Anyone own a BMW?

[glaucomflecken]

Argh!!!! My car (1999 Mercury Cougar) is on the fritz and I am so done with fixing this car! Every other week I swear its in the shop. I would love to get a new one, and because a Beemer is really the only car I would want to make car payments on, I was just wondering if any of you have one or have had one, what your thoughts on it were, and is repair really expensive??? How bad was your insurance? I like the 325 coupe.

Ugh just when you have a wedding to pay for something always breaks....

cheers! happy turkey day

 

[Jean]

Hey there! I am sorry to hear about your car. I know more expense is not something you want when the wedding is coming.
I have a 2002 BMW 325i. It is a great car... they are however very expensive to repair. I suggest that you go to a BMW dealer and get a certified used one. They are covered until 100,000 miles. However, if you get a trustworthy mechanic it is not that expensive. Whatever you do, if you do not have a warranty on it do not bring it to the BMW dealer to fix. It will cost an arm and a leg. Also, get a 5 speed. It is much more fun to drive and very fast......
I hope that helps!!!!!!

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 11/24/2004 2:26

3 PM
Author:glaucomflecken
Argh!!!! My car (1999 Mercury Cougar) is on the fritz and I am so done with fixing this car! Every other week I swear its in the shop. I would love to get a new one, and because a Beemer is really the only car I would want to make car payments on, I was just wondering if any of you have one or have had one, what your thoughts on it were, and is repair really expensive??? How bad was your insurance? I like the 325 coupe.

Ugh just when you have a wedding to pay for something always breaks....

cheers! happy turkey day

i don''t know about the new model BMW ,but just had the trans rebuilt on my wifes 1995 540i $4000

the sad thing about it ,it only has 88k miles plus alot of electrical problems etc,etc....but it really handles beautifuly on winding roads,fun to drive,if i buy another BMW it would be a 745li....but most likely when i can afford to buy another car it would be a lexus LS 430.

 

[Jean]

Dancing Fire, so sorry about your problems with your beamer!! When you spend money on a car like that you expect it to go the distance. Mine has 70k on it and runs like it is brand new, which is suprising as I am on the road all the time and beat the crap out of it......

 

[Jennifer5973]

Do you really want/need a BMW? I think they are seriously overpriced. I also must qualify my post by disclosing that I am not a car person--I hate paying for cars! I test drove the BMW 330 convertible in June and I just wasn't impressed, especially when I considered the hefty pricetag.

My parents were Mercedes people...and they are better, IMO, than BMWs. I also prefer Lexus to BMWs also. I don't know--with your wedding and everything, do you really need a BMW? If you can get a great deal on an 04, maybe it's okay, but reading your post prompts me to ask why a BMW at all? I also just went to a business meeting where the recent BMW spots/mini-movies advertising was presented as a case study ... they all but admitted it's all marketing hype over a mediocre status car targeting people who make just enough money to make the payments--successful hype but hype just the same (DeBeer's anyone?

) The product itself is not superior.

I really love my diamonds/jewelry but I am not a status person. I could have any car I want and I drive a new Solara becasue I'd rather do other things with that money. I also think luxury cars are a waste. Years ago, in one of my MBA classes, the professor illustrated 2 examples--in example A, the person got a normal car at about $350 a month. The other person--example B, got the super-duper whatever at about $700 a month. The professor calculated how much money that extra $350 a month would amass to, assuming a reasonable ROR, if invested for retirement, and after 30 years, it was almost a million dollars--long after that stupid car was in a trash heap somewhere. That was it for me. I used to drive a Mercedes. Now, we're planning on retiring at 50-55, while paying off our home entirely and having a vacation home somewhere.

Take my opinion for what it's worth. To each his own--all our friends have Mercedes & Lexus...hey, they're nice.

 

[Jean]

Hi Jennifer,

I am suprised to hear that you think that MB are better. I had an ML430 before and had nothing but problems. Buying cars sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree....

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 11/24/2004 4:25

1 PM
Author: Jean
Hi Jennifer,

I am suprised to hear that you think that MB are better. I had an ML430 before and had nothing but problems. Buying cars sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree....

Hey--my folks always had good experiences with MB and I guess part of the reason I like them is sentimental... but I won''t pay all that money for a car--it''s just me. I don''t need to impress anyone. I don''t buy my jewelry to impress anyone--I like to collect jewelry and it brings me pleasure.... But I understand that for some poeple, having that lux ride is where it''s at--and that''s cool.

I just figured i''d post a renegade opinion!

Another point to consider--how many miles a year do you put on your car? I drive 80 mi. a day roundtrip to work (yes, it sucks

) and that was another reason I wasn''t keen on pumping $$$ into a lux car--too much abuse.

