Wife wants a BMW 5 series

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I would not own any European vehicle without a FACTORY extended warranty. I speak with experience. I once own an 08 Benz E350, the absolutely the best car I have ever own, the extended warranty came in handy a few times when things were found needing repair during the yearly routine service calls. With all the electronic tech and gizmos on cars today, an extended warranty is a must.
 
I have a 2013 328i M Sport and really like it. I wish I had gotten the 335 but couldn't pass up the deal on this one. I've had it for just over a year and my only complaint is the brakes. They stop very well but HOLY brake dust!!! Also my rotors are about do for replacement and an OE brake job all the way around is over $1200. I'll do it myself with higher quality parts for less than half, but still pricey for pads and rotors.
For BMWs, used is absolutely the way to go. They lose value wayyy too quickly for my wallet. My next car will likely be a 440i Gran Coupe (4dr) in a few years.
Nothing wrong with the diesels but just make sure the wife understands what will happen if she accidentally fills it with gas!
 
Only way I'd get a BMW, Audi, or Benz is on a lease with free maintenance and it would be turned in when the lease is up.

Germans make fine automobiles but they're too complicated and break down too much and cost too much to repair. Remember over complicated stuff is what cost them the war ;)

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Bmers are not well thought of by Consumer's Reports. Much worse reliability than most of the competition. My neighbor had a 535 for a couple years. He loved the car but hated taking it in for service every month or two. Finally traded it on a IS350 Lexus and never looked back. Good luck with your decision.
 
Wahoo95 said:
Remember over complicated stuff is what cost them the war ;)
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Trying to invade Moscow during the winter cost them the war. They should have resurrected Napoleon to ask him how that worked out.

Or they could have just learned from history.
 
My BIL had a 535, then a 745. Both were a blast to drive, but terribly expensive to maintain. He now drives a Honda, if that tells you anything.
 
trcubed said:
My BIL had a 535, then a 745. Both were a blast to drive, but terribly expensive to maintain. He now drives a Honda, if that tells you anything.
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I remember several years back that CR (Consumer Reports) rated the 750 as the most expensive car to drive, on a per mile basis. Didn't include real exotic cars of course, but of the normal production cars it "won" that honor.
 
Sold my 2012 535xi couple of months ago for 22k. Like most said maintenance at Hendricks was more than I wanted to spend. However, the "ultimate driving machine" it is.


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We are regretting our bmw purchase. It's showing some signs of its age and if I have it my way it will be gone very soon. She handles great the inline six is impressive but there's way more negative than positive. Find a SHO Taurus and be happy.
 
I love BMW's but would only buy one with the warranty and service included. Neighbor has an X5m with the 4.4 twin turbo. It's a beast but one day he had it in for some warranty work and they ended up replacing the engine. Service ticket was $26k! Fortunately covered under warranty. Mom has an X3 and it has been fantastic. Really nice to drive but it is still under warranty barely. I drive toyotas because I only want to change oil and add gas. Now if I come across a nice E46 M3, I might have to change my mind.
 
Thanks for this thread. I have always wanted a 5 series.

I'm thinking Lexus now.
 
The half dozen BMWs I have owned and still own ('04 ZHP and '09 328i) have made me one hell of mechanic since I really can't afford for the dealerships to even look in my general direction.

Cars break. They all do. Some more than others. If you're handy with a wrench and it sounds like you are, get and enjoy the car after figuring our where you will source your parts when needed.

Now that my wife is making her own money, she picked up a 2012 IS250 F Sport. Nice little car, but seems to lack the soul an E46 has.
 
After owning German cars I will never own another.

Unless I somehow become filthy rich. In that case I might let some of you fellas come see my 911 and KTM collection.
 
Sandy has been talking about a new car as well. My logic is this she works and makes good money, she's very frugal other than shoes and purses, she pays her own way. I advised her to get one of her friends to go out with her for test drives. Have a good time with lunch and drinks, etc.. Take her time and do a lot of test drives. Ask me any questions the might. When she finds what she wants, I'll go make the deal for her.. That's the deal..
 
