All hope is lost - United Bimmer Community

**Izdatpaliboi** · 08-29-2005, 07:17 PM

Well guys I've hit a major problem. My parents are absoultely hating the roundel and ive almost reached the point where there is no way in hell will I be getting one. The problem is my parents talked with a few mechanics who work on bimmers and they told them such things such as every time something breaks it costs an arm and a leg. Now id like to know if that was necessarily true. I tried to explain to them I was aware of that but it was only if taken to the stealership. Can you guys help me out so there is a shot I can be behind the wheel of one soon. Thanx

DEATH2000 · 08-29-2005, 07:25 PM

Well depends on what breaks, how badly and were u take it to be fixed. Yes parts for BMW's are usually higher than other companies. Just explain to your parents that IF something breaks and on BMW's things dont if its taken good care off that you'll be responsible for all maitnence costs. Some things u can usually fix urself so that helps cut down costs alot as well.

**xsperf** · 08-29-2005, 07:25 PM

well thats the thing, if something breaks, its gunna be expensvie because parts are high quality, so if you get the right car, maintained and driven correctly, you dont have to worry about that because you shouldnt have any problems

nick_318is · 08-29-2005, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

well thats the thing, if something breaks, its gunna be expensvie because parts are high quality, so if you get the right car, maintained and driven correctly, you dont have to worry about that because you shouldnt have any problems

If there are problems and you fix them it should not happen again for a long time due to the quality of the parts. And definitly look for a car that has been well maintained

**xsperf** · 08-29-2005, 07:32 PM

you looking for an e36 specifically? because i heard m20's can last for a WHILE

**Dudesky** · 08-29-2005, 07:33 PM

Everything is all relative. There are cars that are cheaper to fix, but they're a piece of shit, and may break down more often. Mechanics' opinions are often subjective, and they usually give their personal opinion instead of objective observation.

If your folks are I guess paying for it, get them to do a lease on a new or certified preowned bimmer. That way the repairs are covered by the lease, and you'll end up with a nicer newer model.

**cruzin 323is** · 08-29-2005, 08:06 PM

i agree with everyone on this topic!

**catalyst** · 08-29-2005, 08:18 PM

You can do your own work.. these cars honestly are pretty damn easy to work on.

Suspension, random sensors, and the cooling system are the things that are going to need attention on an e36 eventually.. neither of which are too hard to do yourself.

My parents despised beamers at first, and they wanted me to buy a volvo.. 7 months after buying my e36 my dad HAS to have one and he picks up his own.. both of which have been more reliable than my moms volvo up until this point.

Also, GET A 5 SPEED!! The auto's are the sux0r.

**voca** · 08-29-2005, 08:39 PM

also, keep in mind that if the average white-collar joe had something go wrong in his auto, he's most likely just gunna drop it off at the dealer and pay what it takes. but if you buy your parts wholesale and not from the dealer you will probably find yourself paying near what your freinds civic parts cost. so it's partly just stereotype, but a german car will cost a bit more just cause it's so much better quality.

and mercedes and bmw arent so much anymore as say audi, cause bmw's are made in the US more often now, audis are still made in Brazil (low tarrifs) and Canada and Germany.

**Izdatpaliboi** · 08-29-2005, 08:52 PM

My parents are really big on the realiability thing. I tried explaining that most things can be fixed yourself but they just arent comfortable with me going under the hood to do these kind of things. Anyways they really arent bent on spending much on a bimmer if I were to get one, id have to get most likely a mid to high mileaged e36. They dont want to put too much money on an older car. What they want me to get is as "jr haile" puts it a souped up toyota

. If thats what I have to get im going to look at either a gs300 or an is300. It must be a sedan and they want me to get a freaking auto, but with the bimmer I could have gotten a manual but now theres no way im going to be getting one. If im not mistaken I think those things are tiptronic. Does anyone know for sure? Its either going to be an 01+ is300 or 98+ gs300. Anyways it really sucks not being able to get behind the wheel of the roundel, I really envy you guys. BMW> Toyota.

