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Maintenance costs over 10 years by brand

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Engineer said:
Thanks for the update. With the 2017 model years getting a new engine (on many of their cars including the F30 (not sure if number is changing or not)), it gives even less confidence in BMW's long term reliability (or at least the costs to keep it running).
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Yeah, the new B58 supersedes the N55. On the F30, the 335i has been replaced with the 340i, and 328i with 330i (both starting MY16). The 4 series and 2 series are next on deck, along with the rest of BMW's lineup. They have changed engines mid-lineup (remember the change from N54 to N55 on the E9x platform), so I'm not too worried about engine reliability. The old N55 was awesome for a turbo I6, minimal lag, torque was available from a very low 1200 rpm, and it was also slightly underrated from the factory. The new B58 engine improves upon that formula, and initial reviews have been positive. Only time will tell how they hold up reliability wise.

It's always the electronics that scare me in the German cars.
 
Saw this posted over to Jalopnik ...

"which models cost the most to maintain" Subaru Forester in #10
"Which models cost the least to maintain" Subaru Impreza in #20

I don't understand, at least for previous generations they shared the same platform & same drive-train...

I know the 2.5 has a history of head gasket issues, but I thought the engines were the same, at least in the boring NA trims....

ohh well, my 08 forester has been cheap thus far ....
 
not a good list.
Within each brand and each model there are variations in quality over the years.

A 2003 chevy might cost more per 10 year period than a 2004 cuz that year was better.
 
shortylickens said:
not a good list.
Within each brand and each model there are variations in quality over the years.

A 2003 chevy might cost more per 10 year period than a 2004 cuz that year was better.
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Well yea of course but it's a generalization which helps the average person know what brand is overall more expensive after initial purchase.

That's the main reason why I got a new Honda Accord instead of a CPO BMW 3 Series. I keep my cars for a long time and I don't want big issues after the warranty is up.
 
I can believe Mercedes being #2. My oil change alone is expensive. 8 quarts of synthetic oil. I always go to the dealer too, which is a first for me.
 
My F-150 has been probably the cheapest vehicle from a cost of ownership perspective that I'e ever owned... 4 1/2 years so far.
 
Engineer said:
Bought before researching the costs of repair. Jumped on the looks and the price. Articles like the OP haunt me already. Wish I had researched before buying. Would have definitely went another route. So much so that I have thought about getting rid of it because I'm having a hard time enjoying it because of worrying about future issues / costs.
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Don't sweat it. Just enjoy the car.
 
Volvo covers maintenance for the first five years now. Not sure if that's included in those numbers or just years 6-10 which makes me think maybe I should trade mine in now that I've just passed my warranty.
 
Capt Caveman said:
Volvo covers maintenance for the first five years now. Not sure if that's included in those numbers or just years 6-10 which makes me think maybe I should trade mine in now that I've just passed my warranty.
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I really want to like Volvo's, but every person I know who has had one from the last decade or so has had a nightmare with them. Granted, this has mostly involved just the XC90, but at this stage in my life...I don't need the headache of a car with constant issues.

To continue my fear of Volvo cars based completely on anecdotal evidence is a friend who got rid of a mid 2000's XC90 for a recent (used) Dodge Durango. He thinks the Dodge is the second coming even though he still has had to go to the dealership for numerous things. The Volvo was that bad.
 
I love Volvos too much and want one, but, cant justify it to my wallet due to the unknowns with likely costs.

As far as certain model years are better than others, this is another VERY useful resource.
http://longtermqualityindex.com/

Nothing is going to give all the data/numbers you want. The time-space manipulation technology needed to travel 10 years into the future to know how dependable a 2016 something or other will be is still the stuff of fantasy (not even in the realm of "serious" science fiction IMO) ..

Anyhow .. This was interesting, combine it with LTQI, and I have decided that the most reasonable car to buy is a Chevy Tahoe, because low resale price and extremely high reliabillity and low cost of repairs and parts. Now, fuel costs will be astronomical, but they are only 1 piece of the puzzle.
 
PricklyPete said:
I really want to like Volvo's, but every person I know who has had one from the last decade or so has had a nightmare with them. Granted, this has mostly involved just the XC90, but at this stage in my life...I don't need the headache of a car with constant issues.

To continue my fear of Volvo cars based completely on anecdotal evidence is a friend who got rid of a mid 2000's XC90 for a recent (used) Dodge Durango. He thinks the Dodge is the second coming even though he still has had to go to the dealership for numerous things. The Volvo was that bad.
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Outside of a leaking windshield which was replaced, I've had no issues with my XC60 other than poorer mileage than what was expected. But I know it's going to be expensive now that my warranty is over. It was nice for the first five years to get all maintenance covered(even replacement of my windshield wipers every year).

The new XC90 is gorgeous. I actually went into an Acura dealership yesterday and took a look at the RDX. I was surprised to see Acura to be high on the maintenance cost list.

edit - I actually also had a bad cell in my original battery and they swapped it out for a new battery.
 
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I just read on another forum that you cannot replace the battery on a recent BMW yourself. Apparently you need to register it to your car using software?!?!!?

Is this true?
 
sontakke said:
This does NOT pass my "smell test". Land Rover is cheaper than Acura over 10 year period? I want what these guys are smoking.
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I think it is because it includes repairs. Acura had the guaranteed to fail Honda automatic, and used it across a larger percentage of their line than Honda did.
 
dtgoodwin said:
I think it is because it includes repairs. Acura had the guaranteed to fail Honda automatic, and used it across a larger percentage of their line than Honda did.
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Except for the American Top Gear they drove a brand new Tata Motors owned Land Rover and the moon roof leaked.
 
