Learn me - E46 xi models

Right, my CJ is proving to be more interested in being worked on than providing reliable transport. I guess I'll chalk that one up to experience but this means I"ll need something fairly quickly that would work as a reliable DD with a little fun thrown in.

There are a bunch of 325xis and 330xis for sale around here that are probably in reach if I jump over my shadow and get a car payment but I'm a little gun shy at the moment.

Any comments on these, good or bad? Plain 'i's are not in the running, I really need AWD around here in the mountains.

They call them snow tires.

I have to go over a 7200' pass every day on the way to work and trust me, at some point 2WD with studded snows isn't going to cut it, even with chains on the car.

Man I wish I lived in the mountains.

It is nice out here, but at the moment the snow is getting on my nerves rather than making me happy. Had another 2" down here in the valley (and we're on the dry side of the valley) which probably means we're up to a foot or so at work and $DEITY knows how much up on the pass. I guess the fact that I80 is/was closed last night isn't a good sign...

The E46 x-models are pretty much like the standard models, just with more stuff to maintain and wear out. Honestly if you have that much snow to the point where studded snows with chains won't get you over the hump I think you'd have ground clearance issues with the BMW that the awd won't help that much with.

Forester 2.5XT.

As was said, outside of the transfer case and front drive bits, they're going to have the same foibles as a two wheel drive version so you should be able to find some buyer's guides out there that cover those things. Not very many of them had manual transmissions, if that's a concern. All wheel drive in a BMW is a great thing to have in snow, I have a couple of the earlier 325ix's and like them very much.

Why not get a legacy or impreza? Thats what most people that live in that area have isnt it?

In reply to Travis_K:

At least for me that would be the reason to get something else.

Travis_K wrote: Why not get a legacy or impreza? Thats what most people that live in that area have isnt it?

Mainly because I don't like them after some less than stellar experience (read: expensive) with a JDM Legacy GT.

Actually most people out here drive trucks or Jeeps, but I'm not a truck guy and when it comes to Jeeps, well, see the rant I posted earlier.

I certainly wouldn't say no to a 325ix, but try finding one - the only ones I've seen recently are back East, with on exception.

stuart in mn wrote: As was said, outside of the transfer case and front drive bits, they're going to have the same foibles as a two wheel drive version so you should be able to find some buyer's guides out there that cover those things. Not very many of them had manual transmissions, if that's a concern.

Actually someone in town is selling an early 330xi with a manual box and some nice tweaks.

stuart in mn wrote: All wheel drive in a BMW is a great thing to have in snow, I have a couple of the earlier 325ix's and like them very much.

I'd have one of those if I could find one .

I've heard rumblings about the reliability of the 4 wheel drive systems. Seems that some of the bits are considering wear items after about 100K and are quite expensive to replace. Honestly, if you're considering an AWD 3 series, I'd strongly consider something like a WRX/STI/Forrester XT instead. Even our '06 RAV4 has been a pretty solid go-anywhere vehicle in the winter. With AWD, decent ground clearance, and a powerful V6, I get 22-24 MPG in mixed driving and have gotten 28+ on extended highway trips (with kids and gear).

Nice choice with the xi models, at least the torque favors the rear on these.

dj06482 wrote: I've heard rumblings about the reliability of the 4 wheel drive systems. Seems that some of the bits are considering wear items after about 100K and are quite expensive to replace.

Funny you should say that, the one I was eyeing has just a little less than 100k on it. I knew I would get some good info on here.

dj06482 wrote: Honestly, if you're considering an AWD 3 series, I'd strongly consider something like a WRX/STI/Forrester XT instead.

See above, not a big Subaru fan, and I'm not willing to pay the premium for an Evo.

Two threads for reference:

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/awd-wagon-bmw-vs-subaru/29089/page1/

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/bmw-330i-vs-wrx-vs-mazda3/12846/page1/

My dads 96 legacy went 280k with only oil brake pads and tires. Its now at 370k, but it would have probably been cheaper to buy another one for what its cost since then. The biggest problem with Subarus IMO is they dont depreciate to reflect the amount of money it can cost to keep them on the road at high mileage. I dont think many other AWD cars fall into the reliable daily driver category, maybe a truck/suv would be better.

What about one of the AWD Mercs? I was talking with the guy that owns the indi shop when I got the trans fluid changed on my my wifes R350. I asked him about he AWD system in reference to fluid changes and such and he said that in the 10 or so years he has been wokring on Mercs he has not seen many, like 5 or so, failures. Just food for thought.

I did own a W124 4matic a while back. The reason the BMW might appeal more is because it's a little sportier. Plus at least on the W124 4matic it has been mentioned that some parts for the 4matic are hard to get.

The links above gave me a little food for thought. I am currently wondering if I can nurse the CJ through the winter while keeping an eye out for a good 325ix instead. Otherwise I'll probably look for either a mid-90s Land Cruiser or and older Legacy or Forrester.

Oddball suggestion here, and I don't know how good the AWD system is, but it is just a suggestion: Mazdaspeed 6.

Can these be had for about 10 large ones? I'm not willing to spending much more and preferably less.

BoxheadTim wrote: Can these be had for about 10 large ones? I'm not willing to spending much more and preferably less.

Getting close: http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=293636832&dealer_id=66016689&car_year=2006&doors=&systime=&model=MAZDASPD6&search_lang=en&start_year=1981&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&search_type=both&distance=100&min_price=1&drive=&rdm=1300746721458&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&fuel=&keywords_display=&sownerid=572521&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=2012&showZipError=n&make2=&certified=&engine=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&transmission=&ct=p&default_sort=newsortbyprice_ASC&max_mileage=&address=89410&color=&sort_type=priceASC&max_price=11111&awsp=false&make=MAZDA&seller_type=b&num_records=25&cardist=90&standard=false&rdpage=thumb

EDIT: Just realized that one is a salvage title. But I've seen a few in the 10-11k range with more miles.

I still think you'd be fine with something 2wd and good snow tires. I'm in utah and i when i had a season pass at one of the resorts here i made it up with no drama on even the nastiest days in my e30 318is with snows.

E46 330xi owner since early 2010, replaced the cooling system parts that fail around 100K (on all E46s), battery (original) failed around the same time. The plastic undertray broke when hung up in snow.

My 17 year old drives it as his car and apart from basics above, it has been pretty good overall, It is a safe and comfortable ride also.

He drove it all winter here in Ohio and it seemed to be competent for an inexperienced, but level headed kid.

Well, that doesn't sound too bad...

I'm still umm-ing and aaah-ing about that BMW, maybe I should just have a look at it.