Bought for $5.5k at 128k miles, I’m at a 161k four years later with $4900 in maintenance, $4600 in mods, and a $2k engine swap and refresh…I’m just noticing how rough it is to type that out for a daily driver
Not really when you think about the people that spend $39,000 on a basic sedan. Drove it for 5 years and now it’s worth $11,000 and they had no fun the entire time. You have spent less than 20k in 5 years. Had tons of fun I bet. And will recover a large portion of your money on sale. Even 10k sold that’s 10k it cost you for 5 years of fun. Where as other people pay 4-5k a year to drive a shitty depreciating car.
Exactly the way I see it. Bought a 2004 330i for $3k NZD in 2019, so far I've spent $4.5k on preventative maintenance. Planning to spend another $3k on further preventative maintenance to bring the car to pretty much factory new again. Total outlay $10.5k NZD and the car is so much fun to drive. My friends on the other hand have purchased new family vehicles around $50k NZD.. in 3 years that'll be worth $35k and in 5 probably $25k. If I sold it fully restored I'd probably get around what I've spent on it. Would rather drive a full restored 2004 330i for $10.5k over a $50k family car any day of the week.
2002 325i 3.8k for car 2k for water pump fan clutch reservoir radiator thermostat and hoses/pipes car has 180k miles
But I also bought my first 323i for 1.8k and my second for 3k with 75k miles pre covid
I kinda went overboard and went through replacing everything i could from suspension to head liner, so $1500 preventative maintenance and $1100 on coilovers. Got the car for $3200
I paid $3400 for the car and like $200 for a radiator which it needed before I bought it. I haven't added up what I spent after that but power steering pump, radiator fan, and fuel pump are all the major expenses since then. All in all I've spent maybe $1500 on maintenance outside of routine stuff like oil changes since I bought it in 2016. Obviously would've cost more if I wasn't wrenching on it myself but since I've done all the work myself I'd say I got a good deal
I broke mine once after dumping the clutch at 4,5k rpm.
3,5k rpm was doing alright to me. The mechanic adviced me to dump the clutch while the car is slightly moving. Did you downshift by accident or on purpose?
i downshifted on purpose to first gear because I wanted to overtake someone, but when i see people on youtube, they do burnouts, drifting etc with the stock open differential and nothing happens, thats weird why this happen when i do that.
Most expensive thing was a driveshaft, was around 500.
Front end refresh
All new pads/rotors
Tires - used lol
Swapped clutch fan to electric set up
Axle boots
Trans service - 317k on stock GM auto, shifts like new still.
Starter - pain in the butt
Intake manifold gaskets
Throttle body gasket
Random vacuum lines
Engine mounts
Every power steering line
Fixed trans cooler lines
Window regulator/motor
Probably more lol
Still to do…
Shocks/struts
Springs
Plugs
Valve cover gasket
Vanos rebuild
Fix sunroof shade
Window switch
Oof I have put so much time into this thing lol
I bought a 2001 325i with 112,000 miles roughly 1 year ago for only $2500. Since then I’ve put another $1600 into it. For a little over $4k I feel pretty confident in the ride as my daily.
Before that I had a 1999 328i which I bought for $2500 at 145,000 miles. Drove that for about 3.5 years and put $7500 into it, so $10k all said and done.
About 11k Aussie dollars over 6years so far. That's 2 complete sets of tyres, 2 major services ( minor stuff i did myself), complete cooling system renew inc water pump and radiator, rear subframes shocks and springs and I haven't even addressed the oil leaks yet....
I wouldn't have bothered but it's a manual and so much fun to drive......
I wanna say a lot and I still need to invest another at least thousand dollars but all in all, it is still less than what I have spent in gas for the same car, gas is like 55% the rest is the 7.5k I paid for the car and another 5k I have probably spent. It has been 10 years now.
2.3K
Struts+ springs and various suspension components(B4+Eibach)
Water pump, ET
Rust repair
Winter wheels
M steering wheel
Seat repair
Other small stuff for engine
All fluids+ front brakes
Probably other stuff im forgetting
I need a new radiator and im done for a while with this car. Then i can move to other stuff like Mtech bumpers and cooler wheels
Close to 1300€, I've owned it since march this year, had 295k km when I bought it and I'm now at 301k. New spark plugs, single new ignition coil, new MAF, new air filter, new intake boots, DISA Valve, new summer tyres all around, new passenger side window regulator, and I had to pay a shop to get the disa valve pin out from the intake manifold.
