[npolite]

Hi Everyone,

Before I pull the trigger on a 06 325i I would like to get an idea from the community how many times a year you usually had to take your car in for service. I'm looking in particular for items outside of the regular maintenance items such as oil and air filter changes. If you let me know what problems you had and around what mileage that would help.

Thanks,
Nick

[ubern00b]

86k miles. a few electrical type things (sunroof and rear window either motors or sensors, not sure which), my AC keeps running out of freon even though my local dealership swears there isn't a leak. other than that, everything's pretty normal for oil changes and checkups. i'm probably going to get new springs/shocks installed next time i get tires, but that is probably off topic.

[Hoog_23]

I've had my car for a yr and only went to the dealer once right before the warranty was up to take care of some minor items.

[GeauxChadE90]

fairly often, but my dealership is great. every time i go in i get a 335 or 535 and sometimes an x5, so i don't mind. mostly stuff like ubern00b said, window and sunroof sensors needing to be reinitialized. i just got it back after the rear door handle was getting stuck out. whatever issues the car has are definitely made up for by the driving experience. be sure to get a mt and sport package!

[bsamoul]

Originally Posted by npolite

Hi Everyone,

Before I pull the trigger on a 06 325i I would like to get an idea from the community how many times a year you usually had to take your car in for service. I'm looking in particular for items outside of the regular maintenance items such as oil and air filter changes. If you let me know what problems you had and around what mileage that would help.

Thanks,
Nick

Both of our 325's only really go in once a year, maybe 2 if the miles are weird and we hit the next service interval. One car has been perfect, the other we had to get a window mechanism replaced on the second day of owning it, and the radio had to be replaced because it wouldn't eject cd's. That being said however, they have been very reliable cars.

[ru with me drhoo]

One issue in almost 3 years...oil level sensor needed to be replaced. Otherwise, trouble-free...but I'm the only driver, and I'm careful with my car!

[CyberGypsy]

I put on 4K in the last few months and No issues at all. 52K miles

[SoYank]

I had two warranty issues. The first, iDrive hiccuping, started at 11 months and was spuratic for nine months and three software updates followed by fixing the Bluetooth antenna connection. The other, the ELV problem, occurred at 20 months and was resolved immediately.

[DR51FTA]

i just had the door handle problem sticking out..nothing else. windows are fine everything. Power steering pump went once but under warrenty so nothing major really..reliable cars.

[MONAX]

I have a 2006 E90 325i with 16K miles on it...and so far I've had 1 "issue" where basically all my doors will not lock or unlock (except manually) so I took it in and issue fixed... the other problem that I need to take it in is my clutch is "squeaking" when engaged, so I need to take it in... other than those 2 things... really good!! and it is a GREAT car to drive... good luck with yours...

[gos]

I've got 32k on my 2006 E90, and it hasn't been THAT bad, but I've had a few issues.

1. Sirius receiver wouldn't lock on properly at times, so they replaced it. Been no problems since.
2. CA module in driver's door handle wouldn't go into sleep mode, took two dealer trips to diagnose why my battery was dying, and spent about a week in the shop.
3. Various noises etc. that they have solved, all except the headrests but now that I've reproduced it, they said next time I'm in they'll replace the guide rings which should solve the clicking.
4. I went through two sets of bridgestone tires in about 5k miles each, due to severe scallopping, and they replaced for free under warranty. My 3rd set of tires is the continental runflat, which is much quieter and doesn't show any irregular wear. Apparently the compound was tweaked at some point and the current manufacture tires don't show these wear patterns.

--gos

[gos]

All of the above was covered under warranty, btw. The only one that would have been really painful out of warranty was the CA module, because it took them a full week to diagnose and prove they'd solved it. Labor charge would have been over $3000, a new door handle was only like $400.

[SiKkBaSs]

Had a problem with the sensor showing that my hood was open when it wasn't, which then meant my alarm kept going off randomly due to the electrical interferences. Trip to the dealer sorted this out. Apart from that

Solid

[npolite]

Thanks for everyone's input thus far (and anyone who has more to contribute please do). While I am going to get it CPO so most of these issues should be covered (if any do show up) the BMW record doesn't seem to be on par for what I am used to by my Honda's. Yes it is true that the current generation has had its share of problems but they have been localized to design flaws where everyone is getting them in the same place (ie squealing brakes, steering column noises and various rattles) none of which are more than just annoyances. Here I'm seeing failures of random parts which doesn't sit too well with me especially once the car is out of the CPO warranty after 3 years. I guess I'm going to have to decide if it is really worth it.

[bret383]

Bought mine at end of Aug. With almost 4k miles later, still a great car and my first BMW. Love it. With CPO, I wouldn't let it bother me. If you like it, go for it! Not comfortable with it, find something else. Cost of ownership was on my mind too, but at the end of the day, buying any car new or used, American, Japanese, or German has a chance of some things going wrong. I found a car without alot of the extras like comfort access and Nav to help set me at ease. This car is awesome and a joy to drive! Love the 6 speed and Sport pkgs!

[glock17]

I have a 2006 325i and I love it. I bought it CPO just as the 335 and 328i models came out. It's been to the dealers for the 15000 mile service and back shortly after because they didn't change the oil during the 15000 mile service. It's about due for the 30000 mile service. Other than the annoying OEM runflat tire noise, my car has been perfect. I would highly recommend it. Enjoy.

[Back in a Subie]

06 E90, only minor issues so far: Suspension noise over speed bumps at low speed, service light for coolant top off, sticking door handle. Opt for the extended warranty and you should be good to go!

[BK]

Originally Posted by npolite

Before I pull the trigger on a 06 325i I would like to get an idea from the community how many times a year you usually had to take your car in for service. I'm looking in particular for items outside of the regular maintenance items such as oil and air filter changes.

Zero. I'm at 30K+. Mine has been ultra reliable (knock on wood). Obviously, YMMV.

If you're looking for common issues with the 06 325i, I'd search threads on steering column lock malfunction, front passenger airbag sensor (this was a recall issue), engine ticking, uneven Turanza wear and Turanza road noise. I think those are the most common major issues.

[DFW_M]

May 2005 (06 E90) here with only 24k miles though...
So far, except once a year oil changes + 3rd set of tires, no trips to service.
I do have numerous rattles all over it and will have them fix those during my last oil service in May...
Sadly, it says 28k miles till required brake service, so obviously I will not get a feebie there...

Great car for the money. Inside and out still looks (almost) like the day I drove it off the lot...

[down boy]

Originally Posted by GeauxChadE90

i just got it back after the rear door handle was getting stuck out.

Originally Posted by DR51FTA

i just had the door handle problem sticking out..nothing else.

I just started having this problem. The front driver-side door handle sometimes gets stuck out after I open it. There's a fix for this? I just push it back in when it happens.

[ElRedOne]

I've had my '06 CPO for 14 months now. Most serious issue was no high beam on driver's side; headlight unit replaced. Other than that, minor stuff (interior trim pieces scuffed), coolant top-off. Both dealers I've used (Faulkner in Lancaster and Otto's in Exton) have been great. Faulkner even delivers and picks up, and they're 30 miles away! Otto's provides a loaner (once a 7 Series) even though I did not buy it there. They've also done things w/o my asking (brake fluid flush & wiper replacement).

[smellthebeans]

70K

1 passenger side seat occupant sensor
flaking door handles; steering wheel
1 blow tweeter drivers side
1 broken drink cooler in arm rest

I would only take a 325i with the manual transmission. However, all 06 automatics came with the improved ZF 6HP19.