Once the mileage on your BMW gets to 100,000, the importance of maintenance and repairing parts when necessary increases. Like all things that age, after using your beloved automobile for so many years, it will require a lot more TLC to operate as efficiently as it did the day you brought it home. Although you should never keep investing in a car that’s become a money pit, in many cases owners trade in or discard their vehicles before it’s actually necessary or even reasonable.
Don’t Get Rid of a Classic Before its Time
BMWs, like other foreign auto brands, are built to last way beyond 100,000 miles. In fact, the BMW 3 series continues to be one of the most popular foreign cars in the US-market to date. It’s known as the standard in the class of compact luxury sports cars. BMW owners are privy to a high-quality driving experience for years built around German engineering that’s reflected in the fine-tuned aerodynamics, a wide range of customizations and possible performance parts upgrades, and of course in today’s age, a fuel-efficient engine lineup, .
Before you just throw in the towel on your classic Beamer, you should invest in BMW replacement parts and performance upgrades that will ultimately get the legendary automobile pretty much back into the shape it was when it drove off the lot. By investing in new engine and suspension parts, and exhaust parts and sensors, you can get your old car driving like new. Check out these recommendations listed below:
- Flush All Car Fluids
Power steering fluid, brake fluid, oil, antifreeze (aka engine coolant) and transmission fluid are all necessary to lubricate the working parts of the vehicle, thus ensuring maximum efficiency. These fluids can become riddled with sludge, gunk, and debris over time that causes them to lose their lubrication-effectiveness over time. So, you need to flush and replace all of these fluids; check the owner’s manual to find out the recommended mileage to do so for each type of fluid. It’s also important to actually consider upgrading the types of fluids you’re using. After 100,000 miles, it’d be greatly beneficial for your BMW to use better engine oil and the like in order to continue working as efficiently.
- Replace Axle, Drivetrain and Suspension Parts
The smooth ride of a luxury sportscar like a BMW can change as the miles start to add up. After years of potholes, speed bumps and normal everyday use, your suspension starts to show – and feel – its age. When your beamer no longer hugs the tight turns, a new suspension upgrade is in order, including shocks, springs and struts. When you hit the mark of 100,000 or 150,000 miles, it’d also be wise to jack up the car in order to assess the integrity and durability of the original axle and drivetrain, including the bushings and joints. Replacement parts are recommended at the very first sign of noticeable deterioration to keep your car in safe working order.
- Replace Catalytic Converters, Muffler and Oxygen Sensors
Let’s think of your engine as a heart for a moment. The heart can pump best when the arteries are clear. In this case, the engine can operate most efficiently when it can easily push emissions out through the exhaust system. When any exhaust parts become clogged, it inhibits the engine’s ability to function efficiently. The exhaust system is comprised of the catalytic converters, a muffler and oxygen sensors, and is essentially how the car gets rid of waste. When there’s too much waste built-up, the oxygen sensors read inaccurately and the engine guzzles gas much less efficiently. Replacing these parts in your BMW sports car, therefore, will massively improve the vehicle’s horsepower, torque and fuel-efficiency.
- Manual Transmission Drivers: Replace the Clutch
If you’ve got some serious miles on your baby, the clutch has probably seen better days. By replacing the master cylinder or even just a worn disc, you can significantly increase performance and driveability. If you’re noticing a problem when you shift gears, a new replacement clutch kit is probably a good bet.
When you’ve invested in a high-quality luxury vehicle such as a BMW, you don’t want to prematurely trade it in. Yes, it’ll take a bit of money to invest in cleaning up the engine and exhaust, and ensuring the integrity of the suspension, but it’ll be well worth it since it’s a lot less expensive than just purchasing a new BMW – remember the painful monthly car payments again. If you’re not sure whether your BMW is worth putting a little money into, talk to a trained BMW technician to get their advice on the best solution.