I would avoid BMW all together....you'll get a much better value and about 99% less headaches from a nice used Lexus. It just depends if you need the whole German engineering status thing or not. But used BMWs are notorious for requiring lots of time and mucho $$$ to keep them going. I have several friends who have gone that nightmare route with used Beemers. If you gotta go German...look for a nice used Audi.
Looking at used BMW 528 or 3 series
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Originally Posted By: edwardh1
and whats with cooling system replacement at 60-80.
Toyota and Honda I have owned go easily 100,000 plus on water pumps radiators etc
If you do a coolant drian/fill every 50k on most Toyotas the entire cooling system will go over 200k. Same with the Hondas if you flush every 75k. I'm on my 5th Toyota...one water pump covered by warranty.
and whats with cooling system replacement at 60-80.
Toyota and Honda I have owned go easily 100,000 plus on water pumps radiators etc
If you do a coolant drian/fill every 50k on most Toyotas the entire cooling system will go over 200k. Same with the Hondas if you flush every 75k. I'm on my 5th Toyota...one water pump covered by warranty.
I've raised two kids through rear facing car seats to school bus age with compact sedans.
While we have a "kid hauler" I keep a commuter mobile and the kids ride home from daycare with me for the last couple miles once a day. Almost any car can handle this.
While we have a "kid hauler" I keep a commuter mobile and the kids ride home from daycare with me for the last couple miles once a day. Almost any car can handle this.
Originally Posted By: Doog
I would avoid BMW all together....you'll get a much better value and about 99% less headaches from a nice used Lexus. It just depends if you need the whole German engineering status thing or not. But used BMWs are notorious for requiring lots of time and mucho $$$ to keep them going. I have several friends who have gone that nightmare route with used Beemers. If you gotta go German...look for a nice used Audi.
Stay away from Audi too. I've had my fair share of problems from both BMW and Audi.
Haven't tried Benz though. May give it a shot eventually.
I would avoid BMW all together....you'll get a much better value and about 99% less headaches from a nice used Lexus. It just depends if you need the whole German engineering status thing or not. But used BMWs are notorious for requiring lots of time and mucho $$$ to keep them going. I have several friends who have gone that nightmare route with used Beemers. If you gotta go German...look for a nice used Audi.
Stay away from Audi too. I've had my fair share of problems from both BMW and Audi.
Haven't tried Benz though. May give it a shot eventually.
Originally Posted By: hypervish
Haven't tried Benz though. May give it a shot eventually.
Based on our experience with the C300, Benz is no better. I am just glad we bought the extended warranty. Definitely not keeping it once it expires.
Haven't tried Benz though. May give it a shot eventually.
Based on our experience with the C300, Benz is no better. I am just glad we bought the extended warranty. Definitely not keeping it once it expires.
Originally Posted By: Doog
But used BMWs are notorious for requiring lots of time and mucho $$$ to keep them going.
Tell me about it; my 3 Series track rat has 131k on it and has needed a thermostat, a heater hose fitting, and a brake light switch. Oh yeah, I forgot- one set of pads/rotors.
And tires.
Lots of tires.
Originally Posted By: Doog
I have several friends who have gone that nightmare route with used Beemers.
We are talking cars- NOT motorcycles.
Originally Posted By: Doog
If you gotta go German...look for a nice used Audi.
Seriously?
But used BMWs are notorious for requiring lots of time and mucho $$$ to keep them going.
Tell me about it; my 3 Series track rat has 131k on it and has needed a thermostat, a heater hose fitting, and a brake light switch. Oh yeah, I forgot- one set of pads/rotors.
And tires.
Lots of tires.
Originally Posted By: Doog
I have several friends who have gone that nightmare route with used Beemers.
We are talking cars- NOT motorcycles.
Originally Posted By: Doog
If you gotta go German...look for a nice used Audi.
Seriously?
Originally Posted By: Hokiefyd
As a parent with two children myself, I wouldn't choose a 3-series sedan. I'd sell one if it were given to me. There's just not much room. Heck, I wouldn't choose ANY sedan myself (see signature), but of the two, the 5-series would appeal to me more because of the space. I'd look for wagons if possible, though I know they're MUCH less common.
Me, neither.
Short trips around town would be OK, but by the time I load up a baby, three dogs, and whatever else we want to take for a weekend at our second house, there's not a lot of room left in our CUV.
I'm neutral to negative on BMW's but I would buy a new one and plan on keeping it a long time, before I would buy one with 120K+ on it. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in something like that for a three hour drive unless I had put all of those miles on it myself.
As a parent with two children myself, I wouldn't choose a 3-series sedan. I'd sell one if it were given to me. There's just not much room. Heck, I wouldn't choose ANY sedan myself (see signature), but of the two, the 5-series would appeal to me more because of the space. I'd look for wagons if possible, though I know they're MUCH less common.
