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.
In This Article...
Superior Parts
It’s usually a good idea to only use genuine OEM components produced by BMW when a repair is necessary. Although there are aftermarket possibilities at the neighborhood auto parts shop, the majority are of lower quality. This implies that you’re much more likely to experience early failure.
Replacement parts for BMW cost more, as one might anticipate. The majority of these parts are produced by prestigious companies like Bosch and Bilstein. You are purchasing premium workmanship. Maintaining high-performance vehicles is considerably more expensive. The BMW M5 is a nice illustration. This powerful sports car has improved brakes, performance tires, and a unique sport suspension.
FAQ: BMW Repair Prices
Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once 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 pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. 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.
Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.
Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer 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.
Maintenance on BMW
Oil changes and other standard maintenance procedures like changing fluids and air filters will cost more.
Your car’s brakes will cost thousands of dollars to repair or replace, particularly if they are no longer covered by warranty.
When estimating your overall ownership costs over time, you should include these and other routine maintenance charges in your budget.
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.
Why do BMWs lose value so quickly?
Because they are more expensive to begin with and a large portion of this additional cost is attributable to the “intangibles” that come with luxury automobiles, luxury cars degrade faster than regular cars (i.e. the prestige associated with owning a car from a brand like BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz).
The extra amenities and performance of a new luxury car aren’t worth the price premium over a basic car, according to the great majority of car buyers. For instance, a new BMW 5 series is probably not worth twice as much as a Toyota Camry to the majority of automobile buyers (although this may surprise petrolheads). For all practical considerations, the Camry is equally as capable of serving as a daily driver; the additional performance and badge status are largely subjective. In fact, because the Toyota has a solid reputation for dependability, many regular car customers prefer it to the BMW.
The gap between new consumers and those who buy used products is fairly wide, which puts downward pressure on prices even though the new buyer may find real value in the intangibles that come with buying a new luxury.
The adage “the bigger they are, the harder they fall” has probably been heard by you. This holds true for the cost of luxury cars as well, particularly luxury sedans.
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.
Why are BMWs deemed unreliable by some?
On this site, we’ve produced in-depth articles about a number of BMW vehicles as well as the premium brand as a whole. To determine whether BMWs are as unreliable as the general consensus will have you believe, we will now combine all of our prior studies. Let’s begin with a brief response:
BMWs are unreliable because they require unexpected maintenance more frequently (about once a year) and have a greater than average chance of experiencing a serious issue (approximately 15%). In addition, some vehicles only last between 110,000 and 140,000 miles, and a BMW’s average yearly maintenance costs of $968 are more than the $646 average.
That, however, hardly provides a comprehensive response to the query. We’ll go into more depth about every piece of information listed above below. We’ll start by talking about BMW’s reliability in comparison to other brands. Next, we’ll discuss a BMW’s possible lifespan. In addition, we’ll compare the average cost of BMW maintenance to that of other brands and determine which BMW models are the most and least dependable. Read on!
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.
BMWs really dependable?
BMW’s overall reliability outperformed that of high-end rivals including Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Lincoln, and Acura. J.D. Power — A 2019 study examined how frequently 3-year-old vehicle owners encountered mechanical issues over the course of a calendar year. In this study, BMW reliability also performed better than average.
What drawbacks are there to buying a BMW?
High Ownership Costs (Con) Owning a BMW will cost you more than owning the typical car, which shouldn’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 there a rumor that BMWs are unreliable?
Although prices vary, it is generally accepted that BMW vehicles fall at the top end of the price range. The price range for the 2020 BMW 3 Series is between $40,000 and $50,000. According to Consumer Reports, these particular vehicles rank 11th in their class of 16 models for poor reliability.
And purchasing a BMW isn’t the only pricey component. BMWs are among the most expensive vehicles to own due to maintenance costs, component costs, and repair costs for these German-made vehicles.
What issues are BMWs infamous for?
Some BMW owners have complained about issues with the heater core and coolant system in their cars. Frequently, the automobile overheating or not producing enough heat is the first sign of a coolant system issue. A sweet-smelling smell coming from the heater, which is the smell of coolant leaking, is another sign of coolant issues. If any problems develop, make sure to take the car to a dependable Portland auto repair facility. Nobody wants to be stranded in the middle of a cold Oregon winter without a working heater!
There are also known issues with the cooling system. The typical lifespan of a BMW coolant system is 80,000 to 120,000 miles. Maintaining routine maintenance is the best approach to avoid problems with the coolant system.
Will a BMW endure ten years?
However, those projections do count on the consumer using the product on a relatively average basis. High usage drivers may find that their BMW doesn’t last as long, while less frequent drivers may find that their BMW lasts longer with proper maintenance procedures.
A BMW should normally last between 100k and 150k miles in terms of mileage. Although some do reach 200k miles or even more, that is more than you should anticipate from the majority of their lineup.
Not that it’s impossible, mind you! Maintaining your vehicle well will help it last for a very long time.
Although a BMW outperforms the industry average in terms of durability, it falls short of some of the top automakers for the majority of buyers.