2004 BMW 3 Series Consumer Discussions

BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

Re: BMW 330xi oil change [ilovebeemers]

Written by: roadburner on Oct 07, 2008 09:24 AM

Also, do you think it is a must to change the brake fluid in the 2 year intervals You should change it every two years at the very least. I usually change it every year on my wife's car. My track rats get fresh DOT4 fluid every six months. and when do I "need" to change the manual transmission oil? On this question I'll have to differ with my friend shipo; if I was planning ... Read More...

BMW 3-Series Run Flat Tires

Re: Replacing RFT with regular... replace rims too? [Mr_Shiftright]

Written by: shipo on Sep 02, 2008 08:35 AM

Go over to the PAX discussion steve_, "Run-flat, self-sealing, PAX tires for Minivans" #1, 29 Nov 2004 8:27 pm and poke around there. Granted it's a very different crowd, however, I've run into quite a number of folks who are staunch supporters of the Michelin PAX setup. :P As far as the BMW camp goes, I rather doubt that there is a single informed individual that ... Read More...

BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

Engine service light on--BMW 325xi 2004

Written by: jodan on Jul 18, 2008 07:17 PM

My service engine light(yellow) has been on and off the last 4-5 months. I suspected the bad gas as a culprit , but now I'm a little confused. I check my gas cap and it's close. I still put in 93 grade and I just had my major service done over at my dealership for 60,000+ miles four months ago. Any advice will be great! JD Read More...

Re: Maintenance on BMW's [praz]

Written by: roadburner on Jul 17, 2008 00:01 PM

Find a good independent BMW tech and out of warranty maintenance and repair costs shouldn't average over $80-$90 per month. My 1995 3 Series has averaged @$50 per month(including the cost of three sets of tires) since I bought it new in October 1995, and at that time BMW did not provide free maintenance for 4 years/50K miles. My wife's 2004 X3 costs about $75 per ... Read More...

Entry Level Luxury Performance Sedans

3 series Coupe

Written by: feroz on Aug 05, 2008 06:03 PM

I recently drove some of this cars and was very well impressed. I don´t know the series well so I have a few questions: 1). On 2000- 2004 models are there regular standard shifts in all models years? 2). On the secuential shift, can it also operate as automatic or dose it always have to work as semi auto? If so how dose BMW expect a valet parking to take the car? the shifter ... Read More...

BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

Re: Engine service light on--BMW 325xi 2004 [jodan]

Written by: hal56 on Jul 20, 2008 08:04 PM

my 08 335i had the light come on within a couple of days of delivery. Turns out thre was a bad wire over the rear wheel--took a day for the dealer to trace it down and about 5 minutes to actually fix. Read More...

Infiniti G35 vs Audi A4 vs BMW 335i

09 A4

Written by: sjaieve on Jul 03, 2008 04:46 PM

I have to agree that compared to the 328i, the new A4 will be a better buy even if equally priced. However, I would not be suprised to see the sales numbers showing the 328i in the lead. People flock to BMW dealerships, maybe to get the 335i but realize its pricey and then settle for the 328i:) In all honesty I have no idea why the 328i sells as much as it does. Ultimately ... Read More...

BMW 335d 2009+

Re: Not good enough [gagrice]

Written by: jlbl on Jun 15, 2008 04:48 AM

In the last 15,500 miles of her 62,000 miles (the last year of her four years), my former 2004 530d averaged 38 miles per gallon on a highway/mountain-road mixture (2-3 passengers, heavy luggage most of the time and speeds up to 96 miles per hour on the highway). (0-62 miles is nominally 7.1 secs for 2004 530d bimmers.) In her last year as well, that 530d got 42 miles ... Read More...

BMW 3-Series Prices Paid and Buying Experience

Re: recommend a dealer in NY/NJ? [raphster]

Written by: win0630 on May 18, 2008 01:51 PM

Difeo BMW in Tenafly NJ. Bought both my wife's X3 in 2004 and my 335xi last week there. Offers were way below any other NJ Dealer. Very professional. Great buying experience. Read More...

Buy a used BMW or lease a new one?

Buy a used BMW or lease a new one?

Written by: budugu on Apr 25, 2008 11:56 AM

I am going to move into a job this month and i am thinking of shopping for my first car. I have a budget of 30K may be a shade more. I see that the new 3 series/ C300 sport /A4 seem to be in the 30-35k range. In that range i can get a 2004/5 certirfied preowned A8L or similar. I am also thinking of leasing instead of buying a new 35K 3 series. So what do you guys advise? Are repair ... Read More...