Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
BMW History and Engine Technology
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I am looking at a 2007 530i (CPO) with 27K miles, and a 2008 535i with 28K miles. I am very skeptical of the twin turbo on the 535i, I am driving a 328i (1996) and the engine has been wonderful for me. All repairs have been for peripheral stuff like computer lights, water pump went at 96K miles, stuff like that. But the engine has as much pep and energy today as it did when I got it (also CPO program). Am I right to be skeptical of the 535i? I am not into high powerered vehicles, but I sure do love that 535i that I saw. I just feel having twin turbos is another technical issue I don't need, and I don't understand them anyway.
What can you tell me about it. Thanks, warranty runs until 2013 on the 2008 and 2012 on the 530i.
Gardis in Connecticut
Personally I'm quite a fan of turbocharged motors; however, depending upon the application, they do require a bit more care and feeding than their normally aspirated brethren. As an example, anecdotal reports on the twin turbo 3.0 liter mill that BMW is putting in a few of their cars suggests that oil changes should be done every 5,000 miles (instead of the 15,000 miles recommended by BMW).
What should you do? Well, since you like the 535i, get it with the CPO warranty, and if it proves to be a reliable car through the warranty period, keep it even longer, however, if it seems to like more than its fair share of maintenance, then you have a decision to make by 2013. ;-)
Best regards,
Shipo
http://market.autopartsfair.com/bmw-transmissions/find_product.html?make=bmw&mod- - - el=323i&year=2000
Best regards,
Shipo
Kind of an interesting comment, especially so given that Honda has had WAY-WAY more problems with their automatic transmissions over the last ten years compared to BMW. Before you make the jump, you might want to do a little research on their transmission problems (which are allegedly fixed, yet problems are still cropping up).
Best regards,
Shipo
The above said, the easiest way to avoid automatic transmission problems is to buy a car with a stick shift.
Best regards,
Shipo
This is the BMW I'm currently looking at. Do you think this is a good deal, based off what you see from the site.
Both BMW and Honda make excellent cars with manual transmissions. They almost never fail and are much more fun to drive.
Personally I'd avoid a second hand M3 unless I had tons of documentation in its maintenance history, better still if I knew the previous owner and how it was driven.
Best regards,
Shipo
Hey, I resent that remark.
Except for replacing the transmission, clutch (twice), driveshaft, differential, 2 axles, AFM, brake master cylinder, 2 window switches, exhaust from the header back, control arms, tie-rod ends, rear shock mounts (twice), guibo, O2 sensor, sway bar links, subframe bushings, engine mounts, oil cooler, shifter bushings, 2 wheel bearings, flywheel sensors, and the alternator in the past 3 years, my M3 has been completely reliable!
Best regards,
Shipo
I think you should get a Mustang.
The problem with the "M" are that, historically, they quickly become "yesterday's news" and with new technology, what was once a "fast" BMW becomes one that is slower than BMWs normal sedans in the upcoming years.
My 2008 BMW 535i is my first BMW. A new convert, the car is my "ultimate driving machine." That takes the car's utlility off the charts because the drive was my top priority.
I once purchased a 1999 Volvo S80, for the safety features, knowing that the transmission was a Chevy that Volvo used because it was the only one that would fit. Knowing that the tranny was likely to fail and it did -- under warranty, of course -- reliability was not that big a deal. Safety and comfort were my main concerns given the 50 mile commute up and down I-95 that I had to then endure.
On this BMW purchase, I wanted a great drive, power and speed and at least 24 mpg. Add the styling and the intangible of panache: case closed. As much as I hate to go on record admitting this, reliability is not always important to me (or to others who buy cars). Otherwise, who would buy a Mercedes or a Dodge?
What was the question.? Happy driving.
Given the above, no and no. If you want a "very reliable car/getting a car for the money you pay", buy an Accord or a Camry. A BMW is a lot more than just what you asked about.
Sounds like you really don't have your heart set on a BMW, in the sense that "I just gotta have one".
Bring 'em over!
- My first car was a 1965 Ford Mustang.
What were all of your first cars?
Mine was a 1969 Camaro Z-28 (you can see from that I'm probably older than you parents :P ). Paid for myself, as I was working and going to school at night.
For any used German car, one has to realistically budget about $150 a month for maintenance and repairs, which includes "expendables" on the car (tires, brakes, wipers, tune up) but not gas/insurance/accident damage/catastrophic repairs.
So really, it's gonna cost, with insurance for a young 'un and gas for 12K miles, probably $4,000 a year to keep this car going...if everything goes pretty much okay with the car
so I trust parents have an extra $350 a month or so for this endeavor.
to be fair, much of this $$$ amount would apply to any car, but I suspect a used Toyota is going to cost you less to operate overall each year.
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&csDlId=&csDgId=&listin- gId=19552217&listingRecNum=52&criteria=sf1Dir%3DDESC%26alMdId%3D21392%26mkId%3D2- 0005%26stkTyp%3DU%26mdId%3D21392%26rd%3D250%26crSrtFlds%3DstkTypId-feedSegId-mkI- d-mdId%26zc%3D75019%26rn%3D50%26PMmt%3D1-1-0%26stkTypId%3D28881%26sf1Nm%3Dprice%- 26alMkId%3D20005%26rpp%3D50%26feedSegId%3D28705&aff=national
Edmunds True Market Value
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