Thinking about buying a BMW as a daily
02-10-2019, 05:12 PM
#41
Do yourself a favor, lease the BMW. BMWs are not built for the used market, they are built to last through their warantee period if that.
I had a similar thought, bought the beemer, sold it because the headache was too great, and bought an S.
I had a similar thought, bought the beemer, sold it because the headache was too great, and bought an S.
02-11-2019, 03:44 PM
#42
I’m possibly qualified to speak on the topic. After having a child in 2016, I sold my S2000 in favor of a 4-seat convertible that we could enjoy as a family. After test drives and some research, I decided to get a BMW 128i with a manual and m-sport package (among other options). It has the N52 engine, which I understand is pretty reliable, though I have not put enough miles on it to confirm here. In addition, I like this car because parts are plentiful (due to sharing with e9x platform) and they have depreciated like crazy so they are pretty affordable for what you get, IMO.
02-12-2019, 06:50 AM
#43
The 128 (or 328) commonly has issues with the oil pan gasket, which is a $600-$1000 fix at a dealership/shop. Typically happens around the 7-year mark. AWD models are more difficult to change than RWD models, apparently.
Other than that, you might deal with oil filter housing gasket issues, which is a $30 part and a fairly simple DIY (filling the coolant and bleeding it would be the most complex part).
Valve cover leaks are also common.
Other than that, you might deal with oil filter housing gasket issues, which is a $30 part and a fairly simple DIY (filling the coolant and bleeding it would be the most complex part).
Valve cover leaks are also common.
02-12-2019, 08:42 AM
#44
How are they reliability wise, so they sorted out the HPFP's and other fuel issues? A 335 would be nice but it's hard to justify for me over the NA version for just putzing around. Do the turbos need to be replaced after some time?
02-12-2019, 12:52 PM
#45
The 128 (or 328) commonly has issues with the oil pan gasket, which is a $600-$1000 fix at a dealership/shop. Typically happens around the 7-year mark. AWD models are more difficult to change than RWD models, apparently.
Other than that, you might deal with oil filter housing gasket issues, which is a $30 part and a fairly simple DIY (filling the coolant and bleeding it would be the most complex part).
Valve cover leaks are also common.
Other than that, you might deal with oil filter housing gasket issues, which is a $30 part and a fairly simple DIY (filling the coolant and bleeding it would be the most complex part).
Valve cover leaks are also common.
02-14-2019, 04:32 PM
#46
Person A = makes 8 figure salary per year and owns 12 different cars and pays people to maintain them
Person B = makes low 6 figure salary and maintains an older manual pickup truck, mini-van, and mid-sized sedan himself
who is the "car enthusiast"?
really wrenching =/= simple
clutch job = simple
clutch job = really wrenching
one of these is not true...
Person B = makes low 6 figure salary and maintains an older manual pickup truck, mini-van, and mid-sized sedan himself
who is the "car enthusiast"?
really wrenching =/= simple
clutch job = simple
clutch job = really wrenching
one of these is not true...
As for the E90, go for it! I have a 328i M-sport as a daily and love it!
02-19-2019, 03:16 PM
#47
My 328xi was running solid until it cracked 140k. Then two random things have happened. It's developed a stumble on cold start up and the TPMS relay is failing. These probably aren't BMW part issues but their suppliers. These are not major issues just minor matters that my other cars haven't had.
02-25-2019, 07:22 AM
#48
Registered User
I had a N54 135i and grew not to love it. I got an intake, intercooler and Cobb tube. It was an absolute torque monster and that was fun until it wasn’t. The problem is I don’t really have roads that can take advantage of all that power so it just felt like a lion in a cage. Shifting isn’t that much fun because there is so much torque that in practical terms you can be two or theee gears away from optimal but it doesn’t matter. Want to pass on the highway? 6th gear is fine. There’s no involvement. The inline 6 is smooth and luxurious but doesn’t give much sense of speed. I’d prefer an E46 M3 which has much more usable power, more involving and is a better handling car besides.
As as others have said, if you can’t get enough torque, have willingness and ability to wrench, then an N54 car makes sense. Good luck in your search.
As as others have said, if you can’t get enough torque, have willingness and ability to wrench, then an N54 car makes sense. Good luck in your search.
02-25-2019, 12:03 PM
#49
Low 6 figures and you can only buy that?! Either person B mismanaged their $ something awful or the cost of living is insane where they live. Low 6 figures can get you some damn nice stuff around here!
As for the E90, go for it! I have a 328i M-sport as a daily and love it!
Once again I will steer clear of a used BMW after reading this thread. I can probably do most of the work myself, but don't want to spend what little free time I have wrenching when I could be driving or riding instead. I realize this more and more as I get older.
02-25-2019, 05:03 PM
#50
There is a difference between can and should. I can and did buy an $80k car, but probably shouldn't have. It's easy for those of us who are single, but think of trying to raise a family on $120k/yr gross income. It could be done, but I wouldn't want to do it.
Once again I will steer clear of a used BMW after reading this thread. I can probably do most of the work myself, but don't want to spend what little free time I have wrenching when I could be driving or riding instead. I realize this more and more as I get older.
Once again I will steer clear of a used BMW after reading this thread. I can probably do most of the work myself, but don't want to spend what little free time I have wrenching when I could be driving or riding instead. I realize this more and more as I get older.