# BMW Pros/Cons? **URL:** \ **Category:** PittSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [September 10, 2007, 12:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331 "2007-09-10T12:09:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zack01GC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a183cd/32.png) [@Zack01GC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zack01GC)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 12:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/1 "2007-09-10T12:09:04Z")
I may be looking at a 1995 BMW 325IS 2 Door this weekend, I just want to know everyone’s thoughts on this car… 1995 BMW 325IS > [@From The Ad:](#): > > it’s a 5 speed, and the clutch pulls very strong. this is an E36, with an m51 engine. which means you would get VANOS [variable valve timing]. > -VANOS significantly enhances emission management, increases output and torque, and offers better idling quality and fuel economy. on the highway i consistently get 30 miles per gallon. > > - outside driver side door handle does not work > - passenger side exterior bottom trim is starting to show rust. > - someone was nice enough to key my trunk while i was at a 711, large scratch, top of the trunk. > - i need to charge the air conditioning as of right now. but within a week or so that should be working again. -Don’t know what an M51 engine is -160,XXX Miles What should I look for when looking at this car? What are some problems that these would be known for? Do they go in the snow? ---
**Author:** ![Evolved](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Evolved](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Evolved)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 12:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/2 "2007-09-10T12:26:07Z")
CALL bmw and ask them how much to fix the door handle. If you can live with spending that much every month to keep the car running then go for it. On snow tires it will go in the snow. There is a reason you don’t see many 10+ year old BMW’s ---
**Author:** ![beat90tsi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/43a26b/32.png) [@beat90tsi](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/beat90tsi)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 12:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/3 "2007-09-10T12:42:56Z")
> [@things shops tell newbs or unaware people](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/things-shops-tell-newbs-or-unaware-people/32352/5): > > What are some problems that these would be known for? One problem these cars have… they often make other people think that you’re an elitist prick. That and typical 12 year old maintenance crap, on a German car. Other than brakes and oil, you won’t be buying much at Autozone. ---
**Author:** ![HwH22Hx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/57b2e6/32.png) [@HwH22Hx](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/HwH22Hx)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 3:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/4 "2007-09-10T15:13:42Z")
I don’t have any answers to your exact questions but I will say…that just owning a 1980 bimmer I will never go back …my next car purchase will be a NEW BMW…I still love my civic tho. BUT BMW\> ---
**Author:** ![vw16vcabby](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/vw16vcabby/32/5943_2.png) [@vw16vcabby](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vw16vcabby)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 3:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/5 "2007-09-10T15:38:54Z")
door handles are typical. used they are like 50 and a motherfucker to change if you dont know what you are doing. vanos is no big deal. see when timing chains and waterpump were last done. as that is not cheap. intake manifold gasket and injector o-rings are prone to dry-rot and leaking fuel pumps are subject to goin bad. have two pumps in the tank-- one feeds the other. tranny should be a zf, they are pretty stout. front lower control arm bushings go bad, should shimmy around 45mph. all bmw lcf arm bushings go bad… rear coil springs rust and break. usually at the top or bottom where they ride. interior wise, the display unit next to the heater a/c controls go bad. no big deal. all the other stuff is normal wear and tear or hit and miss on what goes bad that is expected for a normal car. e36 is a nice body. i like them over the newer bmw models. new bmw models are “cheap” interior wise. i was driving an 03 m3, car pulled nicely, but still couldnt getover how shitty the interior was for a german car-- to plasticy. even the normal 3 series carry that interior. ---
**Author:** ![Zack01GC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a183cd/32.png) [@Zack01GC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Zack01GC)\ **Post date:** [September 10, 2007, 4:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/6 "2007-09-10T16:20:53Z")
Eh… Sounds a little risky for $4500. Need something reliable. ---
**Author:** ![slowgto1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@slowgto1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/slowgto1)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2007, 5:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/7 "2007-09-13T17:15:25Z")
What’s up, not a bad car but you have to maintain it or you’ll be looking at some big bills in the future. Check service history, the front ball joints are weak spot, they’re solid but do wear, check rear subframe bushings, make sure the ignition switch feels normal and check for oil leaks. If the car has been reasonably maintained and not overheated it could be a decent ride. Not too many of the parts are cheap and they’re expensive to build up, make sure you really like it before you buy it. ---
**Author:** ![Blackbelt](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/blackbelt/32/5998_2.png) [@Blackbelt](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Blackbelt)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2007, 4:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/8 "2007-09-14T16:15:33Z")
Reliable and BMW should never be in the same sentence. ---
**Author:** ![slowgto1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@slowgto1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/slowgto1)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/9 "2007-09-14T17:07:05Z")
BMW’s are the most reliable German car other than Porsche. No it’s not a Honda or a Toyota, but I’ve worked on many high mileage(150K+) BMW’s. All cars have faults and every company builds a lemon here and there. ---
**Author:** ![prhockey21](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/prhockey21/32/6035_2.png) [@prhockey21](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/prhockey21)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2007, 6:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/10 "2007-09-14T18:26:30Z")
have yet to have any problems with mine… ---
**Author:** ![RS1TC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eada6e/32.png) [@RS1TC](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/RS1TC)\ **Post date:** [September 14, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/bmw-pros-cons/192331/11 "2007-09-14T20:13:19Z")
> **[Bimmerforums - The Ultimate BMW Forum for News, DIYs, Technical Talk and More!](http://www.bimmerforums.com)** > > Bimmerforums is the preferred online BMW Forum and community for BMW owners. At Bimmerforums, you will find technical how-to information maintenance specifics audio advice wheel and tire combinations and model specific details not found anywhere... Whole crap load of info on there. Sign up its free, just do it. E36 Common faults/ pre-purchase inspection [http://www.unitedbimmer.com/kb-e36-common-faults-faq.php](http://www.unitedbimmer.com/kb-e36-common-faults-faq.php) Hope it helps.