any 4-wheeled BMW owners out there?

[Hodag]

I'm thinking of selling my gas guzzler landcruiser, and getting a '03 5 series wagon. Any other owners out there with advice?

[Visian]

I've owned two BMW cars in the past... and never will again. Cost of ownership is WAY too high.

If you're the type of person who buys a new car every 3-5 years, you can get by as long as you can stand the payments. But long-term cost of ownership is way out of whack relative to the quality of the product.

Ian

[username]

i've had two bmw autos in the past, and i'll have more. as ian said, the cost of ownership can be steep. i say go drive one. if it makes you happy and makes you grin and look forward to driving (as mine did) buy it. if it doesnt, slide down the cost curve a bit and see how things look.

are you deadset on a wagon?

[Hodag]

I'm a wagon guy, so yes kinda set on it.

Wife actually wants me to keep the cruiser(paid for), and its a back and forth struggle for me. I enjoy all aspects of it except the gas bill (10-12 MPG). (also its been 2 years since I got a different car)

[CJM]

1. If you think Corperarte BMW Motorcycle can be difficult. Try the 4 wheel variety. Three major engine troubles in the past 15 years and they still will not admit it was their engineers who were at fault for building defective engines.

2. If you think their bike parts are expensive, you'll love their cars.

3. I have a respectable income, but not enough to support one of those.

Buy a Honda.

[James.A]

I used to own a Volvo XC70. A great wagon, but very expensive to own and operate. I now run a Subaru Outback. Quirky, but bulletproof. If you must have a wagon, check out the Subaru.

[Hodag]

Buy a Honda.

Got one, wife's car. Best car we ever got, not enough character for me.

[MCMXCIVRS]

We have an 02 325i, it's our first BMW auto. It's still in the warranty period, so no problem with expenses yet. Just had the final free service done about a month ago, and I will now start doing my own servicing. Being a licensed mechanic with a fully stocked toolbox makes that easier. I will have to go buy a manual for the tech data. We've had the car for just over a year now, and have had no issues with it so far. Our plan is to keep it for ten or so years, so we'll see how the long term costs are.

[Visian]

Got one, wife's car. Best car we ever got, not enough character for me.

Oh... you want a wagon with some character?

http://www.edmunds.com/media/news/column/letterstotheeditors/03.sept2/03.subaru.wrx.wagon.500.jpg

This little puppy will rip the face off just about any BMW on the road. M5 included (to ~ 80mph...) :burnout

Ian

[einnar]

Agreed.... Subaru WRX wagon is 'teh bomb'

[Hodag]

already had a Soooob

fun car, legacy sedan. boy was that thing interesting on snow covered frozen lakes. actually learned alot about driving an all wheel drive vehicle, and its limits.

Little past the rally sport look of a WRX

[RatSnake]

I'm thinking of selling my gas guzzler landcruiser, and getting a '03 5 series wagon. Any other owners out there with advice?
Mark, I have 2 4 wheel drive BMWs. I drive a '02 330xi and my wife has an '04 X5. I have had a couple of minor issues with the 330xi, but the X5 has given us zero problems.

Call or PM me if you want to talk about it.

[paulsibek]

I've had 2 5's and a 2002Tii. I love the BMW cars.

Are there better cars? Depends. You can't go wrong with a Honda or Toyota. But few cars feel like a Bimmer. I am a Bimmer guy, my dad was a Pontiac guy. Cars invoke a passion. Some like blondes, some red heads. Go figure.

MY last 5 was a 1999 and it never gave me a problem. The '91 was cantankerous (sp?) and the 2002 was spot on for reliability. JD Powers rates BMW #3 in reliability.

I've had Peugots, Volvos, MB's, Mazdas, Nissans, VW's, Toyotas a Ford a Plymouth and a Jag. Nothing felt or drove as good as the Bimmers.

I am currently waiting for the 5XXT (wagon) to come out and I will order one. I'm a wagon guy too...

But I also just ordered a Prius for my commute...

It's all personal taste. Would I love a Subaru? Damn tootin' I would. I sat in a Forester at the LA auto show, longer than almost any other car. I'd also would love a Beetle Convertible, a Mini, a Scion B, a 300C, Lotus, and many more.