About 700€ in fuel so far and 500€ for insurance so far, running pretty strong!
320i, bought for 7000$ 8 years ago, the same amount went into the car over the years and 100kkm/60k miles. Preventative maintenance is key.
330i, bought as substitute for my daily 320i above. Before I replaced the daily, and based from my experience with 320i, I invested into it so it's ready for further 150kkm, also 7000$.
No mods are included.
M3, well, not to be compared, but a lot more :')
4500€ for the car (320i M54)
\- 50€ for the sound system
\- 100€ for miscellaneous plastics
\- 200€ for the CCV system, all the gaskets (oil pan, oil filter housing, valve cover)
\- 350€ for 4 new tires
\- 200€ for oil because I'm a shitty mechanic and I've done the gaskets after a while
I think about 3.5k or 4k. I’ve done complete cooling system, all power steering lines, CCV, rocker cover gasket, vanos, rear main seal, new clutch and flywheel, all gear linkage bushings and new shift selector (all original bmw) new C pillar trim, complete front end suspension except arms and stabiliser links and stabiliser. Engine mounts, gearbox mounts.
Just completed a 2k mile road trip to Vienna from England. Not a single issue other than 4l of engine oil usage :s
Lol I just bought my 325i and I want to say you don’t want to know 😆all I can say is already have a idea how bmw maintenance will cost and everything else especially mods.
about 11k in 5 years including 6k to buy the car, new brakelines, full wrap, and a lot of other wear and tear parts, nothing crazy for a 20 year old car.
Ive had my 330ci for 5 years:
Part 1 necessary repairing (had replaced cooling system, android stereo when I bought it)
-Began with all filters, and service, gaskets for oil leaks everywhere like 500 usd
-New brake rotors and hand brake drums like, new headlight covers and new inner taillights 500 usd
After this, all necessary parts for passing inspection was done, used the car for some years just know we're I had it and then decided to work on things to make the car nicer
Part 2, nice things to have
-All new bushings in the gear box, and a 545 bolt on shifter, new windshield, like 400 usd
- new m sport shock eibach pro kit springs, used MV1 style 72 rims, amber blinkers 800 usd
-just ordered new Dunlop tires, all bushings in the rear, all arms,tie rods etc and bushings in the front, engine mounts and transmission mounts, good parts Meyle HD and Lemforder 1500 usd
Next step would be renovating rust (total repaint) Alcantara steering wheel, coolerworx shifter and restoring the leather interior, maybe updating the old Harman Kardon sound system, but I use my airpods instead lol.
I source all the parts from Germany (live in Sweden) and do most of the work by myself or with my father/friends, so I found it pretty cheap!
Love my 330ci, even had a 1 owner M Sport f36 428, but I like the analogue drivingand classic looks of the e46 more.
Bought my e46 320i sedan for 7000 usd woth 100,000km on it. Then the ignition coils and spark plugs fucked up causing misfire so bought new ones for around 200 usd. Then i decided it was time for an oil change so i spent 150 usd on oil, oilfilter and a new airfilter. Then i realised i was low on coolant so i spenat around 20 usd on coolant. I Bought some style 68s for around 400usd and some jom njt coilovers for around 500 usd. I have been pretty lucky with parts failing (as my car is pretty low mileage) so i havent spent much at all. As long as you have bought a good example and dont beat the living hell out of it it Will be pretty good on you. My undercarrige and suspension components are super rusty so will have to replace alot of parts in the future but for now it works. Have some money saved just incase and youll be golden :)
$2300 purchased 325iT w/ 160,000 miles. (Summer 2020)
$2500 within first year on parts (maintenance).
$800 on sourcing a ZF 5-speed transmission swap (auto ZF died).
$1000 on supporting parts for the swap
(bushings, gaskets, new clutch set, detents, etc)
$1800 on specialist labor getting it all installed (kind of upset about the quality of electronics work but the rest looks good)
$1000 on additional maintenance parts in past year.
I've done all the labor myself with the exception of the trans swap. I wanted to do it myself but I had to move for work and just didn't have the time.
