[babek1]

Hi all,

Just thought I'd let you all know that I made the difficult decision of getting rid of my 2006 330i (N52 engine) this past weekend. I did my absolute best on keeping the car up to date on maintenance and these forums were of great help. In the past month, I've incurred several thousands $$ in repairs on items like a new water-pump/thermostat, head bolt breaking etc. and I had them repaired at an indy BMW specialist shop which was much cheaper than the dealer. I realize things can go wrong on any car, but BMW's in my 9+ years of ownership (I also have an X5 which I'm also getting rid of) seems to cost wayyyyy more and seem to develop issues quicker than other brands (ie. gasket leaks).

All in all, I've had the car for 9.5 years and put on 87k miles and it was an absolute joy to drive the car. However, lately my tastes have changed from wanting a sexy/powerful car to just wanting a safe and economical car and the trigger for me to get rid of my BMW were the above mentioned significant repairs.

Again, thank you for everyone's input on these forums and I can say that my knowledge about motor vehicles in general has been greatly enhanced. I look forward to not worrying about my BMW any more though.

Thanks!

[GOS7]

That's cool man, I was happy to get rid of my 545i, but I was determined to stay away from v8 BMWs not BMWs in general. What car do you plan on getting next?

[Douche]

Originally Posted by Ghos7N54

That's cool man, I was happy to get rid of my 545i, but I was determined to stay away from v8 BMWs not BMWs in general. What car do you plan on getting next?

Toyota

[babek1]

Originally Posted by Ghos7N54

That's cool man, I was happy to get rid of my 545i, but I was determined to stay away from v8 BMWs not BMWs in general. What car do you plan on getting next?

I'm going to try out the new Mazda 3 on lease. Took it for a test drive this weekend and it ran pretty good, as did the civic actually. Of course they don't feel like my 330i...but the mazda 3 will get me to where I need to be safely and with low operating costs.

I plan on fully staying away from BMWs, and other manufacturer's of high-compression engines (mercedes..pretty much whatever is in competition with BMW). Maybe I'll get one again in a few decades...lol

[KeepRidingDirty]

Originally Posted by valter

Toyota

Yuck, although they are reliable they are also plain. So plain it's almost painful.

[Douche]

Originally Posted by KeepRidingDirty

Yuck, although they are reliable they are also plain. So plain it's almost painful.

I know, I've owned one for 1 1/2 year, just traded it in for another bimmer. "Boring" has been the adjective here at home for the Torolla

[dbworld4k]

At least go with a Mazda3 or a Ford Focus. They won't make you want to kill yourself with boredom!

[Needbmwpartzz]

I understand the economics....sometimes just A to B is the name of the game and as long as your getting there safely and tunes to listen to thats much better than the bus...bmws are luxury cars for a reason.....they are for those that want excess and the price parallels that fact.
Heard some horror stories of pocket book rape with the x-5's
I personally would never own one of these they are ridiculous costly on repairs.
Good luck with the Toyota

[NEFARIOUS]

Even though I was a Toyota owner for 5 years, it's a bit too plain, and I'm guilty of using Camry as a synonym for nondescript car... But I will hand it to them when I say that they're reliable; never been stranded with it. Good luck with your future car though.

[MORTON]

Good luck man enjoy!!

[bender rodriguez]

BMW doesn't really cost more to repair than other cars. My friend had a turbo blow out under warranty on his Chevy cruze. If the warranty did not cover it he would have been charged 2900.

[koches]

Ford Focus is what I would get

[babek1]

Originally Posted by bender rodriguez

BMW doesn't really cost more to repair than other cars. My friend had a turbo blow out under warranty on his Chevy cruze. If the warranty did not cover it he would have been charged 2900.

Fair enough, anything can go wrong with any car.

But what I'm trying to say is that from experience with 2 BMW's, 2006 330i and 2008 X5, the issues develop more frequently and repair costs add up.

[shamu2789]

Originally Posted by babek1

Hi all,

Just thought I'd let you all know that I made the difficult decision of getting rid of my 2006 330i (N52 engine) this past weekend. I did my absolute best on keeping the car up to date on maintenance and these forums were of great help. In the past month, I've incurred several thousands $$ in repairs on items like a new water-pump/thermostat, head bolt breaking etc. and I had them repaired at an indy BMW specialist shop which was much cheaper than the dealer. I realize things can go wrong on any car, but BMW's in my 9+ years of ownership (I also have an X5 which I'm also getting rid of) seems to cost wayyyyy more and seem to develop issues quicker than other brands (ie. gasket leaks).

All in all, I've had the car for 9.5 years and put on 87k miles and it was an absolute joy to drive the car. However, lately my tastes have changed from wanting a sexy/powerful car to just wanting a safe and economical car and the trigger for me to get rid of my BMW were the above mentioned significant repairs.

Again, thank you for everyone's input on these forums and I can say that my knowledge about motor vehicles in general has been greatly enhanced. I look forward to not worrying about my BMW any more though.

