[sas180199]

Hi
for the past 2 years i've been thinking about buying the e90, but been hesitant due to the uncertainty of repairs costs and possible issues that will be very costly, from what i know, the drivetrain is very good, but the plastic parts around the car will go bad at some point...
vanos, water pump, radiator, plastic hoses etc.

im planning on selling my current car, to buy an e90 and have some change for possible repairs that will be needed in the first year, i'm more than able to afford the repairs but unsure about the possible costs and afraid of getting a money pit.

im driving a mazda 3 so i'm prepared to pay more for the fuel, however, i'm only driving about 3,500k miles a year.

tips/thoughts?

BTW, thoughts about the 2.5 with automatic? is it sluggish?
I live at sea level and the terrain is flat so cars drive faster and feel less sluggish, feeling a lack of low end torque from my mazda 2.0 skyactive automatic.

[2one3E90]

No it is not sluggish. It will feel just fine and it has enough torque

[sas180199]

Originally Posted by 2one3E90

No it is not sluggish. It will feel just fine and it has enough torque

has your cars been reliable to you?

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by sas180199

has your cars been reliable to you?

Yes very. And easy to work on!

[sas180199]

Originally Posted by 2one3E90

Yes very. And easy to work on!

Thanks for the quick reply, i really want to start DIY and i've got the impression that this generation isn't that bad to work on except some replacements that require alot of removals and take more time like the water pump.

i want to get tools, a jack and start doing it myself, to save money, and also to invest time in learning one of my passions, in that, aswell, i've been hesitant, where i come from, it's less of a concensous to work on your own car, and the fear of screwing up something that will cost me in dear money held me back so far, but i really want to make that dream come true soon.

Can you confirm what i've read that consumption is about 19 mpg in the city and 28 in the highway? (real mpg)

[2one3E90]

Originally Posted by sas180199

Thanks for the quick reply, i really want to start DIY and i've got the impression that this generation isn't that bad to work on except some replacements that require alot of removals and take more time like the water pump.

i want to get tools, a jack and start doing it myself, to save money, and also to invest time in learning one of my passions, in that, aswell, i've been hesitant, where i come from, it's less of a concensous to work on your own car, and the fear of screwing up something that will cost me in dear money held me back so far, but i really want to make that dream come true soon.

Can you confirm what i've read that consumption is about 19 mpg in the city and 28 in the highway? (real mpg)

When i drive mixed. I constantly get 380-420 in the tank. But I usually fill up and it says 15 gallons. So yes its around that mpg. 26 combined! Not bad for a 7000 rpm redline inline 6

[lowrydr310]

What country do you live in?

In the USA, the 2006 325i has the N52B30 3.0L engine, NOT a 2.5L. Other countries got the 2.5L N52B25 in their 323i and 325i models, but not in the USA.

[sas180199]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

What country do you live in?

In the USA, the 2006 325i has the N52B30 3.0L engine, NOT a 2.5L. Other countries got the 2.5L N52B25 in their 323i and 325i models, but not in the USA.

I live in israel, here we get the european spec 2.5 218 hp in the 325i

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by sas180199

I live in israel, here we get the european spec 2.5 218 hp in the 325i

It'll be fine, and more fun than a Mazda3. As the other replies say, e90 is a great platform that's easy to work on and parts are relatively inexpensive because there are so many of these cars globally. They have their common issues and there are a handful of things that will need to be replaced as the car ages:

Water pump
Radiator hoses (look up the 'mickey mouse flange' and other plastic connectors)
Fuel pump housing and/or sending unit (pump is fine it's the plastic that cracks)
Oil filter housing gasket
Valve cover gasket
Oil pan gasket

Good news is that there aren't any big issues that will leave you stranded. Most of the common problems would give you advance notice that they need to be replaced.