which series BMW is the most reliable with the least problems around the year 2000??

Question

3 or 5 series?

would it be smart to buy a 2000 BMW 325i with around 70,000 miles on it? or will it give me problems?

does the same go for the 5 series?

Answer 1

Personally, I would go back one year and get a 99 3 series. The 99 was the last of the E36 and therefore had most all the bugs worked out. The radiator was aluminum sleeved, had an aluminum thermostat housing and metal water pump. If you are looking specifically at the E46 3 series and 2000 5 series (E39) then definitely get the 3 series. The E39 is great but it is larger and more expensive. You can find a higher trim lower miles 3 for the same price as some 5's.

No matter what you get: DON'T ever go to the dealer. You can get almost every part online at Pelicanparts.com and either you or a local shop can install them.

If you can shop around for parts, they aren't really that much more expensive then the next car. It's the BMW specific labor that will kill you. The local dealer is over $115/hr and the shops are all over $85/hr. They aren't hard cars to work on and require very little in tools to do most "normal" jobs. Just get a Bentley Guide and ask any technical questions on Bimmerforums.com.

Answer 2

the 325xi and 325i base model is very reliable, as long as it has been well kept, get the VIN and have a BMW dealer run a DCS report also try and find out were its been serviced and get some service records. you don't want a car that was neglected. BMW's need factory parts. and the more reliable ones are the ones without all the bells and whistles.The 3 series and 5 series 6cyl share the same motors some are 2.3's, 2.5's 2.8's and 3.0's the 328 325 and 528 are the most trouble free. I work on them every day and know everything there is to know about them. Merc and porsches cost a hell of alot more to maint. the Bmw goes 15,000 miles between oil changes. with BMW long life oil. Once you own one you never want to buy another car. just maybe another one. the model #'s stand for the series like 3,5,7 and the other #'s stand for engine size in liters.

Answer 3

Just be aware that the BMW's while great cars to drive are also the most expensive cars there are to maintain. About the only place to get parts are BMW dealers and they charge through the roof for their parts. Even the batteries, on some of their models, are dealer onlyitems. I finally had enough of outrageous costs and got rid of my beemer. Oh and by the way the higher the series number the BIGGER the BMW. The 3 is a compact the 5 a mid and the 7 is a full size. Nice cars to drive but very expensive to maintain and after about 70,000 they'll start eating money.

Answer 4

With BMWs, the higher the model number, the more upscale the car. I don't know if you already knew that. But based on that, I would lean towards the 5 series. A good way to find out what models of cars have had problems is to look for recalls. Being a high-end car company, BMW may have very few but I'd look nevertheless. 70,000 miles isn't too high, and BMW's generally last for much longer, so that should be fine. The only concern with higher mileage is that no matter the car, high mileage comes with the need for replacement parts. BMW is known for the high cost of repairs, so keep that in mind.

But otherwise, great choice. I am looking at BMWs for a car and my dad has one that he loves.

Answer 5

I own 2 BMWs - Both are 2000's, and

both run as well as they did out of the showroom. I wouldn't hesitate to take either one of them across the country and back with no problem.

My Z 3 has 140, 000 miles and has a few body dings and scratches. The engine looks new, and I do regular Service Intervals when the green bars get close to yellow.

My 323ci convertible has 80,000 miles on it, and I just had the oxygen sensors changed, the electronic thermostat replaced, and automatic transmission fluid replaced. The cost was $1,100 and that's probably all I'll have to pay this year with the exception of oil changes.

My most common expense on my 2 vehicles is the top of the line car wash with Rain-X which I do every 2 weeks.

These cars are fantastic.

Answer 6

I've always heard that BMWs (and Mercedes, and Audis) are unreliable compared to Japanese makes, especially Honda and Toyota - but I've never owned one, so I can't verify that. Anecdotally, of the three BMW owners I know, one (E46 sedan) is having no problems and two (E36 coupe, E36 sedan) are having a lot of trouble with their cars. By the way, E46 is the generation you're looking at and E36 is the generation before it. In the link below, MSN Autos says the reliability on the car you're looking at is good. But obviously, the most important factor is how well that car has been maintained.

Answer 7

I would try researching your decision at edmunds.com, read the reviews on those and see what other people thought. Generally, I thought the 3-series is supposed to have the least problems overall but maybe not. I know the 7 series is notorious for having problems.

Answer 8

the 5 series is a better buy -- the 325's had a few motor prob's and ---- find a bmw that is an automatic tranny -- less motor racing and no clutch to wear out and that's high $$'s cause it's hanging on a beemer ----- remember repairs are expensive unless you can find a good independent tech-mechanic....

Answer 9

325i great car! Id buy it if you got the sport package. Id stay away from the 5 series.

Answer 10

5 series is the way to go.