Maintenance Costs 1992 325i?

[Akira]

I'm looking at a 4 door 325i from 1992, seems to be in quite good condition other than the 240k clicks on it (is this a reasonable number of clicks for this car, or should I look somewhere else?). What I am wondering is how expensive is the upkeep on a BMW? A lot more than other more standard cars? Does it take a long time to get parts? I suppose I should also mention that the price is $6000. No rust, no problems with paint, everything "looks" fine.
Regards,
-Tom

[SteveMo600]

I would get the car thoroughly checked out because parts are pertty expensive. I had a 95 318i and parts were pretty expensive. The labour was also more expensive because it was a lot tougher and took longer to get at certain areas in the engine bay compared to a smaller more basic import car. Your car will be a bit worse because it's the 325 which has a lot more power than the 318.

IMO I would look around a bit more. If you look around enough, you'll be able to find a 325 or 328 with a lot less kms on it for only a grand or two more. Good choice with the E36 though!

[three.eighteen.]

92s are the odd ones in the bunch, no vanos on the 325 model, and they have a few unique parts that later e36 parts are not interchangable with

[rinny]

hmmm....is this BMW dark blue, fully loaded w/ leather, sunroof etc?

just wondering cuz it could be parents old one...

either way, like they said, parts do have to be ordered in, average costs are pretty expensive

ex: had heater blower motor replaced, and because of the amount of parts that had to be taken out i think it was a several (arond 600) hundred dollar bill

who knows, maybe it is the same car, and if so, the clutch was replaced, and it has been babied

[Akira]

Nope, It's white, and in edmonton... but thanks for all the replies folks... helps me get an idea of what I may or may not be getting into.
-Tom

[t-im]

Do you want a BMW that bad that you're willing to buy one with that high of km's? I say spend more and find one with less km.

[robpark]

I have a 325 IS and have put $3000 into it in the last 2 months....NOT because things desperately needed replacing, but because I am trying to get it as close to perfect as I can.

Tranny Cooler-$885
Front Wheel Bearings-$825
Trans Filter Kit-$72
Fog Lamp-$243
O-Rings, bulbs, dust cap, Axle Nut-$25
Headlight Wahser jet-$250
Telescope-$77
Wiper Blades-$65
Coolant Flush/New Coolant-$105

Plus some other odds and ends. That includes labour.

Hope this gives you an idea of the cost of repairs.....

[Willis]

Some info I picked up when I bought my 92 325i:

Early fuel pumps were designed using fuel from the tank to cool the pump motor. If the car is run too long below 1/4 tank, these motors tend to burn out. This is an expensive repair involving a lot of labor (rear seat removal and carpets pulled up).

Original water pumps used a plastic impeller. These were known to break, causing pieces to enter the cooling system. Make sure a pump with a metal impeller was installed.

Ignition coils (Zundspule) were know to be defective in 92. If there is a rough idle under heavy engine load, there may be a few defective coils. Replacement Bosch coils retail for ~130 CAD each from the dealer.
Recall: Alldata, Bulletin #12 02 92 (3506)

Alldata Service Bulletins & Recalls (http://www.alldata.com/TSB/06/92064214.html)