Preferably from people who know a little bit about them. Ive been told they are very expensive to fix because of the cost of parts etc. Is this true and are there any other handy things to know about the beemers I should know before I decide for or against! also how about a 1998 compared to a 2000 model! will the parts be harder to get for an older model etc etc!
budgel,
Apr 6, 4:10pm
I have a 1999 740i which I absolutely love, but I have become an enthusiast and enjoy doing my own work, and I source my own parts. Before the 740i I had a 520i which made me into that BMW enthusiast after having bought a 318i for my son and driving it back from Wellington to Whangarei. I bought each of these cars quite cheaply. All were NZ new. I have found that I can get parts from the USA landed here for a little over half the price of what they would cost here, the last time my order was confirmed on a monday and it was at my door on friday. Parts for my 1990 520i were readily available.
There are online forums devoted to these cars from which most information needed can be gleaned.
There are some things that even I need a BMW tech for, and I use a good independent BMW workshop for that.
There will be little difference between1998 and 2000 yearsas long as the model is the same. Consider the general condition and mileage of the vehicle.
If you have a good independent BMW workshop that you can use, maintenance costs will be about the same as any other car put into a workshop.Get quotes and provide your own parts if neccessary. Main dealers are expensive for all brands of cars.
A thorough pre purchase inspection by such a workshop would be money well spent.
They are drivers' cars and can add a very enjoyable extra dimension to your motoring.
Beware, you may become an addict!
footplate1,
Apr 6, 4:28pm
I am not an addict but I have had a few since I bought a 525i overseas, some years ago.Have stuck with the 3 series since then but am hoping to find an affordable x5 at the present.I currently have a 2004 M330i.Its predecessor, an M328i was the only one I hated.It was a bummer and cost heaps.But all my others have been fine.I mainly use Team McMillan, after years of Shellys, in Wellington.Yes, they do cost a bit more but, for routine stuff, you don't have to use the actual agent.I have shopped round and know of less expensive (overhead) than the agent. A driver's car, as budgel has said. I used to commute between Wellington and Auckland almost every weekend and each Beamer was a joy to drive - once you found the routes where you could stretch the beasts.Weight is one of the pluses - they sit on the road.Ironically, I was doing only 60-70 when I wrote one off - hit a patch of oil and water outside Dunedin. Not interested in any other make!
intrade,
Apr 6, 4:30pm
i never had a bmw the reason i did not like them is. Rear wheel drive and no traction in snow due to this. plus you sit on a angle to the pedals as the driver and i realy hate to drive in a position only other car you also sit on a angle is a old original vw bug. Never did own one and probably wont bother due to above reasons.
ryanm2,
Apr 6, 4:34pm
Whoever told you they are more expensive to fix than any other car has their head firmly stuck in the 1980's. Did they also suggest you buy a Toyota Camry with brown interior as they are good ones!
Im currently a VW man but keeping an eye out for a well priced 528i wagon.
edangus,
Apr 6, 5:24pm
The angle thing - is that the 3 series! Never noticed it in the 5 or 7
rob_man,
Apr 6, 5:30pm
You prefer 4wd! I see the OP is from New Plymouth, doubtless the snowdrifts and glaciers of this well known winter wonderland would necessitate the use of specialist vehicles with added traction features.
footplate1,
Apr 6, 5:31pm
Perhaps I am more twisted than I thought!Never noticed it- other than in the 5 series after it rolled off the Dunedin motorway.
rob_man,
Apr 6, 5:32pm
I have noticed that angle thing in several Euro cars over the years and it can be uncomfortable, maybe you get used to it.
edangus,
Apr 6, 5:36pm
Well I actually have a twisted spine. I cannot fit or even get comfortable in a 3 series or most vehicles. But have no Issue with anything bigger in the BMW range, so really asking as maybe that is why I really like them! The twist is perhaps just right
rob_man,
Apr 6, 5:39pm
Hmmmm. Perhaps you have German blood! The twist may be a uniquely German adaptation.
edangus,
Apr 6, 6:39pm
Ok, now I am worried. Please call me Herr Angus from here on in.
