Thinking about buying a used BMW

[MarkD]

"(the light issues will probably be another 1k)"

You realize that lights for a car cost like $20-50 (this is probably on the high side) right? And it's about 10 minutes (at most) to change it yourself right?

I've never owned a BMW but I doubt is "that" different. It sounds old enough that it would not be a whole bunch of LED lights. Look in your trunk and follow the wiring. This is like paying 1k to have someone change the light bulb in your kitchen. It's mind boggling.

[Taylor Caby]

i bought a used bmw and absolutely love it. i don't know when they started doing this, but my car has 5 year or 50,000 mile warranty. Everything is paid for by BMW until you go over that plateau.

I picked up an 06 325i with 15k miles for 34k (over a year ago). Since then I haven't spent a dime maintaining it and will probably hold onto it for quite sometime. I'd definitely buy another BMW.

tc

[DcifrThs]

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"(the light issues will probably be another 1k)"

You realize that lights for a car cost like $20-50 (this is probably on the high side) right? And it's about 10 minutes (at most) to change it yourself right?

I've never owned a BMW but I doubt is "that" different. It sounds old enough that it would not be a whole bunch of LED lights. Look in your trunk and follow the wiring. This is like paying 1k to have someone change the light bulb in your kitchen. It's mind boggling.

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i don't think you guys are understanding the problem here.

if it was a few lights that was the problem i'd have fixed it myself.

i went to the auto store and purchased the bulbs for my make & model & year car. they (all 3 of them) were $3.50

i installed them myself and the issue was not fixed. i then talked to the guy and he said it is likely an electrical issue.

from experience, it seems that "electrical issues" take a few man hours to diagnose and fix plus a part or two. that plus $50 to "inspect" comes to like $600 or so bucks.

i may be lucky and it'd only be like $350 or $500. we'll see when i get off my lazy ass and deal with it.

Barron

[APXG]

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[ QUOTE ]
Hi there

So heres the deal, I have about 15K, 20K MAX to buy a car.

I tought about getting an honda obviously since its supposed to be the better cars now. But then I tought hey why not buy a little more used, but nicer car !?

SO I was thinking about getting something like a 320-323i, around 2001-2003, 100Kish km...

Yay or nay? Obviously if its pretty close in value Ill go for the style baby! Just trying to make sure its not a major waste of money.

Any advices from people who know something about cars will be very appreciated!

thanks guys [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

i am very ahppy with my car.

in may 2006 i bought a 1998 740iL green BMW beige leather for $8400 cash with 126k miles on it.

since then i've spent about 11k on repairs, maintenance, fixing stupid sh*t that goes wrong.

i could have spent less but i always take it to the BMW dealership. they give me a loaner car and i know they do a great job.

i have 3 things that need fixing now but i'm lazy and they aren't masssively important and they next available loaner car is in like a month lol...(back left break light is out, back left turn signal is out, back left reverse light is out)

so yea, as people said, be prepared to fix, maintain the car. but i'll tell you from my personal experience, i couldn't have been happier with this car. it is an absolute dream to drive, smooth as all hell w/ tons of power also. insanely huge trunk (3 dead bodies easy [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ) and a backseat that has almost too much legroom.

so while i may be biased, i've been through this process and still have the car. it currently has 148k miles on it. i'd expect this to last to about 250k which will be far more value to me than the $ i spent on it (it's already surpassed that benchmark though). i plan on happily driving this car into the ground for years [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

good luck,
Barron

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Barron,

What are / were your projections for costs after the initial purchase? Also, at what point would it become "totaled" in terms of maintenance, and what would you estimate probabilities of that? I assume if something like the transmission fails the car is done financially, right? I guess 8k was just so far below market that its enough of a subsidy.

Sorry to semi hijack the thread, but buying 8-10 yr old cars has become an interesting new concept to me [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[DcifrThs]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Hi there

So heres the deal, I have about 15K, 20K MAX to buy a car.

I tought about getting an honda obviously since its supposed to be the better cars now. But then I tought hey why not buy a little more used, but nicer car !?

SO I was thinking about getting something like a 320-323i, around 2001-2003, 100Kish km...

Yay or nay? Obviously if its pretty close in value Ill go for the style baby! Just trying to make sure its not a major waste of money.

