Is Owning A BMW Really That Expensive?

BMWs are by far the most expensive car manufacturer to repair, claims Your Mechanic. The competition is not even close. With an average maintenance cost of $17,800 over ten years, BMW comes in #1. Mercedes-Benz came in second with an average maintenance cost of $12,900 during a 10-year period. In contrast, the typical Toyota only cost $5,500 to maintain during a 10-year period because they are recognized for requiring less maintenance.

According to Your Mechanic, such high maintenance costs are usual in German premium vehicles. Audi comes in sixth with an average $12,400 maintenance expense over a 10-year period. This is primarily a result of the pricey, high-end parts that these luxury vehicles require. Naturally, it will cost a lot of money to fix those pieces when they break or need maintenance.

However, while being premium vehicles, they also have ongoing problems. For instance, according to Your Mechanic, a BMW is four times more likely to not start than a typical automobile. It was ranked seventh overall as a result. Additionally, the window regulator on the BMW required replacement 18 times more frequently than the window regulator on the ordinary car.

Which BMW model do you own?

The true surprise lies here. The cost of maintenance will be pretty minimal if you own an ancient BMW that was popular back in the day, like an E30 3 Series, for instance. It’s not a sophisticated automobile, so there aren’t many electronics or speciality parts, and since it was a widely sold model, replacement parts are easy to get and labor costs aren’t too high.

However, if you have a brand-new BMW 7 Series, it will cost much more because its parts are more expensive and high-tech. It is also much more complex, which means there are more potential problems and you must rely on more expensive specialists to work on it.

Therefore, when commentators and YouTubers make generalizations about how expensive it is to sustain any business, they are merely selling you clickbait.

Of course, certain BMWs cost a lot to maintain because they are difficult to repair and unreliable, like the E65 BMW 7 Series, which is a complete nightmare. However, some vehicles, like an E46 BMW 3 Series or an E39 BMW 5 Series, are manageably simple and affordable to maintain when done correctly.

Do BMWs cost a lot to lease?

It’s a frequent misperception that premium vehicles are expensive to lease. when in reality, this is frequently untrue.

How much the car will depreciate in value over the course of the lease term is one of the variables that affect how much it will cost. A automobile that depreciates significantly will cost extra. BMWs have high residual values, making them more valuable over time than vehicles from many other manufacturers. This implies that they might cost less to rent than consumers believe.

Depreciation does play a significant role in lease prices, albeit there are other factors as well (learn more about them here). BMWs cost less to lease because they lose less value over time. Because they are actually extremely affordable, brands like BMW, Mercedes, and Audi are all very popular for leasing.

BMWs are generally not as expensive to lease as you think they are, though there are other factors that can affect lease price.

Really, it depends. Because BMW is a luxury brand, buying one of their vehicles will cost more than buying one from a less expensive manufacturer. But you most likely already anticipated that. Although the costs of maintenance are lower than for more expensive models, the average cost of repairs is rather high. However, you may reduce the cost by performing as much maintenance at home as you can to cut down on trips to the garage. The type of insurance you choose depends on the model. Even the identical models of BMW might have significantly different insurance costs. Therefore, before you make a choice, it’s crucial that you consider how much it will cost to insurance your BMW. A BMW probably isn’t as pricey as you might assume if you were to lease one. Their low rates of depreciation make them desirable leasing vehicles because they significantly lower the monthly payments. Again, it depends on the model you choose, but we’re confident that the lease will be less expensive than you anticipate.

I hope this helped you get a sense of how pricey or economical owning a BMW is.

What is the price of a BMW?

The sticker price of a new BMW ranges from $35,000 to $150,000, and it keeps going up with each new model that is introduced. Used BMWs are significantly less expensive, and ones in decent condition may be purchased for only a few thousand dollars.

Of course, the model you select will determine the cost of a BMW. Entry-level vehicles with budget-friendly engines, like the 2 Series and X1, are significantly less expensive than high-performance vehicles, such the M4 or M5.

Due to their high price, many new BMWs are purchased with financing, and many are purchased as corporate vehicles.

New BMWs depreciate incredibly quickly, with the majority of the initial value being lost in the first two years of ownership.

This is why many informed customers opt to purchase used BMWs instead, however additional charges may apply.

