Hey. I'm a newbie here. I'm a car junkie for life. I've always loved good handling cars. I've never owned a BMW but as a die hard Car and Driver reader for well over 20 years, I know I'd love it. Well, I'm finally strongly considering it.

I'd likely get a 328i Sedan. 6MT, White with black textured interior, Sport Pkg, Cold Weather Pkg, smart key thing. NO OTHER OPTIONS! I'll have a separate set of winter tires/rims.

I buy my cars and drive them 16-18k/year for 75-100+k miles.

My biggest concern is long term reliability and repair cost for these cars. I'm talking about gremlins, electrical issues, and other mystery repairs that this pretty accomplished shadetree mechanic can't handle in his well equiped garage.

Are these cars really as bad as people say in that regard? Should I buy the best extended warranty they sell and dump the car before it's over? Is it hit or miss in terms of getting a good one or bad one? Will I drastically limit my exposure by not having many of these hi tech options and the non-turbo motor?

Any info you care to share, I'd be muchly appreciative ;-)

I had my e36 for 10 years and I can say up to the 10th year, the repair and maintenance costs were very reasonable and nothing out of the ordinary went wrong. Not as cheap to maintain as a Toyota, but 10 times as much fun and never got bored driving it. You can always get a bad car with any manufacturer, but on average, you should be fine.

Thanks. I was cruising the threads and saw your posts a lot. Looks like we have similar taste in cars/options.

I'm trying to search for extended warranty prices. Any ideas? Search keeps coming up empty for me.

You really should test drive one of these cars. You wouldn't believe it... I've been driving my 335i for almost 6k miles now and still can't believe it. The reliability ratings have really gotten way above average in the past several years, especially these new E9x's. I work with a guy who bought his E36 318i (manual, sport package) in Germany from the factory in 1998. He's been driving it every day and absolutely loves it even to this day. He's changed the oil when required and all the basic maintenance stuff and has never had a problem. He still loves driving it and wouldn't trade it for anything... except he really likes the new E90's/E92's.

Drive a bunch of cars that you think you like and then drive the 3-series... It doesn't matter if it's the 328 or 335. You'll see why we love them. Of course, if you like world class power along with your legendary BMW handling, the 335 is really something. The 328 is still a great car, and you shouldn't let the horsepower rating fool you or think any less of it when compared to other cars with more power ratings. BMW always under-rates their horsepower ratings anyway... you've got to drive it to understand it more.

Good luck with your decsion... There are a lot of great cars on the market to choose from. We all know why we chose the BMW 3-series though. Even the Canadian with the 323 loves his car more than anything else... there's got to be a reason for that, other than just HP numbers, don't you think? I think he's actually an American that became a Canadian... but I won't bash him for that... I'm planning on moving my family there if Hillary gets elected (and I retire soon after 20 years in the Marines)... see you at the pub Mryakan!!!
:buttrock

Well said... My e92 328i is in the Atlantic on its way. Went with it over a 335i as I do 20k a year. I am buying this time and want the reliability more likely long term as I plan to use it for work for many years to come. My previous e46 330 Ci had a warrantied loss of passenger mirror remote control. Only issue I had there in 36k. I miss it. I regret going to a Lexus IS 350, but a correction is out at sea and on the way.... I miss enjoying driving : )

im leasing my 328i and i should be getting a new 335 or m3 in about 3 years. I wish i earned enough money to actually BUY the car so i can mod it. -_- sigh...

I've driven several Bimmers over the years for short periods of time each. Funny thing is that they don't jump out and scream GREAT CAR. I think they earn that ranking over time, day in and day out of driving.

The best handling car and most enjoyable (and the one I owned the longest) was an `81 Celica where I completely changed the suspension. I really got that car right, because it handled so well without compromising ride quality. This was a RWD 5spd 4 banger with barely over 110hp. AND I LOVED driving it day in and day out. So well balanced. Yes, I would have liked more HP, but looking in the rear view mirror around an extremely tight hairpin and watching my friend's 300ZX slide off the road trying to keep up with me sure made up for it! (he bruised his fog lights and his ego only ;-)

Oh, and I had an IS250AWD this summer for 2 days. Loaner for my wife's RX330. I LOVED it for the first day. But by day two, I hated the twitcy-ness of its steeing and throttle response.

I intend to find a dealership or two that will let me have a loaner for a day or so before I plunk down the cash.

Anyone buy an extended warranty? Prices?

I'm planning on moving my family there if Hillary gets elected (and I retire soon after 20 years in the Marines)... see you at the pub Mryakan!!!
:buttrock
I'll have the drinks on ice waiting for you, the whole scenario doesn't seem far fetched. You'll love our politicians, I friend of mine last time ran into the Prime Minister Harper a the local movie theater! The PM was with a buddy and a couple of security personnel and even bought a big gulp drink from the concession stand like everyone else according to my friend's account. Gotta love this country.

Thanks. I was cruising the threads and saw your posts a lot. Looks like we have similar taste in cars/options.

I'm trying to search for extended warranty prices. Any ideas? Search keeps coming up empty for me.
Don't bother with extended warranty now, you have 4 years/50k miles to decide, so wait till you see how the car behaves and whether you plan to keep it long, you can always buy that later. Put the money in a GIC or something and let it appreciate for the next 3 years then decide.
Good Luck

Don't bother with extended warranty now, you have 4 years/50k miles to decide, so wait till you see how the car behaves and whether you plan to keep it long, you can always buy that later. Put the money in a GIC or something and let it appreciate for the next 3 years then decide.
Good Luck

But prices are generally better if you buy the extended warranty when new, no?

But prices are generally better if you buy the extended warranty when new, no?
Maybe, but think about it. At a modest 3% compounded interest rate, the money in a savings account should still cover the price of extended warranty in 3 or 4 years and you may even be able to pocket some. That is if you don't change your mind in that time and decide not to keep the car or swap it for a newer model.

Good point.

Let me ask, have you or anyone else reading who may be 2-3 years into ownership, ever seen a price for buying the extended warranty at that time?

Just read Consumer's and JD Power. The Consumers Report was VERY VERY favorable for the model I want! :~D The 328 in RWD has pefect marks. There are so many red circles it looks like a Honda report ;-) I have the printout on .pdf if anyone wants me to email it to them for posting. I assume I can't post pics for a while since I'm a newbie. The report includes all models separately, which nice. What's funny is that there's a reported quality difference between the 328i and 328xi in the following: fuel system, minor engine issues, and power eqpt. What would make the AWD model have more fuel, engine and power eqpt issues? I guess it could be coincidental. Or maybe they're built on different assembly lines or something?

Anyway, I'd be going for RWD and NO iDrive or NAV or anything like that. Just Sport Pkg, Cold Pkg, and maybe the $500 keyless thingy so I don't have to put a key in the ignition. (is that worth it? anything else with that)

This thread is very interesting to me as I am a new BMW owner. Over the years I always admired BMWs but had heard that the reliability ratings weren't as good as other car companies. But recently that has changed..reliability ratings have gone up and BMW has one of the best maintenance warranties around so with that knowledge I decided to take the plunge! So far I am a pretty happy camper! The car is much more exciting to drive than my Camry and makes a routine part of my week a lot more interesting! Not to mention the weekends when I can take it out on some nice stretches of road and open it up! The handling is superb and the aesthetics of the car are unparelled....

I have been really pleased with my decision and believe me it was not an easy one...
This is pretty much the car I always dreamed of owning and now that I do it's pretty surreal when I see people doing a double take as I drive down the road...knowing that was me just a few short months ago!

Not only do bimmers ooze status but pure class and a "world class" driving experience as well!

BMW rocks!

hi