2nd hand bimmers

**168** · September 10th, 2008 10:33 PM

a BMW will always be a BMW. wether its a high end or low end it is still a BMW. BMWs are the "ultimate driving machines". dont get a BMW if you cant afford the parts. you dont get a 316i para may masabing naka-BMW ka. No! you get a 316i because its features are way ahead of its rivals. a 316i has 4 wheel disc brakes, rain sensor, a styling which never fades, a very superb handling, climate controls, airbags and a lot to mention that no jap cars have at its time of release. 316i's are not much underpowered since it can outrun jap cars which are also 1.6. Parts are really more expensive than other jap cars sinsce its German. lifespan of these parts are a lot longer than jap parts. Quality comes with a price.

**hein** · September 10th, 2008 10:52 PM

If you really want a European car, make sure its a 2nd or spare car. Have a Japanese car for everyday use, pang weekend na yung BMW. That way, you'll have more fun and less headache.

**Boy Torotot** · September 11th, 2008 02:52 PM

You don't buy a bimmer for practical reasons.

Totally agree on this one. So, if you're thinking about getting your money's worth on a 95-99 316i, chances are, you'll probably get disappointed. It's a good car, but for a 10-year old vehicle, unless you really know it is in very good condition, you're in for a nightmare when major parts bogged down(and they most likely will very soon). Sabi nga, quality comes at a price. So if you think you can handle the price(of parts, maintenance & pain killers), then go get one, who knows you might get lucky.

**Para Ordenance** · September 13th, 2008 08:15 PM

Right, BMW is a BMW.

Binigay sakin ng dad ko yung 316i namin kaya sakin na yun. At ang masasabi ko... Medyo mabagal ang acceleration pero mabilis naman sya kapag naggain ng momentum.

At BMW parin sya kahit 10yrs old na sya. Kahit tumabi pa ako sa bagong lancer o civic dyan. Mas nahihiya parin yung tinabihan ko dahil BMW yung sakin kahit 10yrs older yung kotse ko.

Downside nga lang:
Acceleration, at mahal ang maintenance at mga parts. Dahil sadyang mahal talaga ang BMW.

**seonadancing** · September 14th, 2008 02:33 AM

I hope the people that are talking **** about old BMW's have actually driven one before they give their opinion. I bought a second hand one in running condition, so madami din ako pinalitan na parts, the thing is I already knew that I had to have money on the side for the maintenance. After all the parts replacement, ok na naman lahat. The driving experience is different driving a bmw and a japanese car and you won't understand it until you have driven one.

To the cool people who thinks that acceleration is a big deal, i think masyado lang kayo nababad sa panonood ng Top Gear. The acceleration of the 316 is enough for a non-pacool non-racer driver, and the gas mileage is 9km/l. I think the design is still better than most of the new cars that have come out in the last 5 years.

So to the guy who's thinking of buying one, magtabi ka ng pera for maintenance, I suggest mga 60k on top of the price of the car you're going to get. Test drive mo din muna for you to understand what you're buying and how it's different from japanese cars.

**bynnos** · October 28th, 2008 09:33 AM

When does owning a BMW 3 Series start becoming a headache? I see a lot of E46s being sold by the time they reach 40T-45T kilometers. Is this the typical mileage when maintenance issues start cropping up?

What about a 2005 BMW 320i at around 25T kilometers? I assume this car would still be in pretty good shape. What should I watch out for in terms for potential problems? How much in annual car maintenance should I anticipate?

Thanks for any inputs.

**sushiboye46** · October 29th, 2008 02:13 AM

BMW's are great cars, if its well taken care of, it will give you lots of miles of joy.

i have a 2002 e46 325i(bought 2nd hand with 40000kms), now 48500kms, it runs and drives like a dream but its not 100% problem free, although nothing major(knockwood), it had minor problems. the windshield washer pump tends to leak(mine was gone at 48000kms), carpets getting wet(v. barriers), passenger a/c vents takes a while to get cold air(freon), tail light issues and rattles on the interior, theres also the dreaded window regulators but mine were still working as of now.

i have no regrets and never will, the joy of ownership and the driving pleasure had never let me down. just keep up on regular maintenence and care(indy or casa).