 

[headlight]

We have had 2 MB and 4 BMW. We tend to prefer the BMW''s more. We''ve had no problems and while the car is under warranty, there is no cost for service. After the warranty expires, the repair costs are expensive, but competitive with all the other foreign luxury vehicles. Just the nature of the beast, I guess.
We haven''t had the 3 series, but have or had X5, 740 il, 840 ci, & 745 Li.

 

[Jean]

I hear you about the sentimental aspect of things! I put about 40,000 on a year, but I spend so much time in my car that I like to drive german cars... I always have. 80 miles a day is a lot to. I quess they are all machines and you can have problems with any car.. HAVE AN AWESOME TURKY DAY!!!!!!!

 

[moremoremore]

Yo J-Flo...I have about 1 1/2 year left on my cherokee...and this is next....
I spend an hour a day in traffic going to a job I hate...I have to admit, it sure is pleasant in some nice wheels!

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 11/24/2004 4:44:40 PM
Author: moremoremore
Yo J-Flo...I have about 1 1/2 year left on my cherokee...and this is next....

Ahhhhh, I have ridden in many a Lexus & I do like them--a friend of ours is the GM at a very large and prestigious tri-state dealership too (so let me know when you're ready).... But I'm just too cheap!

PS My new cherry red Solara is built on the same chassis as the Lexus sportscar (I forget what model)....and my lease statements are printed on Lexis Fin. Services paper! Several pple have even asked me if it was a Lexus from far away! Toyota owns Lexus. I have the cheapo version, I guess.

PPS I made the significant decision not to get a luxury car because I want the option of not working if I want to make a career change or have a baby or retire early. I don't want the noose of Corporate America around my throat for a car or anything else. Heck, I might even cool off the baubles to speed things along (heavens to Betsy!

)

 

[moremoremore]

LOL...I thought you had a Lexus weakness!

Or this may do...BTW, this is clearly a pic of me...does my butt look big in these pants? LOL

P.S. My sis went from that Lexus to a Toyota minivan and says it''s the best car she ever had!! LOL...Her husband was going to get a porsche carrera (sp?) (roll eyes)...now he has a mini van!

 

[Jennifer5973]

minivans: Just Say No.

 

[canuk-gal]

Hi:

How about the 2005 Acura RL? MMMMMMdoggie! 300 horses would lunch that beemer down--if you are into betting pink cards..............
Now if I had a brain I could attach a pic--but no luck with the same these days (miss the ole cut and paste, but that is an old whine...)

cheers---Sharon

 

[moremoremore]

LOL and

to "I may even cool off the baubles to speed things along (heavens to Betsy!)"

You could have a Maybach if you trade in

 

[MrsFrk]

Mercedes used to be fantastic, but now they are owned and manufactured by CHRYSLER fer goodness sake, and they are horrible. Stay far away from them.

My in-laws have a new 330, I find that the fit and finish leaves much to be desired, considering what they cost.

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 11/24/2004 4:59

7 PM
Author: MrsFrk

My in-laws have a new 330, I find that the fit and finish leaves much to be desired, considering what they cost.

That''s how I felt about that car.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 11/24/2004 4:32:55 PM
Author: Jennifer5973

Date: 11/24/2004 4:25

1 PM
Author: Jean
Hi Jennifer,

I am suprised to hear that you think that MB are better. I had an ML430 before and had nothing but problems. Buying cars sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree....

Hey--my folks always had good experiences with MB and I guess part of the reason I like them is sentimental... but I won''t pay all that money for a car--it''s just me. I don''t need to impress anyone. I don''t buy my jewelry to impress anyone--I like to collect jewelry and it brings me pleasure.... But I understand that for some poeple, having that lux ride is where it''s at--and that''s cool.

I just figured i''d post a renegade opinion!

Another point to consider--how many miles a year do you put on your car? I drive 80 mi. a day roundtrip to work (yes, it sucks

) and that was another reason I wasn''t keen on pumping $$$ into a lux car--too much abuse.

Jenn
i''am not a car person either,i drive a 2001 toyota truck our bmw is 10 yrs old.friends we know go through 4 brand new cars in 10 yrs ,on the other hand they are probably thinking we are nuts spending that much money on diamonds so i guess it takes all kinds of people to make this world go around...what ever makes you happy thats all it matters.

 

[i_like_tiffany_please_dont_hate_me]

I take the bus...

 

[Hest88]

I''m not a car person either, but the last few ppl I know who''ve bought BMWs have had nothing but problems. The quality has supposedly gone downhill.

 

[hoorray]

Let's see.... I guess we've had a lot of cars! I used to be a commuter, with a beautiful, but long drive, so I cared about having a fun, comfortable ride. And, I am a car person... don't know why, just like em.

