Thinking about getting an E90, questions

[Zychary]

Hello everybody,

I have been thinking of replacing my 04 TL with something a bit faster, rwd, and with a manual transmission. I want to know what the general opinion is on used BMWs. The concensus at the acura forums is that bmws are more expensive to maintain and not that reliable and I should avoid getting a used one. Tell me honestly, would you recommend a used BMW to someone who wants a reliable trouble-free car, and does not want to pour lots of money into it?

I will probably be making this purchase in about 1 year, and will probably be looking at 3-4 year old BMWs. I would really love the 335 but I think a 330 is more within my price range, as I am looking to pay in cash (my TL is paid off and I don't like car payments) so I will be limited to somewhere in the low $20,000's. I really love the looks of the E92 coupe but I need 4 doors so it will have to be the E90.

I make frequent highway trips, what kind of mpg can I expect on the highway?

By the way, does the rear seat on this car fold down?

And how good is it in snow?

[mryakan]

If you get a car in good shape, you will be ok. The problem with any used car though, is you never know what problems you are inheriting from others. That being said, BMWs aren`t really that much more expensive to maintain, at least the non-M 3 series. But it is definitely not 0$ for maintenance after the 1st 4 years.

[mattjw916]

With lots of city driving, both mine get around 21mpg average.

On the highway the 325 is a little better at around 29 or so, the 335 has never averaged better than 27.

The X-drive cars are fine in the snow but not all of them have fold-down rear seats. You'll have to look at them individually.

[Takashi]

Originally Posted by Zychary

Hello everybody,
The concensus at the acura forums is that bmws are more expensive to maintain and not that reliable and I should avoid getting a used one. Tell me honestly, would you recommend a used BMW to someone who wants a reliable trouble-free car, and does not want to pour lots of money into it?

I make frequent highway trips, what kind of mpg can I expect on the highway?

By the way, does the rear seat on this car fold down?

And how good is it in snow?

Every car will require maintaince one way or the other, especialy it is out of warranty. Acura and BMW are no exceptions. I echo Mryakan's comments with regards to issues concening a used car and the similar cost in maintenance. Here's an example:
(price in CAD)
* Acura RSX requires oil change every 8,000 km. (regular motor oil) = $ 60 bucks.
* BMW 328i requires oil change every year or 24,000 km. (full synthetic) = $210 bucks.
* 3 RSX oil change = $180 bucks and 3 trips to the dealership Vs $210 bucks and 1 trip to the dealership. (1 trip save time)
My first oil chaange for my BMW took place at 29,000 km (recomended by car's computer) and I drive ~ 70% highways.

328i fuel economy: In highways I can get an average of 7.0 - 7.6 L /100km (personal best is 6.2 L/100km.). In city I can get an average of 8.0 - 9.0 L/100km.

328 xi fuel economy (Sports Wagon): In highways I can get an average of 7.6 to 8.0 L/100 km (personal best is 6.9L/100km). In city I get about 9.0 to 10.0 L / 100km.

Car will operate in snow and foul weather conditions with dedicated snow tires. Snow tires will keep your car on the road and DSC will keep your car in the intended path and prevents fishtail and wheel spin.

[Zychary]

Thanks for the info guys.

$210 for an oil change is scary! My acura dealer charges $50. Is there something special about changing the oil on this car that makes it so expensive? I alternate between doing it myself and taking it in to the dealership to do it. Is it harder to change the oil on a BMW for a do-it-yourselfer?

This is how much it has cost me to maintain my TL, let me know how this would compare to a 2006-07 330 or 335:

-oil change every 10,000kms $50
-transmission fluid flush every 50,000 kms $120
-brake fluid flush @ 4 years, then once a year regardless of mileage $90
-engine air filter every 20,000 kms $30
-cabin air filter every 20,000 kms $40
-I will need a complete brake job (pads plus resurfacing the rotors) for the first time pretty soon (my car has about 90,000kms), I was quoted $430
-I will need new tires for the first time pretty soon, price will vary greatly depending on which tires I choose
-will probably need a new battery soon, $100

I assume each one of these things would also need to be done on a BMW, but are there any extra things that BMWs need? Also, is there any particular thing about BMWs that is known to fail? I tend to buy 3 year old cars and keep them about 2-3 years, so I will probably be buying an 06 or 07 BMW and keeping it until it's about 6 years old.

[mattjw916]

All services are included for the first 4 years/50k miles so your cost will be zero for a while.

It's safe to assume a BMW will always be more expensive as far as parts/labor goes than an Acura.

Oil changes aren't hard to do in BMWs really, but I don't bother to work on my own cars anymore. Modern BMWs are not a DIY'rs car. Far too many special sensors in them for me to want to go banging around with a spanner.

There aren't really any parts that are "guaranteed" to fail. As far as regular maintenance, just wait for car to tell you when it needs a service lol.

[sbutler20]

Originally Posted by Zychary

Thanks for the info guys.

