[Major Sparky]

I'm looking to buy a 2008-9 BMW 328i with manual transmission.

I can afford to purchase the car no problem with that, however maintenance and repairs might be too steep.

So what are some common repairs that I'll need to get done on these older bmw's? And if I can perform the maintenance/repairs myself how much should it cost me per year? And are there any repairs I would be absolutely unable to perform myself? I've got the space to perform repairs and mine and my fathers combined knowledge but I might not have specialized tools to do all of them.


Also, how do these repairs/maintenance costs compare to a newer volvo s40 for example, or VW CC?

Here's a few cars that I found by the way:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...emc&listType=1

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...emc&listType=1

http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...emc&listType=1

[NjPrince]

Depends on mileage really. If your driving style is not aggressive and you have a 328i, chances are maintenance won't be too expensive. Things like waterpump, thermostat, and generally the cooling system tends to start dying around the 100k+ mark. In comparison to VW's I'd say it would be pretty much the same. Check the maintenance records statings what's already been done to the car...but overall you should be fine for a while. Le mans blue is looking just right btw

[Mick the Quick]

The first car is an auto, even though it says manual. Check out the photos. I've found out while shopping for my car that even BMW dealers get these listings wrong, especially manual versus auto.

Mick

[Major Sparky]

Maintenance comparable to a VW? Really? I don't know how accurate it is but Edmunds cost of ownership puts maintenance and repairs for a 2009 328i at about 13K, but a 2011 VW CC at a little less than 8k.

Obviously the newer car will need less repairs but still. Is edmunds cost of ownership accurate at all?

Also for reference, I'm mostly a city driver, logging only about 200-250 miles a week and generally a light driver.

And are the prices of those cars I linked to fair? Any chance I could get them down under 16k?

[Frost17]

You're going to save more by opting for a 328 vs a 335, so that alone will be good. I've owned a 325 e90 for 3 years (45k mi) and only had to replace wear and tear items.

If you take care of these cars you won't have to worry about the horror stories you here from people who neglect them.

[Major Sparky]

Originally Posted by Frost17

You're going to save more by opting for a 328 vs a 335, so that alone will be good. I've owned a 325 e90 for 3 years (45k mi) and only had to replace wear and tear items.

If you take care of these cars you won't have to worry about the horror stories you here from people who neglect them.

That's a relief. How do I know I'm getting a car that was taken car of though? Are there any resources here to finding a reliable mechanic to check over used cars I'm looking at?

[Frost17]

That's kinda of 50/50 chance. Carfax can only tell you so much. I would take it to a mechanic your comfortable with. Call around locally and I'm sure they'll be plenty of guys.

Check the obvious, tires, engine condition, etc..

[DRock3d]

If you can't afford maintaining a car, you can't afford the car. Go with a 2007, it will be cheaper and reduced payment will offset maintenance cost.

[Major Sparky]

Originally Posted by DRock3d

If you can't afford maintaining a car, you can't afford the car. Go with a 2007, it will be cheaper and reduced payment will offset maintenance cost.

Thing is I haven't pinned down a good estimate of what I would be paying in maintenance. Edmunds says around 13-14k over 5 years, I read on here some only have had to replace tires and brakes along with oil changes and other routine maintenance.

It seems like it varies a lot from person to person. I could definitely afford to spend a bit more to maintain it, but I'd like to narrow that amount down as much as I can to figure out exactly what I'm going to be paying.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Frost17

You're going to save more by opting for a 328 vs a 335, so that alone will be good.

Not sure that is true. As you will find if you ask the original owners of 335s. It could be that the decent ones are still being held by the original owners. I think as time goes on, this 328 > 335 argument falls really flat. Half the issues you see posted are clearly 328s now.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by DRock3d

If you can't afford maintaining a car, you can't afford the car. Go with a 2007, it will be cheaper and reduced payment will offset maintenance cost.

This is especially true with boats and planes. That's where you get into who's a man, and who's a boy. boys and men can bring something home alike, but only men can hang.

[Frost17]

Originally Posted by John 070

Not sure that is true. As you will find if you ask the original owners of 335s. It could be that the decent ones are still being held by the original owners. I think as time goes on, this 328 > 335 argument falls really flat. Half the issues you see posted are clearly 328s now.

I think you have a better chance of buying a 328 with the same amount of miles vs a 335. At the end of the day, they both could run high. But personally I'd buy a 328 if I was worried about high maintenance costs.

