A Newer BMW?

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted by KCJeep
I've read this whole thread and still can't get my head around the idea that any Honda is an alternative to a BMW.

We would hope not.

But if your ideal car has a 3 pedal manual transmission, an engine oil dipstick, a spare tire (or at least a temporary use spare) in the trunk, and a reliable engine, then Hondas and Mazdas do come into the picture. My 528i is the best car I've ever owned, but I'm worried that BMW may no longer make a car for me.

I've heard good things about the M240i but they cost $80,000 (new) in Canada and I think that's a lot. I suppose that a used 235i with a 6 speed manual might work. But they're kind of small, and there's still no dipstick or spare tire.

 

[LeakySeals]

My nephew bought a 2007 x5 4.8l v8 2 months ago. Beautiful machine. But then the coolant leak started. Now, 3 months after purchase, undrivable. Monster repair bill he can't afford. Because he's paying $300 a month car payment. The valley pan contains coolant!!! Its a $1k job. Bought that because he was having a baby. Well, his gf is..

 

[Lolvoguy]

Originally Posted by LeakySeals
My nephew bought a 2007 x5 4.8l v8 2 months ago. Beautiful machine. But then the coolant leak started. Now, 3 months after purchase, undrivable. Monster repair bill he can't afford. Because he's paying $300 a month car payment. The valley pan contains coolant!!! Its a $1k job. Bought that because he was having a baby. Well, his gf is..

It's a 12 year old BMW....what does he (or anyone) expect in terms of reliability?

 

[2strokeNorthstar]

I've had BMWs for many years. Really only 2 but have owned them for 10 years or so. Maintenance is a huge expense and must be figured in. My mechanic told me never to own a V8 BMW. An X5 was in his shop for a $6,000 repair and only a few years old. Out of warranty of course.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by ecotourist
Originally Posted by KCJeep
I've read this whole thread and still can't get my head around the idea that any Honda is an alternative to a BMW.

We would hope not.

But if your ideal car has a 3 pedal manual transmission, an engine oil dipstick, a spare tire (or at least a temporary use spare) in the trunk, and a reliable engine, then Hondas and Mazdas do come into the picture. My 528i is the best car I've ever owned, but I'm worried that BMW may no longer make a car for me.

I've heard good things about the M240i but they cost $80,000 (new) in Canada and I think that's a lot. I suppose that a used 235i with a 6 speed manual might work. But they're kind of small, and there's still no dipstick or spare tire.

If 3 pedal are A MUST, with oil dipstick and a spare, get Audi S4 or A4 2.0T.
Audi does not have dipstick, BUT line is there, it is just sealed with some plastic screw. You can buy oil dipstick for around $18 for 2.0T and similar for 30.o V6 supercharge.
They generally do not have a lot of issues. Pre 2012 had issues with PCV and piston rings, but that is resolved since mid-2012.
I am seriously considering them too, but BMW has priority as I am not fan of engines sitting so far ahead (though nothing beats Audi in snow).

 

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by a2gtinut
Originally Posted by drtyler
There isn't a 2-5 year old gas BMW with a dipstick. Why is this a big deal? I got over it pretty quick with mine.

Manuals are harder to find, but they are out there. The ZF automatics are actually pretty good though.

Try out an M235i, you might like it. Or an M3/M4. They are certainly better driver's cars than an Accord or Civic.

I'm all about the BMW's of the past, but newer ones are pretty good too. And I'd rather have an automatic BMW with runflats and no dipstick than an Accord anyday.


some E90s came with GM auto trans.

A lot of BMW products came with that tranny, including Rolls Royce in early 2000's until maybe 2007. But, it is transmission that is completely different animal than in any GM product, especially programming. GM on other hand got from BMW inline 6 diesel.



I know BMW used the Strasbourg, France Hydramatic produced 4L30E & later on the 5L50E. But I didn't know Rolls Royce used any of the light duty Strasbourg made units?
Rolls Royce did use the Hydramatic TH400 & 4L80E for several years, But every one I ever rebuilt was made where every TH400/4L80E was made.......Willow Run Assembly also known as Ypsilanti Transmission Operations.
Jaguar & Bentley also used the TH400 & 4L80E.

