All Forums | General Discussion

A warning to potential BMW owners

...
Participants:
Search model icon
Views: 2320
Posts: 38
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2009
Posts: 2090
Posted: #1
Be prepared to spend more time in the service center than at home. Be prepared to spend 2k/year on maintenance. Be prepared for every imagineable problem to become reality. For reasons I cant yet understand I thought my car would be different than my friends BMW's and Mercedes but mine was the same. Bought my  2006 325xi in 2008 with 35k miles and finally traded it in today after $3400 in moronic bullshit with another $1500  needed. Awesome car to drive  but a disaster waiting to happen.
 
Captain
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2006
Posts: 6533
Posted: #2
HELL, I COULD HAVE TOLD YOU THAT BUT YOU DIDN'T ASK........
 
Legend
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2006
Posts: 66756
Posted: #3
been there , done that.

old news to old folks, new news to the Y generation.
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Feb, 2007
Posts: 6495
Posted: #4
what did you expect with a foreign car 
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2009
Posts: 2090
Posted: #5
Its fucking crazy. after $500 is spent repairing odd bullshit something else happens within six weeks. Here's my list(the best I can remember)

Water pump and oil change- $1150
Motor for back window-$475
Motor for side mirror-$425
Two headlights-$150 with labor
Weight sensor for passenger seat-$575
30k maintenance on front breaks-$350
60k maintenance on back breaks-$350
Cabin filter-$140

Weird thing about the brakes is they will be working fine then suddenly the maintenance light comes on and the brakes are junk. Within 10 miles they junk
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2009
Posts: 2090
Posted: #6
* brakes

 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Oct, 2010
Posts: 324
Posted: #7
Very true. It is a money pit. As of pretty recently, I have a gasket that needs replacing, a break sensor I will have to replace, a window motor, and a windshield wiper motor. Everything was fine for the first few months and then my car's true colors began to show.  
 
Legend
Participation Meter
Joined: Jan, 2006
Posts: 66756
Posted: #8
Don't believe whatever they tell you, especially the dealer. Most maintenance can be done by a 3rd party shop at a cheaper price. I usually buy my own parts and let them do the labor. And most of the things that do break does not break the entire car itself.  Just got to put your priorities first (i.e, weight sensor for passenger seat?). 

My 525i needs a new radiator & coolant flush for 2 years now.  It leaked one day and I had to fill it up regularly.  Then one day it stopped, so I put it off. Also, there's an oil leak as well.  I put that off as well.

Always best to have a 2nd beater car such as Honda, Kia, etc.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Sep, 2009
Posts: 2090
Posted: #9
The deal with the weight sensor was the seatbelt alarm would go off for five minutes if u didnt snap the seat belt shut over the empty seat. If someone was in the seat the alarm wouldnt go off, if it was empty all hell broke loose. My point is I paid a lot of money for a train wreck and want to make other people aware of what they may be getting into. I almost bought a beater a few weeks ago but realized how ridiculous it would be not to drive my BMW to work because it may break down. 
 
All-Star
Participation Meter
Joined: Dec, 2005
Posts: 10039
Posted: #10
My brother-in-law  is a master mechanic for BMW... my maintenance is free
 
Captain
Participation Meter
Joined: Mar, 2006
Posts: 8001
Posted: #11
Quote Originally Posted by KktdocT:

Don't believe whatever they tell you, especially the dealer. Most maintenance can be done by a 3rd party shop at a cheaper price. I usually buy my own parts and let them do the labor. And most of the things that do break does not break the entire car itself.  Just got to put your priorities first (i.e, weight sensor for passenger seat?). 

My 525i needs a new radiator & coolant flush for 2 years now.  It leaked one day and I had to fill it up regularly.  Then one day it stopped, so I put it off. Also, there's an oil leak as well.  I put that off as well.

Always best to have a 2nd beater car such as Honda, Kia, etc.


BINGO! I took my BMW to local mechanic who specialized in certain types of cars and he was a fraction of the cost. I looked all over the city after 1 year I dished out 5k in repairs for my BMW. 

Sold the BMW, now I drive a G35, thing is the best car I have every driven. Other than the brakes every other year or 18months (but when the brakes work, they hug the road when you brake), the car is a gem, best car I have every driven!


 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Nov, 2011
Posts: 594
Posted: #12
BMW's are a piece of shit.  