We've had 3 BMW's (325ix, 735i, M roadster), a Lexus sc400, the Audi a6, and the Acura MDX SUV. The 325ix (automatic) was a dog. The M Roadster is fun just because of what it is, the others were all really great cars. The Audi was surprisingly great -- we'd look at Audi again first if we were car shopping (which we ARE NOT thank goodness). We would not look at BMW again. We've had awful experiences with the service/dealers, and they are pricey for what you get. My Lexus was awesome, and my brother is still driving it and loving it. You can't beat the Lexus service, and nothing ever went wrong with the car. The warranty was kind of a waste, since nothing ever broke

, where that isn't the case with the BMWs. But, out 1990 735i was a great, really solid car. We had it for over 10 years, and then my sister still deives it. (our family wants a say in the next car we buy since they all end up with them

.)

So that's a brief run down of our car history. (i'm sure you were dieing to know...

). Before buying the BMW, I would look at the comparable Lexus and Audi. I think the Audi's are pretty good value, comparably, and they still have the performance, feel, and quality of a good German car. Our Acura SUV is great, but I don't have experience with the Acura cars.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 11/24/2004 4:25

1 PM
Author: Jean
Hi Jennifer,

I am suprised to hear that you think that MB are better. I had an ML430 before and had nothing but problems. Buying cars sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree....

jean
the ML models are made in the U.S. maybe thats the problem.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Date: 11/24/2004 4:49

1 PM
Author: Jennifer5973

Date: 11/24/2004 4:44:40 PM
Author: moremoremore
Yo J-Flo...I have about 1 1/2 year left on my cherokee...and this is next....

Ahhhhh, I have ridden in many a Lexus & I do like them--a friend of ours is the GM at a very large and prestigious tri-state dealership too (so let me know when you''re ready).... But I''m just too cheap!

PS My new cherry red Solara is built on the same chassis as the Lexus sportscar (I forget what model)....and my lease statements are printed on Lexis Fin. Services paper! Several pple have even asked me if it was a Lexus from far away! Toyota owns Lexus. I have the cheapo version, I guess.

PPS I made the significant decision not to get a luxury car because I want the option of not working if I want to make a career change or have a baby or retire early. I don''t want the noose of Corporate America around my throat for a car or anything else. Heck, I might even cool off the baubles to speed things along (heavens to Betsy!

)

Jenn
does your dealership friend take diamonds as down payment for a lexus ?

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 11/24/2004 5:15:27 PM
Author: Dancing Fire

Date: 11/24/2004 4:32:55 PM
Author: Jennifer5973

Date: 11/24/2004 4:25

1 PM
Author: Jean
Hi Jennifer,

I am suprised to hear that you think that MB are better. I had an ML430 before and had nothing but problems. Buying cars sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I agree....

Hey--my folks always had good experiences with MB and I guess part of the reason I like them is sentimental... but I won't pay all that money for a car--it's just me. I don't need to impress anyone. I don't buy my jewelry to impress anyone--I like to collect jewelry and it brings me pleasure.... But I understand that for some poeple, having that lux ride is where it's at--and that's cool.

I just figured i'd post a renegade opinion!

Another point to consider--how many miles a year do you put on your car? I drive 80 mi. a day roundtrip to work (yes, it sucks

) and that was another reason I wasn't keen on pumping $$$ into a lux car--too much abuse.

Jenn
i'am not a car person either,i drive a 2001 toyota truck our bmw is 10 yrs old.friends we know go through 4 brand new cars in 10 yrs ,on the other hand they are probably thinking we are nuts spending that much money on diamonds so i guess it takes all kinds of people to make this world go around...what ever makes you happy thats all it matters.

I know, DF--that's why i wrote in my 1st post that if the car is your thing--it's cool! ["But I understand that for some poeple, having that lux ride is where it's at--and that's cool."]

And, I know a lot of pple think I am nuts for having the jewelry I do--going to the jeweler's on a Sat and just splurging because I liked something-- I am sure it does look crazy and I almost agree!

I just had a convo with a friend and I was saying that sometimes I regret not getting the high-end car.... everyone seems to have one.... but I just can't sign that paper that says $700 a month....

My husband just got the LOADED Trailblazer LX, 2005--it's got full concierge Onstar, leather, grain dash, heated seats--lumbar or butt or both, ever gadget and bell, satellite radio, a phone in the rearview mirror that you tell to dial for you and it does... every whistle you can name--and he uses none of it. He got that $43,000 truck for $360 a month, no money down becasue his grandfather worked for GM.

I was in our friend's BMW X5 and honestly--at least to me--it was no better.

the thing rides great too, and has a good turn radius.

 

[bichon]

Hello!