 

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted by edyvw
If 3 pedal are A MUST, with oil dipstick and a spare, get Audi S4 or A4 2.0T.
Audi does not have dipstick, BUT line is there, it is just sealed with some plastic screw. You can buy oil dipstick for around $18 for 2.0T and similar for 30.o V6 supercharge.
They generally do not have a lot of issues. Pre 2012 had issues with PCV and piston rings, but that is resolved since mid-2012.
I am seriously considering them too, but BMW has priority as I am not fan of engines sitting so far ahead (though nothing beats Audi in snow).

Recent Audis have indeed been quite reliable. But I have seen videos of having to disassemble the whole front end of an Audi to do basic engine maintenance. That has got to be a specialist job - and at specialist rates. So a fairly minor repair could be very expensive.

I drove both a VW GTE (a GTI with a hybrid power train) and an Audi A3 (or A4) hybrid last spring and I liked both a lot. So I do like the products. But I'm looking for something I can drive for the next 15 years so long term reliability and repairability are major considerations.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted by ecotourist
But I'm looking for something I can drive for the next 15 years so long term reliability and repairability are major considerations.
I think you should stick to your Honda idea.

 

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted by Quattro Pete
I think you should stick to your Honda idea.

Yes, you might be right. But my current BMW has gone for over 15 years in my hands with very few problems. I understand it's one of the better "recent" BMWs and I'm looking for the next step.

Incidentally I'm told there is quite a demand for good E39s around here. The Millennials seem to have discovered them. If it weren't for the problem of having 2 old cars, I might just plow the required money into it and keep mine.

 

[LeakySeals]

Originally Posted by Lolvoguy
Originally Posted by LeakySeals
My nephew bought a 2007 x5 4.8l v8 2 months ago. Beautiful machine. But then the coolant leak started. Now, 3 months after purchase, undrivable. Monster repair bill he can't afford. Because he's paying $300 a month car payment. The valley pan contains coolant!!! Its a $1k job. Bought that because he was having a baby. Well, his gf is..

It's a 12 year old BMW....what does he (or anyone) expect in terms of reliability?

Would agree on most cars. But it's no random event. It's a major flaw so common all that's missing is a recall. This is not my beloved 94 530i. Researching this problem would appear BMW is the new jaguar

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by ecotourist
Originally Posted by edyvw
If 3 pedal are A MUST, with oil dipstick and a spare, get Audi S4 or A4 2.0T.
Audi does not have dipstick, BUT line is there, it is just sealed with some plastic screw. You can buy oil dipstick for around $18 for 2.0T and similar for 30.o V6 supercharge.
They generally do not have a lot of issues. Pre 2012 had issues with PCV and piston rings, but that is resolved since mid-2012.
I am seriously considering them too, but BMW has priority as I am not fan of engines sitting so far ahead (though nothing beats Audi in snow).

Recent Audis have indeed been quite reliable. But I have seen videos of having to disassemble the whole front end of an Audi to do basic engine maintenance. That has got to be a specialist job - and at specialist rates. So a fairly minor repair could be very expensive.

I drove both a VW GTE (a GTI with a hybrid power train) and an Audi A3 (or A4) hybrid last spring and I liked both a lot. So I do like the products. But I'm looking for something I can drive for the next 15 years so long term reliability and repairability are major considerations.

I would not worry about that. Yes, Audi has engine that basically sits between headlight washer nozzles, but think about it, 2.0T has regular water pump not electric one or 3.0T (Supercharge actually). I did timing belt on my VW Passat B5.5 1.8T which is basically Audi under skin. So I removed front bumper, but seriously, it is not that difficult, plus EA888 (I have that engine in Tiguan) is timing chain. Now EA888 had issues with timing chain tensioner until mid 2012 (I for example changed it preventively).
IMO, E90 BMW is for me clear winner over Audi bcs. of suspension and especially steering. But, F30 is not IMO clear cut winner over Audi except that nothing beats inline 6 BMW has. But, steering in BMW is now average, it is not anymore signature thing that was before. So only thing besides inline 6 engine that goes in BMW favor is weight balance and ZF8 which BMW just programs better than anyone else. But, Audi has better AWD, and I think 3.0T might be less problematic than N55 due to more rudimentary solutions like mechanical water pump. Plus, you get dipstick. In the end, there is no doubt Audi or BMW can do 15 years in garage of someone who understands European cars.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by KCJeep
I've read this whole thread and still can't get my head around the idea that any Honda is an alternative to a BMW.

