[Debaser]

Love the car. Would drive it to the ground if I knew it wouldn't cost an arm and a leg. Mechanic says I should "stay the course": these are ordinary mid-life repairs and once they're done the car should be solid for another 100k miles. Your thoughts???

Specs:

2008 328i coupe with sport package. Manual tranny. Just under 109,000 miles.

In the last two years I've had service/replace:

- Failed water pump
- Coils/sparks
- Engine leak (coolant and oil mixing)
- Battery (died twice in the winter)
- Brake pads
- Two sets of lights
- On top of regular oil and maintenance etc.

And now the starter seems to be failing. Sometimes a long crank start with crazy fluctuating RPMs. Won't know for sure what the issue is until I take her in.

Is it time to say goodbye? Are there any other big ticket items I should be wary about?

I'd hate to have put in all this money just to give it to the next guy to drive problem-free for another 7 years. On the other hand, a new GTI or used, new-model 3 is starting to look awfully tempting.

[9iron]

I have an '08 328i E90 and had to make the same decision. Its a tough call, but i decided to stay the course.

Ive recently fixed/replaced:
VCG
OFHG
Oil pan gasket
Transmission selector shaft seal
New brakes/rotors
Summer and winter tires
Spark plugs
Coils
Dampers/mounts

Will soon need to do waterpump/t-stat.......HOPEFULLY ill be done for a while after that. Im about to roll over 99k miles.

[Efthreeoh]

Just in the last 7 months:

New coils and plugs
New tires
New rear level sensor
New left rear wheel speed sensor
New crankshaft vibration damper
New clutch
New Flywheel
Oil pan gasket replacement
New HVAC blower motor (2nd one - 1st one at 130,000)
New left rear wheel speed sensor (yes another one - story there)
New Drive belt and pulleys
New Front and rear brakes and brake flush (just yesterday) - that's rotors, pads, and sensors
Parts at the ready for the valve cover and eccentric shaft sensor...

$4,000 All DIY. I honestly hadn't added it all up until now. SHIT!

298,000 miles. It's called going the distance. Feel the Force Luke.

[M335Xi]

stay with it, starter isnt anything major

but..you have to convince yourself, looks like you want an excuse to get a newer car

[Fundguy1]

Sounds like you did all the normal wear and tear items. You need to decide do you want to enjoy the fruits of your repair dollars or let someone else do that.

[Fundguy1]

Not sure why you needed a clutch on a 328 unless it's much weaker than a 335i clutch. Mine was just swapped first time at 226k and still had meat on it. It's been at least juiceboxed over 200k worth, and I drive the crap out if it.

[Murf]

Originally Posted by Fundguy1

Not sure why you needed a clutch on a 328 unless it's much weaker than a 335i clutch. Mine was just swapped first time at 226k and still had meat on it. It's been at least juiceboxed over 200k worth, and I drive the crap out if it.

That's some serious clutch life, any noise along the way? My throwout bearing is getting reallly noisy at 82k (creaking and rattling) although there is absolutely zero slippage.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Murf

That's some serious clutch life, any noise along the way? My throwout bearing is getting reallly noisy at 82k (creaking and rattling) although there is absolutely zero slippage.

My clutch went 293K. Had meat left on it. Dual mass flywheel went tits up.

[mlifxs]

find out what you could get on a trade. Maybe 6k ?

then research what you can buy for 6k. Maybe a Ford Focus of the same year / mileage, with an interior /paint that shows more wear....and uncertainty on how it's been driven / cared for.

My car has 153k now, had all your problems plus starter.

Glad I still have it. It's the devil I know. It's now at the bottom of it's depreciation curve. It should be good on maintenance for awhile. A more expensive car = immediate sales tax hit and possibly insurance increase.

[Fundguy1]

Originally Posted by Murf

That's some serious clutch life, any noise along the way? My throwout bearing is getting reallly noisy at 82k (creaking and rattling) although there is absolutely zero slippage.

Nope. Was like new operating condition.

[Chappers 71]

If it's got tits or wheels it'll cost you money. Stick with it, if you buy something else unless it's new or still under warranty you will most likely have to spend out on that to.

[Fundguy1]

Cheaper to keeper