Go into a discussion with a friend who's looking into getting a new car. I've always heard that they are extremely expensive to own due to maintenance issues as well as replacement parts. He was saying that it might have been that way a long time ago, but they're no more expensive to own than a normal car. I looked a little on google and couldn't really find anything to back up what I say...
So are these types of cars..BMW, Mercedes, etc more expensive to maintain or not? I always thought you had to have regular maintenance done by a dealer..and lord knows that's going to be expensive..And these cars have big pricetags..surely insurance has to be a killer...
I think he's looking into a 325i or 328i..I'm not real sure..something like that. One of the cheaper 4 door ones.
go to ebaymotors.com and look up random parts.....alternator, starter, timing belt kit.....brake kits. It aint hard to do. Or call the dealer and ask how much for random stuff.
“Poor Al Gore. Global warming completely debunked via the very Internet you invented. Oh, oh, the irony!” -Jon Stewart
What one? E30's are SUPER cheap to own. I couldn't believe how ridiculously cheap the parts were. if you keep up on maintenance and dont beat the piss out of it, any of them are reasonable to own for a higher end german car(except that garbage designged E36. Those things are HOGS for maint. and repair). Like most cars, if you keep up with it, you shouldn't see major or overly expensive issues.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
In my family we teach that boys have a God-stick and girls have a Shame Cave. -John Stewart
yes, and their mechanical build quality isn't nearly what they seem to think it is.
My wife owned a 2003 323i before we got married, and the transmission lost reverse right at about 90K miles. it pissed me off a little bit, a car of that high "quality" needing it's transmission replaced before 100K? i thought maybe it was just her, maybe she drove it funny, or beat the hell out of it. then i started doing research into it, and found a site with thousands of complaints of the exact same thing, at the exact same milage. we loved the car, but after all of the expensive repairs we had to do to that thing, and then the transmission, it was enough for her to swear off buying another BMW. we do the cadillac thing now, 2007 SRX. makes the Bimmer look like a base model chevy
Andy
it's not how fast you go, it's how you get there that counts.
ZZP XP cam, 1.6 rockers, 105# springs, speedbuilt FWI, 3.3" modular pulley, TOG headers,
3" exhaust, flomatched injectors
'97 GTP 14.06@100.6mph pre cam w/ 3.5" pulley, I/E
I've seen many of the invoices for "normal" maintenance, and it was NOT pretty. I'm not sure about BMWs but I know Mercedes' are not cheap to have all of the maintenance done. Hell they were charging a couple hundred dollars for a glorified oil change, a lot of other places won't touch those cars either.
BMW, from my experience is NOT as insane on oil changes and the like as MB seems to be. And all the manufacturers are starting to do bull@!#$ to their cars and making things like Chrysler's "special dipstick" so you can't change your own goddamn oil. The German car companies seemed to get on that big kick earlier than most and it really sucks.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
In my family we teach that boys have a God-stick and girls have a Shame Cave. -John Stewart
Dustin: Chrysler's "special dipstick" is for the transmission, not oil.
As far as owning any car goes, normally the more expensive the car, the more expensive the parts. BMW, Mercedes Benz, Audi, etc are all normally pretty pricey when it comes to parts, but what are we comparing that to? A j-body? A Ford Tempo? I wouldn't buy one just because I know that I don't want to pay those prices for parts/labor and I'm fine with driving a small, economy car. If your friend has the money and doesn't mind spending it on that sort of thing then go for it. If nothing else, it'll look pretty in his driveway if he can't afford to fix it when it breaks
THE .ORG IS MY KITCHEN!
it all depends on the car id say. if youre looking at a newer one id say no. I drive a 335i and ive never had a single problem. The first 4 years maintenance is covered by bmw. after thst youre on your own. an oil change is about $120, they recommend one a year. so if you think about it, thats the same as doing 4 oil changes at $30 a pop. I do 2 changes a year so I pay for one, but thats still the samea s 4 at $60 a year (and where are you getting a full synthetic oil change for less then that?)
Service at the dealership I go to is top notch, and they really care... Ive had things covered under "warranty" that shouldnt have been just because they want to offer top notch service...
Thats just my opinion though. Id say do more research on the exact car youre looking at, as well as other cars in the BMW lineup that share the same engine or transmission.
"Louis, you better watch who you call a child. Because if I'm a child,
that makes you a pedafile, and I'm not gonna stand here and argue
with a pervert" -- Peter Griffin
Doesn't the new BMWs come with lifetime brake repair and oil changes? And it's not a maintenance issue but with MercB if you wreck the car once its fixable(within reason, you know what I mean), if you wreck it again it's considered totaled, no matter how small the damage.
NaviCavi (thnkin04eco) wrote:Doesn't the new BMWs come with lifetime brake repair and oil changes? And it's not a maintenance issue but with MercB if you wreck the car once its fixable(within reason, you know what I mean), if you wreck it again it's considered totaled, no matter how small the damage.
lol. Where did you hear that?
