[freon480]

im creepin on 220 and feel the same. feels the same as when I got it. I love it.

[TheSt|G]

What's going on with the front end?

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

What's going on with the front end?

The plastic under tray has had it. Zip ties aren't doing the job anymore... I need to either get rid of it or buy a new one. And the front bumper was painted poorly, once those items are addressed, it will look better than 90% of the cars on the road.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

The plastic under tray has had it. Zip ties aren't doing the job anymore... I need to either get rid of it or buy a new one. And the front bumper was painted poorly, once those items are addressed, it will look better than 90% of the cars on the road.

Buy a new one, it isn't optional.

[Love The Drive]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I stated in my original post that I changed the originals at 70k, they were dead at that time especially the backs. You are definitely due imo

I was asking about the NEW shocks.
Any input on those $133 BMW performance shocks?

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by Love The Drive

I was asking about the NEW shocks.
Any input on those $133 BMW performance shocks?

They were a once in a lifetime deal like 4 or 5 years ago on closeout, I wish I bought two sets at the time, silly that I didn't really. I think they are slightly revalved Bilsteins, painted black. They perform well with the original sport package springs for my needs and still have plenty of life left after all these miles. The factory sachs shocks were toast after 70k. I'd like coilovers, but cannot have my ride height reduced and still have the car function the way I need it to in the winter driving months.

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

Buy a new one, it isn't optional.

I imagine I could find that stuff used. Not worth getting flagged for it at the track plus it looks ridiculous haha.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

They were a once in a lifetime deal like 4 or 5 years ago on closeout, I wish I bought two sets at the time, silly that I didn't really. I think they are slightly revalved Bilsteins, painted black. They perform well with the original sport package springs for my needs and still have plenty of life left after all these miles. The factory sachs shocks were toast after 70k. I'd like coilovers, but cannot have my ride height reduced and still have the car function the way I need it to in the winter driving months.

Coil overs would be perfect for you. Adjustable ride height.

[StealYourFace]

I'd love a set of coilovers, but even at the highest setting, the car will be a bit lower in the front and I can't give up that ground clearance and still effectively drive in the winter- it's great in the white stuff with a set of narrow snows, but the limiting factor is ground clearance.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I'd love a set of coilovers, but even at the highest setting, the car will be a bit lower in the front and I can't give up that ground clearance and still effectively drive in the winter- it's great in the white stuff with a set of narrow snows, but the limiting factor is ground clearance.

Depends on the brand. You should talk to the guys at ground control, and at least see what they can offer you. Maybe some taller springs might be in store for you?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by mecbain

I know some of you won't agree, but in the end with these cars you have 2 options, pay a lot of money to maintain it really well, or pay a lot of money for the repairs caused by lack of maintenance, it's either the one or the other.

With my E36, it was a little bit better, I mean it was expensive maintenance for the times (and you could also get away with some maintenance items), but the E90 is simply ridiculous... I love this car and didn't expect it to be cheap to maintain, but there are freaking limits, again this is not my first bmw 3rd and had other friend who owned other as well...

Again this is in my case and I have to admit last owner didn't do a great job on the maintenance, so a lot of it fell on to me...

EDIT: But yeah mechanically speaking I have 100 000+miles and the car drives like new...

I'll disagree. I'm not sure what you mean. I've maintained my '06 325i pretty much to BMW's recommended service intervals. Oil changes have averaged about 17,500 miles (per the CBS). I did change the drive line oils about 20,000 miles early the 1st go round, but then near the 100K intervals for the second drains. I changed the plugs and cabin filter on their schedules in the CBS, as too with the brakes.

The common failures (WP, T-stat, radio face pixel fade, etc.) happen at some point and are not preventable by a "better" maintenance schedule. As cars age, the more propensity for parts to break, which is just statistics (mean time between failure).

So just to throw some stats out here's my maintenance and repair costs for 250,000 miles: (Most of all this is DIY)
- Total Scheduled Maintenance (CBS items):--- $1,569
- Total Repairs for Broken Items:---------------- $4,949 (A/C compressor, blower motor, seat rebuild, oil sensor, 2 belly pans)
- Maintenance for unscheduled items:----------- $1,432 (suspension rebuild and hoses)
- Total Tire Costs:--------------------------------- $6,313
- Upgrades:---------------------------------------- $1,248 (Wheels, Strutbar, and mud flaps)
- Brakes:------------------------------------------- $1,186 (2 replacements of all four)

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I'll disagree. I'm not sure what you mean. I've maintained my '06 325i pretty much to BMW's recommended service intervals. Oil changes have averaged about 17,500 miles (per the CBS). I did change the drive line oils about 20,000 miles early the 1st go round, but then near the 100K intervals for the second drains. I changed the plugs and cabin filter on their schedules in the CBS, as too with the brakes.

