|
|
|
|
|
|
BMW Garage | BMW Meets | Register | Today's Posts | Search |
|
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum
>
Should I Repair or Dump?
|
|
11-27-2019, 09:01 AM | #1 |
Private First Class
48
Rep 117
Posts |
Should I Repair or Dump?
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! |
11-27-2019, 09:07 AM | #2 |
Major General
3074
Rep 5,577
Posts |
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. Last edited by overcoil; 11-29-2019 at 07:45 AM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 09:22 AM | #4 | |
Private First Class
48
Rep 117
Posts |
Quote:
@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. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 10:49 AM | #5 |
Lieutenant Colonel
1341
Rep 1,881
Posts |
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.
__________________
I am never able to post pictures on forums, all my pics are on IG @baye30 https://www.instagram.com/baye30/
Current Garage - [2011 E90 M3 ZCP] [2005 E53 X5 3.0 Sport] [1988 E30 325IS 24V] |
11-27-2019, 12:35 PM | #6 |
Captain
467
Rep 804
Posts
Drives: Some fun stuff
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Philly, PA
|
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.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 12:42 PM | #7 |
Private First Class
48
Rep 117
Posts |
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. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 12:44 PM | #8 | |
Private First Class
48
Rep 117
Posts |
Quote:
Aftermarkets are not legal for Cali. Dig through quite a bit of websites unless I’m misinformed. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 12:49 PM | #9 |
Major
858
Rep 1,363
Posts
Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport 6MT RWD
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Ontario, Canada
|
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?
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 02:34 PM | #10 |
Major General
10616
Rep 6,926
Posts
Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA
|
I would dump it. Most modern BMWs with over 100,000 miles are quite unreliable. You are just seeing the tip of the iceberg.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 02:39 PM | #11 | |
Major General
3074
Rep 5,577
Posts |
Quote:
I’m not saying maintenance is cheap, but reasonable and with budgeting wisely for pumps and gaskets - BMW’s are 250,000 cars ? |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 02:58 PM | #12 |
Lieutenant General
2282
Rep 12,565
Posts
Drives: Z4 M, X5, GX460
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: CT
iTrader: (99)
Garage List F15 X5 xDrive35i [8.75]
E86 Z4 M [10.00] F10 550i (Retired) [9.17] F25 X3 xDrive35i (R ... [9.43] E82 135is (Retired) [9.50] E85 Z4 M (Retired) [9.41] E90 328i xDrive (Re ... [9.25] E86 Z4 3.0si (Retired) [9.22] |
Are you covered under SULEV warranty? I started this thread a while back
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1324089 |
11-27-2019, 03:31 PM | #14 | |
Private First Class
48
Rep 117
Posts |
Quote:
Last edited by Donteflon; 11-27-2019 at 03:39 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 03:46 PM | #15 |
Major General
10616
Rep 6,926
Posts
Drives: 2018 M2 AW DCT
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Seattle, WA
|
You will see that the value of BMWs dive once the car or SUV reaches 100,000 miles. Maintenance cost is the main reason.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-27-2019, 07:53 PM | #16 |
Colonel
6528
Rep 2,308
Posts
Drives: 9Y0 Cayenne S
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Einbahnstraße
|
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.
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-28-2019, 12:50 AM | #17 |
Major
1630
Rep 1,003
Posts |
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 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-28-2019, 06:05 AM | #18 | |
I can haz cheezburger?
6799
Rep 3,677
Posts
Drives: 14 Sahara/08 335xi/22 Maverick
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Miami, FL/Shelbyville, IN
|
Quote:
Happy Thanksgiving. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-28-2019, 08:12 AM | #20 | ||
Private First Class
48
Rep 117
Posts |
Quote:
Quote:
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. |
||
Appreciate
0
|
11-28-2019, 08:50 AM | #21 | |||
Private First Class
30
Rep 123
Posts |
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.
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
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?
__________________
BMW Owner since 04/2018
|
|||
Appreciate
2
X3MS11.50 POMFKIMOCHI38.50 |
11-28-2019, 05:24 PM | #22 |
Captain
382
Rep 888
Posts |
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. |
Appreciate
0
|
Bookmarks |
|
|