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.
In This Article...
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 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.
Objections To Purchasing A Used BMW
BMW is renowned for producing some of the best driving machines the world has ever seen, yet the majority of mechanics will advise you to steer clear of pre-owned models.
Once upon a time, BMW was a renowned automaker, a premium German brand with a lengthy history and an amazing collection of vehicles crisscrossing the globe. Sadly, though, circumstances are now different for the employees at the Bavarian Motor Works. The brand has been permanently damaged with prior owners and do-it-yourselfers due to an emphasis on producing mass-market automobiles that don’t age well.
August 2021 revision: You’ll be delighted to know that we’ve updated this post and go into more detail about the many issues a Bavarian automobile owner may run into if they decide to purchase a used BMW. This should assist you in making the greatest choice for your upcoming automobile purchase.
The majority of knowledgeable owners and mechanics will advise you to avoid used BMWs, especially those manufactured within the previous 20 years or so. Simply put, they are not worth the money you will undoubtedly have to invest in them. They are expensive to repair, have expensive replacement parts, and require a lot of labor.
They certainly have a cool appearance and a certain charm. But when you force personal checks to pour in at the neighborhood Euro repair shop, that beautiful siren tune will finally hit a string of unfavorable notes. Here are 15 compelling arguments against buying a used BMW.
Is it Still Worth It to Buy a Used BMW in 2022?
BMWs have a long history of being known for their fast, strong engines and excellent handling. Even though the 2022 BMWs have modern features and stylish aesthetics, the cost of a new BMW is beyond of most people’s economic range. But when you look for BMW pre-owned vehicles, you may get many of the characteristics you want in a vintage luxury vehicle for a lot less money than you would pay for a new vehicle.
Purchasing a used BMW that is four to six years old offers the best value for most drivers looking for a used BMW in terms of price and the newest amenities. For thousands less than a new BMW, a well-kept 2017 BMW, for instance, can nevertheless provide you with the ADAS technology and dynamic performance you seek. How, however, do you locate a used BMW that both suits your needs and your taste?
When thinking about buying a used car, you need to know what to look for before you go shopping. Look over the BMW models from recent years and make a list of the ones that appeal to you and are the best fit for you. While you can depend on the standard BMW performance and dependability with a variety of models, it’s crucial to choose the model that best suits your lifestyle.
For instance, a BMW 4 Series is a stylish, practical sedan equipped with the newest technologies. On the other hand, a BMW X model is a compact SUV with exceptional handling and towing capability. Visit a trustworthy used car dealer like Car Time Auto for the finest choices and service after deciding which BMW model is ideal for you. Making your options and starting to try them out is the last phase.
Is buying a pre-owned BMW worthwhile? Absolutely! Are you prepared to search for the ideal used BMW for sale? Why not go to one of Tucson’s most reputable vehicle dealers rather than taking a chance with internet used car marketplaces? Check out the wide selection of used cars at Automobile Time Supercenter when you’re prepared to purchase your next BMW or any other used car.
Reasons Why BMWs Are Worth the Price
Are you looking for a new car and thinking about a BMW? If you’re on the fence, the asking price is probably the reason. Even though these cars are more expensive than certain other models, they also include amenities that come from no other manufacturer. These are some of the quality, luxury, performance, and dependability factors that make BMWs an investment that is worthwhile.
Are the potentially high repair costs for used BMWs worth it?
We’ve all been there: We purchased an old BMW at some point, only to discover that it required considerably more repairs than any vehicle from a more reasonably priced, reputable manufacturer would. For instance, a used 3 Series will likely have higher repair costs than an identical-year Camry or Accord with comparable miles. Nevertheless, they are the same size, can accommodate the same number of people, and ultimately serve the same purpose. German pricey, intricate cars like BMWs are frequently expensive and difficult to maintain. So why do we continue to do it?
We BMW aficionados don’t have a choice, so why can’t we afford brand-new cars with lavish warranties, do we? Yes, we could purchase a Camry for a far lower price than a 3 Series of a comparable age, and the Toyota would be much more dependable throughout the course of the same ownership time. Moreover, due to lower part costs and simpler repair processes, any repairs will often be far less expensive. Would those vehicles, however, satisfy our innate desire to drive something special? No, most likely not.
Nothing wrong with a Camry, really. Or any other reasonably priced midsize car, like a Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata, etc. All of these vehicles are excellent and will offer years of enjoyable, trouble-free driving. However, they won’t possess that distinctive zing, will they? Although the Accord is normally quite enjoyable to drive, it is not a 3 Series. Since the 3 Series is the most popular BMW on the secondhand market, I’m only using it as an example, but this rule applies to all BMWs and its more reasonably priced, dependable competitors.
Because I’ve only owned older German (and one Swedish) cars, I frequently find myself in situations like these. Here is the list of vehicles I own: E36 1996 BMW 328i, 2012 Volkswagen Passat, E46 2004 325i, 2005 Audi A4 1.8T Quattro, and 2006 Volvo S40 2.4i (which I got from my wife’s car). With the exception of the Passat, all of which have caused me a great deal more issues than any equivalent inexpensive vehicle would have. If I’m being completely honest, there were many times when I wished I had purchased a Honda rather than a German vehicle while I lay underneath one that simply wouldn’t comply.
But when it comes to buying a car, I can’t bring myself to settle for something less enjoyable to drive. I may be an automotive masochist, but I adore my relationships with my stupid, bothersome, but wonderful German automobiles. Why are German cars like the BMWs worth the probable high repair costs? simply because they are so enjoyable to drive. Of course, if you want even more assurance, you can always purchase a BMW Extended Warranty.
Is owning a BMW a wise idea?
BMW’s overall reliability outperformed that of high-end rivals including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lincoln, and Acura. the J.D. Power A 2019 study assessed how frequently 3-year-old vehicle owners encountered mechanical issues over the course of a year. In this study, BMW reliability also performed better than average.
What drawbacks are there to buying a BMW?
High Costs of Ownership The fact that having a BMW will cost you more than buying an average automobile won’t come as a surprise. You’ll require premium fuel, top-tier tires, and more expensive, imported parts. Additionally, labor costs and a change of synthetic oil will be higher.
Is maintaining a BMW expensive?
Remove the Band-Aid now. Every 10,000 miles, BMW owners may anticipate paying between $150 and $400 per service. A significant service may cost up to $3,000 or more. In the end, owners spend more on maintenance and repairs than most brands, between $1,000 and $1,700 annually.
You may always purchase an extended warranty, either directly from BMW or through a third-party service contract, if you’re concerned about future ownership costs. Standard BMW maintenance expenditures are not covered by a car warranty, but it will cover pricey items that are more prone to break over time.
We’ve combed the market and selected a handful of the top third-party extended vehicle warranty companies because there are many possibilities for extended coverage. These are businesses who did well in regards to things like price, standing, and customer support.
To help you reduce your out-of-pocket vehicle ownership costs, compare the best BMW extended warranty packages above.
Why do consumers choose BMWs?
Simply said, drivers have practically endless reasons to choose a BMW over a car from another manufacturer since BMW offers the highest performance, safety, and quality out of any luxury automobile brand. After purchasing your first BMW, you won’t ever want to purchase another car from any other manufacturer.
What’s it like to be a BMW owner?
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.