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Old 02-27-2011, 09:17 PM
 
3 posts, read 31,199 times
Reputation: 14

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Hi! I am looking to buy a new car to commute from the city to Peninsula area. I found a 1991 BMW 325i Convertible, which I am considering buying, but it has 181,000 miles and its being sold for $3100. I guess my main concern is reliability? Does anyone have any guidance? Thanks!
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Old 02-27-2011, 10:12 PM
 
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I have a BMW with about 45k miles and haven't had any major problems with it, but 181,000 miles is a lot....it's actually the most miles I've seen on a car and for $3.1k I think it's over priced for a 1991 model. Just my thoughts though.
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Old 02-27-2011, 11:24 PM
 
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
13,561 posts, read 10,372,081 times
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The 3-series is generally pretty study, I think more reliable than its bigger siblings such as the 5- and 7-series. However, you will likely have to pay a lot of money for parts and service for these cars, so if you're dead set on getting one, set aside some money for regular repair and maintenance.
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Old 02-27-2011, 11:47 PM
 
3 posts, read 31,199 times
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Default Thanks, that helps

Thanks for your thoughts. I do like the car very much.

1991 BMW 325i Convertible *Smogged* (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2237849869.html - broken link)


... annnnnddddd.... my husband thinks it will too $$ to maintain
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Old 02-28-2011, 01:31 PM
 
Location: Mokelumne Hill, CA & El Pescadero, BCS MX.
6,957 posts, read 22,325,306 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erikalorena View Post

... annnnnddddd.... my husband thinks it will too $$ to maintain
Your husband is correct. I drive an Audi same year with a few less miles and its a $600 bill at least just for the smallest detail.
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Old 02-28-2011, 10:55 PM
 
3 posts, read 31,199 times
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Saw the car, very retro indeed... Thanks for you feedback.. (the search continues for a reliable and sturdy commuter car...)
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Old 03-01-2011, 12:05 AM
 
Location: Oakland, CA
115 posts, read 568,258 times
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With 181k miles, the car does not have too much life left in my opinion. With that many miles, things will start to break down regardless of the make or model of the car.
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Old 03-01-2011, 01:15 PM
 
2,106 posts, read 5,791,433 times
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Get yourself a used Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or some other Japanese car. Sure, they might not be as exciting but they'll run forever. Both of mine have well over 200,000 miles and they have never given me any problems. Plus parts are fairly reasonable.
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Old 03-01-2011, 04:20 PM
 
Location: Bay Area
2,406 posts, read 7,908,018 times
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I completely agree with purchasing a Toyota or other Japanese car when it comes to reliability, and often see older Volvos on the road as well. Whatever you may find, I would research the make an model for the vehicle's reliability statistics.
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Old 03-01-2011, 05:44 PM
 
Location: Edina, MN
333 posts, read 705,294 times
Reputation: 191
The BMW I-6 is a bombproof engine and you will not find a better gearbox on a car that old, but you will get nickled and dimed to death on stuff like exhaust, brakes, etc. down the road. Same goes for Volvo and other European makes, incidentally.

It would be a fun car to drive but I would probably not let getting to work hinge on the status of a car with approaching 200k miles, no matter which country it was built in.

Last edited by DirtMagurt; 03-01-2011 at 07:03 PM..
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