Another appliance car thread...late model BMWs?

[speeder]

Ok, I know that there have been dozens of these threads but it's my turn. I need a late model, 4-door sedan for a job I'm considering. Maybe 2010 or so? Nothing older than 2008. I do not want a new car.

Used BMWs are shockingly cheap out of warrantee. I'd be spending a fair amount of time in the saddle and they drive awesome+look good. Obviously, I can do the simple maintainance myself, like oil changes and brakes.

Just how freaking bad are they to justify their bargain basement prices? I was pretty shocked. Search 2010 3 or 5 series on ebay to see what I mean.

I'm also considering a Prius, (I know), those are actually the smartest choice from a Moneyball angle but I'd much rather drive a Beemer. Other typical rentacars are an option, ie. any late 4-door on the road.

Talk me into or out of this. Thx.

[TGTIW]

Pretty bad.
Electrical gremlins, water pumps, thermostats, etc.

I have a 2010 328i, still under warranty, which is good because it's been back to the dealership 5 times since I purchased it in May.

[Nostril Cheese]

Garbage.

Typical BMW problems, cooling systems, window regulators, electrical problems.

Last good cars they made were the E39 and E46.

[TGTIW]

I should explain, there hasn't been a problem that would have left me stranded, but I'm honestly surprised by the build quality. I have a 2010 328i, purchased last May with 13,000 miles.

Material on radio buttons and window switch delaminating, some weird connectivity issue with the satellite radio. 3 trips for the trunk latch not re-latching once open, stitching on rear seat coming apart, weight sensor for passenger seat needed to be replaced. (They did a crap job with this and it will go back again this week for them to try it again and replace all the plastic trim they damaged when removing the seat)

[Jim Richards]

Cadillac CTS?

[Rusty914s]

Don't touch any turbo'd model prior to '10. Don't know much outside of that, I usually have a leased 3 series at all times.

[JAR0023]

I work around cars for a living. Here is my standard answer when friend and family ask. Get the newest 4-cylinder Honda Accord you can. Bigger than you think, more power than you think, safer than you think, will pull down 30 mpg all day every day, utterly competent and utterly devoid of soul. When I had to commute I found a three year old Accord with 40k miles on it. I drove it for two years and 80k miles. Brake pads once, tires once, fuel, oil, trans fluid on schedule. It needed nothing else. Sold it for $2k less than I paid for it. Not bad for 2yrs and 80k miles.

Oddly enough (I do live in MS) I know quite a few folks with Prii. Never heard of any major issues. They all love 'em.

If a smaller car works think about an Acura TSX. European Accord. Can be had with a manual trans so you can pretend it's sporty.

BMW and Audi scare me with their Direct Injection engines. Too many problems early on for me to be confident in them long term

Last winter my Wife said I was buying her a new (to her) car. I ended up getting a 2011 Mercedes E350. M-B didn't go to Direct Injection until 2012 on the 3.5 V-6. M-B actually encourages you to service the 7spd ZF trans which has to extend its life. AMG/Navi/MBTex. Sold new for around $50. CPO asking prices were mid-$40s. I bought mine from an independent broker/dealer with a line on off lease M-B. Avoiding the dealer I was able to buy the car for $32k after letting someone else drive it for 2 years and 28k miles. Just at 40k miles now and no issues. With a lead foot my wife averages 22mpg. The car will pull down 27 or so on road trips. She'll drive it three or four more years and be out of it before it hits 100k miles. -J

[JavaBrewer]

My neighbor had a 2011 535i which he said was disappointing. Several unscheduled dealer visits and the seats were already showing wear. His lease was up and he came home with an Infinity M35. Another heavily depreciating car is a 2010'ish Jaguar XF. Beautiful finish and ride but we have a family member who has been stranded (tow truck needed) in hers 3X in 18 months. Get to the shop and cannot duplicate the issue... Would not want to rely on that car.

[aigel]

Why don't you buy a TDI VW with a stick? If you are on the road a lot, it sounds like freeway driving. Will be very efficient. And it rides nice. And you like diesels.

