BMW owners let me know your story

[GoatMonkey]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: sindows
Buy the car you want the most, the joy of ownership usually overcomes the joy of having extra money in your pocket...

i disagree.

i could have bought a new hyundai elantra GLS for $5k less than my new Mazda3. ($12k out the door vs $17k.)

havent had a problem w/the Mazda3, but 45k miles later i'd rather have the $5k.

Note:
i use the car to go from pointA to pointB (work, errands, etc.) i dont go drive on the highway just for fun.

so maybe a person buying a luxury car has a diff mindset.

Someone looking to buy a BMW probably does go for a drive for fun. If you just want basic transportation and don't enjoy driving a Hyundai is great.

 

[mruffin75]

I had an E39 (98 528i)...

Replaced the thermostat twice in about 2 years..
Replaced half of the steering... and it still wasn't completely fixed
Car made a *great* griding noise when it was being driven *sometimes*... I remember once driving to work in the morning and a grinding noise straight from hell itself started emanating from the front of the car...couldn't do much as I was on the highway and there was no shoulder at that point...so kept going while screaming insults at the car... a few seconds later it stopped..
Replaced the cam position sensor..
Replaced the rear brake light..
And the place where we got the oil changed stripped the oil plug on the sump pan so it wouldn't come off again....they replaced it (not until after a lot of yelling though)..
Alternator needed replacing..

After all that (and more...I don't remember all of it) over a 2.5 year period...I don't think I'll ever buy a BMW again..

 

[T2urtle]

Originally posted by: JEDI

Originally posted by: sindows
Buy the car you want the most, the joy of ownership usually overcomes the joy of having extra money in your pocket...

Note:
i use the car to go from pointA to pointB (work, errands, etc.) i dont go drive on the highway just for fun.

so maybe a person buying a luxury car has a diff mindset.

I currently own a nissan maxima 1998 GLE, which is loaded with almost every option. I love it it had bolt-on parts. Y-pipe. lowered w/ adjustable shocks/struts. But it doesn't give me much joy anymore. Other then it being a solid car that really needed zero repairs aside from a belt @ 95k that cost $10 and i did in 20 mins.

I'm now looking for a more pleasure ride. Highway driving and etc. I live 10 miles from work and the drive is all highway. I like to enjoy my drive and weekend adventures as well. Trying to price out 330c VS a g35sedan

 

[Arkaign]

Got an '02 M5, Black on Tan, 6 Spd, 55k miles for $27.5k. So far, no problems, and lots of fun. I've done zero mods and probably never will. Switched to Amsoil, that's about it.

Had a BMW mechanic look it over (private party sale), gave me the A-ok after checking some common E39 problem areas.

 

[nightowl]

I have an '03 330i and I have not had anything major go wrong with it. The few problems that I have had have been all covered under warranty and none of them were major. The only thing that I have paid for out of pocket is a headlight bulb.

 

[Ns1]

I'm in the market for a 2k1 or 2k2 330ci as well, so this thread interests me

as a former valet, i gotta say the 330ci was one of my favorite cars. not the most gangster i drove by any means, but high marks all around.

 

[Arkaign]

Question, what price are those '01/'02 330Cis running @? You can get a 400hp 6spd M5 for $26k and up, with under 60k miles.

 

[dirtboy]

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

Only a rich man can afford a used BMW. Wait until the thing breaks and then tell me what it takes.

My roommate had a 2002, I think 2002, 325Ci. A number of things broke but since it was new that was not a problem. Luckily he traded it in before it had severe damage. He used to tell me the cost of parts and labor on items that were covered under warranty. Astronomical comes to mind. Just make sure you have money on the bank for repairs, tires and brakes and you'll be fine.

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Arkaign
Question, what price are those '01/'02 330Cis running @? You can get a 400hp 6spd M5 for $26k and up, with under 60k miles.