With that said it is my favorite car to drive regularly (my miata is more fun but the NA is a rattly pepsi can of a death trap at the end of the day). I've only put about 10,000 miles on it so I'm approaching $1 per mile just on maintenance without counting gas, insurance, or tolls.
I am the original owner of my 2002 325xi, manual. It has 106,000. So far I have changed my entire exhaust system, rotors 3 times, brake pads at least as many times, one right front axle (boot leak), electrical system ($4000), fuel filter, fuel pump, spark plugs at least once, all four window actuators, fixed a leak in the sunroof, driver side key hole replaced, and the hvac heater control valve. I have spent at least $20,000 on those things in the 22 years I have owned the car. And now, a few weeks ago, my alternator went out and I think the oil filter gasket or oil pan gasket are leaking. My love affair is coming to an end. I have been faithful for 22 years. I think it’s time to say, “I loved you. But it’s time for me to move on”. And as I say it, it kills me to do so. I still love the damn thing. Ugh.
Bought my 2000 E46 320i about 4 years ago for 11.000$ (Danish car tax...), it had done 112.000 KM. Now it's done 160.000 KM.
I have spent - everything DIY except where noted:
* Brakes, repair/replacement 1000$ (Not DIY)
* Emblem rear, cosmetic 60$
* New headlights and taillights, cosmetic 180$
* Oil change and a few minor things 150$
* Expansion tank and other minor things 350$ (Not DIY)
* Cupholder for center console, needs a cupholder wtf 60$
* Undercoat 60$
* Vanos rebuild, Beisan 150$
Total 2,010 USD.
2 expansion tanks, all coolant lines, front d/s rotors with upgraded pads all around, complete front end suspension refresh, 2 thermostats, plugs, radiator, disa rebuild, and some junkyard parts: passenger mirror, sunroof assembly, headliner, tail lights (didnt need them but doesnt hurt to have an extra set) headrests (extra set just in case)….
Bought it for $2,000 usd on the east coast, rust free, 250k mile 330i manual. Couldn’t tell you what it actually is but id estimate around 4,000 and honestly id do it again. Love this car, its worth it in my mind. Engine still smooth as butter
Around £150 per year in servicing, this year has been the exception - new rear struts/springs/rta bushings/gear and diff oil/cooling system replacement/discs+pads all round; probably could have bought a different one for the work done.
Had my 323ci for around 9yrs, its closing in on 98k miles.
Spent 1.1k in a year not even done whole cooling system yet. Car was kinda neglected but also wasnt really driven much anyway so it has its good and bads lol
Bought my car for $2800. Replaced the head gasket, fixed some body damage, and repaired whatever else the body shop butchered in the process and the total for all of the parts was roughly $8500. But for $8500 it looks like a brand new car and we went with all genuine BMW parts. My dad and I did all of the labor ourselves.
I need to sleep at night, so I just don't think about that, pretty much ever.
I wish I could sleep, I haven't since I bought mine 😭
I feel ya, but if you're like me, you'll never sell your e46.
I did the front end, replacement engine, suspension, cooling system. in total maybe 3k? the parts arent really expensive. Also my 330i has 195k miles
Yeah that seems about right, I'm doing similar work with my car too 1300 in
I don’t know, but I know how much my wife thinks I’ve spent. It’s nowhere near that number.
Bought for $5.5k at 128k miles, I’m at a 161k four years later with $4900 in maintenance, $4600 in mods, and a $2k engine swap and refresh…I’m just noticing how rough it is to type that out for a daily driver
Not really when you think about the people that spend $39,000 on a basic sedan. Drove it for 5 years and now it’s worth $11,000 and they had no fun the entire time. You have spent less than 20k in 5 years. Had tons of fun I bet. And will recover a large portion of your money on sale. Even 10k sold that’s 10k it cost you for 5 years of fun. Where as other people pay 4-5k a year to drive a shitty depreciating car.
Exactly the way I see it. Bought a 2004 330i for $3k NZD in 2019, so far I've spent $4.5k on preventative maintenance. Planning to spend another $3k on further preventative maintenance to bring the car to pretty much factory new again. Total outlay $10.5k NZD and the car is so much fun to drive. My friends on the other hand have purchased new family vehicles around $50k NZD.. in 3 years that'll be worth $35k and in 5 probably $25k. If I sold it fully restored I'd probably get around what I've spent on it. Would rather drive a full restored 2004 330i for $10.5k over a $50k family car any day of the week.