I'm not furtunate enough to own a BMW but my mom and dad both have them and they have been awsome cars. We've got a 2007 X3 si and a 99 E36 328ic (last year of the e36 convertible) and we haven't had any major problems. We've had some problems with the motors in the power roof in the convertible and had to put a new clutch in after 110,000miles and the x3 had to have the front rotors turned once after 60,000kms. Other than that they have both been extremely reliable. Like any car some parts are more expensive than others but it seems the labour is more at the BMW dealer compared to other places but we just take our cars to a local shop that charges a fraction of the price. I would say they are no more expensive than the VW's we used to have. It also depends on what year (new/used) he is looking at. Overall I think they are really nice cars, the overall finish of them is a step above all the GMs and Dodges we have owned.
Beware of the strutt tower mushrooming issue on some 3 series.
Beware of the strutt tower mushrooming issue on some 3 series.
Beware of the strutt tower mushrooming issue on some 3 series.
Happened on my sister's mini. Never drove straight again.
how about mercedes and audi?
I own a 87 e30 sedan. Some parts are a little more expensive than say a cavalier...But all in all its not that bad. Check out partsgeek.com for parts, there cheaper than your local autozone on most stuff. I just picked up tokico struts/shocks and 1.5in. drop springs as a whole kit for $330 all the way around off ebay.. new front control arms with ball joints and bushings, whole tie rods, and swaybar endlinks all for 175.00 shipped on ebay.
so basically i replaced my whole suspension for about 500 bucks... not bad.
1800ccS13 wrote:I own a 87 e30 sedan. Some parts are a little more expensive than say a cavalier...But all in all its not that bad. Check out partsgeek.com for parts, there cheaper than your local autozone on most stuff. I just picked up tokico struts/shocks and 1.5in. drop springs as a whole kit for $330 all the way around off ebay.. new front control arms with ball joints and bushings, whole tie rods, and swaybar endlinks all for 175.00 shipped on ebay.
Dont forget PelicanParts.com for great prices on German car parts.
On the other hand....you have other fingers.
In my family we teach that boys have a God-stick and girls have a Shame Cave. -John Stewart
Quote:
Re: Are BMWs expensive to own?
Sunday, March 14, 2010 2:42 PM
Mat Cacciatore
Quote Reply
it all depends on the car id say. if youre looking at a newer one id say no. I drive a 335i and ive never had a single problem. The first 4 years maintenance is covered by bmw. after thst youre on your own. an oil change is about $120, they recommend one a year. so if you think about it, thats the same as doing 4 oil changes at $30 a pop. I do 2 changes a year so I pay for one, but thats still the samea s 4 at $60 a year (and where are you getting a full synthetic oil change for less then that?)
Service at the dealership I go to is top notch, and they really care... Ive had things covered under "warranty" that shouldnt have been just because they want to offer top notch service...
Thats just my opinion though. Id say do more research on the exact car youre looking at, as well as other cars in the BMW lineup that share the same engine or transmission.
$120 an oil change...once a year!? Am I crazy or do both those thing's sound off?
Man with the way I drive, I'd never trust changing my oil once a year.
does a bear @!#$ in the woods, prob the most expensive car to maintain because they dont hold together worth @!#$ once the factory warranty is up
1989 Turbo Trans Am #82, 2007 Cobalt SS G85
NaviCavi (thnkin04eco) wrote: And it's not a maintenance issue but with MercB if you wreck the car once its fixable(within reason, you know what I mean), if you wreck it again it's considered totaled, no matter how small the damage.
Surely false.
Roofy wrote:Yes.
/thread
QFT.
I worked for nearly 5 years with Mercedes in the parts dept and had co-workers work with BMW for over 25 years. When it comes to German cars, they all come to agreement on how they work. Aside winning some comparos on certain magazines, higher than average "perceived quality," or the overpriced cost for a commuter car "status."
It is a fact that their parts do cost a lot and at times it will take more than a month to get a specific part. The main problem with German cars is that they try to reinvent the wheel, and when they do, it turns out to be complicated, I mean who in their right minds puts a electronic hood release (BMW)? You can have nearly 20 computer to run one car, one fails, and expect major problems with a hefty price tag. The problem is also not so much the maintenance cost, but their electronics, their mechanicals are not as strong either. If a certain car has to much torque, the transmissions will be the first to go, even when the car is not modified at all. And when they do, expect over $10K in costs. Heh, the old 3.2L 90 degree V6 with 215HP MB engine found on so many cars/SUVs was $18K.
Just to keep it short, the maintenance cost is probably the least of your problems, it is the remainder parts that you'll have to worry about.
I will say this, German cars when they have no problems and have <15K miles on the car they do ride very well (as a whole), partly because they have very robust structure. But if you desire for one of these cars, get it new or to the very least get it with a certified "pre-owned" warranty through manufacturer/ reputable dealer. Out of any warranty and you're asking for trouble.
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-----The orginal Mr.Goodwrench on the JBO since 11/99-----
I don't own a BMW....yet.
My parents on the other hand do.
My mom has a 2006 535 I believe. She drives a lot and abuses her cars (might even be worse than me). She has 132k on it last I saw her. No problems as of yet besides regular stuff.
My dad has a 2007 745Li. He babies his cars and treats them like gold. He has never had one bit of trouble either. He is currently at 81k. Same with his, no problems except regular things.
I am actually right now checking out a couple 5 series and some 7 series. If all goes well with my new contract I am def gonna pick up one.