I asked the BMW question several times 5 different ways on here and always get the same answer. I do respect the wisdom of this board, so I have refrained from BMWs. Even if you have the patience to deal with issues, it is time away from fun things and or / time dealing with the shop, appointments and loaner vehicles.

G

[speeder]

Thanks a lot! Such a drag...BMWs used to be such great cars.

Gas mileage matters somewhat but it's part of a mix of factors including making the right impression, (nice car but not too flashy, etc.), how enjoyable it is and of course, reliability.

From a pure Moneyball a perspective, it has to be a Prius or other Japanese or domestic box. Priuses do not break, (I'm serious), and get 50 mpg city. Oh yeah, it's almost all city driving, not highway.

I'm really trying to justify a BMW but probably won't work. A fwd car from Honda or Acura might work but I can't hate it. I'll be in it quite a bit.

Gas mileage rules out any real high performance cars, I was thinking 6-banger BMW.

[Scott Douglas]

Have you ever driven a V-6 Accord?

[Jim Richards]

Mazda 3 or 6?

[Rusty914s]

I'd have zero issues driving any 328 or 528.

Prius would be ok too. I like them.

Honda, no thanks...life is too short for that.

[aigel]

I don't think you can beat a hybrid in stop and go traffic. They hold their value extremely well - may have to buy a new one. The C is probably too dinky for you?

G

[greglepore]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Have you ever driven a V-6 Accord?

If the suspension wasn't Detroitish, I'd have one in a heartbeat. Its a seriously inspiring drivetrain/brakes package. The shocks/springs suck. Maybe the aftermarket can cure that, if so, I'm in.

[speeder]

I think it's either going to be a slightly used Prius or I do the BMW experiment. The Prius has the lowest cost of ownership/usage hands-down but the dirt cheap entry price of the BMW makes it close, ie. I do not think it would depreciate much in a year or so. I'd keep flipping into newer ones before the miles got too high. If the BMW was a major PIA, I could dump it and say uncle at the Toyota dealer.

FWIW, a newish Prius and a BMW have about the same curb appeal in L.A. to most people. Both are popular, common cars that are considered upscale but definitely not flashy. Priuses have completely taken over the taxicab business in major cities, they simply do not break and have decent room inside. I just want the sportier option.

A domestic BMW clone is a possibility, newer Hondas and other Toyotas just make me want to hang myself. Sorry to anyone who's making payments on one. I like all of the Asian SUVs but wrong for this gig.

[edgemar]

i thought about a bmw ended up getting a TSX Sportwagon. Tons of room and not that popular so there are deals to be had. It competes directly with the 3 series in Europe so it is entertaining to drive....if you punch it (4 cylinder) on the freeway it takes a bit to get going until the rev's build. I don't regret my purchase it has been great so far. It's funny i've owned a bunch of honda's and they all basically handle the same way...just higher limits for the newer models. I also have a preference for Japanese cars manufactured in Japan vs domestic...I think they are screwed together better.

If you want rear wheel drive Lexus IS350 or Infiniti G/M35....

Lexus makes a prius version as well. I also heard the Volt have been decent.

Good Luck!

[onewhippedpuppy]

Late model, out of warranty, super cheap......you just answered your own question!

Look at Mazdas, they are the Japanese BMW. Good steering, decent power, tossable, Audi-like interiors. Plus they don't carry the Toyota tax. The 3 and 6 are great, and Mazdaspeed versions of each can amp things up a bit.

[nostatic]

Originally Posted by speeder

A domestic BMW clone is a possibility, newer Hondas and other Toyotas just make me want to hang myself. Sorry to anyone who's making payments on one. I like all of the Asian SUVs but wrong for this gig.

gig?

[Rusty914s]

TIL mazdas are comparable to BMWs. Mazdas are bic pens. If I were to do Japanese, it would be a Toyota, then Subaru. Otherwise, VWs are great but have reliability issues.

Do the BMW, great cars and as you say, cheap in the used market.