What Model BMW?

[17M]

I can only speak for Autovec as i haven't had any experience with the others. I believe they have all the tools & equipment needed to service BMWs, as they're working on a lot of them in their warehouse. They have original & surplus parts, though some they may have to order from Germany, just like casas do.

Thanks swordsman. It's very comforting to know that you are not hostage to "casa" only maintenance.

[Flagg]

Never sa casa bossing, they don't even know what they're doing.

[StraightSix]

Never sa casa bossing, they don't even know what they're doing.

I beg to disagree ...

They know they're sucking you dry.

[Flagg]

I beg to disagree ...

They know they're sucking you dry.

Ahihi, gotta agree with you there...

[17M]

Flagg, had my fair share on that one from "casa" technicians for toyota, honda, isuzu & hyundai. They can't seem to think out-of-the-box, but not all the time though. I guess we always have higher expectations from the "casa". Dapat lang!

[17M]

I beg to disagree ...

They know they're sucking you dry.

StraightSix - I agree completely. When they don't know what's really wrong they keep on throwing in parts until the problem disappears. Well yeah, not their money anyways.

[mayhem]

Buying BMW are like having a socialite GF, you have to spend for maintenance and don't expect it to be cheap.

depende din yan sa user kasi kung minsan, if you really how to take care of your car then problems would just be minimal pero kung garalgal ka kung gumamit then expect to spend money.

here in Q8 BMW's are so common even the most common man can buy 2nd hand well maintained BMW. my very first owned car here is a 7 series 6 cylinder, after it i now have a freelander, but opting to go back to BMW because of safety anf maintenance features.

probably, i would prefer 5 series rather than 3 series. Particularly 523 or 530 6cylinder. 3 series are very cramped but gas economy is better than the 5 series.

Prices of BMW in the phils is so high end, kahit na lumang luma na eh as in 10 year old na eh umaabot pa din sa 250K minimum.

andg kagandahan dito sa mideast me junkyard na pwede mong puntahan at just pay the very, very reasonable price, di gaya jan sa pinas na puro casa lang at limited sa mga local spare parts dealer.

i inquired sometime ago kung iiexport ko papunta sa pinas and BMW, nagulat ako sa tax and custioms duties mas mahal pa kesa sa pagkabili ko nung kotse.

anyways, BMW is still the best for me if i were to choose one.

[17M]

BMW owners - What are the common problems of BMW 3 series E36, E46, E90 and 5 series E39, E40 - actual experience or info from reliable sources.

mayhem - It look's like people buy bimmers for the ownership experience - it's fun to drive, nimble & precise. It also has leading edge safety features. Yeah, how you use & maintain it makes a lot difference as in any car.

Taxes here are crazy. I know for a fact the the tax portion of the P2.6M+ Honda Pilot is close to P1M.

[17M]

Moving it up for more post...

[Flagg]

BMW owners - What are the common problems of BMW 3 series E36, E46, E90 and 5 series E39, E40 - actual experience or info from reliable sources.

mayhem - It look's like people buy bimmers for the ownership experience - it's fun to drive, nimble & precise. It also has leading edge safety features. Yeah, how you use & maintain it makes a lot difference as in any car.

Taxes here are crazy. I know for a fact the the tax portion of the P2.6M+ Honda Pilot is close to P1M.

Sorry boss, E34 ang akin.

[17M]

Sorry boss, E34 ang akin.

Flagg, post mo na rin. I'm sure it will be very helpful to other tsikoteers w/ an E34. It will also give us an idea as to how BMW grapples w/ realibility issues as the model changes, like from E34 to E36, etc.

[Flagg]

Flagg, post mo na rin. I'm sure it will be very helpful to other tsikoteers w/ an E34. It will also give us an idea as to how BMW grapples w/ realibility issues as the model changes, like from E34 to E36, etc.

