How challenging it is to repair a BMW depends on its age, model, engine, and level of luxury amenities. Older vehicles with simpler parts may be simpler to fix than more recent BMWs with all the frills.
BMWs are regarded as luxury vehicles, thus they are more likely to be equipped with cutting-edge technology than a regular family hatchback.
The likelihood that a piece of advanced technology would malfunction increases along with the difficulty of diagnosing and repairing the vehicle.
The main reason why earlier BMWs are simpler to fix is that they don’t have as many bells and whistles as newer models, making it simpler to identify issues and get to the broken parts.
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Conclusion
In general, DIY technicians can work on most BMWs, however the types of repairs you can do and how challenging they are to repair depend on the BMW model and generation. I’ve been doing my own maintenance on BMWs for a long time and I like it. If you decide that maintaining your BMW is worthwhile for you as well, you can visit my BMW DIY YouTube Channel here.
BMWs are expensive to maintain.
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 car. 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.
Cost of BMW repairs
Another aspect that probably has a role in the negative opinion of BMW reliability. Finding a respectable, experienced, high-quality BMW repair shop in the US that will work for less than $100 labor per hour is difficult; many shops charge rates beyond $150/hour. High hourly labor rates and an engine compartment that is crowded to the point of barely fitting the magnificent inline-6 engines from BMW make for an ideal recipe for pricey repairs. For instance, the valve cover gasket on the BMW N54 is a frequent location for oil leaks. Due to the 7 hours of effort, a repair that only requires a $50 gasket and bolts could end up costing more than $1,000.
Even average DIYers may easily complete this repair; gather your equipment and spend the evening in the garage to save $1,000. In spite of the fact that BMWs’ typically small engine bays can be frightening, with some patience and basic understanding, navigating them is not particularly difficult or difficult. Spark plug replacement is a task that some companies may charge $100 to $200 for, but even the most inexperienced DIYers can complete in their driveway in about an hour. Your BMW will probably turn out to be a reasonably priced, dependable vehicle if you appreciate or can put up with the occasional do-it-yourself maintenance. For individuals unable or unable to perform simple repairs themselves, be aware that BMW repairs are often more expensive than those for the ordinary vehicle.
Maintenance of Vehicles Is Important
Like any healthy routines, maintaining your BMW on a regular basis takes some getting used to. Because it is difficult, time-consuming, and potentially upsetting, most individuals put off performing auto maintenance.
Poor car care can result in nefarious effects, regardless of whether you’re on a limited budget and tempted to avoid normal maintenance or your schedule forces you to put off an appointment with your auto shop. Each year, hundreds of accidents are the result of poorly maintained vehicles. In reality, $2 billion is spent annually on accidents brought on by badly maintained vehicles.
Even if you’re fortunate enough to avoid an accident, delaying maintenance or performing it on a budget might shorten your car’s lifespan by several years. Say, for instance, that a typical car may go 200,000 miles during its lifetime. You’re reducing that drive time to 150,000 miles or fewer without regular maintenance. In other words, you’re (necessarily) losing 25% of the durability of your 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.
Can you repair a BMW on your own?
Your pride and joy is your BMW. As soon as something starts to go wrong, you start working to fix it. Even though you may have experience with do-it-yourself tasks, you shouldn’t attempt to fix your car on your own. In fact, you should never attempt to perform some BMW repairs yourself.
It is recommended to leave any physical damage to your BMW to the trained experts. Metalworking expertise is necessary for body work. Even if you have that experience, it’s likely that you lack the color and finishes needed to blend your work effortlessly. On each of their vehicles, BMW uses unique colors. One repair should always be left to the professionals.
Only a certified BMW master mechanic should ever handle transmission repairs. Many new BMWs have eight-speed automatic transmissions, which are complicated and challenging to comprehend. In fact, in order to know how to fix them, mechanics must go through rigorous training. The numerous suspension parts all share this characteristic. BMW vehicles feature unique suspension systems. You could endanger both yourself and your car if you try to fix it alone.
Finally, you could believe that repairing your windshield is a simple task if it is chipped. Although it can appear straightforward, the windshield needs to be positioned correctly in order to offer protection. If not, you can later experience leaks or other damage.
Leave everything that’s wrong with your BMW to a professional. We know BMWs here at Bemer Motor Cars. We offer a wide range of services to maintain the functionality of your BMW, from gently used cars to maintenance. We have the skills and experience to support you whether you want to trade in your current X5 or tune up an older model. Don’t worry if you don’t own a BMW. Bemer Motor Cars is a specialist in Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, and other makes in addition to BMWs. There isn’t a better store to buy a luxury automobile from. Contact a member of our vehicle experts right away.
Is repairing a BMW affordable?
BMW owners spend, on average, $968 annually on maintenance and repairs, according to RepairPal. BMWs are costly to maintain compared to the $652 industry standard. The maintenance costs of BMW are comparable to those of other German luxury models like Mercedes-Benz ($908) and Audi ($987).
The cost of owning a BMW varies based on the car. Compared to its normal commuter line, BMW’s high-performance M line and SUVs are more expensive to maintain. One of the reasons the BMW 3 Series is so well-liked is that it’s one of the most cost-effective versions to maintain.
Using information from RepairPal, the following table compares the cost of maintenance for a select BMW models:
You’ll be glad to learn that a few BMWs include a free maintenance term. Under BMW Ultimate Service, maintenance is included for four years or 50,000 miles on vehicles from the 2015 and 2016 model years. BMW Ultimate Care offers three years or 36,000 miles of maintenance on models made in 2017 and after. If you’re wondering how the two plans differ, BMW Ultimate Service covers more wear and tear and maintenance-related items than BMW Ultimate Care.
Free maintenance programs can initially reduce the cost of ownership, but you’ll need to be ready to pay maintenance and repair fees once the program has ended.
Can you easily find parts for a BMW?
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. BMW is not only a vehicle to move passengers from point A to point B; it is designed for driving aficionados. BMW’s advanced technology calls a specialized certification to be repaired correctly. A skilled BMW mechanic will possess the knowledge necessary for a thorough and effective repair.
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.
What are some typical BMW issues?
- Engine Cooling Unit. Overheating is a problem that many BMW owners frequently experience.
- Oil Spills.
- Under Braking, the steering wheel vibrates.
- Tail Lamp Unit
Are BMWs trustworthy?
Fortunately, ratings of BMW dependability from several organizations support that excellent reputation: Customer Reports Every BMW in the lineup received a score above average in the 2020 rankings. The i3 electric car and the X6 midsize SUV are BMW’s most reliable models, and the brand as a whole is ranked seventh.
Is purchasing a BMW worthwhile?
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.