Important: The following is a text only archive!
For full features; Go to Car shopping.. desperately need input.
Im going to be buying what I deem my "first real car" in 2-3 months. To
this point i've drove a 83 firebird, and a 96 mazda 626.
I want to skip the common cars for my age and what i've mainly been looking
at is a BMW 525i. I test drove one the other day and everything seemed
great.. a breath of fresh air compared to what im currently driving. Im
looking at the 2004 model, as that was right after the styling update and
the next major revision should be in 2011 (from waht ive read.) I've also
been looking at the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E240. All the standard information
about them I have been able to unearth, but does anyone have experience
with them as far as operating costs? What i would like to know is how much
of a premium there is on a bmw over say a toyota in terms of repairs and
general maintence. Im going to try and learn everything that is DIY
possible but I dont want a major repair to turn my socially fueled purchase
into a financial hardship..
Can exhaust/brakes and the other general repairs be done at a regular shop
or must they be done at a bmw dealer?
Id appreciate and advice that anyone has for me.
aughsum
A regular shop should have no problem working on the car, but if you're
getting a newer car it'll probably have a warranty, and many warranties get
voided if you have the work done at a unauthorized shop. On the other
hand, if you still had a warranty I don't know why you'd bring it anywhere
other than an authorized shop, aside from repairs like rotors and other
wear/tear items not under warranty. Any shop can do those jobs, and
probably a lot cheaper, but like I said, if they find out they may be able
to void your warranty.
giant016
thanks for your input..
im only concerned because the nearest bmw dealer is ~3 hours away. same for
mercedes. i probably wouldnt have a warranty.. it probably would have
slightly higher miles, possibly just beyond the certification mark (60,000
miles) or so and i would probably purchase one online (extremely
carefully), fly to it and drive it home. If im extremely lucky i could have
the original owner have it certified/checked out prior to investing my
time/money in going to get it.
aughsum
As my profile says I have been with BMW for 37 years. THe E39 (1997 -2003)
is a great car 2000 528 trouble free. Any E39 is OK any questions call me
203-856-2935 stan
OLD MAN STI
id considered an e39. i will probably go with the newer body style and try
to make it look like as much of an m5 as possible.. without actually paying
for the m5. i dont want to bother you on the phone but ive got a few
questions either on here or via email that i need to ask a bmw owner
aughsum
If I had to chose I'd probably go for the Merc, as BMW just don't seem as
prestigeous anymore. As has been said before, any garage should be able to
carry our routine maintenence on the car. Servicing should be much the
same, but ensure that they have the tool to redet the service light (mainly
on BMWs though)
Cliffy
i second that, the merc would be my choice:thumbs: (in silver:wink2: )
True_Brit
A few years ago my views would have been different, but now I just think
the Mercs are better cars. Even their manual boxes, lol. Havinbg said that
though, I think that unless it was a high performance Merc, I'd go for an
auto.
Cliffy
I'd be wary buying a BMW or Mercedes unless you are ready to pay a lot in
maint/repairs. Granted, you may not have all that many problems, but the
majority of the work is going to cost a heck of a lot more on a BMW or MB
than it would on say a Toyota.
If I were in your shoes, and was sure I could afford the maint costs, I
would get the BMW. I personally hate the styling of the current 5-series. I
would get a E39 instead of a E60, but you would have to remember that it's
older and could have more problems sooner than a E60 would. :2cents:
StiMan
I think my E38 is as prestigious as a Merc of the same era, and looks
better. But yeah, the new BMWs are a bit too commmon, especially the 3
series and lower trim 5 series. Of course, I think the same of the C an E
class Mercedes.
For the money, I'd rather have an earlier car and spend less initially AND
on maintenance/repairs. But if you're going to do it, BMWs, even newer
ones, can be easy to maintain.
ChrisV
Good to see some old barnacles joining the forum. Welcome.
Wally
Great, you turned him off now.
StiMan