Thanks!

Honestly can't blame you. Seems like a wise decision. I have owned four Japanese vehicles prior to the BMW and never had to worry about a failed pulley, leaking gaskets, water pump and the list goes on. Not sure what your budget will be, but I will be looking at the Infiniti QX 70 as my next vehicle. cheers.

[Johnny Boost]

Looks like the N52 is prone to its fair share of issues. What are you looking at for your next car OP?

[babek1]

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

Even though I was a Toyota owner for 5 years, it's a bit too plain, and I'm guilty of using Camry as a synonym for nondescript car... But I will hand it to them when I say that they're reliable; never been stranded with it. Good luck with your future car though.

I gotta defend Toyota..even though I'm getting a Mazda 3 to replace my BMW 330i.

So, the vehicles currently in my family are a 2006 330i, 2008 X5, 2012 Mitsubishi RVR, and 2000 Toyota 4Runner Limited. The 330i and X5 will be gone in about a week and both have incurred significant repairs after about 80k miles. The RVR is still relatively new and only has 30k miles so no issues..yet.

The 4Runner, only the other hand, is approaching 200,000 miles and the most I've ever had to spend on repairs was $500 at a time. The vehicle is extremely stylish and I'm glad we opted for the Limited edition when we bought it 15 years ago. The only upcoming/option repair issue is a new suspension as the current stock one is done. This vehicle has been amazing to us, is very reliable, cheap to operate (MPG is not that great tho..but repair is cheap), and is stylish especially given its age.

[MTTH]

When I went in for the Vanos recall my head bolt was broken as well. They goodwill'd it. They probably would've done the same for you.

[luckydawg003]

I feel ya OP. I just bought a 15 Accord V6 EX-L. Trying to sell my 07 328i myself, since the dealer wanted to give me peanuts for it. Even with my car just sitting, stuff keeps breaking. I just fixed the AUX plug and the DS-Drive Sport mode that broke due to a wire getting pinched and severed, BMW's bad engineering. I've had my BMW for 5 years and liked it, but tired of replacing everything on it that seems to break. Honda Reliability and 3 year warranty will help.

[Herakles]

2006 330i was a fine car. And getting 10 years out of it impressive.

I owned a 2013 TL SHAWD for 5 days before returning it as im seriously contemplating a 2011 335 xdrive msport- i have to say, i loved the TL, and hated bringing it back

Feel fast enough, comfy, handles AWESOMELY. I would fly around turns stayed flat as pancake! And the tech is wonderful

we have an 07 MDX and it has 120K miles, been great to us- and Acura service is AWESOME.

[Efthreeoh]

So the other three BMWs I've owned were all purchased new and all have gone easily over 165,000 miles each (my Wife's current Z3), two of which have been past 256K (the E30 while I owned it - it eventually went to 290K), and my '06 E90 now at 274K.

I recently bought a used E86 Z4 3.0si Coupe from CarMax. It's back at CarMax today for a mechanical issue they didn't catch but gracefully are dealing with it. They gave me a 2012 Honda Civic as a loaner. It's a base Silver EX (I guess) with an automatic. It drove so bad (as compared to pre-F-chassis BMWs) I literally had to drive it back home (out of my way) park it and pick up my 274K E90 to drive the 80 miles into work this morning. The Mazda 3 is a good choice if you have to go that route. BMWs break, it's no secret, but the older ones drive far superior to cars of thier time and some even far newer. Good luck with the Mazda.

[mike@x-ph.com]

It definitely cost a lot maintain a BMW

[NEFARIOUS]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

So the other three BMWs I've owned were all purchased new and all have gone easily over 165,000 miles each (my Wife's current Z3), two of which have been past 256K (the E30 while I owned it - it eventually went to 290K), and my '06 E90 now at 274K.

I recently bought a used E86 Z4 3.0si Coupe from CarMax. It's back at CarMax today for a mechanical issue they didn't catch but gracefully are dealing with it. They gave me a 2012 Honda Civic as a loaner. It's a base Silver EX (I guess) with an automatic. It drove so bad (as compared to pre-F-chassis BMWs) I literally had to drive it back home (out of my way) park it and pick up my 274K E90 to drive the 80 miles into work this morning. The Mazda 3 is a good choice if you have to go that route. BMWs break, it's no secret, but the older ones drive far superior to cars of thier time and some even far newer. Good luck with the Mazda.

At least you have a backup car at home. CarMax always gives out the most oddball cars as loaners... First time in CarMax they gave me a fully loaded Ford Focus ZX5 wagon... But with leather and premium stereo so it wasn't too shabby.

But the 2nd time was a Mitsubishi Lancer ES that took a full second from when you engage the throttle to when it moved... PLUS it had a heavy cigarette odor; since I was in a hurry and had to wait 20 minutes as it is, I just told the SA about it before I left, but still took the car so they comped the deductible for their own add-on warranty.

Now with my E90... It's no extended warranty