One of the most famous names in the auto business, if not the entire world, is the BMW brand. It comes as no surprise that the demand for BMWs extends to the used automobile market, but should you purchase a pre-owned BMW?
Of course, there are a lot of things to think about when selecting whether or not to purchase a used BMW. However, the majority would advise against buying an old BMW, with a few exceptions.
Despite the brand’s reputation for performance and luxury, there are a number of headache-inducing problems that make it a bad pick for those who are unprepared.
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maintenance difficulties with BMW
BMWs are well-designed vehicles, but it doesn’t imply they are as dependable as Honda or Toyota. In fact, this is one of the reasons some BMW owners on Reddit express remorse over their purchase of a BMW.
BMWs must receive regular maintenance or they may experience wear and tear problems just like any other vehicle. A BMW, however, is a premium car, and as such, it will feature luxury parts, unlike any other conventional car.
It will cost more money to fix or replace such expensive components. Some BMW owners on Reddit finally voiced remorse over their purchase for this reason.
RepairPal confirms that maintaining a typical BMW is fairly expensive. The average annual maintenance fee for a BMW is $968. For instance, the typical Toyota’s annual maintenance expenditures come to $441, while the average Honda’s are $428.
BMW X3: 2013,2015,2020
The X3 is the next model on our list of BMW cars by Consumer Reports that you should be wary of. The list from Consumer Reports includes models from 2013, 2015, and 2020, just like with the X5.
The BMW X3 and the 5 Series sedan are both built on the same platform, which also means they have some of the same engine choices. These include an inline four-cylinder turbocharger and an inline six-cylinder turbocharger.
According to Repair Pal, maintaining this SUV would cost you about $1,034 a year. Despite being a little less than the X5, this price is still among the highest in its class.
Why is buying a BMW not worthwhile?
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.
A BMW: Is it worthwhile?
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 benefits and drawbacks come with owning a BMW?
- Engine and transmission quality (Pro)
- interior design caliber (Pro)
- Foreign Automobile Manufacturer (Con)
- Less annual depreciation (Pro)
- High Costs of Ownership (Con)
- Final Verdict on BMW Pros and Cons
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 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.
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.
What specifically is wrong with BMWs?
Overheating engines, gearbox troubles, oil leaks, and fuel pump issues are a few of the most prevalent BMW issues.
A
Even while we nowadays tend to hope for (or at least anticipate) few to no issues when purchasing our cars, there are no flawless automakers. Even the most reputable manufacturers create cars that unlucky buyers have problems with. A
Is maintaining a BMW expensive?
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.
Is a BMW or a Mercedes better?
BMW remains the overall champion when it comes to luxury performance, even if the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class is one of the best-performing large luxury sedans on the road right now. Customers should choose a BMW automobile if they want performance and style in one convenient package.
Do BMWs frequently experience issues?
Searching through the various websites that offer reliability data will undoubtedly confirm that BMWs are unreliable automobiles; many show BMW as below average, costing more in annual repairs, ending up in the shop more frequently, and having a higher likelihood of severe, expensive repairs when compared to other auto brands. While it would be absurd to fully ignore these findings, many BMW owners, including ourselves, do not share the prevalent belief that BMWs are wastes of money.
There are undoubtedly some BMWs that have suffered from expensive, persistent problems. Finding horror stories and complaints about dependability is not difficult. On the other hand, a lot of BMWs also reach 100,000 miles with no problems or only a few minor ones. Our 2008 BMW 535i has had more problems than it should have, although our 2007 335i and 2008 135i have generally been dependable vehicles. Remember that these are all N54 engines, which are notorious for being among the least reliable BMW engines, and are all 12–13 years old. Nevertheless, we have a good reliability experience with 2 of the 3.
Given the limited sample size, two out of three may not seem particularly good. The point we are trying to make is that it is difficult to gauge overall reliability and that it actually depends on the individual circumstances. Another BMW may be meticulously kept but have innumerable problems, another one may be poorly maintained but reach 100,000 miles without any problems. This is not exclusive to BMW; you can find examples of this with any automaker.
Does a BMW require premium gas?
No matter what model you have, BMW advises only using premium unleaded fuel. That’s not to say that your BMW won’t run on inferior fuel, but premium unleaded fuel will keep its quality over time, allowing you to constantly drive at peak performance.
Long-term reliability of BMW
Your car should survive 200,000 to 250,000 miles with the proper maintenance—or perhaps longer! The long-term durability of a vehicle is mostly dependent on maintenance and care, but as the aforementioned studies demonstrate, you can count on every BMW to perform better than average.
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 kind of individuals own a BMW?
Living like a BMW driver The average BMW driver enjoys dining out and is passionate about driving and motorsports. He also likes to take pride in his home and often works on projects around the house or gardens on the weekends.