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Any BMW owners?

leadlead Member Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭
edited February 2004 in General Discussion
I've been looking at used cars lately and found a '90 325i, with 115,000 on it, in great shape. It has a 5 sp., regular wear and tear, and they will take $2000 for it. Everyone tells me to stay away, upkeep will cost a fortune. This is a car that will be driven alot. I'm also looking at a Honda that seems like the more logical choice, but, I keep thinking about the ego factor in that BMW. Any owners out there that can steer me in the right direction? Is upkeep a little higher then your average car? Is it worth it? Is this what they mean by midlife crisis?

Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
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Comments

  • chuckchuck Member Posts: 4,911
    edited November -1
    I have never owned one, but my Wifes Son (second marrage) bought one several years ago, It had 100,000 miles on it, Had lot's of Trouble with it. He found out that people that buy them trade them in ever 2 years, Seems they go up in price fer a couple of years. Hope this help's.
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  • old06old06 Member Posts: 577 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It may just start needing parts look to see what common every day parts cost breaks, starter, alt, hose's, belts, even oil filters are not something that a local parts house may have I have a friend with a volvo he can tell ya all about the up keep. When thay hit that age things wear out and well if you want to keep driving it got to buy the parts and can you do the work your self if not call the local BMW dealer up and ask the shop rate and then hold on to your hat.

    psalms 16
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  • BOBBYWINSBOBBYWINS Member Posts: 7,810
    edited November -1
    Service avaliabilty would be my biggest concern.How far away is the nearest dealer,or foreign car specialist?With all the bells and whistles on a BMW,I wouldn't be letting Wally's garage mess with it.

    IMHO
    BW

    IT'S WHAT PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THEMSELVES THAT MAKES THEM AFRAID.
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  • bobskibobski Member Posts: 17,866 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    i owned 3 'b-m-trouble you's' in my life. second worse car to the benz that i owned. hope you have a lot of cash to keep it running. i had to map my route from dealer to dealer to get cross country once. status symbol my a_ _. everyone looks at you at says....'there goes a fool with his money.' i got a honda cvcc and its still running with 240,000 miles today. my 79 ford grenada outlasted all my beemers.

    former air operations officer SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. former navy skeet team, navy rifle/pistol team member. co-owner skeetmaster tubes inc.. owner/operator professional shooting instruction.
    Retired Naval Aviation
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    MO, CT, VA.
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  • XracerXracer Member Posts: 1,990 ✭
    edited November -1
    A Honda with 100,000 on the clock will be more reliable and trouble free than a brand new Bimmer.

    Bimmers are beautiful cars, they're comfortable, they drive well and handle well. But....they're not noted for their reliability....and the cost of part$ and $ervice will kill ya!
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  • richbugrichbug Member Posts: 3,650
    edited November -1
    A friend has a 98 or so 5 series... Took it in a couple months ago to get the cruise control fixed. Didn't ask them for an estimate or anything, just said "fix it" $3700 a week later was the bill. Aside from the repairs, they are a fine car.

    My border collie is smarter than your honor student.
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  • leadlead Member Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jeesh! I appreciate the advise. I've owned a Volvo and know how much trouble finding parts can be. I guess I'll just have keep on looking cool in my Ford.

    Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,460 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mine has only two wheels, so I cannot help much. I believe Mark Christian drives a beemer.

    He Dog
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  • idsman75idsman75 Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Wow. All of this information completely flies in the face of the BMW owners that I've known. I've known a lot of soldiers that have left Germany only to sell their 250,000+ mile BMW to another new soldier for $300-$500. Then that soldier drove it for two years and sold it to the next new arrival. This story is typical from what I have been told by soldiers stationed in Germany. I always dreamed of owning a BMW one day. Obviously that would be very far into the future.
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  • kuhlewulfkuhlewulf Member Posts: 591 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Our company has a M3 that is a champ. Other than my boss blowing the 1st motor it has been a super car. I went on vacation in early January and retraced route 66 in it. I actually started in New Jersey (not Chicago as I should have) and got the Phoenix in 2 days. Never a hiccup from the BMW. In my family we own both BMW's and several Mercedes Benz's. Drive it hard and it will break, just like any other car. Maintain it regularly and its just as good as a Honda and will hold its value as well. I was at the auction yesterday, and saw a 93 325i go for $2200 with 134K on the odo. Check it out with a mechanic, and weigh the decision carefully. Remember, that 3 liter inline 6 cylinder will eat gas if you have a heavy foot. If you plan on making lots of long highway trips, get the honda. Whoever said BMW's are comfy has never spent 8 hours straight in one. Good luck!

    James

    Whats next? A ban on automatic transmissions?
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  • njretcopnjretcop Member Posts: 7,975
    edited November -1
    In 1986, I bought a brand new Porche 944 after receiving a large settlement check as a result of an auto accident.