Because used BMWs may no longer be covered by warranties and may have been mistreated by previous owners, upkeep, service, and repairs will cost more.

Fortunately, there are some affordable BMWs on the used car market if you know what to look for, making this one of the most cost-effective ways to drive a high-end vehicle.

FAQ: BMW Repair Prices

Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.

Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.

Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.

Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.

A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.

The Real Price Of A BMW 3 Series

One-step plug and play is not typically associated with vehicle ownership. Owning a car or any other type of vehicle requires consideration of a variety of issues. We’ll be examining the ownership expenses of BMW’s best-selling model, the 3-series, in more detail in this discussion.

BMWs from the past have a reputation for being unreliable, and to some extent, this is still true. There are differing opinions among BMW enthusiasts about both the adored M3 and the notoriously unreliable E60 M5. However, things have improved as BMW is currently ranked as the 9th most trustworthy brand by Whatcar.

Moving on to the vehicle in issue, the latest iteration of the BMW 3-series has been praised for its dependability and appears to be superior to its fellow German rivals, the Audi A4 and the Mercedes-Benz C-class.

Over the course of five years, the real cost of owning a BMW 3-series is $58,870. Numerous factors, including depreciation, insurance, fuel, and maintenance costs, are taken into account; their breakdown and associated costs are provided below.

How much does it cost to keep a BMW running?

For a BMW, the average yearly maintenance expense is around $950. Although this is hundreds of dollars more than the national average, it makes sense given that BMW is a luxury brand.

Depending on your vehicle’s model, trim level, and mileage, your specific maintenance charges will vary. Let’s look at a few samples of typical annual prices for various models, going from the most costly BMW to the least expensive.

Is a BMW seen as expensive?

People favor it above other luxury brands because of its reputation for providing high-quality goods.

Because you may be able to customize a BMW to give you the experience you want, they are expensive.

People still prefer BMW above other luxury brands because, in the opinion of BMW aficionados, the work that went into making the vehicle was worthwhile.

BMWs are lighter than other vehicles because they are constructed from more expensive components like aluminum or carbon fiber.

Is owning a BMW worth it?

When BMW began promoting its cars as the “Ultimate Driving Machine” in the 1970s, the company soon grew to become one of the world’s top luxury automobile manufacturers.

BMW has a long history of producing eye-catching vehicles and SUVs that receive high praise from automotive writers.

Both auto fanatics and everyday people who just want the best for their vehicles greatly prize them.

Because they are high-performance luxury vehicles with excellent interiors, a smooth ride, high levels of comfort, and some of the best technological features available, BMWs are a good investment. BMW is a brand that embodies high status, and their cars offer an exceptional driving experience.

Why is maintaining a BMW so expensive?

It’s usually a good idea to only use genuine OEM components produced by BMW when a repair is necessary. Although there are aftermarket possibilities at the neighborhood auto parts shop, the majority are of lower quality. This implies that you’re much more likely to experience early failure.

Replacement parts for BMW cost more, as one might anticipate. The majority of these parts are produced by prestigious companies like Bosch and Bilstein. You are purchasing premium workmanship. Maintaining high-performance vehicles is considerably more expensive. The BMW M5 is a nice illustration. This powerful sports car has improved brakes, performance tires, and a unique sport suspension.

Why are used BMWs so inexpensive?

The oversupply of BMWs on the used market is one factor contributing to their low price. Similar to other products, when there is a surplus and a decrease in demand, the price of the commodity falls. If you’ve ever looked at a new BMW, you’ll note that practically every model has excellent lease offers. But what takes place when those vehicles are rented, returned, and then traded in?

BMW lease returns are normally either sold at auction or offered for sale as certified pre-owned vehicles on dealer lots. Additionally, when dealer lots are overflowing with CPO vehicles, it lowers the cost of the vehicles not just for dealerships but also for individual sellers. And whether you’re a dealer or an individual selling a car on the street, you must price the vehicle you’re selling in accordance with the going rates in the market in order to maintain a competitive edge.

What’s it like to be a BMW owner?

Reasons to Buy a BMW BMWs are renowned for being dependable. You may drive without concern thanks to the transmission and engine’s high quality. BMWs are a terrific ride on the freeway, across the countryside, or in the city due to the CO2 statistics and reasonable fuel economy they give compared to vehicles of a comparable size.