but yeah I guess any vehicle can last a long ass time, but the cost to keep on this vehicle on the road and in mint cond. is very expensive it seems like.

Hell even I am somewhat shocked at what I have read about some 2-3 year old $30,000 and up BMW's. Its insane, I hope my 06 325xi last for 10 years but in all honesty I dont think it will. Maybe 5-6 b4 I will have to sell a kidney to get trans fixed @ 100K miles