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YACT: Thinking about buying a 10-yr used BMW. What should I expect?

C

caboob

Platinum Member
Found what looks like a gem of a car for a reasonable price but will repairs bankrupt me? I ran an "Autocheck" on it and it turns up fine.
 
i think u kow the repairs will bankrupt you... im screwed with a kinda old bmw right now (98 328i)....

something went wrong in the engine, and when i took it to the dealer, they wanted 2000$ just to open the engine and diagnose it... they said a new engine would be 8000$ if i needed it, and would be another 2000 to put it in...

thats 12,000$ to repair the car.... and the cars value repaired.... about 12,000$
 
Originally posted by: biffbacon
i think u kow the repairs will bankrupt you... im screwed with a kinda old bmw right now (98 328i)....

something went wrong in the engine, and when i took it to the dealer, they wanted 2000$ just to open the engine and diagnose it... they said a new engine would be 8000$ if i needed it, and would be another 2000 to put it in...

thats 12,000$ to repair the car.... and the cars value repaired.... about 12,000$
Click to expand...

learn how to do it yourself. My buddy bought a 91 525 and that car is really nice. He decided to sell it though. He wants a 530. 😀
 
Originally posted by: biffbacon
i think u kow the repairs will bankrupt you... im screwed with a kinda old bmw right now (98 328i).... something went wrong in the engine, and when i took it to the dealer, they wanted 2000$ just to open the engine and diagnose it... they said a new engine would be 8000$ if i needed it, and would be another 2000 to put it in... thats 12,000$ to repair the car.... and the cars value repaired.... about 12,000$
Click to expand...
lol

 
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: biffbacon
i think u kow the repairs will bankrupt you... im screwed with a kinda old bmw right now (98 328i)....

something went wrong in the engine, and when i took it to the dealer, they wanted 2000$ just to open the engine and diagnose it... they said a new engine would be 8000$ if i needed it, and would be another 2000 to put it in...

thats 12,000$ to repair the car.... and the cars value repaired.... about 12,000$
Click to expand...

learn how to do it yourself. My buddy bought a 91 525 and that car is really nice. He decided to sell it though. He wants a 530. 😀
Click to expand...

actually, the mechanic that works for my father is gonna fix it for cheap, then im sellin it... i need something with a warranty so i can blow the engine and not care
 
Friend bought a 1992 325i with 160k miles. 500 miles later, needed a new clutch, great $2000. Needed a new battery, but it looks nothing like the ones I've seen in kragen, $120. A/C went out, $800.

I say he got ripped off when he paid $9000 for it.
 
If you are serious about it have an independent German car mechanic look it over, a full inspection. Before you buy it. If you buy it or not, it would be a wise decision.
Do not use the original owners mechanic to inspect his own work.....
 
Interesting...everyone seems to have a negative opinion on them. In my experience, old BMWs have been VERY reliable. A friend had an 86 325i( i think) and that thing had 200,000 miles on it but started up and ran like it was brand new.
 
Originally posted by: dmurray14
Interesting...everyone seems to have a negative opinion on them. In my experience, old BMWs have been VERY reliable. A friend had an 86 325i( i think) and that thing had 200,000 miles on it but started up and ran like it was brand new.
Click to expand...

i agree, some can be very reliable, but if something happens, expect to pay BIG bucks...
 
We've owned the following BMWs since 1992, all purchased used:

1992 BMW 525iT (sold)
1994 BMW 530iT (sold)
1995 BMW 540i (sold)
1991 BMW 318i (crashed)
1986 BMW 325es (still have)
1988 BMW M3 (still have)
1998 BMW M3 (still have)

If you do the repairs yourself, you won't go bankrupt, believe me. We do almost all of ours (except electronics and problems we simply can't fix). Some things you should think about:

1. A BMW car club membership (10% discount on parts, BMW Dealers must honor this)
2. If you do need to get parts, be friendly with the parts guys and chit-chat with them, they may give you a discount (we've saved hundreds because a parts guy is a friend)
3. Get familiar with the BMW community in your area, people are usually helpful

If you want the car, get it. No sense in going through life blocking yourself. Good luck.
 
Originally posted by: biffbacon
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
Originally posted by: biffbacon
i think u kow the repairs will bankrupt you... im screwed with a kinda old bmw right now (98 328i)....

something went wrong in the engine, and when i took it to the dealer, they wanted 2000$ just to open the engine and diagnose it... they said a new engine would be 8000$ if i needed it, and would be another 2000 to put it in...

thats 12,000$ to repair the car.... and the cars value repaired.... about 12,000$
Click to expand...

learn how to do it yourself. My buddy bought a 91 525 and that car is really nice. He decided to sell it though. He wants a 530. 😀
Click to expand...

actually, the mechanic that works for my father is gonna fix it for cheap, then im sellin it... i need something with a warranty so i can blow the engine and not care
Click to expand...

Why didn't you tell us that in the first place?? Instead of telling us that it's $10K to replace your engine if BMW does it, you could have also informed us that your father's worker is going to repair it for $2K or something like that. Also, if you blow the engine on a vehicle with a warranty -- and abuse to the engine is detected, you might have problems getting it replaced under warranty.



 
Originally posted by: dmurray14
Interesting...everyone seems to have a negative opinion on them. In my experience, old BMWs have been VERY reliable. A friend had an 86 325i( i think) and that thing had 200,000 miles on it but started up and ran like it was brand new.
Click to expand...

Like any vehicle, the care that the original owner took for the vehicle is essential for its "long-term" life. If the previous owner abused the car, then don't expect too much of a life out of the vehicle.

 
Thanks for all the input guys! The issue I'm mulling now is if repairs could be handled best by a dealer or an independent mechanic? I am comfortable doing my own maintenance but for major stuff I have no clue.
 
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