Me, neither.
Short trips around town would be OK, but by the time I load up a baby, three dogs, and whatever else we want to take for a weekend at our second house, there's not a lot of room left in our CUV.
I'm neutral to negative on BMW's but I would buy a new one and plan on keeping it a long time, before I would buy one with 120K+ on it. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in something like that for a three hour drive unless I had put all of those miles on it myself.
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Originally Posted By: Win
I'm neutral to negative on BMW's but I would buy a new one and plan on keeping it a long time, before I would buy one with 120K+ on it. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in something like that for a three hour drive unless I had put all of those miles on it myself.
We did the 1,528Km drive down east in the M5 last year and it was wonderful. I have three kids. We left the dog with a friend.
Two of my kids were in boosters at the time, and the 3rd was in her car seat and there was still a reasonable amount of room. The trunk is quite large, so all the luggage fit without issue.
Trip took us roughly 12 hours.
I'm neutral to negative on BMW's but I would buy a new one and plan on keeping it a long time, before I would buy one with 120K+ on it. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in something like that for a three hour drive unless I had put all of those miles on it myself.
We did the 1,528Km drive down east in the M5 last year and it was wonderful. I have three kids. We left the dog with a friend.
Two of my kids were in boosters at the time, and the 3rd was in her car seat and there was still a reasonable amount of room. The trunk is quite large, so all the luggage fit without issue.
Trip took us roughly 12 hours.
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: Win
I'm neutral to negative on BMW's but I would buy a new one and plan on keeping it a long time, before I would buy one with 120K+ on it. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in something like that for a three hour drive unless I had put all of those miles on it myself.
We did the 1,528Km drive down east in the M5 last year and it was wonderful. I have three kids. We left the dog with a friend.
Two of my kids were in boosters at the time, and the 3rd was in her car seat and there was still a reasonable amount of room. The trunk is quite large, so all the luggage fit without issue.
Trip took us roughly 12 hours.
We just got our old Expy back from the adult kids, and I'm thinking of going through it, and putting it back in service, just so we'll have something with some darn room in it.
Originally Posted By: Win
I'm neutral to negative on BMW's but I would buy a new one and plan on keeping it a long time, before I would buy one with 120K+ on it. I wouldn't feel comfortable putting my wife and kids in something like that for a three hour drive unless I had put all of those miles on it myself.
We did the 1,528Km drive down east in the M5 last year and it was wonderful. I have three kids. We left the dog with a friend.
Two of my kids were in boosters at the time, and the 3rd was in her car seat and there was still a reasonable amount of room. The trunk is quite large, so all the luggage fit without issue.
Trip took us roughly 12 hours.
We just got our old Expy back from the adult kids, and I'm thinking of going through it, and putting it back in service, just so we'll have something with some darn room in it.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Yes, if we are taking the dog, we take the Expedition. Or if weather conditions are going to be adverse. It certainly has a lot more room, but the car isn't uncomfortable for everybody. Mind you it would be impossible to take the dog in the car even if we wanted to.
Great info guys, much appreciated.
The wife drives a Honda Pilot, so that is the primary kid/dog/grocery hauler.
My older sis is single and living in San Diego. She bought a 3 series used from CarMax in Knoxville, TN, and drove it cross country when she moved to CA. No issues now for her at 165K. She has found a great independent shop in SD that is doing her routine work. I spoke to them after she got out there and they mentioned they look at the cooling system every time any BMW is in the shop, and they act proactively on cooling system maintenance.
I love the ride and feel of BMW's. Have to say I'm disappointed to hear that the 5 really isn't much bigger on the interior space, and I do feel the 3 would be a little cramped. But, overall, the gas mileage looks good, the durability seems to be there provided they've been maintained properly, and the price is right relative to other cars I've been looking at (used G35's and Maxima's).
I'll be giving both cars another look on Friday of this week. Thanks for the pointers.
The wife drives a Honda Pilot, so that is the primary kid/dog/grocery hauler.
My older sis is single and living in San Diego. She bought a 3 series used from CarMax in Knoxville, TN, and drove it cross country when she moved to CA. No issues now for her at 165K. She has found a great independent shop in SD that is doing her routine work. I spoke to them after she got out there and they mentioned they look at the cooling system every time any BMW is in the shop, and they act proactively on cooling system maintenance.
I love the ride and feel of BMW's. Have to say I'm disappointed to hear that the 5 really isn't much bigger on the interior space, and I do feel the 3 would be a little cramped. But, overall, the gas mileage looks good, the durability seems to be there provided they've been maintained properly, and the price is right relative to other cars I've been looking at (used G35's and Maxima's).
