School me on BMW's

[CPA]

I am a noob when it comes to BMW's. Never had one, never really looked at one.

However, last night, when purchasing a used 2010 Titan at the local BMW dealership, I was looking at the BMW X3's. Nice mid-size vehicle. However, they are asking $18-$20K for 06-07 models with 75K+ mileage. I have no idea if that's a good price on those vehicles, the reliability of such, the service reputation or anything else. Hate to take a plunge on a vehicle out of warranty. Should I be concerned if it's a BMW?

 

[jlee]

A quick Craigslist check in my area puts 06-07's in that ballpark, or a little higher with lower miles:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/ctd/2831701582.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/ctd/2846720490.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ctd/2845019372.html

I don't know anything about them, though.

 

[ballmode]

E30 M3
E36 German model M3
E46 M3 CSL
Z4 M Coupe

the rest are too big, too heavy, and buy Benz instead.

 

[fbrdphreak]

E30 M3
E36 German model M3
E46 M3 CSL
Z4 M Coupe

the rest are too big, too heavy, and buy Benz instead.

Or from someone who has driven BMW and MB SUVs back to back: the BMW SUVs have a far more sporty, tight, and powerful feel to them. The MB ones are cushier and while true performance is probably comparable, the driving experience goes to BMW hands down.

OP: I can't speak to prices either, but maintenance will be expensive on those puppies. You could find a maintenance schedule and look up prices for 60K, 90K services etc. Personally I would look for Certified Pre-Owned with a warranty.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Or from someone who has driven BMW and MB SUVs back to back: the BMW SUVs have a far more sporty, tight, and powerful feel to them. The MB ones are cushier and while true performance is probably comparable, the driving experience goes to BMW hands down.

OP: I can't speak to prices either, but maintenance will be expensive on those puppies. You could find a maintenance schedule and look up prices for 60K, 90K services etc. Personally I would look for Certified Pre-Owned with a warranty.

He doesn't even have a new BMW to compare it with. My 2011 JB4 335i will blow the doors off almost everything on that list and still look and drive better than a lot of things on the road today.

 

[ElFenix]

X3 is compact.

seriously compact.


seems like a lot of miles

 

[CPA]

X3 is compact.

seriously compact.


seems like a lot of miles

Yeah, first thing my wife said until she adjusted the seat back Can't afford to jump up to the X5.

 

[MotF Bane]

The X3 is tiny. It's a little car with some more height. I can't imagine being comfortable in it, especially for longer rides, and more so if you are 6' or more.

As for BMW's in general, their reputation as maintenance nightmares would be enough to steer me away.

 

[sjwaste]

If I'm shopping for an SUV, my first thought is not BMW. The X3 is tiny. The X5 seems to be the right starting point if you want any utility at all.

Depends on what you want, but to me, that BMW money is better spent on a 5-series if you want a nice cruiser or a 3-series if you want a luxury compact that moves.

How much utility do you actually need, or do you just like the form factor? Is AWD a requirement?

 

[CPA]

The X5 seems to be out of our price range, though I've found a couple 3-4 year old models at or just below 30K. Wife likes to travel to her grandparents several times a year and is usually lugging the kids around.

Right now she has a Mazda 5, but it's wearing down and losing it's luster. Would like to upgrade to something more dependable and stylish. I think she misses the luxuries in a vehicle, though she won't readily admit it.

 

[vi edit]

Dependable, stylish and luxury = Lexus RX350.

 

[sjwaste]

Yup, I'd second the Lexus RX. I'd also look at the Caddy SRX as a contender. I'd probably take both over the X3. My wife really likes the SRX, it might be our next car.

FWIW, I really like the space and utility I get in my Outback. I realize it's not in the luxury segment, nor does it pretend to be, but I do OK with the heated seats and nav. The leather is nice quality. Plenty of interior space, the rear seats recline a bit, and one of the best AWD systems on the market. 32k brand new and fully loaded for the '11 3.6R that I bought.

 

[GTaudiophile]

The E36 M3 (Euro-spec w/ 317hp S50B32 engine) was probably the best BMW ever built IMO.

And if you did not know, the McLaren F1 is powered by a BMW V12.

 

[GTaudiophile]

BTW, I would personally cross-shop the X3 with the new Mazda CX-5. The latter is a pretty sharp car and offers quite a lot of ZoomZoom.

 

[Subyman]

Dependable, stylish and luxury = Lexus RX350.

