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BMW 3-Series - What to do when the CPO period ends?
Hi All
I have a 2003 330xi. The CPO period expires soon. This program has already paid for itself due to a few repairs that were necessary. The car only has 55K miles. Here's the question....should I keep the car past the warranty period? I love the car, but am worried that the cost of up keep may be very expensive. If I sell I have been thinking about moving into a certified 2008/2009 Acura TSX (I know different kinda car) or a TL. The only thing I don't like about my car (other than potential future repair and maintenance bills) is the mileage...19/20 ave mpg.
What kind of experience have folks had with your cars when the warranty stops...should I keep it? Thanks!
I have a 2003 330xi. The CPO period expires soon. This program has already paid for itself due to a few repairs that were necessary. The car only has 55K miles. Here's the question....should I keep the car past the warranty period? I love the car, but am worried that the cost of up keep may be very expensive. If I sell I have been thinking about moving into a certified 2008/2009 Acura TSX (I know different kinda car) or a TL. The only thing I don't like about my car (other than potential future repair and maintenance bills) is the mileage...19/20 ave mpg.
What kind of experience have folks had with your cars when the warranty stops...should I keep it? Thanks!
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Comments
GIVEN that a) this car already has a history of being a bit troublesome
and b)
that it is a complex German luxury car
and c)
that you are concerned about expenses after warranty and you probably don't do your own repair work
then I would suggest d)
which would be to sell no later than around 80,000 miles.
Why 80K? Because this is just about the time that a BMW starts to get hungry for those normally expendable items that most cars might need at this time.
The only other consideration is how much depreciation you've suffered and if you are comfortable with what the car has cost you to own it in five years time.
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I think this makes a big difference as to how I might advise someone about after-warranty periods.
If skgolfer is a more active participant in BMW repair and maintenance, then maybe I'm off base here.
He's had the car for six years.. already problematic.. But, it's been under warranty the entire time.. Keeping it to 80K includes some pretty pricy maintenance, and the warranty is up shortly (six year limit)...
So.. it's been extremely cheap to maintain repair for the six years he's had it... I say, get out while the getting is good... It sounds as though this member is risk-averse as it is... (looking for a TSX with an extended warranty)..
Just my $0.02..
kyfdx
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Well, that's been the case for my last three BMWs. Three different models, three different years; 1995, 1997, 2004. I don't believe it's luck. Yes, my CCA discount helps, as does a bit of research, but right now my 2007 POS Mazdaspeed 3 :lemon: is proving to be much more problematic and more expensive to run than any late model BMW I've ever owned. Nothing but the Blau Mit Weiss for me from now on...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I am a bit risk adverse and I can only do the very, very basic maintenance myself. It just seems that whenever I have the car in to be repaired or serviced, the service folks tell me that I am lucky that I have the service and maintenance program still going. Front brakes - would have been $1,500, 50K service - would have been $1,300, Front axle boots - would have been $1K, front left CV cylinder - would have been $$$. Now it could be that this dealer is trying pad his profit. What kind of discounts do the BMW clubs actually provide....I am not currently a member. Thanks.
Your dealer is trying to skin you. Bad. Pads and rotors for all four wheels of my wife's 2004 X3 cost less than $1000 at my dealer. And the Inspection II cost less than $400. They might be trying to scare you into a newer car. That's not unheard of.
Now it could be that this dealer is trying pad his profit.
That's the understatement of the year. Grand Larceny is more like it.
What kind of discounts do the BMW clubs actually provide
There is only one BMW Club in the US- the BMW Car Club of America. Many dealers and indie shops offer discounts of 10%-20% on parts and/or labor. Note that some unscrupulous dealers and shops charge 20%-30% over MSRP for parts, so the "discount" is really no such thing. I suspect that your dealer plays the same game.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I have incredibly good "luck" with cars too but I don't call it luck. I'm really diligent and I head off trouble before it starts. I spend a lot of time with my cars, looking 'em over. Also have a great network for repairs and parts.
So I give credit to anyone who can run a modern car at such low cost.
They're desirable cars that are easy to sell while still under CPO and command a (slight) premium because you can tell the buyer "If you have any problems, you're still under warranty".
After that's gone, you're dependent on having all your stamps in your service book. Otherwise people are leary of high milage old BMW's.
Additionally, my E-46 had several interesting problems that were no big deal under warranty but would have been annoying if I'd been paying. All four window regulators @ $500 a pop. Four of six coils. No thanks.
Having said that, I bought my wife a 328i in 1998. She has driven it 51K miles in the last 10 years. It's a wonderful car, and she doesn't want to replace it, and frankly, it's just fine and will be for years to come. However, it is still comparatively expensive to own, if one does (and I do) all the required maintenance ( regular oil changes regardless of milage, brake fluid, antifreeze flushes), and takes care of (and I do) every even minor thing that needs attention. Thoes little things ain't cheap. A Harmon-Kardon tweeter got old and failed - that was $100 or so for the speaker itself and another $150 or so to have replaced.... and there are 8 or 10 speakers. By the way, it also required a new radiator when the original failed for no particular reason. Oh - and I almost forget that I had to replace all the suspension bushings recently.....another $1500 for no reason except age.
Me? I'd sell and get another one.
My own personal rating for BMWs "bell curve" is "average reliability", nothing too bad, nothing too great. A bit "iffy" IMO.
so your post-CPO experience is most likely going to be "iffy".
In terms of driving experience, styling, resale, etc., they are tops.
As a former Alfa owner, I view the repair and maintenance costs as part of the price of ownership - the price you pay for the rest of the BMW experience - but worth it.
Having said that, the maintenance costs are the reason I'll probably never have a Porsche. I can afford the entry costs easily.... I'm not so sure about the ownership costs.
My pockets are deep enough for BMW ownership (helped by their built-in maintenance program or the CPO) but a Porsche!
You're talking boat money when you talk Porsche repairs!
I will run it by my mechanic for a once over before I make a final decision. Its been a great car for my 3 years/40,000 miles.
Do most people have these fuel pump, bushing, tail light issues or do some, many, or most, and do they happen to be the ones that hang out in web forums? Are these typical maintenance issues or exceptions? I'd never get another VW, because they seem so problem prone, yet I know others who get them and drive them to death. Basically, what I'm asking is this: Are BMWs with more than 50K miles just hobby cars, better left to those who enjoy working on them, or can they be somewhat practically enjoyed and relied upon for transportation? :confuse: Thanks so much.