For the needs of a vast majority of drivers a Honda is a good alternative. I know this is anecdotal but I rarely see BMW's road tripping outside of urban centers. The vast majority are grocery/commuters where a Honda which offers about 7/10's of the BMW is a perfect substitute.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted by ecotourist
Originally Posted by edyvw
If 3 pedal are A MUST, with oil dipstick and a spare, get Audi S4 or A4 2.0T.
Audi does not have dipstick, BUT line is there, it is just sealed with some plastic screw. You can buy oil dipstick for around $18 for 2.0T and similar for 30.o V6 supercharge.
They generally do not have a lot of issues. Pre 2012 had issues with PCV and piston rings, but that is resolved since mid-2012.
I am seriously considering them too, but BMW has priority as I am not fan of engines sitting so far ahead (though nothing beats Audi in snow).

. But I'm looking for something I can drive for the next 15 years so long term reliability and repairability are major considerations.



That's your first mistake. No car made today will last 15 yrs w/out some serious work and I'm not talking just mechanical work..

 

[jeepman3071]

Originally Posted by LeakySeals
My nephew bought a 2007 x5 4.8l v8 2 months ago. Beautiful machine. But then the coolant leak started. Now, 3 months after purchase, undrivable. Monster repair bill he can't afford. Because he's paying $300 a month car payment. The valley pan contains coolant!!! Its a $1k job. Bought that because he was having a baby. Well, his gf is..


I'm sorry, but if he needs to make $300 a month payments on a 12 year old vehicle a BMW was not a wise decision, especially a V8.

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted by ecotourist


I've heard good things about the M240i but they cost $80,000 (new) in Canada and I think that's a lot.


Your pricing is WAY WAY off! The 2019 240i starts at under $50,000 Canadian. I don't even think you could build it in a way that would bump the price that high, even if it was a fully loaded X drive convertible 240i.

 

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted by Patman
Your pricing is WAY WAY off! The 2019 240i starts at under $50,000 Canadian. I don't even think you could build it in a way that would bump the price that high, even if it was a fully loaded X drive convertible 240i.

For the base price you're right. But $80,000 is what the local dealer quoted me on the telephone last week for their only 6 speed manual transmission M240i on the lot. It's black on black (and I don't want a black car) so I never bothered to go and look at it. But I don't think he was kidding.

 

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl
No car made today will last 15 yrs w/out some serious work and I'm not talking just mechanical work..

I guess it depends where you live, how much you drive and how you maintain your car.

If you live in the rust belt, drive 20,000 or more miles a year, or don't maintain your car very well you're absolutely right. But I live on the Pacific coast, keep my cars in a garage, drive about 10,000 miles a year, and maintain them really well. And I expect 15 years out of them.

My Volvo lasted 18 years, my BMW has lasted 18 years so far (15 years in my care), and my Honda is at 12 years and going strong. Rust has been the biggest problem so far and all of these cars lived most of their lives in a medium rust area. I'm looking forward to having a good car in this almost rust free zone.

 

[ecotourist]

Originally Posted by BMWTurboDzl
For the needs of a vast majority of drivers a Honda is a good alternative. I know this is anecdotal but I rarely see BMW's road tripping outside of urban centers. The vast majority are grocery/commuters where a Honda which offers about 7/10's of the BMW is a perfect substitute.

Some years ago we drove through the back country over rough gravel roads in central BC. The only cars on the road were my Volvo sedan, a VW beetle and a couple of other cars. No SUVs, no go anywhere do anything vehicles, just sedans. Maybe the off road vehicles were all "off the road" but I don't think so. I think they were parked at the mall.

 

[PandaBear]

Originally Posted by KCJeep
I've read this whole thread and still can't get my head around the idea that any Honda is an alternative to a BMW.

S2000?

 

[Patman]

Originally Posted by ecotourist
Originally Posted by Patman
Your pricing is WAY WAY off! The 2019 240i starts at under $50,000 Canadian. I don't even think you could build it in a way that would bump the price that high, even if it was a fully loaded X drive convertible 240i.

For the base price you're right. But $80,000 is what the local dealer quoted me on the telephone last week for their only 6 speed manual transmission M240i on the lot. It's black on black (and I don't want a black car) so I never bothered to go and look at it. But I don't think he was kidding.


They are gouging you then, because even fully loaded 2019 convertibles here are listed for just over $70k. It would be cheaper to find the one you want here in Ontario and have it shipped there for probably not much more than $1500.