2006 330xi - keep or sell?

[2k2_6speed]

Hi. My friend has an '06 330xi and he wants to know if he should keep it or dump it. It has 55k miles, driven in Mass. and he'll pay it off in a few months.

He needs some new tires (run-flats) and he said the suspension rattles when hitting bumps (probably sway-bar links if it is like my E39 540).

He isn't very handy so he won't be doing the repairs himself but he wants to stay away from car payments. So, what are and when do the big repairs hit these cars and at what typical mileage and at what typical cost to repair?

I've seen valve cover gaskets so far. Thanks in advance.

Matt
2002 540 Sport 6 Speed
VF Supercharger
Lots of other improvements

[M. D. Johnson]

We keep ours. Has just a few less miles (48,900). No issues recently. Just minor things ever with the car ever. My e90 330i did have the head gasket issue.

[floydr]

Keep it. I recently had to make this decision, but mine was an '01 E46 with 145K on it. I haven't heard of any major problems with the N52, and the rest (including suspension and cooling systems) are not nearly as expensive as a new car's payment.

Check for gravel on the catalytic converter housing, or on the engine's bottom engine cover. A little soon for bushings (not impossible, but unlikely.)

Have him find a good (and cheaper) independent. Dealers are far too expensive.

[2k2_6speed]

It sounds like things are reasonably reliable on these newer models. I'll let me friend know what you guys think. Thanks.

[BMW330xi]

Recently I cleared the code for check engine soon (fuel too rich) not sure if it's related to the H&N filter but after I cleared it the check engine soon light hasn't come back.

With RFT if you hit a bump it would sound/feel like the bottom of the car has felt out.

I am still on my 2nd set of RFT (Continental), non-agressive driving/braking 70% highway.

[ctuna_97]

Use e45 maintenance schedule if you want the car to last.
The lifetime non replacement and extended fluid replacement schedule will promote the extended life of the car . The transmission fluid ,
4 wheel drive box and differential fluids all need to be changed , as well as more frequent radiator , brake fluid and steering fluid changes. BMW cut there service interval by half and stopped changing a lot of fluids when the e90 came out. When they talk about lifetime changes they mean they expect the car to only last 100k . It can go way longer if properly maintained.