ATTN: BMW FANATICS; Opinions needed!

[bmw2099]

My last car was a 93 318is. I bought it for 9 grand, in '01 with 92k on the odo, and put about 22k on the car. I ran up over a $5k bill just in REPAIRS (not customizing.. merely fixing the car). I'm looking into a '98 528i with 79k for $16k. My hope is that the 5 series will be considerably more reliable. My questions.... is the five series worth it? Has anyone had exceptionally good or bad luck with the car? What have u done to it (in terms of repairs...). Your opinions are greatly appreciated and valued much. Thanks for your time, from one bmw fanatic to another.

 

[jszar]

ask the guys in the 5 series forum, they could tell you more than us prolly

 

[outperformit 36]

My last car was a 93 318is. I bought it for 9 grand, in '01 with 92k on the odo, and put about 22k on the car. I ran up over a $5k bill just in REPAIRS (not customizing.. merely fixing the car).

Man... thats alot of cash. was the car overly abused or is that the repair rate
of the 318 or all 3s?

 

[bmw2099]

To be honest... I dunno. I dont think it was especially abused. Labor rates were about 90 an hour at my local bimmer dealership, which is rather ridiculous, however the 'going rate'. I thought the repairs were rather eccentric

 

[manuel]

9k for a 93 318 seems a bit steep. what repairs did you have done?

 

[bmw2099]

what didnt I have done? alternator, struts, pads, rotors (3 times), something with the wires to the ignition ( i dunno what it was, but it ran me a cool 300), balljoints, power steering gasket (that was a smooth 2k), pads and rotors for the back, back up switch and a few other misc. repairs that I really cant think of at the moment

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

9k for a 318 thats about 10yrs old w/93k miles! Are you nuts?!?!?!?!? Why did you buy it in first place? That guy must have been laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[bmw2099]

I bought it in July of '01.. so that makes it only 8 years old with 93k

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Still... thats a high price, considering the 1.8i engine was the most disappointing thing BMW ever did to a heavy 3series sedan..... IMHO the 325i, which nicely equiped goes for 35k in comparison to say a 318i nicely equiped "should" cost 27k new. With depreciation it shouldn't cost 1/3 the purchase price after nearly 9yrs and nearly 100k miles.

Anyhow we all learn from mistakes, I know used BMW's are overpriced considering the way people drive them and the cost of repairs... Thats why I wouldn't buy a used BMW, not even certified pre-owned, not after what BMW of Manhattan put me through...

 

[brahtw8]

I bought it in July of '01.. so that makes it only 8 years old with 93k

I also bought my bimmer in July of 01. I paid $12k for a 1994 325i with 97k. That price included two sets of rims/tires (summer/winter) and a few other tasteful mods. (Dinan chip/camber, bilsteins, SS brake lines, pagid pads).

Another higher-mileage, non-warranty BMW may not be the best way to avoid high maintenance/repair costs in the future. The E39 fivers have a few issues (radiator, some failing suspension pieces, IIRC) but nothing too major or off-putting.

That said, there are many things you can do to limit your risk, the most important being a thorough pre-purchase inspection. You should also find a good Indy BMW mechanic and stop paying dealer labor rates and retail prices for parts. If you are not a member already, I recommend joining the BMW CCA.

 

[selavia]

I bought a 1995 318Is for $5000 [headbang] in 2003. The kelly blue book value on my car was over $10K! And that's not what the person who sold it to me said, I actually looked it up. I also looked it up on several valuation systems and some responses were really ridiculous, but I didn't see anything under $7k even in private party values. And mine had 98K on her. And as far as troubles with the car. I've heard that this engine is pretty damn solid. So far no real problems (just my own stupidity). Hopefully I'll never have any problems. I definitely think the 93 318Is you bought was abused like a red-headed step child. To spend 5k over the initial 9k invested is murder! As far as 5 series, I don't know much, but my friend's Dad owns nothing but BMWs; he told me once, as far as the 5 goes, if it ain't the M5, it ain't worth it. Good Luck man. And to all those who think the 1.8L is the worst thing ever to the three...don't hate cause it cause it small; it's still got power. I've taken a 6cylinder prelude [bmwkick] before and kicked the hec outa his ass.

