Stonedofmoo said:
316, certainly avoid, not so the 318i.
As already stated, yes, parts can be more expensive, but, this is offset by better depreciation, build quality, driving experience and in my experience at least,FAR better general reliability.
Don't kid yourself you can properly run a BMW, especially a bigger engine model, at Ford prices, you can't, but with a good independent specialist and some research into buying the right car, you won't go far wrong.
After years of owning various Fords, Vauxhalls etc I switched to BMW back in late 2002, I got rid of my "M" Reg Escort Turbo diesel (70k) and bought a "J" reg 318i with 125k on the clock, ran it relatively trouble free for 3 years and then bought my current 728i (now 107k).
I actually found the 318i was no more expensive to run than my previous cars, its clutch was still going strong after 175k!, and above all else, the car still felt tight & well built when I sold it.
My current e38 7 Series is in a different league, tyres (18inch wheels) are circa £130 each, consumables such as brake pads, exhaust bits, suspension components are considerably more than the 3 series, fuel consumption is about 2/3 of the older car.
That said, I'm more than happy to pay for the ownership of my car, I left myself under no illusions asto what I was getting myself into when buying the 7 Series.
One annoying trait of BMW's I found on both my 318i and, ironically enough this morning on my 728, they seem to love to break exhaust mounts. My 3 snapped 4 over the 3 years I owned it, I've discovered my o/s rear silencers hanger has snapped on my 7 today!
- In general I've found the cars to be well built and reliable, but, often let down by silly items.
My 7 Series constantly tells me my brake lights don't work, when they do. The Cup holders break if your too rough with them
I'd recommend checking to see if the radiator has been recently replaced. They have a tendancy to fail after 50k-60k miles. Fortunately, BMW recently lowered the price on the radiators so you can get one for around £120, plus labour.
Listen for any kind of weird noises from the transmission. If its making a whining or whirring sound, particularly in the low gears during acceleration, check the transmission fluid filter to see if it was replaced with an aftermarket filter. The OEM filter is labeled "FILTRAN" on it. Anything else can cause problems.
If the catalytic converters haven't been replaced and the car is nearing 100,000 miles, they'll probably need replacing soon.
Aftermarket cats can be had for around £250 / £300 but their quality/endurance is a very open question. The OEM cats can be had for around £500 (plus labour for installation, about 1/2 an hour).
The power steering hoses can leak, particularly on the older models. If you get the service history, check to see if they've been replaced. If so, you're in good shape.
The next time you get your oil changed, have the mechanic drop the oil pan and check for loose bolts on the oil pump. The BMW dealer may tell you its not necessary, but it is. Spending the extra £60 or so will be a cheap insurance policy against having a loose bolt get kicked up into your engine and destroying it. , a common issue with V8's in particular.
Firestar_3x said:
That might be true, but driving a car and thinking in the back of my mind "I hope this doesn't break" all the time would do my nut in, safest bet is expect something to bust and expect it to be expensive to put right then you've got yourself covered should something go wrong.
Up until I bought & ran my BMW's, I pretty much thought about things breaking constantly, I've found - thus far - such fears are unwarranted with my BM's, however, not for nothing did I buy my 7 from a dealer and made sure it had a warranty.
With regard to warranty's though, try to buy the car from a BMW dealer, nobody offers a better warranty imo.
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