-90-,
Apr 6, 6:46pm
@ budgel could you post a link to the sites you purchase from !
Have been in german stuff for years now. More recently older BMW's currently have a V8 e34. Totally reliable, as all of them have been.Items do need to be replaced, but its more to do with age. As mentioned the parts issue is bull shit, Plenty of specialists around that are from experience quiet reasonable.
footplate1,
Apr 6, 10:06pm
Going to take my 3 series around the SI for the second time, next week.I am going to drive anti-clockwise and hope that this will counter the twist.Will probaby zig-zag from Auckland to the ferry terminal, though.
cummingsra1,
Apr 6, 10:41pm
What budgel said. I bought a 97 523i about 15 months ago, and have become an enthusiast. I had a fettle it a little (broken rear window regulators, twisted drivers seat back, airbag light on) but these were reasonably cheap fixes (rear window regulators from fcpgroton.com, adjust a clip on the back of the drivers seat, a trip to the auto electricians to run the codes and find the airbag fault was in the broken connector under drivers seat). There are some cheap parts available on here, although the quality of aftermarket suppliers is said to vary. Mine is an early E39, and doesn't have some the equipment/technology which are regularly occurring issues on later e39s.
I have had great service from fcpgroton.com and am looking at buying other parts from ecstuning.com and eaceuroparts.com. She's no Camry to run, but is a great car to drive.
Really it boils down to the OP, is the car going to be a transportation appliance, or is it going to be an object of enthusiasm, where you CAN change your own oil, fuel filter, and fix minor faults. Ther eis a huge amount of information on online forums, and how-to videos on youtube.
geedubu,
Apr 6, 10:45pm
Bought myself a BMW Z3 6cylinder, worked out well.Pleasant, sophisticated car, well-engineered, any fixes have been within the normal range for a modern--ish vehicle.Don't see anything to fear from them subject to normal checks you would use on any purchase.
elect70,
Apr 6, 10:55pm
Can get mostenginepartsfromaftermarket ,except old classics like 635,E 36plenty of parts &cheaper thanmany japcars .Treat them right & will give years of motoringpleasure . My E36 328 has done 269 K still origonal & was owned byboy racer . My 4 th BMW
rsr72,
Apr 6, 11:00pm
Rear wheel drive gives superior traction. Any pedal offset is so minor as to be inconsequential, and bears no comparison whatsoever with early VW's. Perhaps you need to properly aquaint yourself with one for a new car.
wizzbikz,
Apr 6, 11:38pm
just another over priced set of wheels,
shadowzz,
Apr 6, 11:47pm
I have a 300 mtr mud slide uphill drive. Engine on top of the wheels Audi definitely has more traction than BMW.
poppajn,
Apr 7, 12:23am
OPasked about BMW,s not Audi,s. What did,nt you understand about that!
doug207,
Apr 7, 3:54am
I've had better luck with all four of my BMW's than the other 15 Japanese cars I've owned and the BMW's have been more entertaining to drive. You question is too vague though, there are differences between a '98 and '00 5 series for example as they got facelifted in '00. Post some links of what BMW's you're considering, then model specific advice can be given.
I'm a BMW fan and my family has had around 9 of them now, every single on has been more reliable than my '91 Toyota Corolla.
rob_man,
Apr 7, 5:06am
Don't they have the engine forward of the front wheels! Always appears like they would be terribly nose heavy.
shuddupowh,
Apr 7, 5:31am
Parts & services may be more expensive for a BMW compared to Jap cars, but thats what you get when you buy a car made in a country with high standards, not saying Japs arent high standards because Japs do bring out some very expensive models. As long as you buy a BMW thats been well looked after (try find one being sold by an enthusiast) and you're pretty much gauranteed a fine car - also as long as you look after it yourself. Just like any car, buy one with noproven service history you're asking for trouble.
gram,
Apr 7, 4:21pm
To somebody interested in buying a BMW I thought it was quite a valid comment. OP might have occasion to drive in similiar terrain for all you know.!
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