[KevinC]

Break My Wallet
Big Money Worries
Bubba Makes Wheels (for the Spartanburg-built)

[ctcarbonari]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Break My Wallet
Big Money Worries
Bubba Makes Wheels (for the Spartanburg-built)

ha ha @ Bubba Makes Wheels. That's a new one to me.

Bought My Wife
(Careful what you wish for)

[Billyframerepair]

Originally Posted by fe7565

I post this in this non-F30 specific thread.

At what point do the hoses and wiring and other plastic or non-metal parts start cracking and falling apart effecting operation/safety? Besides normal maintenance intervals, what else do you need to replace/refresh that you would not have to in the first 10 years?

My current car is the longest I have ever kept a car, at 114k miles and 13 years old. Had it since it was 1.5 years old. I always replaced my cars after 3-4 years, and I bought them either new or under 30k miles. So do not have experience with older vehicles (let alone BMW) with over 100K miles.

The car has been garaged for 11 years, and in the NOVA/DC area. So everything like hoses/wires, etc seem to be in about twice as good shape as my previous ungaraged cars. Also, I remember my 1983 Camaro in 1989 that had cracked interior dash and various quality-control issues that were so representative of US-made cars in the 80s. I would never keep those cars past 80-90k miles.

So with today's better made cars, I am so far going to keep the car longer. Of course, the engine could seize anytime if something breaks (even with the most diligent maintenance), but I plan to keep it for now as long as the hoses/non-metalic parts, etc structurally hold up well.

Sounds like you’re on the right track with regular maintenance! BMWs can last well beyond 100k miles if taken care of, but things like the rubber seals, hoses, and plastics can start to wear around that point. Just stay on top of things like cooling system parts, suspension bushings, and occasional gaskets. With your regular garage care, you’d definitely be ahead of the game Lol!

[chassis]

91k miles.

Multiple and sequential total immediate loss of coolant failures on a 2018 G01 X3 with impeccably maintained B46.

I don’t mind that things wear out.

I object to multiple catastrophic failures happening in immediate succession. No early warning signs.

[Randy Johnson]

Right when the warranty expires. Similar to cinderella.

[jzeiler4]

The E-46 series you had to change all the cooling system items at 100K other wise you were good to go.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by jzeiler4

The E-46 series you had to change all the cooling system items at 100K other wise you were good to go.

Starting with E36 era (E46, E90, F80, G80, etc), you need to replace as many plastic cooling components as possible. Including the radiator. Every ~50K miles proactively, or as they fail and try to overheat/warp your head.

Other than that, with pro-active maintenance, I've had one (1 E30) BMW last 250+K miles, and multiple ones 100+K miles with zero known impending issues. All with the original engines, transmissions, clutches, and diffs. It should be noted that all of those were pre-turbo era engines.

None of the turbo engined-era BMW cars that I've owned have reached 60K miles before they had became someone else's problem.


YMMV,
a

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Starting with E36 era (E46, E90, F80, G80, etc), you need to replace as many plastic cooling components as possible. Including the radiator. Every ~50K miles proactively, or as they fail and try to overheat/warp your head.

Other than that, with pro-active maintenance, I've had one (1 E30) BMW last 250+K miles, and multiple ones 100+K miles with zero known impending issues. All with the original engines, transmissions, clutches, and diffs. It should be noted that all of those were pre-turbo era engines.

None of the turbo engined-era BMW cars that I've owned have reached 60K miles before they had became someone else's problem.


YMMV,
a

Seriously, you're kidding, right? Lol.

[KevinC]

Originally Posted by ctcarbonari

ha ha @ Bubba Makes Wheels. That's a new one to me.

I heard that one IN Greenville about 15 years ago. So maybe it's common among the locals.

[Emily172013]

Originally Posted by UPSROD

As soon as the price gets low enough that someone under 30 buys!

That's the funniest reply I've seen about anything on the forum.
And, your right!

[vt100]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Seriously, you're kidding, right? Lol.

Quite exaggerated I’d say, more like the interval should be multiplied by 2.5 or 3.

PS: I’m in the middle of replacing the cooling system on my wife’s 128i (125kmiles or so). Hoses are not actually bad but practically all connectors are sipping through. And o-rings are all flat already.
Also, seems like the radiator is leaking in 2 (!) places as well. But hope SULEV warranty would cover that.
Suspension is also done, some bushings are weak and even some ball joints too

PPS: but BMW will never ever make anything even remotely close to the 1 series, so this car will be revived as long as I’m alive

[BD3]

If you live in the northeast or Midwest, the only real issue is rust. If you see rust on your car, then it’s time to get rid of it. It doesn’t matter how many times you changed the oil. If the frame starts to rust, you need to find a new car.

