[INFURNO]

This week I hit 140,000 miles on my 2006 e90 330i.

Here is the complete list of things gone wrong so far: (to my best knowledge)

1. Passenger side halo went out.
2. An ignition coil was replaced by dealer... I don't think that was necessary but I didn't have to pay for it.
3. Driver side rear window regulator failed completely.
4. Both rear wheel bearings went bad.

I think that's it.. I went over service records and all it has is regular brakes, oil, microfilter, tires, etc... Maintenance on this thing has been peanuts and it is easily the most reliable car I have ever owned.

So far no engine noises, squeaks, or signs of failure. Suspension is stable and I think in fair condition. Have not replaced any bushings or ball joints. Still feels like an e90 should on the road.

But I know it's all going to start coming apart any minute now and probably all at once. I'm due for... everything between the a/c compressor and gas pumps. But it just keeps on going!

Any ideas what's coming my way?

Maybe a new car lol. As I inch to 180,000 miles next year maintenance will no doubt finally catch up with me and it will get very ugly.

[abcommercial]

Ha! I'm not far behind you. 116k on my 2006 325i, and though it's running superbly I'm not keen on adding the miles on the road trip we have planned tomorrow. I told my fiancee to fill her tank up tonight; her Acura only has 86k.

I have spent a decent amount of $ making sure it's well maintained, but yeah, it's been pretty reliable.

[TheTal0n]

your water pump didnt go out yet?!

[monkey_wrench]

Still on the original waterpump and starter?

I just broke 100K on my '06 330i, and had a starter go out at 98K, and did the pump a week later. Other than that, I did a coil at 80K, and plugs. Oh, and I did control arm bushings (M3 arms) at about 92K

[INFURNO]

Starter and water pump are not in the paperwork... unless there's something I'm overlooking. I should stop by the dealer and get an updated printout.

I'm driving 300 - 400 miles tomorrow... I have no idea if I'll make it lol. That's what sucks about this. Every day I'm riding on a prayer.

[2ndname]

Nice! I say you got your money's worth, anything after is the bonus round.

[GChase]

Sell it before the maintenance starts pouring down on you! Seriously you might want to consider a newer '11 or '12 E90

[marshall834]

Dang, that's awesome to hear! Seems like she's been real reliable for ya.

My vote is time for a new car. If you've had it since 06 then thats already 6 years + the 140K in miles. That's more than enough!

Or just hang onto it if it's just too hard to let go

[krhodes1]

I'd say it is nicely broken in. The payments on a new one for only a few months will fix everything that would likely fail on your car.

No matter how much people whine on here about the cost of fixing these cars, they are cheaper to maintain than they are to buy new.

[Deathkut]

I have the same 06 330i at 110k miles and it's still feels nice and new. I feel like this could be a 200k car and still drive just as good as it does now.

[Cisco661]

I always like to hear how these 330i's have great reliability. I'm at 69k now. Had 2 ignition coils, starter motor, steering angle sensor, and rear drivers side window regulator replaced. Just last week I had a coolant flush done(hoping it extends water pumps life), replaces leaky oil filter housing gasket, new rear rotors and pads/sensor replaced (fixed the annoying squeaking I had), and new spark plugs (was still on originals). Planning on an oil change next week. Car still runs and feels great. Would recommend changing the plugs before the 100k. Planning on keeping the car past 100k.

[Built My Way]

You sound like you know how to care for a vehicle and that you don't drive the crap out of it. I say if you love it, keep it. So what if you have to put down some money here and there to keep it going. It doesn't owe you anything and it would be sure as hell cheaper than buying new. I guess it all depends on your budget and how attached you are to your ride.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by GChase

Sell it before the maintenance starts pouring down on you! Seriously you might want to consider a newer '11 or '12 E90

Good Lord. My 325i has 187,000 miles. My total maintenance and repair costs have been just over $12,500. That includes non-typical repairs for a dealer repair of the AC for a new compressor that failed around 80K ($2,400), and $1,000 rebuild of the driver's seat (the upper bolster wore out). The rest has been regular DIY maintenance, fluid changes, plugs, tires, brakes, suspension, water pump and T-stat, etc. Far less cheaper than a new car. Take out the costs for tires, seat, and AC and the maintenance has cost $4,600.