Ugh, maybe dependable but no way stylish. If you are a middle aged woman, then it would be the perfect fit. That car lacks a soul, I've driven them and there is nothing to talk about at all. It is one of those kind of cars where if you try to talk about it, there is nothing horrible to joke about, but nothing great to discuss. It just is. Bland.

 

[JulesMaximus]

He doesn't even have a new BMW to compare it with. My 2011 JB4 335i will blow the doors off almost everything on that list and still look and drive better than a lot of things on the road today.

Until your HPFP quits of course. :sneaky:

BMW out of warranty with 75k on the clock=money pit. No way would I buy one.

 

[dirtboy]

BMW out of warranty with 75k on the clock=money pit. No way would I buy one.

This is true.

 

[satyajitmenon]

The E36 M3 (Euro-spec w/ 317hp S50B32 engine) was probably the best BMW ever built IMO.

And if you did not know, the McLaren F1 is powered by a BMW V12.

Unfortunately, we never got that version here.
At least, not officially.

Until your HPFP quits of course. :sneaky:

BMW out of warranty with 75k on the clock=money pit. No way would I buy one.

Mine 10 yrs old @ 75k and no warranty. No major issues

 

[CPA]

BTW, I would personally cross-shop the X3 with the new Mazda CX-5. The latter is a pretty sharp car and offers quite a lot of ZoomZoom.

Do you mean the CX-7? they don't make a CX-5. we have a Mazda5 right now and while we've gotten good utility out of it, it's meh mostly. Starting to incur major repair costs on it too. It was my second mazda, had a 6 before. Was happy with the 6, but this 5 has been disappointing.

 

[manimal]

X3s are pretty easy to work on since the engines in them are in so many other cars. You have some issues that can be costly but really no different than most 3 series BMWs.

I would say mileage in 70s isnt a big deal if you can get proof of maintenance. If its been ignored since the warranty died you may want to walk.

I would not buy one if you cant afford the maintenance or if you don't have someone who does import work for under 90 a hour.

Get a used XC90 if you want real space.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Unfortunately, we never got that version here.
At least, not officially.



Mine 10 yrs old @ 75k and no warranty. No major issues

70k miles is when things start breaking on older BMWs. I've owned 2 of them past 100k miles. Expect a few trips to the dealer every year for misc repairs. A few hundred here, a thousand there, this is what you can expect every year for the remainder of the time you own it.

 

[PricklyPete]

Dependable, stylish and luxury = Lexus RX350.

I'll give you dependable and luxurious...but stylish? To me that is one of the blandest vehicles that Lexus has ever made...and that is saying a LOT.

I'm not a huge X3 fan (well at least the last gen...the 2011+ seems like a huge improvement), but there is no way I'd get a Lexus RX before it.

 

[PricklyPete]

Do you mean the CX-7? they don't make a CX-5. we have a Mazda5 right now and while we've gotten good utility out of it, it's meh mostly. Starting to incur major repair costs on it too. It was my second mazda, had a 6 before. Was happy with the 6, but this 5 has been disappointing.

The CX-5 is on its way...about the size of a Ford Escape. Should be a very fun to drive car (for the segment at least). Since it will be brand new, it will likely cost you ~25K though. That being said, you'll easily make that up maintenance costs over the next 5 years. The BMW will cost you at least $5k over the next 5 years while the Mazda potentially won't cost you a dime and will be 5-6 years newer.

 

[vi edit]

I'll give you dependable and luxurious...but stylish? To me that is one of the blandest vehicles that Lexus has ever made...and that is saying a LOT.

You aren't thinking like a woman. Men think of of "style" as something memorable and aggressive. Women think of something much more...uh...boring? Style doesn't have to mean it's the most noticeable car in a crowd. Take the new Forester for example...the old boxy versions were unique, and distinguished. But the new ones while certainly are more mainstream are considered my "stylish" by many women and image conscious people.

 

[ElFenix]

Do you mean the CX-7? they don't make a CX-5. we have a Mazda5 right now and while we've gotten good utility out of it, it's meh mostly. Starting to incur major repair costs on it too. It was my second mazda, had a 6 before. Was happy with the 6, but this 5 has been disappointing.

http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/displayPage.action?pageParameter=modelsMain&vehicleCode=CX5


edit: mileage seems disappointing compared to similar cute utes considering how well the half-implemented skyactiv works on the mazda3.

edit2: city mileage is nearly 20% better than the equinox, so that's good