I also love my wife's Toyota van and my sons Denali.

Cars are one of the few real passion items we have, rich or poor.

[Visian]

already had a Soooob

fun car, legacy sedan. boy was that thing interesting on snow covered frozen lakes. actually learned alot about driving an all wheel drive vehicle, and its limits.

Little past the rally sport look of a WRX

I would like the opportunity to drive my Scooby in a situation like that. It would help the learning for sure.

FWIW, Subaru is now putting their turbo motor into many of their other models. The Legacy Outback is now available.

I actually am not the biggest fan of turbo motors (although I did *love* my Audi Turbo Quattro, but that car actually exceeded the TCO of the BMW)... the Subaru flat 6 is a much better motor because there's no replacement for displacement.

Have you seen their new Tribeca?

http://clabedan.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/subaru_b9_tribeca.JPG

Ian

This is my all-time favorite Scoob... why did I sell mine??? I love Giugiaro styling!!!

http://richard.quetand.free.fr/photos%20grande%20taille/Subaru%20SVX.jpg

[BradfordBenn]

I have not had any problems with any of the VW's I have owned - 5 of them. I even looked at the Jetta or Passat wagons and with the VR6 they are pretty cool. Also the GTI has surprising amount of room once you put down the rear seats. We can get our two 100+ pound dogs in there.

[James.A]

I actually am not the biggest fan of turbo motors (although I did *love* my Audi Turbo Quattro, but that car actually exceeded the TCO of the BMW)... the Subaru flat 6 is a much better motor because there's no replacement for displacement.



My biggest problem with the turbo Volvo was that on slick roads, it was way too easy to bust loose all four wheels. The under powered Subaru is much better in the snow.

[donkey doctor]

Hello; I have had a few BMW cars 5 in all, the last one gave me 400 thousand kilometers of trouble free driving. All the fellows I work with think I'm crazy, but I like 'em. They can get expensive though. I am a mechanic and do all my own repairs and maintenance. I always wanted a station wagon Bimmer but I have never seen one on a used car lot, so they must be good. About the only problems I ever had with them was electrical, but I managed to solve that too. I prefer the 5 size, but I have no personal experience with their V8s, all mine were the 3.5 litre inline 6.

I took the latest engine apart, since I had to swap it out due to a collapsed cam (my fault) there was no visible wear on the bore after over 400,000 kms.

I put the new engine in it and sold it to one of my sons, he has put an additional 100,000 on it since then. They have proven to me that they make good engines.

[RTRandy]

My wife has a 2005 BMW 525i and the car is on full warranty for 50,000 miles including all maintenance. They will replace brake pads and even windshield wipers at no cost if they are worn before the warranty is up. The only single item on the entire car that is not on the warranty are the tires. For her it works, but we all know nothing is free and we already paid up front on the price of the car for all that "free" stuff.

I had bought my son a used 93 325i with 65k that was like show room new, yet we ended up replacing stuff like a radiator, water pump, brake master cylinder, battery, plus more. You pay a stiff price to have someone in a white coat and a germain accent to help you as well.

Rule of thumb: It doesn't matter what car you buy, whether a BMW or a SCHMEE MW, if you have over 80,000 miles on it, expect to pay on average $250 per month anually just to keep it maintained with no problems.

I lived with a Saab for 140,000 miles and learned that lesson well.

[deilenberger]

I'm thinking of selling my gas guzzler landcruiser, and getting a '03 5 series wagon. Any other owners out there with advice?

Great choice. SWMBO drives one I originally got. Don't let the other people scare you - the E39 5 series - if you get the I6 engine is very well sorted out by 2003. I've had nothing with the one we have (42,000 miles on it now), and my prior 528i - a '98 was sold with 110,000 miles on it and no problems.

Great cars. Wish my '98 M3 was as reliable..

For more info - check out the group I run on Yahoo - dedicated to the E39 5-series. About 1,100 members now. Spam and flame free.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bmwe39/

Oh - the '98 M3 convertible was 'cause SWMBO wanted the 2003 Touring, so I had to make a sacrifice. Dirty job, but someone's gotta do it (and that is bimmer number... ummmm... I think 6 for me..) :thumb