Unless the engine or trans/diff go, keep it until it dies. You've got your money's worth. And have it scanned for water pump codes, mine went at 150,000.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by GChase

Sell it before the maintenance starts pouring down on you! Seriously you might want to consider a newer '11 or '12 E90

Personally, I would keep the car, provided it's in good order, until the cost to keep it exceeds $500/month or $6K/year in non-routine repairs/maintenance. Although I have to say, I've not ever had that come to fruition with any car I've bought.

[cmyk]

Originally Posted by tony20009

Personally, I would keep the car, provided it's in good order, until the cost to keep it exceeds $500/month or $6K/year in non-routine repairs/maintenance. Although I have to say, I've not ever had that come to fruition with any car I've bought.

Yep, this is how I determine when it's time to let go and get something else. I got rid of the E39 when the repair costs started adding up to more or less what a car payment would be on a newer model. It was surprisingly reliable until one day it....just wasn't. Even though I kept up with maintenance pretty meticulously, one day she just decided she'd had enough and the repair costs started snowballing. After I'd spent close to $3,000 in a 6-month period on repairs it was time to let her go. I also got rid of my Jetta when I could see the same pattern emerging. Still, that 2007 Jetta Wolfsburg was probably the most reliable car I've owned to date (surprisingly).

[apc3libras]

Keep it. I keep telling myself I'd rather keep an NA engine over one with a turbo long term. Good advice in this thread overall. Will be keeping my 328 until she is completely dead, but I'm only at 70k now so still got a while. I hope.

[Sara]

Incredible

[fravel]

Good to hear that people are able to take these cars deep into the 6 figure miles. I just picked up a CPO '06 330i with 72k back in July, and was hoping to get 8-10 years out of it. From the sounds of this thread it's appearing to be feasible.

[Ilanoraa]

Originally Posted by abcommercial

Ha! I'm not far behind you. 116k on my 2006 325i, and though it's running superbly I'm not keen on adding the miles on the road trip we have planned tomorrow. I told my fiancee to fill her tank up tonight; her Acura only has 86k.

I have spent a decent amount of $ making sure it's well maintained, but yeah, it's been pretty reliable.

I live in Detroit and took a 1400 mile round trip to Charlotte NC. My wife told me to take my Acura TL with 186,000 mile and leave the 335I (40,000 miles) at home. She hates the BMW, I took the 335 thru the hills and mountains pushing it how it should be driven no problems at all, I was actually surprised. Although I do think the speedo is off by 5 mph. Oh here is the kicker I averaged 30.5 mpg all the way to Charlotte, inline 6 twin turbo, thanks to the 5W 40 European AMSOIL no doubt.

[ndog14]

The big one is 150k. Things happen in intervals of 50k. Mine is about to hit 51k so I know something is due.

@Ilanoraa, it is typical for premium German car's speedos to read high. My speedo is about 2 high up to 40, 3 high up to 80, 5 high until 100, and 8 high at 130.

[bumere90]

lucky a$$

[pruettfan]

I am at 132,000 on my 06 330I. I had to change a MAF and two O2 sensors recently. Other than a wheel bearing and airbag seat sensor for the passenger seat, battery and of course the rear window regulators I have been in good shape. I do my own maintenance and save a ton of money that way. The only thing I have done beyond required stuff is I replaced my transmission filter, pan and fluid as recommended by Bentley and I change my oil about 3,000 miles before the car tells me to because I drive in the desert and it gives me peace of mind. I commute 110 miles round trip per day and hope to get two more years out of this car then pass it on to my teenage daughter as her first car.