My buddy just got the top of the line Kia Optima, and it is fucking sick.  $31,000 out the door.  Way better car than a BMW IMO.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Aug, 2007
Posts: 4800
Posted: #13
Quote Originally Posted by Realism:

BMW's are a piece of shit.  

My buddy just got the top of the line Kia Optima, and it is fucking sick.  $31,000 out the door.  Way better car than a BMW IMO.



$31,000 for a Kia


No way Jose.
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Nov, 2011
Posts: 594
Posted: #14
Ignorant just like the rest of America with that statement.  It would be double that if it said BMW on it.  

South Korea makes all of your electronics like phones, TV's, computers.  Know they also make the best cars too.  Hyundai owns Kia and they are the fastest growing car company in America.  
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Aug, 2007
Posts: 4800
Posted: #15
Quote Originally Posted by SashimiKid:

Its fucking crazy. after $500 is spent repairing odd bullshit something else happens within six weeks. Here's my list(the best I can remember)

Water pump and oil change- $1150
Motor for back window-$475
Motor for side mirror-$425
Two headlights-$150 with labor
Weight sensor for passenger seat-$575
30k maintenance on front breaks-$350
60k maintenance on back breaks-$350
Cabin filter-$140

Weird thing about the brakes is they will be working fine then suddenly the maintenance light comes on and the brakes are junk. Within 10 miles they junk



My last car was great, 01 Lexus IS300. No problems other than reg. up keep. Got rid of it with 210,000 miles. Timing belt at 100k, brakes and tires.

I had a headlight go out and you got off lucky on your bill if they were 2 for 150. I got a lesson on the new H.I. bulbs. If you do not know, they are expensive as fuck! Lexus dealer wanted $400. I went to Autozone to order a bulb. The bulb itself was $149.99 so I did it myself and it was way more difficult to change than what I expected.

 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Apr, 2010
Posts: 3231
Posted: #16
Y i ride chevy.
 
Veteran
Participation Meter
Joined: Nov, 2011
Posts: 3777
Posted: #17
BMW was great before OBD-2. Man, I feel old.

The electronics and sensors in new cars are a nightmare if  something needs repair. And this is a huge money maker for the dealers and car companies to resell you the parts and service for a premium I think Subaru and Toyota (inc Lexus) from the 90's are more reliable than the ones coming out today for this reason.

If you think BMW is in the shop a lot, Audi might be worse. And the cost of parts is even more ridiculous.
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Mar, 2011
Posts: 969
Posted: #18
Quote Originally Posted by Realism:

BMW's are a piece of shit.  

My buddy just got the top of the line Kia Optima, and it is fucking sick.  $31,000 out the door.  Way better car than a BMW IMO.





I have nothing against KIA's or Korean car's they are solid value....

But driving wise to compare a KIA to a BMW is just silly
 
All-Star
Participation Meter
Joined: Feb, 2009
Posts: 14461
Posted: #19

You can't go wrong with Japanese cars... but BMWs are just sick to drive.. i'll get an Audi before a beamer though when I can afford it

Driving my Bro's G35X and Like someone above me already said, its a sick car. If I can't figure out what to get for my next car, i'll probably just get a 2-door black G35.. Put some black rims on it and you got yourself a stunner

 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Dec, 2011
Posts: 50
Posted: #20
Quote Originally Posted by SashimiKid:

Its fucking crazy. after $500 is spent repairing odd bullshit something else happens within six weeks. Here's my list(the best I can remember)

Water pump and oil change- $1150 --- DIY job, OEM parts will cost around 300
Motor for back window-$475
Motor for side mirror-$425
Two headlights-$150 with labor
Weight sensor for passenger seat-$575
30k maintenance on front breaks-$350
60k maintenance on back breaks-$350
Cabin filter-$140  ---  for my E60, 2 cabin filter, $ 40 and 5 minutes

Weird thing about the brakes is they will be working fine then suddenly the maintenance light comes on and the brakes are junk. Within 10 miles they junk



best advice for potential owners, search various BMW forums for reliable indy mechanics and instead of spending all your time here, check out other forums.  Lots out there that have great DIY on mods and maintenance.

and please do not compare a Kia to a BMW.  I've driven many different brands of cars from Japanese luxury to American luxury cars, nothing handles like the sport suspension of a BMW. 
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Nov, 2011
Posts: 594
Posted: #21
Everyone is calling BMW a piece of shit including the guy that owns one.  Listen to him.  Any douche that buys a BMW has sucker written across his face.  It means "I can't afford a real luxury car so I'll buy the car of the douche".  BMW's are pieces of shit; FACT.  