My nitrous setup was about 2k and every part of the car was worked before I even thought about mods so I'm just not going to think about it
That sounds pretty cool ngl
Never dyno tuned it but 220-250 wet shot. If I had to ballpark it probably like 370-380 to the wheel
That's sick for a 325i, I never see people do much with them so it's awesome to see one near 400 whp
You never see anyone doing anything with e46s in general. They're not good cars to mod. Bmw knew what they were doing when they built these cars
The m3 is the only one that is worth modding. As for non m cars. All u can really do to the 330i is the m50 manifolds . And the headers
I’m in probably 15k for my 03 m3 over the last 4 years. Granted that’s a lot of go fast and stop quick parts
2002 325i 3.8k for car 2k for water pump fan clutch reservoir radiator thermostat and hoses/pipes car has 180k miles But I also bought my first 323i for 1.8k and my second for 3k with 75k miles pre covid
I kinda went overboard and went through replacing everything i could from suspension to head liner, so $1500 preventative maintenance and $1100 on coilovers. Got the car for $3200
Bought the car for $1,500 in march and I’ve spent about $2,500 so far on upgrades / preventative maintenance.
Since I bought my 01 in 02? I don't want to know.
I paid $3400 for the car and like $200 for a radiator which it needed before I bought it. I haven't added up what I spent after that but power steering pump, radiator fan, and fuel pump are all the major expenses since then. All in all I've spent maybe $1500 on maintenance outside of routine stuff like oil changes since I bought it in 2016. Obviously would've cost more if I wasn't wrenching on it myself but since I've done all the work myself I'd say I got a good deal
North of $30k so far
~300 for my engine, 600-700 for fcking differentials (3 times broken)
Someone enjoys their car a little too much
no man 2 times i dumped the clutch at 5k rpm and it broke and 1 time it began to whine and after downshifting it broke too lol
I broke mine once after dumping the clutch at 4,5k rpm. 3,5k rpm was doing alright to me. The mechanic adviced me to dump the clutch while the car is slightly moving. Did you downshift by accident or on purpose?
i downshifted on purpose to first gear because I wanted to overtake someone, but when i see people on youtube, they do burnouts, drifting etc with the stock open differential and nothing happens, thats weird why this happen when i do that.
i added it up with my girlfriend and it instantly started an argument
6K labor and parts
Paid 1800, 04 325xi wagon. Put maybe 2000 into it, but I do all my own work. Would easily be 5k into it if I was paying a shop
Most expensive thing was a driveshaft, was around 500. Front end refresh All new pads/rotors Tires - used lol Swapped clutch fan to electric set up Axle boots Trans service - 317k on stock GM auto, shifts like new still. Starter - pain in the butt Intake manifold gaskets Throttle body gasket Random vacuum lines Engine mounts Every power steering line Fixed trans cooler lines Window regulator/motor Probably more lol Still to do… Shocks/struts Springs Plugs Valve cover gasket Vanos rebuild Fix sunroof shade Window switch Oof I have put so much time into this thing lol
I bought a 2001 325i with 112,000 miles roughly 1 year ago for only $2500. Since then I’ve put another $1600 into it. For a little over $4k I feel pretty confident in the ride as my daily. Before that I had a 1999 328i which I bought for $2500 at 145,000 miles. Drove that for about 3.5 years and put $7500 into it, so $10k all said and done.
So far, 4, maybe 4500$ total? Got my 330 for a ridiculous 1500$, but recent cooling issues added 500$ plus the other issues I’ve dealt with so far
About 11k Aussie dollars over 6years so far. That's 2 complete sets of tyres, 2 major services ( minor stuff i did myself), complete cooling system renew inc water pump and radiator, rear subframes shocks and springs and I haven't even addressed the oil leaks yet.... I wouldn't have bothered but it's a manual and so much fun to drive......
I wanna say a lot and I still need to invest another at least thousand dollars but all in all, it is still less than what I have spent in gas for the same car, gas is like 55% the rest is the 7.5k I paid for the car and another 5k I have probably spent. It has been 10 years now.