Don said:
Which is how the Japanese got a toe hold in the automotive market in the late '60s/early '70s. THEY weren't making the customer Beta test their products (that was what the home market was for :rolleyes:).
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I don't recall it being a quality thing, more a marketing thing. Remember the buying experience from American dealers? You could buy off the lot, but most folks added things, and they would kill you with the price of upgrades and delivery time. When Honda came in I don't think they even offered a single option, they made one car in one color and they included most of the upgrades (like FM). The white Honda Accord with the blue interior.
 
Don said:
Why? I need specifics. It's coming down to between the SS and a Nissan Murano which I got as a rental the last trip out to CO.
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please for the love of god stay away from the Morano's. They are money pits, by far Nissans most unreliable car. I have a customer that has 2 in the family and 1 of them is in the shop every few weeks. I have been working on cars for 29 years and drive a chevrolet truck. I want a new SS or a Vette myself. I am not trying to steer you away from nissan just that one model. If you are not comfortable with either now Toyota or Lexus would be very high on my list of wonderful cars. Like Lawless said earlier we know what the flaws in gm's are and that is the reason I drive one. Their flaws are usually easier and less expensive to fix than others. Good luck with whatever you decide on.
 
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Short Fuse said:
please for the love of god stay away from the Morano's. They are money pits, by far Nissans most unreliable car. I have a customer that has 2 in the family and 1 of them is in the shop every few weeks. I have been working on cars for 29 years and drive a chevrolet truck. I want a new SS or a Vette myself. I am not trying to steer you away from nissan just that one model. If you are not comfortable with either now Toyota or Lexus would be very high on my list of wonderful cars. Like Lawless said earlier we know what the flaws in gm's are and that is the reason I drive one. Their flaws are usually easier and less expensive to fix than others. Good luck with whatever you decide on.
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I've had very good luck(?) with the Altima that I'm driving now so I was looking at Nissan for a replacement. I considered a Maxima but I don't think there's enough difference for the difference in price between the Altima and the Max. What I'm looking for is a vehicle that my wife and I can use to tour in when I retire. Since we usually end up taking her oxygen concentrator along, not to mention clothes, I need something with decent cargo capacity. At the same time, I really didn't like the fuel mileage figures for the SS. Thought about a G-37 Infinity but I'm trying to stay around $40K or less. I'm wondering about one of the new Ridgelines. I've got other pickups if I need to haul anything major but the ability to bring a refrigerator or a washing machine home, or pick up a few 2x4s would be nice. All the reviews I've read say the Ridgeline rides more like a car and that's what I'm looking for: something that's easier on me than the '98 2500 Cummins or the '02 3500 Cummins.
 
Don said:
I've had very good luck(?) with the Altima that I'm driving now so I was looking at Nissan for a replacement. I considered a Maxima but I don't think there's enough difference for the difference in price between the Altima and the Max. What I'm looking for is a vehicle that my wife and I can use to tour in when I retire. Since we usually end up taking her oxygen concentrator along, not to mention clothes, I need something with decent cargo capacity. At the same time, I really didn't like the fuel mileage figures for the SS. Thought about a G-37 Infinity but I'm trying to stay around $40K or less. I'm wondering about one of the new Ridgelines. I've got other pickups if I need to haul anything major but the ability to bring a refrigerator or a washing machine home, or pick up a few 2x4s would be nice. All the reviews I've read say the Ridgeline rides more like a car and that's what I'm looking for: something that's easier on me than the '98 2500 Cummins or the '02 3500 Cummins.
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Ridgelines are great in my opinion. My waife has already stated that that will be her next truck. They have a ton of storage under the bed of the truck in hidden compartments.
 
Unknownpro said:
If you wife is not an a-hole it won't work out anyhow. Only a-hole people can drive BMW's.

I got into one once and it wouldn't even start up. I guess being a dick head isn't close enough to an a-hole.
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Old joke: what's the difference between a porcupine and a BMW? Answer: the porcupine has the prick on the outside.

I saw a bumper sticker once that said, "when I was younger I always wanted a nice BMW. These days I don't care so much about the W".
 
We had a 2002 330 and loved it. We had a 6 year 100k warranty which covered All oil changes and All other issues. I don't know if this still available? We got rid of it at about 106k . Only had 2 issues, but never paid a dime.