$210 for an oil change is scary! My acura dealer charges $50. Is there something special about changing the oil on this car that makes it so expensive? I alternate between doing it myself and taking it in to the dealership to do it. Is it harder to change the oil on a BMW for a do-it-yourselfer?

This is how much it has cost me to maintain my TL, let me know how this would compare to a 2006-07 330 or 335:

-oil change every 10,000kms $50
-transmission fluid flush every 50,000 kms $120
-brake fluid flush @ 4 years, then once a year regardless of mileage $90
-engine air filter every 20,000 kms $30
-cabin air filter every 20,000 kms $40
-I will need a complete brake job (pads plus resurfacing the rotors) for the first time pretty soon (my car has about 90,000kms), I was quoted $430
-I will need new tires for the first time pretty soon, price will vary greatly depending on which tires I choose
-will probably need a new battery soon, $100

I assume each one of these things would also need to be done on a BMW, but are there any extra things that BMWs need? Also, is there any particular thing about BMWs that is known to fail? I tend to buy 3 year old cars and keep them about 2-3 years, so I will probably be buying an 06 or 07 BMW and keeping it until it's about 6 years old.

The above price is in Canadian $'s not us. US is approx $68-78. It's the same for any of the synthetic vehicles for the most part. Our mini was in the same price range, now we're back in a BMW (previous was a 325ci) and no we're in an 06 330I and it's not all that much different re: maint/oil.

[S197GT]

drive one.

as long as nothing major goes wrong, you get a good car, the slightly more expensive maintenance will be worth it.

my wife absolutely loves her 330i. we bought it used and still under warranty/free maintenance.

once it is out of warranty i'll probably do the simple stuff like wiper changes and air filter replacements. but oil changes we'll probably take to the dealer unless they try and scam us or are terribly expensive. then we'll head to the indie shops...

[Turbofans]

My brother just got a 2006 E90 325i with 32,000 miles. The car was in like new condition with a year left on the warranty. He absolutely loves the way the car feels and drives. Rock Solid. He paid $21,000. If you get one that is in good condition, you really can't go wrong.

[BMWtrack]

Originally Posted by Zychary

Hello everybody,

I have been thinking of replacing my 04 TL with something a bit faster, rwd, and with a manual transmission. I want to know what the general opinion is on used BMWs. The concensus at the acura forums is that bmws are more expensive to maintain and not that reliable and I should avoid getting a used one. Tell me honestly, would you recommend a used BMW to someone who wants a reliable trouble-free car, and does not want to pour lots of money into it?

I will probably be making this purchase in about 1 year, and will probably be looking at 3-4 year old BMWs. I would really love the 335 but I think a 330 is more within my price range, as I am looking to pay in cash (my TL is paid off and I don't like car payments) so I will be limited to somewhere in the low $20,000's. I really love the looks of the E92 coupe but I need 4 doors so it will have to be the E90.

I make frequent highway trips, what kind of mpg can I expect on the highway?

By the way, does the rear seat on this car fold down?

And how good is it in snow?

You will really enjoy the BMW above the Acura 2004 TL. I had an Acura 2004 TL and I will tell you, in the wet and snow the OEM tires on that car was terrible, it did not grip and had bad torq steer, too front end heavy, and bad balance. Room wise it was great for a touring car on long trips with DRY Ground. YOu will feel the BMW superior weight distribution balance much superior to the TL and the BMW is more solid and handles much better. I loved the look of the 2004 TL and ordered it when there were just spy pictures out and the 6-speed manual was 4 months late, it took forever to get and cost me MSRP. The BMW ended up cheaper, especially when I take into consideration the upgrade of the tires to something that gripped and all the standard maintenance costs, the BMW was no charge. If you are in Canada you definetly should consider the X-Drive. If you buy new the maintenace is includd for 4 years 50k miles I think, if you buy used then the oil changes are at 12k miles so the upkeep is not anymore expensive then any other car. Test drive the BMW and you will see its built much better then the Acura TL 2004. Also, I saw the new TL on the road and I think they ruined the design, I cant belive what thay did to that car, they ruined it. Now the RL looks better then the TL, when it used to be the other way around.

[mryakan]

Originally Posted by BMWtrack

Also, I saw the new TL on the road and I think they ruined the design, I cant belive what thay did to that car, they ruined it. Now the RL looks better then the TL, when it used to be the other way around.

+1, it does look aweful and too much like a Honda. Even the TSX is better looking now.

[CHCcubs]

Originally Posted by mryakan

+1, it does look aweful and too much like a Honda. Even the TSX is better looking now.

Totally agree. I had been a loyal Acura/Honda owner for the last 10 years, but have now moved on to BMW due to Acura's shall we say questionable styling as of late. I test drove the new TL SH-AWD when I was shopping earlier this year and it was a good car in terms of handling, power, features, interior, etc. but I just couldn't get past the styling.