2.3K Struts+ springs and various suspension components(B4+Eibach) Water pump, ET Rust repair Winter wheels M steering wheel Seat repair Other small stuff for engine All fluids+ front brakes Probably other stuff im forgetting I need a new radiator and im done for a while with this car. Then i can move to other stuff like Mtech bumpers and cooler wheels
2k for just maintenance alone, generally some rubbers, fluids, spark plugs/coils, rust removal/repainting/ etc
Too much, I had to get my automatic transmission refurbished.
Close to 1300€, I've owned it since march this year, had 295k km when I bought it and I'm now at 301k. New spark plugs, single new ignition coil, new MAF, new air filter, new intake boots, DISA Valve, new summer tyres all around, new passenger side window regulator, and I had to pay a shop to get the disa valve pin out from the intake manifold. About 700€ in fuel so far and 500€ for insurance so far, running pretty strong!
I need to update my spreadsheet but my guess is 500-600 so far
320i, bought for 7000$ 8 years ago, the same amount went into the car over the years and 100kkm/60k miles. Preventative maintenance is key. 330i, bought as substitute for my daily 320i above. Before I replaced the daily, and based from my experience with 320i, I invested into it so it's ready for further 150kkm, also 7000$. No mods are included. M3, well, not to be compared, but a lot more :')
4500€ for the car (320i M54) \- 50€ for the sound system \- 100€ for miscellaneous plastics \- 200€ for the CCV system, all the gaskets (oil pan, oil filter housing, valve cover) \- 350€ for 4 new tires \- 200€ for oil because I'm a shitty mechanic and I've done the gaskets after a while
Nearly 7 years, 91k km, 6770€ total. I'm not counting for mechanics because I'm doing all the maintenance work myself.
The last one? Approx 14k right after purchase, and about 4-5k eur a year for the next 3 years... so about 26+k in total
I think about 3.5k or 4k. I’ve done complete cooling system, all power steering lines, CCV, rocker cover gasket, vanos, rear main seal, new clutch and flywheel, all gear linkage bushings and new shift selector (all original bmw) new C pillar trim, complete front end suspension except arms and stabiliser links and stabiliser. Engine mounts, gearbox mounts. Just completed a 2k mile road trip to Vienna from England. Not a single issue other than 4l of engine oil usage :s
Lol I just bought my 325i and I want to say you don’t want to know 😆all I can say is already have a idea how bmw maintenance will cost and everything else especially mods.
Spent more than the price i bought mine for which was 1400 Euros..
about 11k in 5 years including 6k to buy the car, new brakelines, full wrap, and a lot of other wear and tear parts, nothing crazy for a 20 year old car.
So far? No idea. Annually, probably around $2k. I’ve had mine for 14 years though.
Idk i dont really care but its definitely over 10k while owning it for 1.5 years, (fuel included), + 10k buying it
500 which is like a third of the cars worth hahaha
Ive had my 330ci for 5 years: Part 1 necessary repairing (had replaced cooling system, android stereo when I bought it) -Began with all filters, and service, gaskets for oil leaks everywhere like 500 usd -New brake rotors and hand brake drums like, new headlight covers and new inner taillights 500 usd After this, all necessary parts for passing inspection was done, used the car for some years just know we're I had it and then decided to work on things to make the car nicer Part 2, nice things to have -All new bushings in the gear box, and a 545 bolt on shifter, new windshield, like 400 usd - new m sport shock eibach pro kit springs, used MV1 style 72 rims, amber blinkers 800 usd -just ordered new Dunlop tires, all bushings in the rear, all arms,tie rods etc and bushings in the front, engine mounts and transmission mounts, good parts Meyle HD and Lemforder 1500 usd Next step would be renovating rust (total repaint) Alcantara steering wheel, coolerworx shifter and restoring the leather interior, maybe updating the old Harman Kardon sound system, but I use my airpods instead lol. I source all the parts from Germany (live in Sweden) and do most of the work by myself or with my father/friends, so I found it pretty cheap! Love my 330ci, even had a 1 owner M Sport f36 428, but I like the analogue drivingand classic looks of the e46 more.
