Looking to Buy, and without a Clue

[Cpre5]

Im looking at buying my 1st BMW. Ive been looking at 95'-98' 300 series, and some 5-7s. Some questions.

1. Whats 100k+miles cost on the car. engine about done? new tran? ect.

2. Whats a good car, 318, 325, etc

3. Whats about the avg cost per year for maintenance. oil etc.

4. What should i look out for when buying used

5. What else should I know.

I dont want to get into dumping money into my car every year. I dont put alot of miles on my cars, maybe 4-6k a year.

So any info would be great, thanks again.

 

[Big Daddy]

Welcome to the board!

1. Whats 100k+miles cost on the car. engine about done? new tran? ect.

100k on a bmw if it has been maintained is nothing, some members here have attained 200+. I had a 733i that had over 260k on her when I sold her. Auitomatic transmissions are a different story. 100k is getting close on some models to needing relaced. If it is a manual, 100k is nothing.

2. Whats a good car, 318, 325, etc

A 318 is a four cylinder and gets excellent gas mileage. I had a 318is with 164k on her when I sold it. It ran like a top. Great car not a super powerful car though.

3. Whats about the avg cost per year for maintenance. oil etc.

Depends on the model and how you drive. Like I said the 4 cylinder cars get great mileage, however if you drive a 325 nicely you can also get super mileage. if you have no problems with the car regular fluid changes are not expensive, I am a do it yourselfer.

4. What should i look out for when buying used

I would never buy a used car without having it inspected by an indpendant garage.

5. What else should I know.

Learn the after market suppliers and buy parts from them as they will save you big $$ over the dealers. Join BMW CCA for club discounts and a very informative magazine.

Good luck.

 

[Kirby]

Dan's hit em all dead on. Just be aware that BMWs do cost a bit more to repair, parts and labor. As Dan says above, you can buy parts elsewhere and do the work yourself to save a lot of $$.

At 100K - 150K miles, some POSSIBLE upcoming costs:
- new radiator - $175 - $350 parts, $100 - 200 labor
- water pump - $60 - $70 parts, $150 - $200 labor
- auto transmission - $2000 - $3500 incl. labor
- shocks - $60 each + installation
- brakes (every 20K - 40K miles) $100 - $200 parts, $600 - $800 installed

 

[Cpre5]

What would be the avg maintenance per year on a 1995 318is?
It has about 133k on it and has new tires, brake pads, front rotors, AC belt, water pump.

Thanks

 

[Big Daddy]

No more nor less than any car with that mileage. My 91 with 164k on her used no oil, it was a manual and was getting due for a clutch, and I am sure by 180k - 200k she might need a timing chain, rails, etc. Other than that gas, tires and oil changes.

 

[adrean8j]

Hey check and see if they have a service book with the car also and see if it was serviced regularly....good way to know if the car has been taken car of. If the book isnt there it might still be a good car...if the book IS there and updated then you should be pretty much safe in assuming it was taken care of relatively well....at 100k shocks and springs are almost a must, get a standard and not an automatic if you can help it...my car is a '99 and has 143k on it(2.5L) and people STILL think my car is a '02 or '03 and the engine is strong and free of weird sounds...LOL