 

[brahtw8]

I've taken a 6cylinder prelude [bmwkick] before and kicked the hec outa his ass.

Honda never made a six-cylinder Prelude. I am sure somebody has put a six in a prelude at some point, but they never came that way from the factory. Unless the prelude you 'raced' had an engine swap, it was a four.

 

[selavia]

My bad

Honda never made a six-cylinder Prelude. I am sure somebody has put a six in a prelude at some point, but they never came that way from the factory. Unless the prelude you 'raced' had an engine swap, it was a four.

Twas the 3.0L engine that came from a 2000 (or 2001) Accord. His mom was sideswiped/rearended so bad they totaled her car. He took out the V-tech that was in his and "dropped" (was more of a pain in the ass; it didn't line up exactly right) hers in. Still a pretty fast engine. Still, I think of his car as Prelude, not an accord.

 

[first5ny]

BMW 2099,

I bought a 1998 528 about 2 months ago. Paid around 18,500. Had 46,000 miles. Exterior, interior were in mint condition. Previous owner was supposedly an older woman. So far no problems. Car is very solid. Alot of room compared to the 3 but not as sporty. You can still get on the 5 and it will handle very well. To me its more luxury than the 3 while still maintaining a good amount of sportiness. From what I hear, BMW are more expensive to own. Its the price you pay for the incredible ride.

 

[brahtw8]

It never ceases to amaze me when people are surprised at the maintenance costs of an older BMW, or other older expensive car.

If the car cost $50,000 or more when it was new, the fact that you are buying one now for $10,000 or $20,000 or whatever, doesn't change the cost of the parts and the complexity of the systems. If you have a car that came with all sorts of advanced electronics and power features, and performance this and that, you have to expect these things will wear out.

You can get a early 90s 850i for dirt cheap these days. A few $2000 repair bills later you will understand what it really costs to own an expensive car. Try living with a bargain Ferrari 308 or $50k Testarossa.

If you can afford a $30k new car with a warranty that does not mean you can afford to buy a $30k used car. Totally different proposition. Forget that and you can find yourself in a world of hurt.

 

[gbf1lm]

i got a 92 325i with. moms gota a 540i. me and my mom both like the 325 better even though the 540 is awesome. dads got a 2001 m3. both 3series feel the same for daily driving, only the power and suspension can u feel in daily driving. 540 has a completly different feel. u sit higher, suspension is looser steering is loser. 3er is more sporty, its jsut a personal preference. 5er is awesome if u need to have a bigger car, u will be amazed at the handling that comes out of such a big car. maybe u should look at a 99 328i with low miles. $.02

9k is steep for a 93 4cyl 3er. esp when it was not into very good shape.

 

[gbf1lm]

Try living with a bargain Ferrari 308 or $50k Testarossa.

dads co worker got a 308. he figured 40k for a ferrari and bought it ona whim. now barley drives it cuz its costs way to much

 

[e36325is]

My first bmw was a 82 320i with 120k miles, i bought it for 2k, looked good and ran good, I sold it for 2k after 8 months- Next is my 87 325 (my money pit) bought it with 129k miles on it for 4k- engine was rebuilt after the first 3 months and if you add up all parts and labor i have put into it (including the 4k purchase price) i have put over 13k into it- Bilstien sport shocks, eibach springs, tranny, drive shaft and A LOT of little other things that i had replaced, what can i say, i fell in love with it..but man, my girlfriend hated me for it, I still have it though Labor is where you get screwed.. 88-110 an hour I bought a 93 325is black for 11500, with ACS full body kit (front rear and side skirts,spoiler) 17' moda rims ACS chip (had dinan) cold intake with only 63k!!! on a 93, no thats cool... so far on that i have had the radiator,water pump and thermostat replaced, also when i got the car i had BMW inspection II done to it along with other small things so about 2k after buying it, BMWs do have a high repair/parts cost, but worth every penny IMO

 

[jnyost]

I have a 98 328i and a coworker has a 97 528i. I like mine a lot better. His has more room, but mine runs, rides, and handles better (imo). His was very nice and comfy, but I bought my bimmer for the ride and sportiness.

Jared