Oh yeah the main excuse is yeah beacuse the parts of expensive. I told them you can just take it to a regular mechanic to get it done. But they are coming back with the excuse that it needs to be taken to the stealership because of special machinery // computers they use to program the system. Im guessing they are referring to the OBD? Can't this be done at a local auto zone or something? If it can it may give me a fighting chance at getting one. Thanx

**xsperf** · 08-29-2005, 09:05 PM

yes it can, and you can take it to a normal mechanic, people just take their cars to the dealership b/c people who own BMW's(a lot of them) are rich and have nothing better to do with their money

and WHY WHY WHY do you have to get an auto? tell them it will help you keep your ability to drive stickshift incase the need ever comes

**voca** · 08-29-2005, 09:06 PM

a lexus is a toyota, they just call them lexus to sell them as luxury-class cars. anyway, if you go that route I'd get the gs300, is300's aka toyota altezza's don't do it for me, your call though.

if you get the altezza at least fix the tail lamps, and know that it's not a luxury car, the only thing remotely nice is the seats, stock sound system sucks, the rest of the interior is all cheap toyota plastic stuff, but you will see this for yourself if you test drive one. and toyotas claim of it handling like a bmw is completely out of line.

probably sounds bias, but the truth is I don't have much good to say about that car, other than it rides nice.

if your parents are really big into reliability as you say, let it be known that auto trannies wear out a lot faster than a manual driven half way decently if you want a stick.

**catalyst** · 08-29-2005, 09:12 PM

E36's are pretty simple cars, any competent mechanic should be able to do the work on it at a good regular non-dealer price.

Honestly, i hate it when people who know absolutely nothing about cars immediatly make the assumption that BMW's are hard to maintain or more expensive than other cars. They are a bit more expensive, yes, but unless you go to a dealer the maintenance is going to cost just as much as any other car.

If you end up being able to get a bmw, 5 speed is a must, do not let them talk you into buying an auto.

5 speeds are - more reliable, better on gas, faster, more fun.

Some parents say that they want their kids focusing on the road only and not getting a manual.. but honestly a 5 speed keeps you awake and changing the gears depending on road situations, you are much more aware of things when driving a manual.

**Izdatpaliboi** · 08-29-2005, 09:15 PM

[QUOTE=
Oh yeah the main excuse is yeah beacuse the parts of expensive. I told them you can just take it to a regular mechanic to get it done. But they are coming back with the excuse that it needs to be taken to the stealership because of special machinery // computers they use to program the system. Im guessing they are referring to the OBD? Can't this be done at a local auto zone or something? If it can it may give me a fighting chance at getting one. Thanx[/QUOTE]

I wont have to get a toyota if I can convince them of mechaincal problems being low and uncostly. Could someone answer the questions above and in previous post.

P.S. If I do manage to get a bmw it will be a 5 speed for sure. The only reason if i do get a lexus it would be an auto is beacuse thats what they come in. The gs stays like that the 02 is300's come in manual but not the 01 but those are already really expensive.

**Spieluhr** · 08-29-2005, 09:16 PM

I have a 96 328is and I can honestly say that not one major thing has broken on it. The secondary air pump doesn't work but I only need that to pass emissions and to turn off the "check engine light". I also just got a new brake system installed which only cost me $250 to get installed!!! There are mechanics out there that know what they are doing, that have the right equipment, and will charge you a fraction of the dealers cost.

If you get an e36 and check it out before you buy it (take it to a mechanic for full inspection), it will last you forever. Unless you beat it to all hell.

PS: to be totally honest, I have heard more people complain about the jobs mechanics at the stealership have done than the jobs their regular everyday mechanics have done. regular mechanics probably work harder and charge less to maintain a good name and get more customers, rather than a dealership who already has the name out there.