If you haven't seen the new Kia Optima, don't comment.  Because you have no clue.
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Oct, 2006
Posts: 362
Posted: #22
I have a 3 series that's paid off and held up ok. Im done with BMW, great car to drive but the monthly payments are in the past and I look at money differently these days 
 
Prospect
Participation Meter
Joined: Oct, 2011
Posts: 123
Posted: #23

lol who the hell buys 325xi. thats like the B200 benz. ugly and slow for ppl who want "luxury" but cant afford. shuda just bought a hyundai fully loaded genesis coupe with that money

 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Mar, 2011
Posts: 969
Posted: #24
Quote Originally Posted by Realism:

Everyone is calling BMW a piece of shit including the guy that owns one.  Listen to him.  Any douche that buys a BMW has sucker written across his face.  It means "I can't afford a real luxury car so I'll buy the car of the douche".  BMW's are pieces of shit; FACT.  

If you haven't seen the new Kia Optima, don't comment.  Because you have no clue.


Ugghhh why do stupid people feel the need to open their mouths.....smh.

Yes I have seen a Kia Optima.  You're telling me that you'd rather drive

this: 

over

this:



Are you fucking serious???!?!?  And I'm not sure what you mean about BMW being a "Luxury car for people who can't afford Luxury cars".  Not like they are cheaper than Benzes or Audi or Lexus so if you consider those "Luxury cars" than BMW is in the same class.  Maybe a 325i compared to a Mercedes c63 AMG.......sure the BMW is cheap in comparison.  Tell me what's cheap about a new M5 with a twin turbo V8, retails around $90k ?!?!?! What's cheap about that ride???

Sure maybe a base model 328 isn't the greatest car in the world.  But to say that an m3, m5, 535xi, 6 series, etc etc etc.......to say those are "cheap cars" or "pieces of shit" is laughable.

Sure in terms of maintenance they are a bit of a pain.  Being on my second BMW I can certainly attest to that.  So if you factor that into the value of your purchase I could see why you would diminish a BMW's appeal.   However they drive AMAZING, handle better than ANY other major car company, look great and are fast as shit (if you have the right one).  Take your Kia Optima and go drive over to Applebees and get a baseball steak, you probably consider that fine dining if you think Kia's are better than Bimmers

Realism.........total sucker who know's NADA about cars
 
 
Banned
Participation Meter
Joined: Mar, 2011
Posts: 969
Posted: #25
Quote Originally Posted by Realism:

Everyone is calling BMW a piece of shit including the guy that owns one.  Listen to him.  Any douche that buys a BMW has sucker written across his face.  It means "I can't afford a real luxury car so I'll buy the car of the douche".  BMW's are pieces of shit; FACT.  

If you haven't seen the new Kia Optima, don't comment.  Because you have no clue.


HAHA you're poor.   It's ok.  Some people are poor, you know? 
All Forums | General Discussion
About Us
Contact Us
Careers
Our Team
Brand
Testimonials
Betting Guides
Sportsbook Reviews
Sports Betting News
Podcasts
Responsible Gaming
Sports Betting
US Betting Sites
Canada Betting Sites
Canada Casinos
Best Betting Apps
Contests
Streak Survivor
King of Covers
Ultimate Race
Office Pools
The Covers community has
618,670
lifetime members worldwide
Covers 25 Years Logo Established in 1995,
Covers is the world
leader in sports
betting information.
Site Map Help Privacy Terms of Service youtube logo facebook logo twitter logo instagram logo linkedin logo google news logo
Covers is verified safe by: Evalon Logo GPWA Logo GDPR Logo GeoTrust Logo Evalon Logo
Copyright © 1995 - 2025 CS Media Limited All Rights Reserved.

If you choose to make use of any information on this website including online sports betting services from any websites that may be featured on this website, we strongly recommend that you carefully check your local laws before doing so.It is your sole responsibility to understand your local laws and observe them strictly.Covers does not provide any advice or guidance as to the legality of online sports betting or other online gambling activities within your jurisdiction and you are responsible for complying with laws that are applicable to you in your relevant locality.Covers disclaims all liability associated with your use of this website and use of any information contained on it.As a condition of using this website, you agree to hold the owner of this website harmless from any claims arising from your use of any services on any third party website that may be featured by Covers.