Any advices from people who know something about cars will be very appreciated!

thanks guys [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

i am very ahppy with my car.

in may 2006 i bought a 1998 740iL green BMW beige leather for $8400 cash with 126k miles on it.

since then i've spent about 11k on repairs, maintenance, fixing stupid sh*t that goes wrong.

i could have spent less but i always take it to the BMW dealership. they give me a loaner car and i know they do a great job.

i have 3 things that need fixing now but i'm lazy and they aren't masssively important and they next available loaner car is in like a month lol...(back left break light is out, back left turn signal is out, back left reverse light is out)

so yea, as people said, be prepared to fix, maintain the car. but i'll tell you from my personal experience, i couldn't have been happier with this car. it is an absolute dream to drive, smooth as all hell w/ tons of power also. insanely huge trunk (3 dead bodies easy [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img] ) and a backseat that has almost too much legroom.

so while i may be biased, i've been through this process and still have the car. it currently has 148k miles on it. i'd expect this to last to about 250k which will be far more value to me than the $ i spent on it (it's already surpassed that benchmark though). i plan on happily driving this car into the ground for years [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

good luck,
Barron

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Barron,

What are / were your projections for costs after the initial purchase?

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pretty much none. i was naive (el d can vouch for that) and thought i was getting a great deal.

maybe 1k or something for inspection etc.

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Also, at what point would it become "totaled" in terms of maintenance, and what would you estimate probabilities of that?

[/ QUOTE ]

the stuff i had to get done was stuff that typically goes wrong with this car (radiator, window issues(wouldn't go up/down), cruise control something or other, then it was 1.5k for the 130k mile checkup to fix everything).

the first 6mo i had it there was a constant barrage of "CHECK X" posted on the dash (the computer in the car tells me when i need to get something chekced).

since then it hasn't had one of those lights go on until the recent "CHECK BREAK LIGHT" "CHECK REAR LIGHT" saga.

i mean i will run the car into the ground such that something that would cost me another car happens to it.

i don't know how much a new transmission costs but probably that might do it. i'd say it is a 100% certainty that i'll total the car (in terms of wear and tear).

i really love it though:







[ QUOTE ]


I assume if something like the transmission fails the car is done financially, right? I guess 8k was just so far below market that its enough of a subsidy.

Sorry to semi hijack the thread, but buying 8-10 yr old cars has become an interesting new concept to me [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

i think i answered that above, lemme know if you have any other questions.

Barron

[Preem]

According to the March 2007 Consumer Reports, the five most reliable cars are all made by Toyota/Lexus and Honda/Acura.

If reliability is important, I'd stick with these brands.

Consumer Reports' annual new car reliability predictions

[saucyspade19]

someone said something about transmission problems in X5's, is this a fact? I was lookin at 02-03 x5's with ~60k miles for around 20k. Would this be another candidate for ridic maintenance costs?

[RobertHunter]

Well, I have both a Honda and a BMW 3 series so I will share my opinions with you. I bought my 95 Accord Wagon in 96 and it has almost 200k on it. It is not a flashy car but it is extremely reliable and very useful. I thought I was going to sell the Honda when I bought the BMW 2 years ago but I just can't seem to part with the Honda. As for the BMW(Z3 Coupe), I love driving it and I get a lot of compliments on it. It has not given me any real problems but I have less than 40k miles on it and it is a 2001. I would not buy any used vehicle with over 60k miles on it unles I personally knew the owner. As the other poster stated definately have the subframe checked out on the older 3 series.If you are contemplating a BMW you should definately check out www.bimmerforums.com. You will find a Ton of information there and a lot of good people willing to share their knowledge. I have not priced Honda's in a while but I think you could buy a brand new 07 Honda for the price of a 4 year old Bimmer. Remember that cars years begins in August so technically the 2007's are now a year old. Either way I truly think you will be happy with your choice.
Personally, if it was my first car and/or I thought having the neccesary funds for future repairs might be an issue I would get the Honda. Good luck in you purchase and if you buy from a dealer try to buy towards the end of the month. If they are close to making their monthly goal they will do evertyhing they can to get a deal together. If you get up to walk out they will usually stop you if there is any more room to negotiate. If they offer you a deal and you go to walk out and they don't stop you it is probably the best they can do.

[Al4as]

I just got a intersting deal I think, Ill probably take it.

323, 40km 2004 and I have a garantee till 160Km, for 22K$
Ill probably bargain it to the max obviously.

Thanks for the help guys! really appreciated it

[Al4as]

[ QUOTE ]
Good luck in you purchase and if you buy from a dealer try to buy towards the end of the month. If they are close to making their monthly goal they will do evertyhing they can to get a deal together. If you get up to walk out they will usually stop you if there is any more room to negotiate. If they offer you a deal and you go to walk out and they don't stop you it is probably the best they can do.

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lol very nice, Ill wait a week or 2 [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]