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.
In This Article...
Choosing a Used BMW: Model Options and Typical Issues
Looking at new BMWs and terrified by the price? Purchasing a used BMW can help you save a lot of money. These are widely available and far less expensive used than new.
BMWs have a long-standing reputation for high craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology. They are renowned for the dependability of their rear-wheel drive and potent engines. The company produces a wide variety of designs, from sports cars to luxury automobiles.
It’s crucial to conduct thorough research before considering a used BMW. Here is a look at some things to think about.
The price of owning a BMW The BMW isn’t your typical car, and neither is the cost of maintenance. If you choose to purchase a BMW over a Subaru or Honda, you should be prepared to pay an additional $2,000 a year in repair, insurance, and maintenance costs. The car needs premium fuel, improved tires, synthetic oil, as well as labor and parts that are more expensive than usual.
Depreciation. Expect a significant decline in the value of your investment. Simply by comparing the cost of a BMW 3-Series that is three years old—roughly $30,000—you can see. At six years, it is worth around $17,000, though. The rate of depreciation, on average, is $4,000 per year. This indicates that for a used automobile buyer, purchasing a model that is five or six years old is likely wiser than purchasing a fresher one.
servicing and repairs. Because they have particular specifications, you must take your used BMW to a store that specializes in the brand. If you don’t have access to this kind of mechanic locally, repairs may be highly expensive and inconvenient.
Although you can get the service done at a BMW dealership, independent shops that focus on German vehicles will normally charge lower prices. Before you buy a car, make sure you bring it to one of these businesses to be inspected.
Dependability. Although Japanese vehicles have a higher track record than BMWs, BMWs are nonetheless dependable. Auto magazines and enthusiasts consistently give BMW cars “average” or “below average” ratings. Despite the company’s claims of lengthy servicing gaps, their turbocharged versions actually seem to have more issues more frequently.
Due to the fact that many parts on BMW and other European cars are made of plastic rather than more trustworthy materials, repairs are among the most frequent. The electronic system’s intricacy is another issue.
Is a Used BMW Trustworthy?
The reliability of BMW vehicles is at best average. Top-notch reliability is not a focus across the entire model line, while there may be select standout models that are above average.
The majority of BMW aficionados will say that many BMWs were quite reliable before the mid-2000s (as solid as a decades-old car can be). Moc.sotuaytsur is the owner of this content. So, if you’re looking for a vintage BMW or an older project car, the 1980s and 1990s may offer some good choices.
BMW reliability is mixed for consumers searching for a contemporary vehicle, nevertheless. BMW is ranked 12th and 11th, respectively, in the most current Consumer Reports Brand Reliability Survey and JD Power Vehicle Dependability. Only in terms of fresh offerings is it in the center of the pack.
The starting foundation is therefore not the best, even though reliability isn’t at the bottom of the barrel, and it will only deteriorate as the car’s years and mileage increase.
Is buying 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.
What drawbacks are there to buying a BMW?
High Costs of Ownership (Con) 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 secondhand BMW expensive?
One of the most popular BMW vehicles is the 3 Series. We made the decision to contrast its upkeep and repair expenses with those of the Audi A4, Nissan 370Z, and Lexus IS models from a few other manufacturers. We’ll examine the five-year costs of owning 2019 and 2015 model years, like we did before.
The differences between the BMW 330i and the Audi A4 for 2019 models are minimal. Although repairs are substantially less expensive, Lexus IS 300 maintenance expenses are comparable to similar vehicles. However, the Nissan 370Z prevails since it requires the least amount of upkeep and repairs.
Let’s examine the 2015 Lexus IS 250, 2015 Nissan 370Z, 2015 BMW 328i, and 2015 Audi A4 now:
You’ll observe that among these vehicles, BMW has the highest ownership costs. In fact, YourMechanic discovered that over the course of ten years, BMW owners spend $17,800 on maintenance and repairs. That is more than any other brand, including Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, and Audi, that was surveyed. Porsche, on the other hand, was left out of the poll and receives a worse dependability rating from RepairPal: BMW receives a score of 2.5 out of 5, while Porsche receives a score of 2.0 out of 5.
The Nissan and Lexus models will also prove to be significantly less expensive to maintain over time. Nissan is not a premium brand, despite the fact that the 370Z is undoubtedly a luxury sports car. Furthermore, since it’s a Japanese car, repairs are less expensive.
Lexus is a comparable tale. Since Lexus is Toyota’s luxury subsidiary, many of their vehicles’ components and engines are interchangeable. The LX, ES, and GX have the same engines as other Toyota models, whereas the Lexus IS 300 and 250 have unique engines that require premium fuel. The benefit of being one of the most dependable brands extends to Lexus automobiles.
It is helpful to compare BMW maintenance prices to those of other brands. On the other hand, we’re confident that many owners would concur that driving a BMW has a certain exciting quality. In a league of its own, it. Perhaps after getting behind the wheel, you’ve determined that the cost of maintaining your BMW 328i is worthwhile. Just don’t utilize a mortgage loan to pay for them.
Last but not least, the annual repair cost rankings for all of these brands are as follows (through RepairPal):
- Mazda: $500
- Lexus: $551
- BMW: $968
- Audi: $987
Long-term reliability of BMW
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.
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.
Are BMW components expensive?
In a nutshell, yes. Compared to other brands, BMW parts are among the most expensive. Additionally, the cost of the parts increases with the age of the BMW.
BMWs require between $5,000 and $12,000 more in maintenance than the majority of automobiles. This is so because BMWs are German automobiles produced with specialized components, technology, and parts.
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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.