Should I Buy An Old BMW?

Over time, BMW’s brand has suffered as a result of covert cost-cutting. On occasion, they use less expensive parts, which can shorten the lifespan of the vehicles. Although it often doesn’t effect individuals who purchase brand-new BMWs, their production choices have created a problem for their used cars. If you’re the kind who keeps a car for more than a few years or you often buy used automobiles, what saved BMW $5 up front could end up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars down the road.

Do ancient BMWs cost a much 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.

Is it wise to purchase a pre-owned BMW?

Maintaining and making repairs on a secondhand BMW is continual. The more mileage a used car gets, the more wear and tear you should take into account. A used BMW could cost more than other pre-owned vehicles. But you can also end up paying extra due to the expense of replacement parts and the servicing they require.

Rear-wheel drive and a powerful engine are hallmarks of BMW vehicles. Finding a used BMW car is simple, which can help you prevent the depreciation that happens as soon as a new car leaves the lot. The best choice may be to purchase a used BMW that is five or six years old from a financial standpoint.

Having the resources you require can assist you in finding the car that best suits your requirements, extending its lifespan, and lowering the overall cost of ownership a BMW. The following are the fundamentals you should be aware of when purchasing a secondhand BMW.

Older BMW models reliable?

When examining whether or not BMWs are reliable, the subject of age is crucial. It is frequently discovered that older BMWs—generally those produced in the late 1990s and early 2000s—are more dependable than newer BMWs. Though not always the case, take note. This applies to the majority of other brands as well, not only BMW. Early automobiles from the era have rudimentary engineering and construction. There is less of a possibility that something could go wrong because of the simplicity of the mechanical or electronic components.

Even if they do, correcting them won’t be that expensive. Newer cars, on the other hand, are quite high-tech. The iDrive entertainment system, external safety sensors, as well as the extensive web of wiring, computers, and electrics running throughout the full length of the car, are just a few of the many electrical components found in BMWs in particular. The modern engineering of newer BMWs can make them more prone to problems. Not to mention pricey, particularly once the warranty expires.

In reality, the majority of the components and labor needed to maintain and repair BMWs are identical to those for other models. Certain parts inevitably need to be replaced. The same issues might arise with a regular Honda or Toyota, but BMW’s high-performance parts will cost more just for the raw materials. In addition, labor costs are greater for BMWs because they require more time from mechanics than the ordinary vehicle. In general, you can easily expect your BMW repair price to be $1,000 or more.

What drawbacks come with owning 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.

Can I purchase a BMW with a high mileage?

In order to wrap up this article, let’s review everything we’ve covered. In general, BMW vehicles get good gas mileage. They typically reach their maximum range of 150–250,000 miles. Therefore, anything in the range is considered to have a mileage that may be too high to justify owning the car. But when they reach 60–80,000 miles, the majority of BMWs fall into the high mileage category. Therefore, it is clear that there is still a long way to go before you reach the “too high” point.

With all of that in mind, purchasing a high mileage BMW might be a wise financial move because you’ll receive a great car that’s dependable, has plenty of miles remaining in the tank, and is much less expensive.

I’m Scott, a huge fan of BMWs and a long-time owner of these incredible vehicles. I’m here to chronicle my encounters with BMWs over the years and, hopefully, to be of use to others.

How long should a BMW be kept?

The durability of the car is undoubtedly one of your first concerns if you’re thinking about joining the club of “Bimmer” owners.

You don’t want to purchase a car that will break down after a year or two, leaving you with the choice of paying for expensive repairs or purchasing a new vehicle. How long do BMWs last, then?

BMWs may live more than 15 years with proper maintenance. BMWs with proper maintenance may travel far over 200,000 miles, and in certain cases, over 250,000 miles. Although this is significantly less common, certain BMWs have reportedly lasted beyond 300,000 kilometers.

In the USA, most people travel 13,467 miles (21,673 km) annually, giving cars an average lifespan of at least 15 years.

BMWs can survive longer because their average annual mileage tends to drop as they age because of this.

You may learn everything you need to know about extending the life of a BMW in the next sections of this article. We’ll also examine the typical lifespan of BMW gearboxes and engines.

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.

Are repairs on BMWs really that pricey?

Yes, BMW maintenance is more expensive than many other brands, whether they are luxury or not, after 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 expensive. It’s not just a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving enthusiasts. 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 because the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.

Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and switches. A BMW may require a complex procedure for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor costs.

Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires expensive maintenance once the factory 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.

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.

Which BMW series is the most dependable?

When it comes to the creation of sport sedans, BMW has established the benchmark for premium vehicles with the E90 330i that Acura and Volvo aspire to match. The BMW E90 330i is your best option if you’re looking for a sedan that provides the ideal balance of functionality and performance without sacrificing stability and comfort.

The BMW E90 330i is one of the most popular luxury vehicles in the United States and is not only the best-selling model in the 3 Series. It also sold over 336,232 units. Even in the mid-size luxury automobile category, the BMW 3 Series received the Top Safety Pick designation in 2006. The best car options in terms of driver injury prevention and driver restraint features are highlighted by this award.

Why are BMWs so well-liked?

Another important factor in BMW’s current success is quality and dependability. They value excellence in all they do, including customer connections, product and brand recognition, service, and product quality. Their independence in the corporate sector is another factor contributing to their success.

BMWs still dependable after 100,000 miles?

BMW is renowned for producing opulent vehicles with outstanding handling and driving dynamics. Do BMWs still be reliable after more than 100,000 miles on the road?

JD Power and other reliability evaluations have routinely placed BMW among the top ten most trustworthy cars.

Furthermore, having driven a BMW myself, I can vouch to the reliability of these vehicles, even after more than 100,000 miles on them. Some models are trustworthy while others are not, therefore it also depends on the models. They require maintenance, but any vehicle that you want to keep in good running order requires maintenance as well.

It heavily depends on the circumstances. It has been said that several BMW models, including the E46 and the E90, can go more than 300,000 miles on a single charge.

This, however, depends on a number of variables. For instance, it’s possible that your car may need significant repairs after 100,000 miles if you don’t change the oil in it frequently or maintain it properly.

A BMW can it last 300k miles?

While a BMW 3 Series can travel 200,000–250,000 miles, there are numerous instances of 3 Series cars traveling more than 300,000 miles without experiencing any significant mechanical problems.

Are insurance costs for BMW high?

How much does insurance for a BMW cost? The price of a BMW goes beyond its higher-than-average MSRP. BMW car insurance runs $1,788 a year, or 25% more than insurance for a regular vehicle. You should exercise caution when looking for a policy because BMW insurance is more expensive than the average.