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[Need Advice] Buying a Used BMW

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Medicine N Music, May 19, 2008.

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  1. Medicine N Music

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    Hey guys, I need some help with buying a car. I'm looking for a used 2000-02 3-series right now, but I don't know much about imports in general. What are the usual maintenance services done? If I need to change brakes, A/C, do an oil change, replace belts, etc, do I need to find a certified repair/maintenance place, or can I just go to a regular place such as Midas and NTB? Also, what should I be aware of when I'm buying a used BMW.
     
  2. pradaxpimp

    pradaxpimp Member

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    I looked at some BMW m3's which is just a sportier version of the 3 series and there were a lot of problems during that time period.

    It is better to have a BMW under warranty and maintenance is pretty expensive on that car.
     
  3. ArtV

    ArtV Member

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    I flew down to FL to pick up a conv 3 series for my son from a BMW dealer down there. Upon the test drive, the ABS light wouldn't go out. Took it back to their service and they came back and told me the brake booster had gone out and it was $2700 to repair. That's a couple hundred part and replace on most cars - even imports are usually well under a grand to replace. Ended up driving home a 2000 Acura Integra for him instead - what an April first that was. But maintanence costs for BMWs are outragous.

    I will say that that was the nicest service area I've ever sat in. They had a chef there making you soup/sandwiches/cookies - all fresh - a couple of ps3s for the kids - many computers for surfing - and the biggest coffee bar I've ever seen.

    They are nice cars but buy them new and trade them when the warranty is up (or lease).
     
  4. BiGGieStuFF

    BiGGieStuFF Member

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    Never take your out of warranty bmw to the stealership for repairs. They will gouge your eyes out and then sodomize you with no lube and then when they're done they will kick you in the nuts and put a Jazz Jersey on you.

    Auto Tech Pro is owned by a buddy of mine. He used to work for Momentum and Greenway Mercedes. He'll save you a lot of money compared to the dealership.

    Ask for Nathan 832.251.3506. Tell him Mike Tran sent you.

    As for the maintenance issues. Oil changes are a breeze if you have an oil extracter. The oil filter is a breeze to get to because it's on the top. You should do the normal oil change every once in a while just so you can get a new washer on the oil pan and get the sediments out more thoroughly though. It's a lot of maintenance to own one of these. The engines are rock solid but it just seems the little things seem to drive me nuts.
     
  5. rhadamanthus

    rhadamanthus Member

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    I was like, "well, that's not too bad".


    But then I saw that bolded part. :eek:
     
  6. Medicine N Music

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    My friend said that the dealership puts in some type of oil to last 15,000 miles, but is that even possible? It also costs a lot more...I'll probably just go to the regular shops and get it done every 3,000 miles.
     
  7. chow_yun_fat

    chow_yun_fat Member

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    it's not special oil, it's good old mobile one synthetic.
     
  8. Yonkers

    Yonkers Member

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    I don't believe the oil is any different. Back when my car was still under warranty and got free oil changes they wanted me to bring the car in every 5k miles. Now that it's out of warranty they want it in every 3k miles. How convenient is that?
    I've been lucky with my 1998 BMW 323is and didn't have any major issues until 8 years into owning it. Then I had a oil gasket leak or something and it cost like $1500 to fix! The car is very balanced in weight - 50/50 front/back distribution. But because of this it's supposedly a pain to get to certain items. It was a few hundred for the part and the rest was labor.
    I just bought an M5 and will get an extended warranty for it. I think that's really the way to go.
     

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