Tail-shaft/Universal Joint unbalanced, there is an awful shudder as you take off through the gears (auto).
Door handles and window winders snap and break to pieces.
Boot mechanism bent slightly - boot wouldn't shut at all.
Needed a new transmission at approx 180,000 - kept stalling itself everytime the car was started, became hard to take off, started to rev and not go very far, eventually just wouldn't drive anymore, $3000 later, the gear stick wasn't put in correctly and the stick doesn't click into gear properly in reverse. Not the cars fault - the mechanics!
Lights for inspection/coolant/ etc continue to stay on, have to get the little plug in thing to make them go off... I don't live close to a BMW dealer/specialist so this is hard.
This was a great car when I bought it, it had so much guts for the size of it. Make sure you care for the car and continue to have it serviced, not like me.
Otherwise, a fantastic looking car, not the best on fuel, but great to drive especially for its age!
"Tail-shaft/Universal Joint unbalanced, there is an awful shudder as you take off through the gears (auto)."
Your u-joints are bad, so you need your driveshaft rebuilt...it's pricey, but worth it!
"Needed a new transmission at approx 180,000 - kept stalling itself everytime the car was started, became hard to take off, started to rev and not go very far, eventually just wouldn't drive anymore, $3000 later, the gear stick wasn't put in correctly and the stick doesn't click into gear properly in reverse. Not the cars fault - the mechanics!"
BMW's aren't' known for reliable autos much like Ford. But also like Ford, if you get a 5 speed, it'll make the car much more reliable!
"Lights for inspection/coolant/ etc continue to stay on, have to get the little plug in thing to make them go off... I don't live close to a BMW dealer/specialist so this is hard."
There's a very simple resetting method to get the lights to shut off. Do a google search or email me at sjcrail@_hotmail.com.
I went through 2 tail-shafts in about 18 months. They must be a weak spot in these cars. The second one was particularly annoying because it was a reconditioned one that cost me about 1000 Aussie pesos. That shuddering is absolutely hideous though, I thought the gearbox was going to jump through the console into the car!
I thought the fuel economy was outstanding, around 8 L/100km which is excellent for a 6-pot donk. I believe this was the idea though, the "e" was for environment or eco-something and this would explain why the performance was only average.
I live in the country and had the same problem with the service/inspection lights. You can also find them on ebay.
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