Do your research! Get the extended warranty/service, because you will be sorry if you don't. Make sure you understand what it covers.

All major manufacturers have issues . Don't buy something you're not prepared to be able to repair.
 
Lawless said:
Well the Lexus models (higher end) seem to be more up front, but I think we would all agree that Toyota would probably overall be less expensive to keep up than a German car.


I did find this gem. Angie likes the smaller sportier Lexus like the IS250 rather than the GS models.

https://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/cto/6021997736.html

Would probably last her forever.
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I really like these is250s have much more sporty look than older models. likely to be less maintenance wise as well.
 
Short Fuse said:
Ridgelines are great in my opinion. My waife has already stated that that will be her next truck. They have a ton of storage under the bed of the truck in hidden compartments.
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I saw something today that may be the deal breaker: the Ridgeline has a digital speedometer. I had one of those in the '09 Civic Coupe that I traded for the Altima and could not keep the car at a steady speed without the cruise control. There was no indication that the car was speeding up or slowing down until the speedometer jumped a full mph. I can't stand them.
 
Don said:
I saw something today that may be the deal breaker: the Ridgeline has a digital speedometer. I had one of those in the '09 Civic Coupe that I traded for the Altima and could not keep the car at a steady speed without the cruise control. There was no indication that the car was speeding up or slowing down until the speedometer jumped a full mph. I can't stand them.
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o_O You average speedometer is off about + - 3 mph from the factory the dial type are the least accurate. My wifes 95 nissan quest said it was going 6 mph slower than it was. We learned this after she received a ticket and we had it checked at a speedo shop. The van was completly stock with no modifications running the factory specified tire size . I am not sure I should have told you that in hind sight.
 
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Don said:
I saw something today that may be the deal breaker: the Ridgeline has a digital speedometer. I had one of those in the '09 Civic Coupe that I traded for the Altima and could not keep the car at a steady speed without the cruise control. There was no indication that the car was speeding up or slowing down until the speedometer jumped a full mph. I can't stand them.
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Just looked up the definition of OCD, it said "see Don"
 
JimB said:
I really wanted a 7 series but then went with the Lexus LS460, and other than warranty work it has been expensive to maintain, drinks premium, and has been a pleasure to own. I'm starting to think about a replacement as it's a 2007, but it shows no signs of slowing down, much less stopping.
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I am with you. I used to be a BMW (and Mercedes) guy back in the day. Bought my first Lexus LS400 back around 2000 and have not looked back. I have now owned 5 different models including the 430 and AWD RX over that time and loved them all. My wife currently is driving a 330 and she was a former Volvo person and now will only own a Lexus. Other than general maintenance and a few replace items like sensors, etc they have been pretty much trouble free. I have an FJ Cruiser because I am sold on Toyota products in general.

No way I would go with BMW ever again. There's a difference in being able to afford to buy one and being able to afford to maintain one. :)
 
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Don said:
I saw something today that may be the deal breaker: the Ridgeline has a digital speedometer. I had one of those in the '09 Civic Coupe that I traded for the Altima and could not keep the car at a steady speed without the cruise control. There was no indication that the car was speeding up or slowing down until the speedometer jumped a full mph. I can't stand them.
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That was a huge turn-off for me when I looked at the Civic about 10 years ago... was kinda funny b/c the salesman was all excited about it (I think it was a new thing). I don't mind having a digital readout somewhere (similar to some of the HUD windshield displays), but I want to look down and see analog.

Shame - just looking at the specs, there's a lot to like about the Ridgeline. But that would be a major minus, if not a deal-breaker...
 
RJT said:
I am with you. I used to be a BMW (and Mercedes) guy back in the day. Bought my first Lexus LS400 back around 2000 and have not looked back. I have now owned 5 different models including the 430 and AWD RX over that time and loved them all. My wife currently is driving a 330 and she was a former Volvo person and now will only own a Lexus. Other than general maintenance and a few replace items like sensors, etc they have been pretty much trouble free. I have an FJ Cruiser because I am sold on Toyota products in general.

No way I would go with BMW ever again. There's a difference in being able to afford to buy one and being able to afford to maintain one. :)
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Have you seen LS500? Not sure if it's in showrooms yet.
 
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