What Model BMW?

[17M]

Bimmer owners - I might gift myself with a certified pre-owned BMW sometime next year for the driving experience & the joy of owning one. What 3 or 5 series do you recommend? Reliability is a priority as I have the habit of keeping a car for more than 5 years. Thanks.

[userfriendly]

Sorry for sounding negative, but in my experience BMWs are worthless piece of s**t. They are very expensive to maintain. Parts are freaking overpriced and sometimes they have to be on order basis.

My father has 2 BMs a 2002 model 318 and a 5 series. The 318 has less than 50,000 kms. I already replaced the oil pan gasket. one power window is broken. Did not fix it since we dont normally open it and the part is 8,000 pesos plus labor and vat. The coolant reservior tank blew a few weeks ago. Again per order basis. One key is also dead. I was quoted 15,000 plus plus, order basis also. Dead electronic key = it will open the door but engine wont start.

The 5 series is about 2 years old. Hardly used. Around 15,000 kms only. So far the only prob I encountered was the oil pressure idiot light lit up. Checked the oil and it was low by 1 liter. Dont understand since its full synthetic oil and its a freaking brand new engine. Refilled oil and so far so good.

This is my experience hopefully there are satisfied owners.

[17M]

Tsk, tsk, even my '96 Accord w/c I bought brand new & has raked 90K+ on the odometer did not experience those problems. The oil pan gasket is due for replacement next oil change, it's first, as it's showing traces of motor oil. Have had no problems with the power windows, keyless entry key or coolant reservoir - all still original. I also use fully synthetic & it has not evaporated on me or does it over a longer period of time.

[BlueBimmer]

as with newer bmws, more electrical gadgets will mean more problems in the future.

buti nalang my E36 only has the basic electronics..

[Memphis Raines]

Ang crush ko ngayon is the 531i sedan :2hearts:. Meron kasing mga certified pre-owned available nito. I love those rims and that prestigious look.

Sometimes brand is more important than new

[Horsepower]

A 5-series diesel...

[Flagg]

Our BMWs aren't as problematic as userfriendly's.

I'd suggest a 2001 up 525i.

[17M]

Thanks for the suggestions & comments guys Flagg, any reason why the 2001 up 525i in particular? Memphis, horsepower, why the 5 series? 3 series not good enough? Certified pre-owned 3 series are bang for the buck IMHO. 2004 up 5 series is still pricey, need to wait a couple more years. BlueBimmer, Userfriendly's problems are not electronic except for the car key. That type of key is really expensive. For the '96 accord it will set you back 8.0K according to my Honda SA when he noticed a crack in the handle. I promptly applied black epoxy on the cracks.

[StraightSix]

One key is also dead. I was quoted 15,000 plus plus, order basis also. Dead electronic key = it will open the door but engine wont start.

OT Not to sound condescending, but have you tried doing the programming steps when using new keys (like spares)? IIRC, the ignition will accept up to 4 master keys. So unless all slots have been used, you can still program the car to accept another key.

As for other malfunctions from the remote, there's another set of procedures to re-initialize the remote.

These steps should fix most remote key problems, other than parts failure. I had to bite the price of spare key once but said goodbye to the dealer when they quoted the price for the programming and did it myself.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand that you bring your bimmer for a well baby check-up every 10k kms, not 10k kms or 6 months w/chever comes first. That will take me about 10 months use or P50.00/day [15K / 300 days] excluding parts.

The intervals are based on the on-board computer and depends on your driving distance on each trip. Frequent short trips will mean shorter intervals. Some people do an intermediate oil change in-between. In a tropical setting I guess it would help to do more.

[17M]

The intervals are based on the on-board computer and depends on your driving distance on each trip. Frequent short trips will mean shorter intervals. Some people do an intermediate oil change in-between. In a tropical setting I guess it would help to do more.[/quote]







StraightSix, then my figures are off. I only do 25-30 kms/day from home to office in makati & nearby places. We use the van on weekends & out of town trips.