    I drove that car for five years and loved every minute of it. However, it by now, had 60,000 miles on it and the trips to the service department started to kill me. The final straw came when it needed a new clutch.

    The price quoted was $2,000.00! It seems that in order to replace the clutch in that car, you must drop the rear and back the tranny out.

    The point is: they're nice when they're new, but they'll nickel and dime you to death as they get older.

    Mrs njretcop says that I'm the same way. [:(!][:(!][:(!]



    vic.jpg

    Charlie

    "It's the stuff dreams are made of Angel"NRA Certified Firearms InstructorMember: GOA, RKBA, NJSPBA, NJ area rep for the 2ndAMPD. njretcop@copmail.com
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  • ruger270manruger270man Member Posts: 9,361 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Old BMWS are ugly, and people will just think you're cheap if you drive an old, out of style beemer. A honda is much more practical, reliable, and isnt as ugly. Personally I think if you're going to get a BMW it has to be brand new, because IMO they lose their style very quickly.

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  • ruger270manruger270man Member Posts: 9,361 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Other than a blown motor? A blown motor is pretty bad..

    If you are going to go german, go Audi.

    For luxury in that price range, the best bet IMO is Audi and Lexus.

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  • kuhlewulfkuhlewulf Member Posts: 591 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just to set the record straight. The loose nut behind the wheel caused the problem. Excess of 120 mph, botched downshift, 5th to 2nd. Ka-plooey! Some people have more money than brains. And rereading the post I would not reccomend a 90 model. Ruger270 is right. No status in a 90 model. Too old. Go for the Honda.

    James

    Whats next? A ban on automatic transmissions?
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  • leadlead Member Posts: 2,311 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've always liked Euopean cars. I've owned Volvos, Volkswagens, and Fiats. But that was before I had two kids. Jap cars are more reliable and affordable. Plus, in this part of the country, easier to get parts for. I moved here to Missouri in a Fiat 128. I had a couple people ask me what kind of Japanese car that was.

    Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
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  • plains scoutplains scout Member Posts: 4,563
    edited November -1
    I like HeDog have one with only two wheels and it is awesome in all respects. Heck I didn't even know they made BMW cars until I passed one on my bike one day!!
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  • ruger270manruger270man Member Posts: 9,361 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    5th to 2nd at 120mph, holy crap, he probably broke his neck at the same time !

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  • kuhlewulfkuhlewulf Member Posts: 591 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Fortunately for him (not for the rest of the public) he had a good alcoholic buffer to protect his dumb *. He thinks he is on of the Andretti's, but he's lucky its a 95 M3. If he'd had a 96 he'd been dead by now. The geometry changes make it a totally different car in handling and high speed characteristics. Thats why the 95 is the most popular M3. Very forgiving steering and recovery. The 96 (and up) is set up more form drifting and takes a lot more talent and finesse. I still love the E36 body style. Always will.

    James

    Whats next? A ban on automatic transmissions?
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    My wife has a 03 Honda Passport SUV I guess you would call it.I love it,its got every bell and whistle you can think of and it came with a 5yr bumber to bumper warranty and the power train warranty is about as good as it gets.I cant remember what it is exactly.She had a Honda Accord we bought with 30,000+ miles on it,she was driveing 70 miles a day round trip to work at that time.We ended up putting over 100,000 miles on it with only routine maintenance and a fuel pump that I can remember.Ive heard people say the engine in a Honda is good for 300,000 miles.I dont know much about the BMW but Idsman would know what he's talking about.I can say I see a Whole lot of older Honda's on the road.

    Rugster


    "Toujours Pret"
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  • gun_runnergun_runner Member Posts: 8,999
    edited November -1
    My dream car is a BMW 740il. Hope to own one some day.

    Larry
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  • BlackieBoogerBlackieBooger Member Posts: 2,175 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    an 03 passport? I dont believe there is such a thing.

    You're either thinking of the CRV or the Pilot.

    As for hondas, I got an 88 accord with 155,000 on it, only problem so far was the clutch, but that was my fault. Original clutch replaced at 145,000.. it was my first manual to say the least. [:D]

    "Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, not liberty to purchase power."
    Benjamin Franklin, 1785
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  • BlackieBoogerBlackieBooger Member Posts: 2,175 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by BlackieBooger
    an 03 passport? I dont believe there is such a thing.

    You're either thinking of the CRV or the Pilot.

    As for hondas, I got an 88 accord with 155,000 on it, only problem so far was the clutch, but that was my fault. Original clutch replaced at 145,000.. it was my first manual to say the least. [:D]

    "Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, not liberty to purchase power."
    Benjamin Franklin, 1785
    123div.gif


    My son Ruger270man posted this as I didn't log off.

    "Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, not liberty to purchase power."
    Benjamin Franklin, 1785
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