540i (e39)

[Throckmorton]

Get a 6 cylinder 5 Series

 

[SpatiallyAware]

540 and m5 do have the same steering box, except most m5s have about 60k miles and most 540s have 120k+ miles.

Regarding suspension, m5s are typically better maintained. They're using lingenwhatever or meyle parts, versus many of the 540s which have the ebay china junk.

I really don't think the vanos issues are overstated... They used whatever crap rubber for those seals up until '04 that is well known to deteriorate when exposed to engine oil. There is very little warning and no way to know if the one you're buying had thick oil or other coverups used. The i6 is often a solenoid, but the v8 is almost always the seals themselves.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

That really sucks, I'm sure the CTS-V is a nice car, but its not something I'm interested in at all.

I can handle/understand higher maintenance costs for expensive vehicles, but the numerous MAJOR fail points are just inexcusable... Why can't I own a used german car without worrying about a 5k repair bill any time after 50k miles? Fine tires and brakes wear out quicker... and an alternator costs more than normal... I can afford that... but the rest is hard to accept.

Its just hard to justify a car like this when I can go buy a freakin used civic for half the price and 10x the reliability. I LOVE cars but... whats the point. Maybe I'll just drive my mini for the next 2 years until my loan is over (though the check engine light came on the way home today so who knows what that is -- probably need a new engine).

Well that's a weird turn of thought.

For what it's worth, I'm a long time BMW guy, I've never had any issues with their i6 motors including turbo. They seem to stand behind i6 problems better (probably because more are produced.....) and they seem to last longer.

The 540 in particular is probably the most problematic BMW produced in the last 30 years, if not ever. So you really shouldn't make a sweeping rant about "german cars" when the issue isn't german cars, it's the 540 in particular.

 

[Insomniator]

Well that's a weird turn of thought.

For what it's worth, I'm a long time BMW guy, I've never had any issues with their i6 motors including turbo. They seem to stand behind i6 problems better (probably because more are produced.....) and they seem to last longer.

The 540 in particular is probably the most problematic BMW produced in the last 30 years, if not ever. So you really shouldn't make a sweeping rant about "german cars" when the issue isn't german cars, it's the 540 in particular.

Fair enough, what about an e36? I mean, I'm not asking for the most bulletproof car in the world, just one someone would not call 'worst in 30 years' which coincidentally happens to be the one I picked out

 

[GoodRevrnd]

I think if you're looking at an older car you need to not think about what the maintenance cost, but what the total cost of ownership is, and then figure out what you're willing to pay to get the driving experience you want. Otherwise, you're 2001 Accord is just going to win out every time.

 

[Insomniator]

I think if you're looking at an older car you need to not think about what the maintenance cost, but what the total cost of ownership is, and then figure out what you're willing to pay to get the driving experience you want. Otherwise, you're 2001 Accord is just going to win out every time.

True, and even if it completely broke down and exploded I could bike to work. I also work from home like 8 days a month. This car needs to survive literally 3k miles a year.

Even if I don't get an e39, I'm going to get something else pretty impractical because who knows... in 5 years I might have kids and a mortgage and have to get a.... MINIVAN.

 

[Throckmorton]

Fair enough, what about an e36? I mean, I'm not asking for the most bulletproof car in the world, just one someone would not call 'worst in 30 years' which coincidentally happens to be the one I picked out

I had an E36 and it cost me a lot to get the maintenance up to date. New bushings, new struts, etc etc. Then it overheated and I decided to ditch it. Parts are pretty cheap from Pelican Parts but there's a lot to do with a car that age unless you find one that's been well maintened, which you probably won't. The E36 is seen as a throwaway car. An E36 M3 would probably be well maintained though


I got a 2006 Mustang with 120k miles and have put 20k on it with only two repairs--- replaced spark plugs and put in a new alternator

 

[sontakke]

If BMW had the reliability of Lexus, the used BMW would cost a lot more! The only reason people like us are attracted towards older German marques is because of the massive depreciation hit they take.