Depends on the model and price you pay. Can I suggest you take a 2002+ 330i for a drive! OK, so they might have a few problems like electric window regulators failing from time to time, but, they sit on the road so nicely, awesome handling, good power, and three transmission modes (auto, sport, tiptronic).
mugenb20b,
Apr 7, 9:47pm
Than a BMW what! X5!
shadowzz,
Apr 8, 7:46am
Mainly it's the ZF auto gearbox that lets down a lot of European cars. Often they are shot and cost more than the car is worth to fix by the time they get to 200,000 km.
bella-boo,
Apr 8, 8:00am
They are cars you will either love or hate.I test drove one once, not my cup-o-coffee.
taipan4,
Apr 8, 9:03am
Morris Oxfords were the same steerring wheel was not straight weird pommy idea
taipan4,
Apr 8, 9:04am
opening for Jazz here .
opos,
Apr 8, 9:09am
bloody fat germans oops don't mention the war
howie69,
Apr 8, 7:08pm
Jazz has been quiet lately so I will chip in for him. Have you considered a Fiat Multipla! More room than a BMW and very nice to drive, although you may get family resistance as it doesn't have quite the samestylish look as the beemer. Cheaper to repair also I understand.
n3d4sp3d,
Apr 8, 8:18pm
yea were is the jazz man
s.c,
Apr 8, 8:30pm
I've just bought a 320 I that needed a few jobs doing and the quotes have been reasonable!have got a guy that's BMW trained he does all the engine work and take it to the local garage for brakes etc.there are lots more around now for parts and would rather pay a little extra but get to drive around in a class car, wouldn't ever go back to a jap
doug207,
Apr 8, 9:29pm
The ZF boxes tend to be quite good, the ones behind the V8s did give out, but what auto behind a powerful engine in a heavy car doesn't! The Jatco gearbox was the junker.
elect70,
Apr 8, 11:21pm
weight transfersto rear whena going up steepdrive !
vtecnet,
Apr 9, 12:36am
ZF auto box is holding up fine in my 1989 E30 325i with 225,000k, it changes gear rather well, (Much better then my E39 528i with 98,000k on the clock, that thing had a Jatco box, they are rubbish).
budgel,
Apr 9, 9:08pm
The auto in the Toyota Soarers/Lexus seems to hold up quite well compared to the BMW ones. I would still rather have a BMW.
miikka,
Apr 10, 7:37am
I just bought my 1st BMW - 1994 320i and I F-ing love it.
Parts so far don't seem "expensive" but some specific things are when u wanna get a service Via a BMW Dealer. I was quoted $800 for a transmission fluid change and filter change. Went to a local Automatic specialist and they did it for $200 using the same fluid and better than OEM filter.
alimac1,
Apr 10, 8:32am
Just bought it and already it needs parts!
doug207,
Apr 10, 10:17am
I know of a fair few that haven't lasted. The gearbox failure rate in 540s/740s/750s, e32/4/8/9 isn't very high anyway. Rather great cars, much better to drive than the LS400.then again, my couch is more interesting.
horsepower7,
Apr 10, 10:34am
bmws are expensive. nice looking cars but not my cup of tee, dont like the way they drive either. a manual one might feel beter tho. and then you get the oil leak problems. good luck with whatever you get ;-)
doug207,
Apr 11, 1:33am
Another statement that's broad an unfounded. I've never had oil leak problems with any of mine
tantric5,
Apr 11, 3:09am
Ive owned an E36 and 2x E46 Motorsports. Oh and a wide body 3 litre Z3 bought on a whim. I do approx 30,000 kms plus a year, in my car most of the day, 6 days a week for the last 8 years Ive owned those BMW and cant fault them.
Apart from the usual tyres, brake pads and servicing I've had no probs.my mechanic does the servicing, not BMW so its no more expensive than anything else.
E46s drive superbly.330 motorsporthas remapped ecu and is peppy enough. Cant fault it.handles great too
I would def buy another motorsport.I wouldnt buy a plain jane model myself just based on aesthetics
tantric5,
Apr 11, 3:12am
ps.
an E46 is miles better than the E36
I imagine the later models are better again
gram,
Apr 11, 3:17am
Don't drive as nice as your Corolla huh.! Glad you're happy with your choice.
alfred011,
Apr 13, 9:17am
Isnt BMW short for Big Money Waster !
budgel,
Apr 13, 10:56pm
No, its for Bloody Magnificent Wagons!
upnorth,
Apr 14, 10:12am
Bavarian Money Waster
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