Car Advice

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<p>BMW maintenance and repair is ridiculously expensive. I had to sell my '94 325i (when they still made 325i) at 11 years of age and 100+k miles because it was getting to the point where I was shelling out 2 - 3k per maintenance visit because "something kept coming up."</p>

<p>better off selling the X5 and buying a Honda or a Toyota .. much more reliable, and maintenance is not that expensive.</p>
 
<p>Wow - so many replies. Thank you all so much.</p>

<p>Well, I spent the day car shopping - not to replace the BMW, but my husband's car! </p>

<p>He has a vintage Mercedes, that will soon face the same difficult choice. We decided to trade it while it is still running, and worth something!</p>

<p>We have narrowed it to a 2005 Infinti G35, a 2004 Lexus GS and a 2004 Audi A6. All have around 33,000 miles, and all are in the $20,000-$25,000 range.</p>

<p>After visiting BMW, we have also decided we will probably repair the BMW. At the dealership, they were asking $35,000 for 2004 X5's with 40,000-ish miles. I know a 2001 with our mileage is worth closer to $13,000, but our X5 is better than what we saw. Ours is totally tricked out (xenon lights, navigation, retractable load floor, moonroof, cd changer, super-sweet 19" chrome wheels, etc.). We also bought it new, and know all its history.</p>

<p>The quote for repair I gave was from a very reputable german car mechanic, not from the dealer. The dealer wanted $12,000 for an engine!</p>

<p>Since the body hasn't changed from 2001, we are feeling this makes sense. We could, if we're lucky, get years more from the X5 - and it looks awesome.</p>

<p>So much to consider. </p>

<p>Thank you all very, very much for your kind advice!</p>
 
<p>Forgot to tell the tale:</p>

<p>I actually did take good care of the BMW - for the most part. Graphrix, please don't call the bimmer police!</p>

<p>I was getting on the 405 at El Toro - headed north, when a light came on that said "coolant temperature".</p>

<p>I foolishly drove it to my exit at University. I didn't see steam, so I thought I could get it to my exit.</p>

<p>Wrong!</p>

<p>It turned itself off after stopping on University - and that was that!</p>

<p>If the guys who pushed me to the side read this blog: thank you very, very much! </p>

<p>To Tyler: I buy quality and expect it to last. It is not about status. I would rather have 1 pair of good shoes, than 10 pair that are poorly-made. To each his own. </p>

<p>Thanks again to the rest of you.</p>

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Daedalus, you are right, I just checked with my BMW dealer. I guess because my M3 is so old (1990 E-30 4 cylinder), it can be had for around 3.5k. I figured a I6 couldn't be that expensive given mine was a M3 engine. Boy, was I wrong. In any case, I think Janet should follow your advice and get a used BMW engine and get it installed.


Janet, I think the cooling system should be inspected around 100k. You should replace most of the cooling system at 100k interval regardless of maker. My friend just wrapped his Nissan engine at 120k due to the failure of the cooling system. Regarding Acura, I would stay away from 2005 and 2006 for sure. My friend's 2005 Acura TL just had its transmission replaced at 30k. He told me it was a fairly common problem on 2005/2006 Acura TL/Accord.
 
I've always had the impression that the people on this blog were fiscally responsible, but this thread seems to show otherwise. Lexus? BMW? Unless you have money coming out of your anus, who the hell buys those cars? The same


people that buy hideous McMansions.





Perhaps there is something to the "Bitter renter" idea suggested by others.





Janet: BMWs aren't about quality they are about status. I would really like to know under what metric a BMW is better quality than a Honda.
 
<p>Somewhat of a toss-up between the G35 and the GS, but I'm partial to Infinitis and have had decent experiences with them. The '05s don't have a Brembo option, which is nice but VERY pricey.</p>

<p>I didn't catch the A6 in CR, but I'm guessing they're continuing on with the reputation of build quiality that is, uh, not quite on par with their Japanese rivals.</p>
 
That is totally unnecessary, tyler. We spend less than 10% of our income on cars, and yes, we do have a BMW and a MBenz. We happen to like German cars, and we refuse to buy Japanese because of their war crime in WW2 (and their continued refusal to acknowledge the crime). German worship Sophie Scholl as the greatest German of all time, meanwhile, Japanese worship mass murders in their temple as gods Anyway, it is best not to judge people based on what they buy.
 
