Prices on used BMWs

[AdamK47]

I always see this tank of a car parked near where I always park at work. It's a 2001 BMW 750iL. I didn't know much about it, so I researched it on Wikipedia. It has a 5.4L V12 which sounds great until I read that it only puts out 326hp. I would have expected more with a car that weighs 4600 lbs. Then I read that the cars original sticker price was $92,100 US! I then looked on Edmunds to see what the value of the car would be today. Trade in is $20,559 and retail is $25,122. Can this be right? I know it's 5 years, but I would have expected the value to be much higher.

 

[Ryan]

Nope - nearly every European F-class sedan has HORRIBLE resale/depreciation. Not to mention - that V12 is going to be a nightmare to work on, and general upkeep on it will rape you.

You'll see the same problem with the Audi A8, VW Phaeton, etc.

 

[krunchykrome]

Originally posted by: Ryan
Nope - nearly every European D-class sedan has HORRIBLE resale/depreciation. Not to mention - that V12 is going to be a nightmare to work on, and general upkeep on it will rape you.

What do you mean by "D" class?

 

[Ryan]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome

Originally posted by: Ryan
Nope - nearly every European D-class sedan has HORRIBLE resale/depreciation. Not to mention - that V12 is going to be a nightmare to work on, and general upkeep on it will rape you.

What do you mean by "D" class?

Whoops - should have said F-Class: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_classification

 

[mwmorph]

i dont think thre value drops that fast but the bmws ive found seem to retain their value inverse to their size and original price.

7 series from 1997 are like 8-10k now while 3 series from 1997 are like the same price.

2001 BMW 3 Series
2 Dr 325Ci Convertible
Trade-In $17,593
Private $19,382
Party
Dealer $21,034
Retail

2001 BMW 5 Series
4 Dr 540i Sedan
Trade-In $17,729
Private $19,785
Party
Dealer $21,682
Retail

2001 BMW 7 Series
4 Dr 740i Sedan

Trade-In $18,541
Private $20,692
Party
Dealer $22,677
Retail

so in general a use 7 or 5 series is a good deal, 3 series not so much even a decent deal.

 

[bacon333]

at work i see that car parked in the same "small car" parking space. It takes up almost takes up both spaces. it's frickin' huge but pimpin'.

 

[BoomerD]

That 750 V-12 is a sweet motor when it runs right. WOW! However, when it fvcks up, it is a real PITA to work on. It's basically 2 separate 6 cylinder engines with a common crankshaft. It has the ability to go into "limp home" mode is something goes wrong with either "half" of it, and still drives fairly well in that mode, but it's not the same...
I know several people who own them, and even considered one myself once upon a time, but passed because I can't do the work on them myself anymore.

 

[CombatChuk]

I see 3 yr old M5's go for under 30k! I say it sometimes tempts me...

 

[V00DOO]

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
I see 3 yr old M5's go for under 30k! I say it sometimes tempts me...

The price on the E39 M5's have gone below 30k which make them a very tempting but maintenance are very expensive. Last year alone I spent almost $5,000 for maintenance on my E39 540I and you know it is even more expensive to maintenance a M5. Also the E39 M5's have carbon built up problem especially the 00 and 01 model which will cost $8000 to fix. With that being said, I love driving my 540i and don't mind the expensive maitenance cost associated with owner a BMW.

 

[BoomerD]

It's considered "Normal Maintenance" to spend 10% of the car's original selling price annually on the BMW's. Spendy? Sure is, but the cars are indeed "the ultimate driving machines", so to an enthusiast, it's worth it. No one claims these are cheap to own or maintain.

 

[CombatChuk]

Originally posted by: V00DOO

Originally posted by: CombatChuk
I see 3 yr old M5's go for under 30k! I say it sometimes tempts me...

The price on the E39 M5's have gone below 30k which make them a very tempting but maintenance are very expensive. Last year alone I spent almost $5,000 for maintenance on my E39 540I and you know it is even more expensive to maintenance a M5. Also the E39 M5's have carbon built up problem especially the 00 and 01 model which will cost $8000 to fix. With that being said, I love driving my 540i and don't mind the expensive maitenance cost associated with owner a BMW.

What do they do for maintenance that costs that much?

 

[V00DOO]

What do they do for maintenance that costs that much?

Brakes, Clutch, O2 Sensors, Shock Absorbers, Front suspensions, Water pump, Valve cover gasket, and some other minor stuffs. Most of the work were DIY and the parts were purchased online at a discount. Other work were done at an indy BMW shop. I can't imaging what my cost would be if I took it to the BMW stealer. The complete brake job cost $1200 at the BMW stealer. :Q. My car has 96K miles and it has yet leave me strand on the hightway. The key on owning a used BMW is preventive maintenance. You can't ignore the maintenance like you do with Toyota or Honda, etc.