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...
Which pre-owned BMWs are the most trustworthy?
The 325i was the entry-level model when the E90 made its début in 2006. A 2.5-liter six-cylinder engine with 215 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque was installed in it. The E90 range was then revised in 2008, and the 325i was replaced with the 328i. It had a 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine that produced 200 lb-ft of torque and 230 horsepower. The 268-hp 330i, according to BimmerLife, is one of the most potent naturally-aspirated BMWs ever produced.
Which used BMW is the best to purchase?
- BMW 3 Series GT – Despite not exactly being a fan favorite, the 3er GT is a great second-hand purchase because of this.
- BMW Z4 – The BMW Z4 is beginning to show its age and there aren’t any indications that it will be replaced anytime soon.
- BMW X5 – The BMW X5 of the E70 generation was a fantastic premium SUV.
What BMW retains its value the best?
The BMW M3 has the highest resale value among all luxury vehicles. IntelliChoice predicts that the renowned performance model of the BMW 3 Series will hold on to 56.5 percent of its original value after five years of ownership.
Despite its unattractive exterior (really, BMW, what were you thinking when you designed that grille? ), the new G80 generation M3 has excellent handling. It will reach 60 mph in Competition mode in 3.5 seconds. The M3 is, however, entirely focused on handling. Compared to previous M3s, the front end is astonishingly grounded, and the dynamic balance is more neutral. It may be the best M3 yet as long as you don’t need to see it; grip and overall performance are excellent.
What makes BMW the best?
Some automobiles have attractive exteriors but lack the power to compete. Other vehicles are functional but not particularly attractive. BMW makes a point of designing exquisitely constructed cars that are of the highest caliber. One of the best all-wheel-drive systems in the world is that of BMW. Their BMW will gladly traverse most terrains, including snow and off-road situations, for those adventure seekers. The inside features luxurious leather seats that are as pleasant as the outside. The automobile also has cutting-edge electronics inside.
Although there are numerous vehicles in its class that may compete with the BMW, they often lack the comforts that come with owning one. You should own a BMW because it has a certain vibe when people get in, plus it’s just more enjoyable to drive than many of its rivals. Visit your neighborhood dealership right away to learn more!
Which BMW year is the most dependable?
- 8 2002 BMW 318i.
- 7 2008 BMW 750i.
- 6 2012 BMW Z4.
- 5 2016 BMW M4.
- 4 2005 BMW 325i.
- 3 2019 BMW F40.
- 2 2018 BMW i3.
- 1 2006 BMW E90 330i
What SUV does BMW sell the most of?
X3 is the greatest overall BMW SUV. With 75,858 units sold in the US in 2021, this fashionable, award-winning SUV is also the manufacturer’s best-selling model.
Which year makes the greatest used BMW?
The 3-Series, notably the 2011 model, is near the top of the list of best used BMWs. The 3-Series is a small premium sedan that is consistently in demand and is regarded as having a good overall value. It has a large selection of great drivetrains, receives high marks for safety, and has above-average reliability.
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.
Are BMW better than Mercedes?
If you desire a sporty drive with superior fuel economy statistics, a BMW might be a better option for you. Mercedes vehicles, on the other hand, are renowned for their safety and contain a variety of cutting-edge technology. You are free to make your decision.
If you’re looking for a luxury vehicle, you can’t go wrong with a BMW or a Mercedes. They both have the luxurious features you want and a range of models to choose from.
What is the most well-liked vehicle produced by BMW?
It may appear that BMW has lost its way and is now producing SUVs rather than the compact sports sedans and coupes we’ve come to know and love as its portfolio expands and SUVs gain importance. But when you truly examine the data, you can see some positive trends for true BMW fans.
The 3 Series and 4 Series were BMW’s best-selling models last year, with the company selling 490,969 units of each. The X3/X4 siblings, which sold roughly 414,000 vehicles, were the next best-selling BMWs, with about 76,000 more units sold. A 16 percent rise in sales over the prior year may be seen in the 490,000 3 Series/4 Series vehicles sold.