I''m definitely a "car" person and I thought I''d share my thoughts  on the BMW

I find that BMWs, Mercedes, and other European cars are "solid" cars. They tend to age better if you live in snowy areas where salt is frequently used. Japanese cars are more prone to rust, unless you baby it with rust treatment every year. Having said that, consumer reports show that BMWs and MBs tend to have more problems than their Japanese counterparts. Keep in mind that these numbers are simply AVERAGES. You might end up with a lemon or never have to do anything but some fluid changes.

My fiance drives a Mercedes and I drive a starter Japanese car (Acura EL which is sold in Canada). For approximately the same mileage of 180,000km or 112,500 miles, his car is in the shop frequently while my car is still like brand new. Luckily, we have an excellent mechanic who used to be former BMW technician.

I think we need to keep in mind that cars are not investments. They depreciate in value the minute you drive it off the lot. Therefore, unless you have the extra cash to splurge, driving a BMW or any other luxury car is not advisable.

Having said all the things above, I LOVE THE DRIVE OF A BMW!!! To be honest, I never thought much of these cars until I actually test drove one. I actually preferred the drive of the BMW 325 to its counterpart, the MB C230 Kompressor. If you like luxury, bells & whistles, there''s no doubt that MB is king. But I''m a girl who LOVES driving (my fiance and I had a long distance relationship for nearly 2 years ... drove 6 hours to and back every other week-end!). I wanted to test drive a BMW 330 but decided NOT to because I knew I''d like it ... and would be saving towards it. My fiance, on the other hand, isn''t into horsepower and all that jazz, so he''ll probably end up getting the "entry-level" MB again ... because it wouldn''t be worth the extra money for more horsepower, gas, and insurance cost.

So when my car croaks on me (which is not going to be for another 4-5 years at least at the rate I "baby" it), I might consider getting a BMW ... but only if I can comfortably afford it on my own. As much as I truly enjoy the driving experience and most certainly the BMW experience, there will be other things down the road which will take priority.

 

[AmyHunt31]

I have my 1987 BMW 325 since August of 1996 and I must say that I absolutely ADORE it! I do most of the maintenance on it myself and it is very easy to do. I had a Mercury Cougar for several years before I bought my Beemer and it was, in fact, more expensive to get repaired than the BMW!
I definitely agree on getting the 5 speed! LOTS of fun to drive! My ex-husband hated my Beemer because it outperformed, outran, and blew his Porsche out of the water!
Good luck!

 

[Nicrez]

Honestly, My family has owned BMW's (almost all the makes and models) through out the years, and I have to say that I personally will never be able to recommend this car enough. It depends on your driving taste, but I personally love the handling, the tight engineering, the quality and the German exacting that goes into each and every one of their cars. I have driven all types of luxury vehicles from Range Rover to Lexuses (Toyota), and I have to say that I STILL come back to BMW.

My DF and I had first cut back and sold his 7 series BMW, to get a "practical" car. We got a fully loaded V6 Honda Accord, and I have to say that if BMW ceased to exist that actually would be the car I buy again. It's an amazing quality vehicle for the price and all. Well engineered. It actually had a better Navigation system than BMW used to (but they have improved it in the new BMW's). As for MB, They are no longer the car they used to be... in their rush to make a C class, they seem to have lost most of their quality.

That said, NOTHING, I mean NOTHING drives like a BMW when you are speeding along the road on corners and you feel almost NO tilt, or you overtake a truck and slide right by them as smooth as silk... Watch out, tickets happen with that car!

Actually, I heard that BMW will be coming out with a "economy" type car, a sort of 4 door compact (like their Cooper Minis which are 2 door), and maybe that might be a nice alternative on price, and possibly get it new. Not sure when they come out though.

I personally would get the car with a better and larger engine, and not the base models, as the feel of the drive is absolutely better!!

Good luck and as driving style is a personal preference, i personally do feel it is the ultimate driving machine.

 

[Libster]

I grew up with a father that loved cars. We'd always laugh because as soon as the new car smell was gone, off he went to the dealership

It was just his thing, and so over the years I had the opportunity to drive many makes and models. I'm on my 3rd BMW. I owned a 1998 Z3 2.8 until we thought that I would be carrying more passengers and traded for a BMW 540. After that dream came and went, I decided I missed the convertible and bought a 2001 M Roadster. Like Nicerez said there is nothing like driving a BMW and I've never had them to the shop for anything other than an oil change. Earlier in our marriage we owned Toyotas, Nissans, and Hondas. While they were all fine cars, nothing drove quite like the BMW. My Husband drives a 1997 Land Rover Discovery SE7, which at that time was manufactured by BMW, and it currently has 115000 miles and is going strong! All cars are expensive and depreciate the minute you drive off the lot, so it really is a personal preference.