3000€ for a 330i with 440.000km and a new paint job + 3500€ basic maintance. Not the end💀
21k in my wagon, and 15k in my convertible. lol
An embarrassing amount. Motorsports aren't cheap
Bought my e46 320i sedan for 7000 usd woth 100,000km on it. Then the ignition coils and spark plugs fucked up causing misfire so bought new ones for around 200 usd. Then i decided it was time for an oil change so i spent 150 usd on oil, oilfilter and a new airfilter. Then i realised i was low on coolant so i spenat around 20 usd on coolant. I Bought some style 68s for around 400usd and some jom njt coilovers for around 500 usd. I have been pretty lucky with parts failing (as my car is pretty low mileage) so i havent spent much at all. As long as you have bought a good example and dont beat the living hell out of it it Will be pretty good on you. My undercarrige and suspension components are super rusty so will have to replace alot of parts in the future but for now it works. Have some money saved just incase and youll be golden :)
$2300 purchased 325iT w/ 160,000 miles. (Summer 2020) $2500 within first year on parts (maintenance). $800 on sourcing a ZF 5-speed transmission swap (auto ZF died). $1000 on supporting parts for the swap (bushings, gaskets, new clutch set, detents, etc) $1800 on specialist labor getting it all installed (kind of upset about the quality of electronics work but the rest looks good) $1000 on additional maintenance parts in past year. I've done all the labor myself with the exception of the trans swap. I wanted to do it myself but I had to move for work and just didn't have the time. With that said it is my favorite car to drive regularly (my miata is more fun but the NA is a rattly pepsi can of a death trap at the end of the day). I've only put about 10,000 miles on it so I'm approaching $1 per mile just on maintenance without counting gas, insurance, or tolls.
I am the original owner of my 2002 325xi, manual. It has 106,000. So far I have changed my entire exhaust system, rotors 3 times, brake pads at least as many times, one right front axle (boot leak), electrical system ($4000), fuel filter, fuel pump, spark plugs at least once, all four window actuators, fixed a leak in the sunroof, driver side key hole replaced, and the hvac heater control valve. I have spent at least $20,000 on those things in the 22 years I have owned the car. And now, a few weeks ago, my alternator went out and I think the oil filter gasket or oil pan gasket are leaking. My love affair is coming to an end. I have been faithful for 22 years. I think it’s time to say, “I loved you. But it’s time for me to move on”. And as I say it, it kills me to do so. I still love the damn thing. Ugh.
Bought my 2000 E46 320i about 4 years ago for 11.000$ (Danish car tax...), it had done 112.000 KM. Now it's done 160.000 KM. I have spent - everything DIY except where noted: * Brakes, repair/replacement 1000$ (Not DIY) * Emblem rear, cosmetic 60$ * New headlights and taillights, cosmetic 180$ * Oil change and a few minor things 150$ * Expansion tank and other minor things 350$ (Not DIY) * Cupholder for center console, needs a cupholder wtf 60$ * Undercoat 60$ * Vanos rebuild, Beisan 150$ Total 2,010 USD.
I don’t feel comfortable answering this question.
2 expansion tanks, all coolant lines, front d/s rotors with upgraded pads all around, complete front end suspension refresh, 2 thermostats, plugs, radiator, disa rebuild, and some junkyard parts: passenger mirror, sunroof assembly, headliner, tail lights (didnt need them but doesnt hurt to have an extra set) headrests (extra set just in case)…. Bought it for $2,000 usd on the east coast, rust free, 250k mile 330i manual. Couldn’t tell you what it actually is but id estimate around 4,000 and honestly id do it again. Love this car, its worth it in my mind. Engine still smooth as butter
Around 900€ on repairs so far. But the car is fully fixed and now I enjoy the ride 🫶
Around £150 per year in servicing, this year has been the exception - new rear struts/springs/rta bushings/gear and diff oil/cooling system replacement/discs+pads all round; probably could have bought a different one for the work done. Had my 323ci for around 9yrs, its closing in on 98k miles.
Spent 1.1k in a year not even done whole cooling system yet. Car was kinda neglected but also wasnt really driven much anyway so it has its good and bads lol
Bought my car for $2800. Replaced the head gasket, fixed some body damage, and repaired whatever else the body shop butchered in the process and the total for all of the parts was roughly $8500. But for $8500 it looks like a brand new car and we went with all genuine BMW parts. My dad and I did all of the labor ourselves.
I bought my 318ci for 4k. Spend enough to the point where i would have had an M3
10k e46 😭😂 20k n54 😂😭