The 5 Series/6 Series (326,212), the X1/X2 (311,928), and the 1 Series/2 Series were the models that came after the BMW 3 Series/4 Series and X3/X4 and X3/X4 (265,964). Interestingly, despite the BMW iX/i3/i8 and Z4 going out of production, the Z4 (14,778) had even less sales than the dead-last BMW vehicle.
The BMW 3 Series and 4 Series are small-ish, sporty sedans and coupes that are meant to be the company’s mainstays. The 2002 BMW was the vehicle that established the firm as what it is today. It is now a 3 Series corporation because the 3er is the logical replacement for the original 2002. Something would be amiss if the 3 Series and its 4 Series brothers weren’t the brand’s best-selling model.
A further surprise is that the 3 Series and 4 Series models together accounted for the majority of 2021’s BMW sales. Currently, SUVs rule the market, and the BMW X3/X4 would have been my first visitor. However, it’s tremendously exciting to see the BMW 3 Series take the lead for the brand and that in 2021, the 3 Series was preferred by more people globally than the X3. especially when vehicles like the Tesla Model 3 are stealing BMW customers.
The following year, sales for BMW should also increase. The BMW 3 Series is going to receive its LCI facelift, which will include some design, interior, and maybe technological modifications to keep the 3er current until this generation completes its life cycle.
Who operates a BMW?
BMW motorists are According to YouGov, East Anglian men between the ages of 40 and 59 make up the majority of BMW drivers. They are probably conservative political partisans who work in the business, finance, or consulting fields.
Do BMWs cost a lot 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.
Are BMWs suitable for families?
When buying a new family automobile, reliability, practicality, and safety are the three main criteria to consider. BMW is one company that excels in all of these areas. See which three models are especially suitable for families in our guide.
Although it is simple to mock 4x4s for taking up too much room on the highways, the truth is that their size and strength may be immensely handy for families on the move. Depending on the model, the X3 is a fantastically small SUV with lots of room and up to 313 horsepower.
The drawback is that it’s best suited for families of four or less, so it could be a good idea to choose something else if you have more children to transport.
The space, functionality, and design of various vehicles in the 5 Series lineup make them well worth consideration. Your neighborhood BMW dealer should be able to advise you on which one will be best for you and your family, but the 520D Touring is one to give serious consideration to.
If you want to combine a fantastic appearance with lots of power, this reasonably sized estate car is the best option. The 520d Touring is easy to drive, packed with safety features, and offers more than enough space for the entire family.
It’s so wonderful, in fact, that Top Gear honored it in the family car category in 2010. It delivers such a comprehensive collection of interwoven genius that it sounds too good to be real, to quote them exactly.
If you choose one of the diesel models, running costs for this 4×4 are not too expensive. If you choose a seven-seater, the X5 also offers excellent handling and plenty of space. But even if you go for the X5, which has five seats, you’ll still get the extra-large boot.
If you anticipate taking the kids on a vacation in the middle of the countryside soon, the X5 is a vehicle worth considering because it is capable of navigating off-road terrain as befits its 4×4 status.
When purchasing a family car, there are a few factors to consider regardless of the brand you’re interested in:
- Safety – Although laws impose severe safety requirements on automakers, this does not imply that all automobiles are equally safe. On the website of the Euro NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme), search for individual safety ratings.
- Practicality – Consider features like storage space, whether the seats recline or slide, and how widely the doors open (essential if you frequently need to install and remove a child car seat). Many family vehicles now come equipped with storage compartments behind the seats and elsewhere inside the cabin, giving passengers many alternatives to the reliable boot.
- If you frequently take long trips with the kids, it’s worth checking out features like in-cabin power outlets. Entertainment – This might not be quite as high on your list as safety and practicality. Offering your kids the chance to plug in their DVD player or portable gaming console on the highway may result in much more peace and quiet than normal. This is well worth the small extra expense!
So that wraps up our review. I will be receiving a bulletproof trackhawk the following week to test drive and review. I am eager.