BMW 318/320/325/330 etc- Service Costs! Are BMW Services expensive! I have a Subaru B4 Legacy 2000 and costs are high, but I can handle it.How would a year 2000 BMW compare in service costs to a Subaru service costs!
jasongroves,
May 19, 4:36am
Costs will vary between the models for starters. I'm guessing you are looking at E46 Beemers! I wouldn't bother with a 318 or 320.false economy to be honest. Service costs wont be too different to any other car. No cam belt to replace should offset any other normal servicing costs anyway. Buy one that has been well looked after and learn to do basics such as fluid and filter changes etc and you will save yourself a fair bit on those alone.
michael.benn,
May 19, 4:41am
Go with a 328 =]
jasongroves,
May 19, 4:45am
330i has nearly 30Kw over the 328i.
franc123,
May 19, 6:52am
I doubt that you would notice much difference if you've been used to the sort of punishment an ageing Subaru can inflict, may even be a bit cheaper overall.Remember if you do need spares for a BMW don't be afraid to try genuine, many of their prices are more reasonable than you think.
foxdonut,
May 19, 8:16am
An eleven year old six cylinder BMW is probably going to hit you for around $350 for a service at a shop every 5-10k (If you can ignore the service "warning" on the dash, 10k, if it gets on your tits when you see it, 5k), a grand a year for tread, depending on how you drive it and, at a guess one or two bigger ticket items like 02 sensor replacements, trans servicing, alternator etc.
foxdonut,
May 19, 8:18am
Absolute component failure like a radiator, transmission, diff etc should be manageable on the pocket to keep the car financially valid for repair rather than write off.
Just do yourself a favour and buy the biggest motor you can find. the 4 cylinders are shit.
foxdonut,
May 19, 6:19pm
Thats because those people are the type who arrange flowers for display the toilet, read about and take great interest in the life and times of Paris Hilton and keep small dogs that they walk with kitsch-y coloured walking harnesses.
rovercitroen,
May 19, 6:20pm
Friend has a 2002 318i Motorsport. It is 4 cylinder and 2 litres. There is certainly no shortage of power and the fuel economy is astounding. It is a manual so that probably helps.
pandai,
May 19, 6:25pm
4 cylinder BMW's are quite fun in manual.Auto is another story, but I wouldn't necessarily let that put me off.
fiatracer,
May 19, 6:35pm
agree - drove one recently, not expecting to like it [having always owned 6 and v8 BMWs] and what a revelation. Uncannily smooth, and really good performance. OK, it's no 330i MSport, but pretty impressive and far nicer than the brand new cars we were test driving same day [Focus, Mazda 3]
michael.benn,
May 19, 6:42pm
I've heard anything under 323 is underpowered for the body weight of BMW sedans. Just something I've heard.
fiatracer,
May 19, 7:40pm
well, even a humble 318ti [3 door hatch] is 140bhp.
Yes, in the old days the 4 cylinder ones were a little weak, but there's a big difference between the 318 SOHC, the 1900 DOHC [like in the ti], and the more modern 2 litres in the E46 318s
fiatracer,
May 19, 7:43pm
i've owned or driven pretty much the whole range - 318s, ti's, 320s, 323s, 325s, 328s, 330i Msport, 5 series from 518 to M5, 635s, Z3s, X5s, 728s-740s. so I do have at least some insight
sr2,
May 19, 10:04pm
LOL, Porsche Boxter owners I think you mean!
utilae,
Mar 17, 4:11pm
Thanks guys.Really helpful.330i sounds the like a good one
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