[Donteflon]

Hey, guys!

Currently, I own and drive a 2008 328i with 119k miles on the odometer. Paint is in fair condition, but the vehicle has other issues that have me debating whether or not to repair or dump it.

First off, I have two codes: P0128 and P0430.

The thermostat assembly fix is cheap and simple, but what is not cheap is the catalytic converter. Its around $1500 USD for a genuine OEM catalytic converter, and being in California limits me to that as other Cats are pretty much illegal afaik.

I asked the mechanic my family has seen for years how much it'd cost in labor and he said the job typically takes less than 2 hours so around 150 + cost of unit and taxes.

This will net my fix to $1650+ USD alone for the cat, and when compared to the KBB of my car that's over half its value on the lower end.

Is a car, with this age and value, worth the repair? Or would it be crap shoot due to other problems that could potentially arise?

Thanks!

[overcoil]

so what would u do if you got rid of the 328 ?

if your parking in public lots and parking on the street I might just fix it $1700 isn't too bad.

[Wolf 335]

I'm sure you could find a used one from someone that went catless.

[Donteflon]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

so what would u do if you got rid of the 328 ?

if your parking in public lots and parking on the street I might just fix it $1700 is too bad.

Been wanting to upgrade to an F80 M3. Just scared, as I have been enjoying no payments for quite some time lol. But if I don't fix it'll be marked inoperable and just sit in my driveway.

@Wolf 335, ran through the exhaust parts sales classfield, and its a boneyard for the cat. I'll throw up a post and see if I can get bites though.

[BayE30]

NOBODY run catless on a 328i with SULEV N52 motor...theres no point. Finding a used catalytic will be nearly impossible for that car in CA(illegal for wreckers to sell used CAT). This is a common dilemma for PRE-LCI e90 328i owners. Maintenance required is more than the value of the car, and most people will donate, or try to unload on some unsuspecting buyer with a budget. Average price for a PRE-LCI e90 is about $3-4k.

[New2Roundel]

The reality here is this. If the car has a CEL for the cat, and if you decide to sell it with the cat still needing to be repaired, you aren't going to get nearly as much for the car as you are expecting. So whatever way you go, you'll end up paying for it. No sense in trying to avoid it. However, how long is the emissions warranty? I thought they were fairly long, but check your manual. Also, confirm that the aftermarket OEM replacement cats (not high flow) are not legal by you. I had good luck with an OEM aftermarket replacement on an older Jetta.

[Donteflon]

That’s my main concern/fear, but I wanted others to weigh in to help guide my judgement call. I understand I could drop a couple pennies to fix and get a little longer out of it, but as mentioned the maintenance overrides the value and I feel that the money invested could go toward a new car.

Thanks for the input.

Feel free to continue weighing in.

[Donteflon]

Originally Posted by New2Roundel

The reality here is this. If the car has a CEL for the cat, and if you decide to sell it with the cat still needing to be repaired, you aren't going to get nearly as much for the car as you are expecting. So whatever way you go, you'll end up paying for it. No sense in trying to avoid it. However, how long is the emissions warranty? I thought they were fairly long, but check your manual. Also, confirm that the aftermarket OEM replacement cats (not high flow) are not legal by you. I had good luck with an OEM aftermarket replacement on an older Jetta.

I’ll have to double check once I get off work, but if memory serves me right I’m past it.

Aftermarkets are not legal for Cali. Dig through quite a bit of websites unless I’m misinformed.

[neilvan]

Is it just 1 manifold that is bad or both? There are other states with SULEV motors so you might be able to get a used one shipped over?

[DanG]

I would dump it. Most modern BMWs with over 100,000 miles are quite unreliable. You are just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by DanG

I would dump it. Most modern BMWs with over 100,000 miles are quite unreliable. You are just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

Is that true ? I though BMW’s lasted a long time.

I’m not saying maintenance is cheap, but reasonable and with budgeting wisely for pumps and gaskets - BMW’s are 250,000 cars ?

[3002 tii]

Are you covered under SULEV warranty? I started this thread a while back

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1324089

[The Wind Breezes]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Is that true ? I though BMW’s lasted a long time.

BMW’s are 250,000 cars ?

Some major parts, like the core of the engine may last that long, but you will be replacing all kinds of other "minor" but expensive stuff. And of course the major parts do occasionally fail.

[Donteflon]

Originally Posted by 3002 tii

Are you covered under SULEV warranty? I started this thread a while back

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1324089

Looks as though I am. Hmm, I’ll definitely have a look into this.

[DanG]

Originally Posted by ScottSinger

Is that true ? I though BMW’s lasted a long time.

