BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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#4924 of 5349 Re: True Cost to Own 335i [Mr_Shiftright] by roadburner

Jan 11, 2011 (2:05 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 11, 2011 12:00 pm)
Well this is your particular good fortune--however, you aren't really calculating TCO correctly. It states:
  
"The Edmunds Inc. True Cost to Own� (TCO) pricing system calculates the additional costs you may not have included when considering your next vehicle purchase. These extra costs include: depreciation, interest on your loan, taxes and fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs. "

 
Sorry, but I DID calculate my figures correctly. Check the 2006 BMW X3 TCO page. I only used the 5 year maintenance and repair figures- $9,612 and $8,553 respectively. I did not include or use the individual numbers for depreciation, fuel, financing, etc.

#4925 of 5349 Re: True Cost to Own 335i [dan12] by roadburner

Jan 11, 2011 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: dan12 (Jan 11, 2011 1:27 pm)
Anyone know if the HPFP problem is gone in the later turbo models? Or are these engines to be avoided on all new BMW models?
 
My friends inside and outside of BMW NA are cautiously optimistic that the latest HPFP and its accompanying software reflash have cured the problem once and for all. The HPFP issue is extremely hit or miss; I looked at one CPO 2007 335i with nearly 40,000 miles and it has never had a HPFP problem. Ditto for one friend who regularly tracked his E92 335i for two years. Then there are cars that have had 3 or more HPFPs before 30,000 miles. I have another friend who is a BMW SA and in his experience he has found that cars that are driven hard have been less likely to require a HPFP service.

#4926 of 5349 Re: True Cost to Own 335i [roadburner] by dan12

Jan 11, 2011 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 11, 2011 2:16 pm)
My friends inside and outside of BMW NA are cautiously optimistic that the latest HPFP and its accompanying software reflash have cured the problem once and for all.
 
Thanks for the info. I hope this is the case. My HPFP failed after 48K miles. I don't drive too hard. I'm hoping to keep my car another 3-4 years up to about 100K miles. After that... I will probably stay away from turbo engines.

#4927 of 5349 Re: True Cost to Own 335i [dan12] by roadburner

Jan 11, 2011 (8:31 pm)

Replying to: dan12 (Jan 11, 2011 6:47 pm)
I'm hoping to keep my car another 3-4 years up to about 100K miles. After that... I will probably stay away from turbo engines.
 
Well, at least BMW has extended the warranty on the HPFP so you should be good. The rest of the car has proven to be pretty durable. I made a much more foolish purchase decision- my Mazdaspeed 3 needed a new turbo at 26,000 miles. And did I mention that it has cost more to repair and maintain than my X3 and 3 Series combined? That's the last time I will ever consider a car that doesn't come from Munich or Zuffenhausen.

#4928 of 5349 Re: True Cost to Own 335i [roadburner] by dan12

Jan 12, 2011 (11:33 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 11, 2011 8:31 pm)
What years were your X3 and 3 Series? I get the feeling that it's better to buy a BMW later in the model cycle after they figure out all the various problems. I love my '07 335i, but I have had a few problems here and there outside of the HPFP. It hasn't cost me anything since it was all covered under warranty, but it got me worried enough to extend my warranty to 100K miles.

#4929 of 5349 Re: True Cost to Own 335i [dan12] by busiris

Jan 13, 2011 (1:43 pm)

Replying to: dan12 (Jan 12, 2011 11:33 am)
I get the feeling that it's better to buy a BMW later in the model cycle after they figure out all the various problems.
 
That statement holds true for any make, not just BMW...

#4930 of 5349 Re: True Cost to Own 335i [roadburner] by rfl

Jan 13, 2011 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Jan 11, 2011 8:31 pm)
How about Spartensburg?

#4931 of 5349 Rule # 1 and Rule # 2 by rfl

Jan 13, 2011 (2:25 pm)

Rule # 1 NEVER BUY A CAR WITH A TURBOCHARGED ENGINE!
 
Rule # 2: Never buy or keep a BMW after the warranty (or extended warranty) runs out. They are WONDERFUL automobiles....until yu have to fix one. I have owned 11 of them...never one after the warranty period (or it's extension) as in a CPO car or two tht were part of my collection. My total cost to repair has been $0 for all eleven cars (not including tires, state inspections and oil). I have never had one longer than the warranty period and (before you think I am a total nut case) the cost to replace the car (depreciation) is generally less than the anticipated overall repair costs. And the new car smell just can't be beat.
 
I went through 3 HPFPs on my 2008 335XI which caused lots of angst but NO MONEY. BMW ate the costs and, finally, the Car itself.

#4932 of 5349 Re: Rule # 1 and Rule # 2 [rfl] by shipo

Jan 13, 2011 (2:41 pm)

Replying to: rfl (Jan 13, 2011 2:25 pm)
Hmmm, I love cars with turbocharged engines; I've already had two and am hoping my next one will have the turbo treatment as well.

#4933 of 5349 Re: Rule # 1 and Rule # 2 [rfl] by jimbres

Jan 13, 2011 (2:51 pm)

Replying to: rfl (Jan 13, 2011 2:25 pm)
NEVER BUY A CAR WITH A TURBOCHARGED ENGINE!
 
Pretty much agree.
 
Never buy or keep a BMW after the warranty (or extended warranty) runs out.
 
Don't agree. I have an '01 330i purchased new in June of that year, which means that the factory warranty ran out in June, 2005. Never bought an extended warranty - EWs are for people who can't manage their finances, which has never been my problem.
 
IOW, my car has been out of warranty for 5 1/2 years. During that time, I've had one major repair - a control arm had to be replaced at a cost of $1200. This was my fault; I wasn't paying attention & drove into the biggest pothole on the East Coast. I doubt that an EW would have paid for this in any case.
 
Figure it out. The cost of keeping my 330i after the warranty ran out amounts to $18.18 per month. I spend more than that in a week at Starbucks.
 
I've done the math. In the long haul, it's cheaper to buy what you like, take good care of it & drive it until the wheels come off. If you're not a DIY guy - I'm not, unfortunately - don't go back to the dealer after the factory warranty expires. Find a good independent mechanic instead.
 
If you follow your own rule #1, you'll find that rule #2 doesn't apply. A 328i equipped, as God intends, with a stick will do 0 to 60 in a hair over 6 seconds. That's plenty fast enough for a good time. You'll save a few thousand up front & you'll also save on repair costs in later years. That's win-win, if you ask me.
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