Capt Caveman said:
Outside of a leaking windshield which was replaced, I've had no issues with my XC60 other than poorer mileage than what was expected. But I know it's going to be expensive now that my warranty is over. It was nice for the first five years to get all maintenance covered(even replacement of my windshield wipers every year).

The new XC90 is gorgeous. I actually went into an Acura dealership yesterday and took a look at the RDX. I was surprised to see Acura to be high on the maintenance cost list.

edit - I actually also had a bad cell in my original battery and they swapped it out for a new battery.
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Admittedly my collection of anecdotal evidence is all previous model XC90 when it comes to devastating ownership experiences.

I think the new XC90 also looks brilliant and I love all the safety tech it has for a family hauler...but just can't get past all the issues my friends/family have had.
 
madoka said:
I just read on another forum that you cannot replace the battery on a recent BMW yourself. Apparently you need to register it to your car using software?!?!!?

Is this true?
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If so, beyond ridiculous. My neighbor had to replace his transmission in a 2010 model 328i and he found a used one. Put it in and it was in 'limp' mode. Found out the the transmission had to be registered in cars computer and BMW dealer said they would take a look for $200 (not fix it - just look). He dropped the transmission, swapped the circuit boards and reinstalled and it now works fine.

Why....WHY didn't I read all of this stuff before buying one. Trying to enjoy it and just can't. Can't believe the nickel and dime bullshit that I'm reading about this company. I understand that it's a 'luxury car' but come on.

Edit: Confirmed that it must be registered with the car. If I were a betting man, I would be betting right now that I won't keep mine long enough to need a new battery.
 
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I thought it was common knowledge that you don't own a BMW post-warranty unless you do the work yourself or have a good indy shop. NEVER go to the dealer. I have owned my 2003 330i from its year 10 through 14 (mile 102000 through 160000) and have spent maybe $2000 on maintenance, including a bunch of preventative stuff and the one time I had to go to a shop because it was too cold to do the work myself. The fact that it has survived and been completely reliable during four New England winters while parked outside has been pretty nice.

I like it enough that I bought an M3 of the same generation to drive during the summer, which admittedly requires more care D:

OH, and re: the battery nonsense ... first, you don't HAVE to register it. It just tells the car the battery is new. Second, you can get the BMW software suites yourself if you look. Third, the battery in my 2003 is still the original battery from the factory. I have drained it accidentally many times by leaving lights on, etc., and it still chooses to come back to life and serve me reliably 14 years later. It dies faster than it used to but who knows, maybe you will indeed sell the car 14 years from now before replacing the battery.
 
Engineer said:
If so, beyond ridiculous. My neighbor had to replace his transmission in a 2010 model 328i and he found a used one. Put it in and it was in 'limp' mode. Found out the the transmission had to be registered in cars computer and BMW dealer said they would take a look for $200 (not fix it - just look). He dropped the transmission, swapped the circuit boards and reinstalled and it now works fine.

Why....WHY didn't I read all of this stuff before buying one. Trying to enjoy it and just can't. Can't believe the nickel and dime bullshit that I'm reading about this company. I understand that it's a 'luxury car' but come on.

Edit: Confirmed that it must be registered with the car. If I were a betting man, I would be betting right now that I won't keep mine long enough to need a new battery.
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i love reading on bimmerfest the defensiveness and all the excuses about the maintenance on their cars.
 
Engineer said:
If so, beyond ridiculous. My neighbor had to replace his transmission in a 2010 model 328i and he found a used one. Put it in and it was in 'limp' mode. Found out the the transmission had to be registered in cars computer and BMW dealer said they would take a look for $200 (not fix it - just look). He dropped the transmission, swapped the circuit boards and reinstalled and it now works fine.

Why....WHY didn't I read all of this stuff before buying one. Trying to enjoy it and just can't. Can't believe the nickel and dime bullshit that I'm reading about this company. I understand that it's a 'luxury car' but come on.

Edit: Confirmed that it must be registered with the car. If I were a betting man, I would be betting right now that I won't keep mine long enough to need a new battery.
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Stuff like this is why Lexus is so popular. Their cars might be a bit bland, but they dont fuck you with repairs.
 
BurnItDwn said:
Stuff like this is why Lexus is so popular. Their cars might be a bit bland, but they dont fuck you with repairs.
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You don't know how much I regret not going with an ES350 right now (or at least looking at it before jumping in on a 'good price' (maybe?) deal.

Now I see why so many people prefer to lease these things instead of buying them. Dump them before the warranty runs out. It's not that they seem to have more problems than the 'average' car, it's that unless you can find an independent (is the the term Indy) shop that has much lower rates, you're going to get ass raped at the dealer.
 
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Engineer said:
You don't know how much I regret not going with an ES350 right now (or at least looking at it before jumping in on a 'good price' (maybe?) deal.

Now I see why so many people prefer to lease these things instead of buying them. Dump them before the warranty runs out. It's not that they seem to have more problems than the 'average' car, it's that unless you can find an independent (is the the term Indy) shop that has much lower rates, you're going to get ass raped at the dealer.
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If its any consolation, at least you have a "nice car" that costs a lot to maintain.
in the early 2000s I made the mistake of buying a Chrysler 300m.
I had a "mediocre car" that costed a lot to maintain!

Now I have a forester, which I bought because it was supposed to be a cheap/efficient Japanese car...

Anyhow, I've given up, and next car I will buy will be a giant land yacht behemoth that gets like 4 mpg and takes up half my driveway. At least those things are cheap to fix and built like tanks that go forever (as long as you can afford to put the gas in the tank!)
 
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