I’m not saying maintenance is cheap, but reasonable and with budgeting wisely for pumps and gaskets - BMW’s are 250,000 cars ?

You will see that the value of BMWs dive once the car or SUV reaches 100,000 miles. Maintenance cost is the main reason.

[chassis]

The cat repair price quoted above is the same as for a Toyota. Not knowing the full history of the vehicle, given the information from the OP, I would pay the money and keep driving the car. Operating a vehicle over 100k miles costs money in maintenance, no matter which brand.

[premier3is]

If you fix it it'll cost you around 1700 and you'll most likely get to keep driving it without something else major for who knows how long. its 100k miles plus a BMW, not really reliable so it's a crap shoot.

If you got your M3 you'll be paying what? Anywhere from 500-1000 a month for it whether you own it (used) or lease it?

Huge cost difference here. You'll have to make the decision on your own since we do not know your financial situation.

GL

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Donteflon

Looks as though I am. Hmm, I’ll definitely have a look into this.

Get that CAT replaced under warranty, keep said e90 as a beater and get the M3 cause you know, YOLO.

Happy Thanksgiving.

[Hamiter]

What are the odds of this car stop being a money pit? Slim to none?

[Donteflon]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Get that CAT replaced under warranty, keep said e90 as a beater and get the M3 cause you know, YOLO.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Originally Posted by premier3is

If you fix it it'll cost you around 1700 and you'll most likely get to keep driving it without something else major for who knows how long. its 100k miles plus a BMW, not really reliable so it's a crap shoot.

If you got your M3 you'll be paying what? Anywhere from 500-1000 a month for it whether you own it (used) or lease it?

Huge cost difference here. You'll have to make the decision on your own since we do not know your financial situation.

GL

Financially, I'm good. I'm a nurse in Cali w/ no mortgage so I have play. But I'm dumping 1-2k/mo into student loans because I'm trying to pay down 49k within 2 years or less. So a very fast and aggressive repayment plan because screw interest lol.

But as others have said, it'll be a crap shoot.

Regardless, the e90 is in the shop right now getting recall items replaced, and the cat replaced under SULEV warranty.

If that fixes my problem, I can probably use it for a couple more months and save up for a down payment to put toward the F80, plus any money I make off the e90 if I decide to sell. Or just beat it

Thanks for the weigh-ins everyone. It's a scary thought buying my first car that is ~40k+ which is part of the reasoning for this whole debacle.

[leif20]

OP - I went through a similar dilemma in June. My transmission started slipping so I was looking at a $1500+ repair just like you. I decided to repair the car because I quite like it, and already own it. It is not simple to switch cars, especially when one has a good job/career that can be quite demanding. My repairs were successful, so I don't regret my choice.

Originally Posted by DanG

I would dump it. Most modern BMWs with over 100,000 miles are quite unreliable. You are just seeing the tip of the iceberg.

There are many members on here who have cars with more than 100k miles that are still going strong. I would not call modern BMW's unreliable.

Originally Posted by DanG

You will see that the value of BMWs dive once the car or SUV reaches 100,000 miles. Maintenance cost is the main reason.

I would, however, say that modern BMW's are more "demanding" in terms of maintenance. Despite my major issue I expect to keep driving my car until the wheels fall off. The problem is the (in)ability or (un)willingness of the owner to do maintenance. I would argue that a big reason for this forum's existence is to keep e9x BMW's running well in to the hundreds of thousands of miles.

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

Some major parts, like the core of the engine may last that long, but you will be replacing all kinds of other "minor" but expensive stuff. And of course the major parts do occasionally fail.

Sure, there are a handful of drop-dead issues, but with preventative maintenance some can be avoided and the cost is less with DIY. Off the top of my head, other things that can lead to big problems are the water pump and oil filter/pan/valve cover gaskets. If these items were taken care of then the car should be good for 100k miles. Most people will come across the more frustrating smaller issues like window regulators and expensive oil changes and give up. Again, other cars (especially high mileage) will require repairs. And I can't think of a single 10+ year old japanese or american car that will provide the same driving experience than an e9x. THe value is definitely there (to a point).


OP -
Ultimately it comes down to money. Do you want to be drowning in further debt, or do you want to keep driving a car that you own and move further towards keeping more of your money?

[fastboatster]

Didn't read the whole thread but if you got sulev n51 engine then you can get the cats replaced under sulev warranty, its valid up to 150kmiles and 15 years. Problem solved. If you got n52, it's not sulev, either buy good used cats or new carb legal cats, or gut your cats, and run some secondary oxygen sensor spacers.
P.S. crap, didn't read it, you already figured out you have a warranty. Don't beat your e90, keep it as your second car along with F80.