**tercyu** · October 29th, 2008 03:34 PM

We have a 1995 316i bought straight from Prestige cars makati when it first was establsished. The car is apparently with us for a decade or more. All I can say is... True enough that parts of this car is expensive. But it is very durable. My brother use it as a daily car and being in the med industry, I can see that he has no time for car maintainance. But Even with some wear and tear, the car seems to be in good runnign condition. With regards to FC, You cannot compare it to the newer jap cars since its quite old and the body is heavy. My brother said he's getting an average of 8km/l. Undoublty performance is good since its a BMW. Acceleration is uncomparable to the civics coz the civics are known for it. But if you put it in max speeds, I bet that the 316i can actually catch up. BMW engines are designed with performance and maybe if you compare it with other 1.6 engines, you'd see that the engine design was well developed. BTW, our engine has no leaks yet. The only problem with our unit is that it keeps on getting flat tires.

Regarding your inquiry, I don't know if you buying a decade old car is still worth it. I believe that buying a BMW takes a lot of budgeting. But if you think you can afford one to maintain, I tell you, thats a car that every driver would enjoy. BMW= Sheer Driving pleasure.

Tip: Ask a BMW specialist to inspect your desired unit before buying.
Another tip: Go to European Motors in Libis for reasonable yet excellent after service.

**stadaenko** · October 29th, 2008 06:06 PM

the years posted by pnat above, 95-99, actually covers both e36 and e46. i'd like to limit my comments on the e36 since that's what i used to drive. kung e36, then get the 320i. its 2 cylinders above the 316s and worlds apart in performance. great suspension, great handling, good sound insulation from the outside EXCEPT for the rev of the engine. somehow you can hear the engine roar lalo na on 1st to 2nd. a/c is not nissan but alright if tinted. it's a matic so easy-easy, with a sport mode trigger that sends the rpms spiking. nice black leather seats, black sidings and i absolutely adore those orange dash lights.

gastos? buy parts in libis and have it done sa mga non-casa shops. there's a lot who are familiar with the e36 kasi that's the most sold model na bmw dito sa pinas so maraming mekaniko kabisado yan and spare parts are readily available. or there's the non-casa casas like euromotors, etc. and of course theres the casas. for the computer resets in talyers, well they can't do it but meron dyan bmw casa machanics who can do resets for a fee (P500 to P1K). btw, resets are for change oil, brake pad replacements, abs lights, etc. pero sa iba, like palit shocks, paayos doors o a/c, talyers are ok.

sakit? a/c nagpalit na ako compressor before. door handles ayaw magbukas, sisiw sa talyer. door locks get stuck, greasing lang sa talyer. anti-lock brakes sira, i had mine replaced but i know kayang pa-repair. brake/tail lights tail lights go off di naman pundido, you just need to really push the bulbs in their place but they come loose din after a while. overhead upholstery gets loose, i lived with it pero i know kayang pagawa cheap. knocking sound sa front, palit bushing sa talyer lang chicken feed and changed rack and pinion kit. then, when it's time for tune-up/change oil get it done sa casa and get a diagnostics of your car and bring the results to the talyer. hehehe.

**mark_t** · October 30th, 2008 07:05 AM

Question lang po. Has anyone of you guys who have second hand bmw ever
thought of servicing your own vehicles to cut on unnecesary maintenance
costs? Everybody is complaining about the cost of maintenance but the mention of how the car was used is not.

How much do you spend on a 10,000km PMS?

How much does it differ from your Honda, Toyota, Nissan?

How do you source your replacement parts and from whom, do you have alternative suppliers?

Who does your maintenance? A certifide independent mechanic or casa staff?

Do you have a service manual for your type of car?

I have other quetions pa but I havent gone thru the thread.