The common failures (WP, T-stat, radio face pixel fade, etc.) happen at some point and are not preventable by a "better" maintenance schedule. As cars age, the more propensity for parts to break, which is just statistics (mean time between failure).

So just to throw some stats out here's my maintenance and repair costs for 250,000 miles: (Most of all this is DIY)
- Total Scheduled Maintenance (CBS items):--- $1,569
- Total Repairs for Broken Items:---------------- $4,949 (A/C compressor, blower motor, seat rebuild, oil sensor, 2 belly pans)
- Maintenance for unscheduled items:----------- $1,432 (suspension rebuild and hoses)
- Total Tire Costs:--------------------------------- $6,313
- Upgrades:---------------------------------------- $1,248 (Wheels, Strutbar, and mud flaps)
- Brakes:------------------------------------------- $1,186 (2 replacements of all four)

Impressive, guess you're part of the few lucky ones.

[StealYourFace]

Originally Posted by mecbain

Impressive, guess you're part of the few lucky ones.

I'm not sure luck has much to do with it. I have had similar experience, though with about a 100k less miles. There are certain things that need frequent maintenance such as control arm bushings and front sway bar end links. But other than that, I think an NA e90, non xi, stick is about as reliable as they come and still quite and enjoyable drive.

I want to get a late model e91 with a stick for my better half, but finding one that is not an xi is tough, so I will have to plan for the additional costs of upkeep (not to mention fuel consumption )

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I'm not sure luck has much to do with it. I have had similar experience, though with about a 100k less miles. There are certain things that need frequent maintenance such as control arm bushings and front sway bar end links. But other than that, I think an NA e90, non xi, stick is about as reliable as they come and still quite and enjoyable drive.

I want to get a late model e91 with a stick for my better half, but finding one that is not an xi is tough, so I will have to plan for the additional costs of upkeep (not to mention fuel consumption )

Exactly. And it is why I ordered my car with the just sport package, HIDs, and Bluetooth. Less parts means less probability of failure.

[Big_CG]

Good to see these kind of threads. I have a 335i with 100k and getting a 325i 2006 with 200k on it dropped off in an hour. Needs some TLC but with the help of the guys on the forum, I think I can get it restored to its former glory

[gbm30]

I have 137,000 on mines and runs great. The bmw performance air intake with bmw performance exhaust has made the car more enjoyable. The latest maintenance is the oil valve cover (where the oil filter goes) abd brakes. I've own many bmw's e60 530, e39 m5,
E46 325co but the e90 330I is the most balance abd reliable car I've own.

[bimmerquick43321]

Originally Posted by StealYourFace

I'm not sure luck has much to do with it. I have had similar experience, though with about a 100k less miles. There are certain things that need frequent maintenance such as control arm bushings and front sway bar end links. But other than that, I think an NA e90, non xi, stick is about as reliable as they come and still quite and enjoyable drive.

I want to get a late model e91 with a stick for my better half, but finding one that is not an xi is tough, so I will have to plan for the additional costs of upkeep (not to mention fuel consumption )

had 2 e36, 2 different friends had e46's , another one a e90, long story short the e90 are by farthest the most expensive to "maintain" if I base my self on that and everything I read on the internetz, that being said I love this car and just can't bring my self to sell it even though what I just said

[shazzy04]

I just hit 150k this weekend. Glad to hear others are still running strong

[00e46sedan]

I'm at 165k and running strong on the 330i 6spd , my d.d entertainment

[ethanjoon]

Originally Posted by 00e46sedan

I'm at 165k and running strong on the 330i 6spd , my d.d entertainment

I'm trying to get my 6spd 330i to 200k At 130k now

[00e46sedan]

Originally Posted by Arktis_Conviction

I'm trying to get my 6spd 330i to 200k At 130k now

it'll happen bud

[DUI Elite]

Haha I was just thinking about this the other day in my car. I had an F10 535i loaner, and noticed I actually missed my car.

It's not the fastest thing on the road, but it has character, and I love it. Actually slightly want to pick up another N52 powered one.