A friend is thinking of buying a secondhand 2018 or so X3 (around $30k).
Any thoughts from this forum as to value, serviceability and reliability?
Reliability of Secondhand BMWs
Ashok Wilmington on 24/10/2024 - 12:18
Last edited 24/10/2024 - 13:51 by 1 other user
Last edited 24/10/2024 - 13:51 by 1 other user
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BMW cars are well designed and engineered. The problem is when you follow the exact factory service schedule, then your car will fail exactly when warranty period ends.
If factory says 10,000 kms between oil change, do it at 5000 kms.
If factory says life time transmission fluid, change it at 80,000 kms.
If factory says life time coolant fluid, change it every 5 years.Don’t do it.
I assume your mate doesn't have much experience working with cars? If so, then stay away.
FWIW, BMWs used to be very much reliable cars, but like most German manufacturers, over time, they've over-engineered their cars into unreliability. More electronics than is required, more complex than required, and not really designed with serviceability in mind.
If you're always going to be at the mechanic, then you're paying significantly more for parts, you are waiting significantly longer (because they're not as common as, say, Toyota parts), and you're paying more hours for the mechanic (because of how difficult BMWs can be to service), and also paying a higher rate, because those who work on German cars know that you can afford to pay more, so will charge you more.
If it's a classic car, or a project car, then I think there's some merit in it, because they can genuinely be fun to play with and work on. However, given the discussion is about an X3, I think this is beside the point.
TL;DR, it's a bad decision, particularly given you can just take the $30k and buy a whole host of other new, more reliable cars in a similar form factor, e.g. a Kia Sportage, or Mazda CX-5 (though admittedly both brand new would probably be closer to the $35k mark). If your mate really values the "luxury" element of the car, then get a Lexus NX300 (which I'd argue is more "luxurious" than the BMW X3 anyway - it won't have the same tacky electronics and bling bling, but the fit and finish, trim, and all-round build quality will be significantly better IMO).
they are as reliable as cows pants (Ie not)
Has to be up to date with services. Then no cosmetic damages. Then seeing if a fault has developed and seller is hiding it. So looking for oil or leaks in car. Recommend paying someone $300 or so to do a pre purchase inspection. If seller doesn't want to, you know something is up.
In my experience, it's not cosmetics or leaks, it's electronics that start failing. You'd have to do a really thorough check to see which windows or lights aren't working (my experience), or who knows what else.
honestly, stay away. most of them are lemons.
ive had numerous german cars and they are a nightmare. Great cars but poor reliability in my experience.
What about reliability of a second hand Lexus?
Good question. I’m personally thinking of one of these!
As reliable as a Toyota
Nah, it sounds tempting and I am having the same conversation with a friend who is thinking of selling his MY19 Tiguan R-Line for a used 2019 X3 M40i and I have recommended against it.
Buying a euro car out of warranty is a big no-no for me, not saying they all go bang! but when they do the costs are ridiculous especially the labour, these things are tightly packed!
80K is a healthy budget, Lexus NX350h, Tiguan R-Line (Or R if lucky), or Mazda CX60 - consider these! Even if its a demo, you can get a good car for that price!
Budget was $30k
Oops my bad - context switching gone bad there.
30k yeah I would go for something else that's not a BMW!
Your friend is in for a shock
I bought a 2015 M235i last year. Had only 60k kms. Day 1 of ownership, its serpentine belt popped off. $700 bill asap. Day 1. Then there's the maintenance (which isn't BMW's fault). Brakes were 2k, Tires are expensive. Trans Fluid, Diff Fluid. Then another thing broke.. $2k bill. Oh and it consumed oil for fun. This was one of the most mint condition pristine BMW's on the market. I bought it because I didn't believe all the "hate" and thought it can't be that bad. The maintenance I expected. The random repairs I did not. Great to drive though.
BMW = burns money wickedly?
Look honestly bmw is a great car brand.
I think it has more to do with the driver behind the person you are buying from instead of the car itself.
https://www.jdpower.com/business/press-releases/2024-us-vehi…
It's actually in the top 10 most reliable brands. So people here are spouting a lot of incorrect information. I've owned my car for 4 years and it hasn't skipped a beat. Sent the car to both bmw and ultra tune with no one indicating anything is remotely wrong.
Here is another website in case you want a different opinion
https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-advice/top-6-most-reliable-…
JD Power is rating relatively new cars. This thread is asking about older cars.
Your second article says Audi are reliable. 🤣
Both are valid points.
I'm not sure how Audi made the top 6 . In all honesty they are one of the most unreliable brands I have seen. I intentionally chose a bmw over Audi and Mercedes as there are far less 'problems' per se with bmw. And the drive is just beautiful. I know that might be subjective but being in one you can see how bmw engineers design a car around the driver.