[bimmette]

Here, this thread about what people spent on maintenance last year should help you:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=933217

[Major Sparky]

Originally Posted by bimmette

Here, this thread about what people spent on maintenance last year should help you:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=933217

Well I've only made it through the first page but looks like $500-$1500 a year is typical. Which honestly isn't much at all.

Seems like Edmunds true cost to own really overestimates the cost of repairs and maintenance.

[Johnny Boost]

The last car has 98k miles so that should be a no-go. The other two are base models. Since you are buying used, you should at LEAST shoot for a car with the sport package and LCI (09+) if possible. As far as maintenance/repairs, they will cost just as much as Volvo. My guess would be that the CC would cost more because VWs have garbage reliability.

[ad500]

Originally Posted by Major Sparky

Thing is I haven't pinned down a good estimate of what I would be paying in maintenance. Edmunds says around 13-14k over 5 years, I read on here some only have had to replace tires and brakes along with oil changes and other routine maintenance.

It seems like it varies a lot from person to person. I could definitely afford to spend a bit more to maintain it, but I'd like to narrow that amount down as much as I can to figure out exactly what I'm going to be paying.

Narrowing it down is going to be difficult. I only spent $1k per year maint on my old 335 over 3.5 years and that's only because the waterpump went. I found the cars very reliable.

Buy one that's been well maintained and have it inspected by a professional mechanic, it's about as much as you can do pre-purchase. You could consider a warranty of course.

I'd personally budget a little more for maintenance simply because you're doing 250 miles per week city driving, it's a little harder on the car than highway miles.

[Major Sparky]

What difference would there be in maintenance for a 2008 or 2007 compared to an 2009? Would it be advantageous to get a slightly older car and save the difference in price for maintenance costs?

[hockeyplayer]

I read on here somewhere a while back that you should probably budget about $100 per month for maintenance costs for your e90 and I've found that to be very good advice.

If this sounds too expensive, then BMW is not the right car for you.

[Major Sparky]

Originally Posted by hockeyplayer

I read on here somewhere a while back that you should probably budget about $100 per month for maintenance costs for your e90 and I've found that to be very good advice.

If this sounds too expensive, then BMW is not the right car for you.

$100 a month seems cheap to be honest. It's expensive relative to my honda civic if course. But I was thinking average was more like $2000-$3000 a year.

[bahasad]

First of all, it's not going to be inexpensive like a Honda Civic (if that's what you drive currently). It's not going to be as inexpensive as say an Acura.
With that being said, the E90 328I (2007-2011) is one of the more reliable BMW models of all, in my opinion. With a low mileage one (less than say 50K), I would expect no repairs out of the ordinary. But consumables and maintenance cost much more on a BMW than the aforementioned cars - an oil change, brake pads, spark plugs, fluids etc. cost a good deal amount more. If you maintain your car yourself then you can save on the labor cost, but the parts still cost a bit more than Japanese parts. OTOH, I find BMWs very easy to work on and can do light repairs/mods myself.
Beyond that, out of warranty repairs beyond say 75K miles can include a Waterpump/thermostat (BMWs are traditionally known for weak cooling systems, and this repair should definitely be considered as inevitable), ignition coils (had one fail on my car), Vanos solenoids (very easy to clean and DIY), and Valve Cover gaskets. These are relatively minor repairs imo but will cost a significant amount of money at a dealer.

Overall, if you like BMW and the driving experience, are not completely broke and know that the car may need some money to maintain, the 328I is a good option because it is a solid car. My 2008 has 84K miles and I still love driving it and can see myself owning at least another 40K miles (which is hard to say cause I have automotive ADD).

[Major Sparky]

Well all that's good. I guess I'm just a little shy of having to plop down a bunch of money at once, especially in the first year of ownership. A lot being $1500+

And I can do maintenance myself. I'm pretty handy and have a history of diy

[ad500]

Originally Posted by Major Sparky

What difference would there be in maintenance for a 2008 or 2007 compared to an 2009? Would it be advantageous to get a slightly older car and save the difference in price for maintenance costs?

Probably not. Regular maintenance is going to be the same plus you have the benefit of moving away from the first year model run which is seen by most as a good general rule regardless of vehicle.

I always just stick 3k or so in an "unforeseen car repair slush fund" just in case. Provided you buy a well maintained version that checks out after the PPI and maintain/treat the car well during your ownership, you'll likely never need to use it.