Flagg's E34 525i:
First 9 years: no problem just regular PM, except that it ate batteries every year for no apparent reason.
10th year: Change A/C Compressor.
12th year: Switched to Optima battery, no more annual battery change.
13th year: Change 3 Power window mechanisms.
15th year: Change all suspension underpinnings, hi-tension wires. Stock radio finally died, got me some boom-boom... hihihi...
16th year: Change A/C Condenser, fuel pump.
17th year: Cracked cylinder head, but that was my fault, tigas ulo ko e. :bwahaha: Also ECU reflash sa DTM... Thanks lots sir tommee, iwan na mga VTEC sakin!

24/7 every year: Misis glares at you when chicks stare at you... hirap.

[17M]

Flagg's E34 525i:
First 9 years: no problem just regular PM, except that it ate batteries every year for no apparent reason.
10th year: Change A/C Compressor.
12th year: Switched to Optima battery, no more annual battery change.
13th year: Change 3 Power window mechanisms.
15th year: Change all suspension underpinnings, hi-tension wires. Stock radio finally died, got me some boom-boom... hihihi...
16th year: Change A/C Condenser, fuel pump.
17th year: Cracked cylinder head, but that was my fault, tigas ulo ko e. :bwahaha: Also ECU reflash sa DTM... Thanks lots sir tommee, iwan na mga VTEC sakin!

24/7 every year: Misis glares at you when chicks stare at you... hirap.

Flagg, Matibay pala ang E34 525i. I wonder how the later model 5 & 3 series compare???

[Flagg]

Forgot to say:

15th year Changed sagging headliner.
17th year Changed all door sidings to pimp leather. Old rubbery plastic ones were falling off kasi.

[17M]

Forgot to say:

15th year Changed sagging headliner.
17th year Changed all door sidings to pimp leather. Old rubbery plastic ones were falling off kasi.

Flagg, Happy New Year to you & your family. 17 years of E34 ownership & still going strong. Saan ka nagpapalit ng headliner & door sidings?

[Jagger]

BMW owners - What are the common problems of BMW 3 series E36, E46, E90 and 5 series E39, E40 - actual experience or info from reliable sources.

mayhem - It look's like people buy bimmers for the ownership experience - it's fun to drive, nimble & precise. It also has leading edge safety features. Yeah, how you use & maintain it makes a lot difference as in any car.

Taxes here are crazy. I know for a fact the the tax portion of the P2.6M+ Honda Pilot is close to P1M.

My 2001 E46 325i changed control arm bushing three times na. But it's worth every thousand you spend to your bimmer maintenance.

mayhem is right, owning a BMW is liked having a socialite gf, you must have a deeper pocket to maintain one. But, when you make love to her, you forget how expensive she is. Same with a bimmer, when you seat on it, you forget everything but the pleasure of driving an ultimate machine. Gaano kaya kasarap pa kung M3 or M5?

[afrasay]

Jagger,
Do you happen to have a gold 325i?

[Jagger]

Jagger,
Do you happen to have a gold 325i?

psssst!:speechles

[Si 06]

My 2001 E46 325i changed control arm bushing three times na. But it's worth every thousand you spend to your bimmer maintenance.

mayhem is right, owning a BMW is liked having a socialite gf, you must have a deeper pocket to maintain one. But, when you make love to her, you forget how expensive she is. Same with a bimmer, when you seat on it, you forget everything but the pleasure of driving an ultimate machine. Gaano kaya kasarap pa kung M3 or M5?

You can maintain your BMW at Autosport24 for less because Nadji has access to slightly used BMW parts. M3 and M5 engines are also available.
Yes this is the shop that was raided some time ago along Pasong Tamo ext.

When I had my 1st gen 3 in 1980 I had to change Bilsteins every 6 months.

[frenchtower]

If BMW is such a pain to own and maintain (based on some comments), would Lexus, Acura, and Infiniti be a better choice?

Japanese luxury < Euro/German luxury.
Japanese long term dependability/reliability > Euro/German long term dependability/reliability.
Cost of ownership: Japanese = Euro/German.

It is just a matter of personal preference. If you like BMW then don't hold yourself back. Me, I will pick a jap brand anytime. Just my 2 cents.