I wish everyone had the opportunity to afford one and be in one because there really is a difference in driving experience between that and the Japanese cars.. I have owned a few cars over my years.. the worst is the Renault followed by Ford's and Holdens and camrys..
The best is my bmw followed by my civic vtiL and then Mercedes.
I guess the point is, if you want a car for enjoyment is different from buying a car just for reliability.
Look at how many Tesla cars are being purchased and their quality standards are even lower than most of the other brands..
But they probably enjoy it's drive.
The only thing I can suggest if reliability is also important is maybe try the Lexus range. Their design aesthetics isn't particularly appealing to me but they are probably the car you want to buy if luxury and reliability is a must.. I can't provide feedback on their drive as I haven't driven oneThe Lexus cars whilst being rather luxurious and reliable are quite dull and disengaging to drive. I understand why someone would trade off reliability and go for a euro.
My parents own a 2008 bmw x3 20d, currently at 180,000kms, and a lot of short trip/stop start, not ideal for a diesel.
best friend has a 2010 e60 530d
Another friend has a 2016 x5 30dBoth have had good reliability overall.
Beyond routine consumables i.e. battery, brakes, oil, the x3 has had 1 major repair of a replacement turbocharger.
We have found a mechanic specialising in euro cars and maintenance is reasonableThe 530d is a 6 cylinder and maintenance is a bit more costly, and it has done around 190,000km. I believe it had a suspension issue but the repair cost was in the hundreds.
The x5 had a leaking sunroof, which caused a lot of electrical issues, but apart from that no major issues in 100,000km, touch wood.
Apparently sunroofs are a known issue, especially if the car isn't garaged.
Good luck
My friend forked up another $7 or $8k and bought a brand new CX5 … he said it was the better choice than a $30k X3
I sold my BMW 1 Series, year 2018, early this year. First 3 years serviced at BMW (3 year service package), the other two years serviced at "specialised in BMW" service centres. Amazing car, nil mechanical or electrical issues. Hopefully the new owner is enjoying it as much as I did.
I wonder if all the reported issues and the stigma with "European cars" are more a driver issue than a car issue, but I am not aware of any evidence on this topic. You obviously can have cheaper and possibly more reliable Toyota, but then you might have no joy driving.
All my previous BMW (series 1, X5) and VW (Tiguan) have never had a single issue. The only car that actually had issues was a Peugeot (relatively minor electrical issue that Peugeot struggled to solve, which cost me time and money).
I currently own a BMW X5 and am very happy with that.
you owned the car during the most trouble free period of its life, it isn't the first 5 years or so that are the risk. It tends to be towards and after 10 years and even then they are not that bad reliability wise BUT hideously expensive for the things that do go wrong. So basically maintenance costs go through the roof. I just had a mate service his 9 year old X5, it cost him just shy of $20k, new turbo and issue with engine (lifetime always serviced at BMW).
20k is a lot of money… I usually buy new(ish) and sell when they are around 5y old with less than 50k km, and still manage to get very decent resale value. I honestly can't talk about what happens after that.
If you don't buy new and sell around that age they are a perfect car, reliable and excellent vehicles. If you buy new then BMW have one of the worst depreciation rates and it is due to the horrible maintenance costs as they age past that 10 year rate. You just want to avoid old Beamers and be aware of depreciation of new ones.
How much do you hate your sanity
If its a lot then go for it!
I watched a very mechanically minded friend of the family struggle for months with engine issues on a BMW he bought for his daughter. I'd never buy one.
we had a first generation 2010 E84 X1 diesel, did 160km/day on it for work, 6L/100km fuel consumption, we absolutely loved it. Did tonnes of interstate road trips in it. Never had any mechanical faults.
Like 2nd Audi’s, don’t go anywhere near them,they can be a money pit as they get older.
It's too broad a question.
Some models are more reliable than others. Same thing with Mercedes, Audi, etc. Do some research on the model you're looking at.
Obviously not as reliable as Toyota and the like but also not nearly as boring to drive.
I got a brand new M3 in 2022 and has had problems none stop. Would i buy a BMW again? No. Would i buy a second hand bmw? No.
Diesel cars are cheaper / easier to maintain.
BMW are fantastic cars for the first 5 years. They drive better than the vast majority of cars out there. Engines are powerful and economical.
However an older BMW is just asking for trouble. Their plastic engine parts and cooling systems simply do not last.
My dream car would be a rwd BMW with the B58 and Japanese reliability.
I'm no car expert, but $30k is alot of $ to spend on a 6 year old car (regardless of how much it costed brand new)
Biasa masuk workshop
If the car doesnt have oil leaks or coolant leaks, then it is not a BMW.
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lol
They must be pristine looking and in a reusable condition then.
No one would want messy overstretched pre-loved ones that end up after my use. I drive an American car.