Laing_Lies,





I'm not angry, I just don't understand the whole car status symbol thing (Well I understand it behaviorally, just thought it was odd that people are one way on housing but not the same on autos).





tourbillon,,





Are you serious? I mean seriously? You don't purchase Japanese cars because their war crimes, but are fine with German cars? Did you miss what happened in Europe during WW2 or do you just care about war crimes against people of your


own heritage (Assuming you are Chinese)? But you can hate the Japanese all you like, and pretend like the Germans didn't kill 6 million Jews during WW2.
 
<p>I agree with the others on getting the new engine for the X5. But With regard to the used G35, GS, or A6 for $25k --- I will also jump on the Honda bandwagon on this one. This time of year you could walk out of the dealership with a brand new 2007 Accord V6 with leather and voice-activated navigation for $25K. And it is brand new with a full warranty. Go look at one, and drive one....I think you will be surprised at how close this car feels behind the wheel to any G35, GS, or TL (it is essentially the same car as a TL). I know you can get that car for $25K (it lists for $30K) because I got one for that price myself. It's not flashy (although I will admit that with my dark tinted windows and the rear spoiler I do get a lot of longing looks from the 20 year old dudes when I am cruising around UCI)....But it is carefree, worry free driving. Of course, I am biased....My wife and I have an 07 Accord and an 04 Pilot, my sister has an 06 Accord, father an 06 TL --- so I guess we are a Honda family. But there is a good reason for that brand loyalty. I will never buy anything but a Honda or Acura. But house first, Acura later.</p>
 
<p>3/4 of the people who buy BMWs do so because of status, and don't know what is good about the car.</p>

<p>The other 1/4 are moderate to hard core enthusiasts who appreciate the engineering that goes into the car and are willing to pay for it. It doesn't mean they are snobs.</p>

<p>You can guess which category I'm in...</p>

<p>SCHB</p>
 
<p>Tyler -</p>

<p>Well, I own a house..and I'm purchasing another one - in fact, escrow will close in less than one month. </p>

<p>That being said, however, I do understand why most people on this blog want to hold off on purchasing real estate. I do believe that there is ample evidence that housing values/prices have decreased and will continue to decrease, so most people are just holding off for a better deal. This may mean that they may have to continue renting for a few years waiting for that price reduction. </p>

<p>Although cars do depreciate in value (some say as soon as you drive off the lots), unlike homes a BMW isn't just going to drop the price of it's new X5 by 20%, 30%, 40%, etc. So, perhaps these people, many of whom are making pretty good money - above the average family income (as I've often read) just want to enjoy their lives a little bit and feel like their hard work has gotten them something while they're renting. </p>

<p>Few are lucky enough to have the resources to have the best of everything. Everyone has their different priorities and values. </p>

<p> </p>
 
Am driving a Honda now. Previous car was a Honda purchased new, and sold with about 190,000 miles, never having any major problems with anything. The worst problems were an alternator, and a water pump.
 
<p>You know, the difference in payments between an Accord and a BMW 3 (for instance) is not that great. A couple hundred a month? That's pocket change compared to what we're all paying to live here.</p>

<p>That said, I still shudder at any payment over $500 just on principle. </p>
 
My wife just told me I better modify comments a little bit....She reminded me that I do almost piss myself every time I see a 335 or 550 on the road (which is all to common around here). So I won't try to pretend that I don't lust after all that German engineering....but the practical me always ends up at the Honda dealer....
 
<p>I don't get where people think bimmers are expensive to maintain. Sure if you go to the stealership you get ripped off. If you properly take of it it will take of you. I've had both a Honda and a bimmer that at the time would be the same age. I take/took care of both and I have had them what would be about the same length of time now. Guess what the maintenance costs are the same and I have the bills to prove it. I don't drive a bimmer that is 10 years old and has 120k miles on it for status. I drive it because it is a solid car that could take a 2008 Honda Civic Si down in the twistys all day long. I drive it because on road trips when I need to pass a big rig by dropping it into 3rd at 90MPH I can. While honda has to wait for a downhill slope just to get the momentum. Oh and I know the firing order too.</p>

<p>Janet - Go take it to Chris at <a href="http://www.bmsracecars.com/">http://www.bmsracecars.com/</a> He probably has a few engines lying around that he has swapped for racing engines. I trust one person other than myself with my car and it is him. If you want a warranty pay by CC if you don't care but want to save some $$$ ask him what the cash price is. I trust his work enough to take the cash price. </p>
 
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