hello,
I am planning to buy a used BMW. Not very old but three to four years old.I heard that maintenance would be high for BMW as its parts are all imported. also not all mechanics can fix it so you have to go to dealer every time.
but I do see old BMWs on road. So it might not be as bad after all
What are my options..
Should I buy certified one with warranty up to 100,000 miles etc?
is it really that expensive?
Please advice,
I have owned two used BMW’s (still have one to this day). I restored my 92 735 almost completely with the new drivetrain and other things.
After I got it into top working condition which was very very expensive, i have been doing proper maintenance over the last 4 years and I can tell you how it could cost. First of all it is extremely rare to see a properly maintained used BMW on the road unless it belonged to an adult car enthusiast or a pro mechanic.
First thing is older auto transmissions. It will most likely need to be replaced. They require special maintenance that dealers do not provide unless you pay them for it as a repair on a hourly basis. This replacement will run you around 5K unless you can do it yourself.
Annual tuneup will run around $800 in parts only if original good parts are used. Every 2nd or third year it will require a more extensive tuneup that will run about $1800 in parts (this one will include valve adjustments, brake replacements and some bushing replacements).
Besides general tuneups you will need to spend another $1000 or so a year on regular care like coolant flushes, detailing, miscellaneous replacements that will be required with a used BMW. Due to its high performance suspension built on a subframe it also requires maintenance if you want it to ride like any BMW should. On average you will spend 2K a year to maintain it, sometimes more.
If you are planning on using it for performance driving (not on the street) – the amount will go up dramaticaly (up to 10K per year a minimum).
In any case – if the used BMW is more than 5-7 years old you have to prepare to spend no less than 5K to get it into a proper shape so have it allocated.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
hey i’m 17 and my first 3 cars were bmw i love them they are really great cars by far they do call themselves the ultimate driving machine but i would defantly get an warrenty on it to the most mileage u can because they don’t break down often but when the do its pricey but u should defantely get one and service them regularly that helps also find a great mech. one that works on bmw or mercedes benz or porsh mainly german car u will have lots of fun with it
References :
I have owned two used BMW’s (still have one to this day). I restored my 92 735 almost completely with the new drivetrain and other things.
After I got it into top working condition which was very very expensive, i have been doing proper maintenance over the last 4 years and I can tell you how it could cost. First of all it is extremely rare to see a properly maintained used BMW on the road unless it belonged to an adult car enthusiast or a pro mechanic.
First thing is older auto transmissions. It will most likely need to be replaced. They require special maintenance that dealers do not provide unless you pay them for it as a repair on a hourly basis. This replacement will run you around 5K unless you can do it yourself.
Annual tuneup will run around $800 in parts only if original good parts are used. Every 2nd or third year it will require a more extensive tuneup that will run about $1800 in parts (this one will include valve adjustments, brake replacements and some bushing replacements).
Besides general tuneups you will need to spend another $1000 or so a year on regular care like coolant flushes, detailing, miscellaneous replacements that will be required with a used BMW. Due to its high performance suspension built on a subframe it also requires maintenance if you want it to ride like any BMW should. On average you will spend 2K a year to maintain it, sometimes more.
If you are planning on using it for performance driving (not on the street) – the amount will go up dramaticaly (up to 10K per year a minimum).
In any case – if the used BMW is more than 5-7 years old you have to prepare to spend no less than 5K to get it into a proper shape so have it allocated.
References :
maralex_inc is kinda correct, but bmw changed the way the cars keep track of what needs to be done. a certified one covers problems with the car not maintance. but you can buy maintance for the vehicle. and every certified you look at will have a cpo sheet that a tech filled out. on it will tell you when things like oil changes,brake flush, brakes, sparkplugs, air filters etc are due. look at the sheet. maintance I believe is around 1400 or so. considering a ful brake job (rotors, pads, sensor) is about 2400 in a bmw dealer, it is worth it
what was wrong with maralex_inc answer was bmw used to only have one track of wear for items called sia which includes all the items, newer cars have track for each item by themselves
References :
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