[osteome]

A lot of potential issues will depend or course on your local climate and how often you "cycle" your vehicle in terms of driving distance per day. Garaged or not will also have an effect in terms of environmental exposure. From the run down below of our current cars, some brands are more "fragile" than others


2022 G83 M4 / 7500 miles: no issues

2020 G05 X5 / 42000 miles: leather dash separation at HUD

2007 E83 X3 / 127,000 miles: lots of plastic parts deterioration (coolant overflow tank, windshield cowl, windshield seals, window regulators), vapor barrier failure at all doors, manual transmission leather shift boot deterioration, "plasticized" coatings rubbing off from interior, all shadow line trim faded, minor headliner sag, panoramic sunroof never opened as it will fail eventually at it plastic guides. It left me stuck on the side of the road once (coolant tank failure). Suspension at all four corners required replacement at 125k due to broken rear springs and leaking shocks/struts, although it is the oldest vehicle in the stable.

2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid / 101,000 miles: zero issues mechanically or cosmetically due to weather exposure

2012 Toyota Sienna / 151,000 miles: built like a tank, windshield cowl fading and grill mounted laser head cover "fading" are the only "wear items" that I have noted. The only non-maintenance item since new was a water pump. At some point I will need to change the original 100k mile spark plugs. This is the car that we have owned the longest, purchasing it as a new vehicle thirteen years ago.

2009 Honda CRV / 139,000 miles: faded black plastic exterior trim due sun exposure, otherwise just keeps plugging away with nominal maintenance.

We love our BMWs, but budget for perhaps a little more "fragility" over the long haul if you hold on to your cars. The Toyotas and the Honda are more of "appliances", but have never really asked for much mechanically and seem to hold up well.

[fe7565]

Originally Posted by osteome

A lot of potential issues will depend or course on your local climate and how often you "cycle" your vehicle in terms of driving distance per day. Garaged or not will also have an effect in terms of environmental exposure. From the run down below of our current cars, some brands are more "fragile" than others


2022 G83 M4 / 7500 miles: no issues

2020 G05 X5 / 42000 miles: leather dash separation at HUD

2007 E83 X3 / 127,000 miles: lots of plastic parts deterioration (coolant overflow tank, windshield cowl, windshield seals, window regulators), vapor barrier failure at all doors, manual transmission leather shift boot deterioration, "plasticized" coatings rubbing off from interior, all shadow line trim faded, minor headliner sag, panoramic sunroof never opened as it will fail eventually at it plastic guides. It left me stuck on the side of the road once (coolant tank failure). Suspension at all four corners required replacement at 125k due to broken rear springs and leaking shocks/struts, although it is the oldest vehicle in the stable.

2015 Toyota Highlander Hybrid / 101,000 miles: zero issues mechanically or cosmetically due to weather exposure

2012 Toyota Sienna / 151,000 miles: built like a tank, windshield cowl fading and grill mounted laser head cover "fading" are the only "wear items" that I have noted. The only non-maintenance item since new was a water pump. At some point I will need to change the original 100k mile spark plugs. This is the car that we have owned the longest, purchasing it as a new vehicle thirteen years ago.

2009 Honda CRV [...]

Great information. Very helpful thank you

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by KevinC

Break My Wallet
Big Money Worries
Bubba Makes Wheels (for the Spartanburg-built)

Broken Most Weeks
Bankruptcy Motoren Werke
Briefly May Work
etc

Rubber and plastics every 100K for me, as a general rule with German cars, for preventative maintenance. The only snag with BMWs being the cost of said (genuine) plastics.

The other question you should ask is: "How long can you survive without the car if something does fall apart?". Quite an important one if you need it for 1+hr commutes every day.

[afadeev]

Originally Posted by vt100

Quite exaggerated I’d say, more like the interval should be multiplied by 2.5 or 3.

Not at all, just following Mike Miller's "old school" maintenance schedule.

After having my E36M3 radiator neck break at <30K miles while on track (back in the day), I have zero desire to repeat that experience.

You, however, do you!

Originally Posted by vt100

PS: I’m in the middle of replacing the cooling system on my wife’s 128i (125kmiles or so). [...]
Suspension is also done, some bushings are weak and even some ball joints too

That's a good one as well - very few folks notice the gradual degradation in strut performance, and assume they last "forever" or until they start leaking.
In reality, struts are all but gone smelling daisies north of 50-60K miles.
They don't need to be leaking to be dead!

YMMV,
a

[vt100]

Originally Posted by afadeev

After having my E36M3 radiator neck break at <30K miles while on track (back in the day), I have zero desire to repeat that experience.

You, however, do you!

So you change radiators every 30kmiles?

Originally Posted by afadeev

That's a good one - very few folks notice the gradual degradation in strut performance, and assume they last "forever" or until they start leaking.
In reality, struts are all but gone smelling daisies north of 50-60K miles.
They don't need to be leaking to be dead!

Yes, good one indeed! Was there anywhere in my post I mentioned shocks or struts?

PS: it feels like you assume a bit too much about people you don't know and cars you've never seen...

[Melatonin]

Tuesday at 3:47pm.

[slilley]

Originally Posted by afadeev

Not at all, just following Mike Miller's "old school" maintenance schedule.

After having my E36M3 radiator neck break at <30K miles while on track (back in the day), I have zero desire to repeat that experience.

You, however, do you!

Here's a newer version (from 2013) of Mike Miller's lifetime service recommendations, along with a suspension and steering evaluation. Rest in peace, Mike!!