14-18k on average, SoCal

21/27 mpg to boot, awesome


Was also looking at 530i's in this range

I love BMW depreciation =D

 

[woodie1]

I've been lucky enough to own BMWs when they were still under warranty because they do seem to have more than their share of problems. They are one of the best "Drivers" cars out there though. Buying a used one is a crap shoot but if it had an up to date service record and the price was right I would give serious consideration to taking the plunge again.

 

[T2urtle]

yea pretty much 14-20k around here. impossible to find a ZHP for under 20k and low miles.

no interested in spending 20+. actually i want to spend 20k OTD max, so give or take 17k price tag.

 

[Beau]

I own a 2000 540iA Sport (e39). Currently has 163,000 miles on it and is finally starting to show some signs of it's age as the transmission is slipping a little. I've done a little bit of work on it personally over the past year to try and get it as close to perfect as a car with that many miles can be: replaced the water pump, both front bearings and did a full gasket overhaul on the intake system.

Everything else has been great, suspension is still stock and solid (except for the thrust arm bushings that seem to go out every 60k or so), body still looks great, as does the interior. If you're at all mechanically savvy, they're a lot of fun to work on, and parts in general are fairly cheap -- its the labor that kills you when having work done on it.

 

[BarneyFife]

I'm going to pull the trigger on a 335i this fall. You only live once, might as well enjoy it...

 

[Ns1]

Originally posted by: Beau
I own a 2000 540iA Sport (e39). Currently has 163,000 miles on it and is finally starting to show some signs of it's age as the transmission is slipping a little. I've done a little bit of work on it personally over the past year to try and get it as close to perfect as a car with that many miles can be: replaced the water pump, both front bearings and did a full gasket overhaul on the intake system.

Everything else has been great, suspension is still stock and solid (except for the thrust arm bushings that seem to go out every 60k or so), body still looks great, as does the interior. If you're at all mechanically savvy, they're a lot of fun to work on, and parts in general are fairly cheap -- its the labor that kills you when having work done on it.

Any reason to get a 540i over the 530i? Bigger engine and...

 

[Beau]

Originally posted by: Ns1

Any reason to get a 540i over the 530i? Bigger engine and...

That's really about it. 530i is lighter and more nimble due to it's rack & pinion steering, but the 540i just is a brute with all it's power. Don't get me wrong, the 540 still handles great and all, it just feels (is) heavier. I'm also pretty familiar with the M62 engine as it was in a land cruiser I used to have, so that was another advantage for me.

 

[T2urtle]

the 3.0L engines that come with the 330i are they interchangable with other vechiles powered by a 3.0. maybe the X5. 530i , Z's

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife
I'm going to pull the trigger on a 335i this fall. You only live once, might as well enjoy it...

That's awesome, and a better buy than the new M3 IMHO. Some crazy mods to the turbo setup already floating around that give a cheapish +60-100hp.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife
I'm going to pull the trigger on a 335i this fall. You only live once, might as well enjoy it...

Exactly. My [obtainable] dream car is an X5 (especially the new redesigns) and it's getting delivered in less than 2 weeks. It was in the paint shop yesterday (haha I'm obsessed). Beyond excited... you only live once. If I didn't do it now, the baby on the way will keep me waiting beyond 10-15 years. Couldn't justify the costs then, but I can now. Time to start saving up again I guess... whatever. I will have my dream car.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: T2urtle
the 3.0L engines that come with the 330i are they interchangable with other vechiles powered by a 3.0. maybe the X5. 530i , Z's

The same 3.0 twin turbo is going into the X6 for '09, along with a 4.4 TT. I don't know why they are reluctant to do it for the X5 so far (there's a diesel TT coming though). Perhaps at the next facelift (too far away).

 

[Vic]

Originally posted by: BarneyFife

Originally posted by: Pepsei
i'm thinking about getting a BMW 1 series...should be cheap.. and coming soon.. 3rd quarter 2008 right?

The 135i starts at 39k
The 128i starts at 33k

Not really "cheap".

Those are the prices for the convertible. The coupe starts at $35k and $29k, respectively, and comes out this spring. And unlike other BMW models, you won't have to buy it with a lot of options.