I'll be giving both cars another look on Friday of this week. Thanks for the pointers.
Originally Posted By: dgreen
Have to say I'm disappointed to hear that the 5 really isn't much bigger on the interior space, and I do feel the 3 would be a little cramped.
Definitely compare them back-to-back. Tech specs/dimensions aside, the 5 does have a more substantial/upscale feel to it. This is one reason why I ended up getting the 5 after checking out a few 3s. The 3 is somewhat more fun to drive though.
What is your budget?
From a reliability/maintenance perspective, both the E46 and the E39 will be very comparable. The condition of the individual car you're considering would be more important than whether it's a 3 or a 5.
Have to say I'm disappointed to hear that the 5 really isn't much bigger on the interior space, and I do feel the 3 would be a little cramped.
Definitely compare them back-to-back. Tech specs/dimensions aside, the 5 does have a more substantial/upscale feel to it. This is one reason why I ended up getting the 5 after checking out a few 3s. The 3 is somewhat more fun to drive though.
What is your budget?
From a reliability/maintenance perspective, both the E46 and the E39 will be very comparable. The condition of the individual car you're considering would be more important than whether it's a 3 or a 5.
$6k for car/registration/taxes etc. And hopefully any maintenance that is needed immediately, if any.
Either can be had for $5k, after some very modest negotiating, leaving room for the registration and immediate repairs.
It is hard to justify paying $5k for a new model Nissan with the same mileage, though parts might be cheaper and more familiar to me.
It is hard to justify paying $5k for a new model Nissan with the same mileage, though parts might be cheaper and more familiar to me.
Do you have the service history for both the cars you mentioned in your original post?
BMW specialized Indie shop does VANOS for about $400-500 in my area. (labor)
They even had a special during ONE month they did it for $ 350 (labor).
They let you bring in whatever kit you want: Besian or Dr Vanos..
Someday when mine is ready for it, I am going with Beisan systems, as their HQ about 45 min from where I live...and they also have recommended mechanics who're authorized by them in different states...
Yeah E39 is a bit more practical for a family > 2 people, and probably a bit more comfy/mature. E46 is more of a fun car..
They even had a special during ONE month they did it for $ 350 (labor).
They let you bring in whatever kit you want: Besian or Dr Vanos..
Someday when mine is ready for it, I am going with Beisan systems, as their HQ about 45 min from where I live...and they also have recommended mechanics who're authorized by them in different states...
Yeah E39 is a bit more practical for a family > 2 people, and probably a bit more comfy/mature. E46 is more of a fun car..
As stated the cooling system is the weakest link for the E39. You can replace the vanos seals yourself, or even get a rebuilt unit (with the teflon seals) from Dr. Vanos.
One other common fault is the ABS control module (Bosch). Mine went a couple of months ago, but the good news is you can get it rebuilt/repaired for under $100.
These cars do need periodic repairs, but I've found that the parts can be purchased as cheaply as other brands and the cars are pretty easy to work on - one good thing about the I-6 is lots of room under the hood.
On the bimmerfest forums there is a lot of activity and DIY guides.
One other common fault is the ABS control module (Bosch). Mine went a couple of months ago, but the good news is you can get it rebuilt/repaired for under $100.
These cars do need periodic repairs, but I've found that the parts can be purchased as cheaply as other brands and the cars are pretty easy to work on - one good thing about the I-6 is lots of room under the hood.
On the bimmerfest forums there is a lot of activity and DIY guides.
They have real dipsticks and oil filter on top, too...along with a simple, driver oriented and classy dash/gauges and middle console.
Huge plus compared to newer Bimmers.
Lots of indie shops that specialize in BMWs, if you're not a DIY person, and don't want to go to dealer. ( i have done a few simple things on mine, and i change oil on it, which saves quite a few bucks, IMO)
several companies make coolant system overhaul kits of various levels (from basic to extensive levels) and are decently priced.
Power window modules, coolant system, DISA and VANOS (if needed) are some things that should be taken care of/be watchful about, depending on mileage.
Huge plus compared to newer Bimmers.
Lots of indie shops that specialize in BMWs, if you're not a DIY person, and don't want to go to dealer. ( i have done a few simple things on mine, and i change oil on it, which saves quite a few bucks, IMO)
several companies make coolant system overhaul kits of various levels (from basic to extensive levels) and are decently priced.
Power window modules, coolant system, DISA and VANOS (if needed) are some things that should be taken care of/be watchful about, depending on mileage.
As long as you can afford to have the car not running for a day or two while fixing it up, go for it. Besides, there are no guarantees even if you were to purchase a "safe choice" in that price bracket. Do make sure your better half is not against the idea, otherwise at the first breakdown you will get hit with "I told you so!"
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