Ten ways in which buying a used BMW bankrupted me

"Klaus Schmoll" (klausschmoll)
04/01/2019 at 13:51 • Filed to: None

Click inside to find out more! Number 11 will shock you.

On this very day, two years ago, I brought this beauty home, and I have to say that I’m still very much in love. Especially after having driven F11 and F31 BMWs. So how bad was it?

Besides different fluids and filters it needed a set of brake pads and a set of brake hoses for the rear. Also the tires (summer and winter) will need to be replaced soon-ish. That’s the normal maintenance.

Ah, you think “normal maintenance” now the long tale of tears will begin when he starts litsting the “not-so-normal” maintenance.

Sorry to disappoint, I needed one injector and a roundel for the hood (of course). Both done at the BMW dealer for less than €500 combined.

Not too bad for 2 years and around 23k miles (has around 115k on the odo right now). Keep in mind that this car sits outside all year in salty air within sight of the coast, and has to deal with my absurdly short commute (around two miles) as well. It was also ridden hard and put away wet during the Wales Europpomeet last year. It passed TÜV inspection last week, without any problems.

So, you might think, it’s a ten year old Bimmer, surely there must be something that’s not working correctly or maybe some lights on the dash? Nope! Sorry to disappoint again.

Some of it may be due to the fact, that the N53B30 is NA and also not really highly stressed, and it was a one owner car with perfect BMW service history. Or maybe they are better than their reputation. Maybe I was just lucky so far and it will turn into a fancy paperweight tomorrow morning, who knows? Make of this little piece of anecdotal evidence what you will…

DISCUSSION (23)

random001 > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 13:59

I have a three year old bimmer....

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 14:08

Awesome to see that it’s still going strong! The colour on it also looks great in the sunlight!

You’re also joining in France with it right?

LOREM IPSUM > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 14:12

That’s just what the German plastics and rubber want you to believe. Muhahahah a!

Enjoy that sense of security while you have it.

Klaus Schmoll > BvdV - The Dutch Engineer
04/01/2019 at 14:13

Yep, already bought a radio for CB shenanigans.

DipodomysDeserti > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 14:19

I’m at 118k on my wife’s X1 and all the issues I’ve had have been related to the shitty plastic BMW uses on everything . I had one fuel pump disintegrate on me and now a leaky fuel tank vent hose. I also had to replace a radiator under warranty which they then replaced with another leaky radiator (BMW doesn’t warranty their warranty work BTW). My sunroof shade recently stopped moving back which I’m guessing is the result of a plastic guide breaking. I’m just hoping my shitty plastic timing chain guides don’t disintegrate.

BvdV - The Dutch Engineer > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 14:25

Ah yes, now I remember :p

Tripper > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 14:25

I was bated, then pleasantly surprised! Nice work, and nice car!

DutchieDC2R > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 14:35

With only two weeks to go, you do realize youre putting a huge jynx on it this way, dont you?

Klaus Schmoll > DutchieDC2R
04/01/2019 at 14:42

Yep, it’s a huge risk. Transmission’s problably turn into shrapnel tomorrow morning.

BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 15:03

Things gonna grenade tomorrow.

Also tomorrow: I’m likely trading in a Honda for a 8 year old F10 535. It already comes with a leaky valve cover and leaky oil pan (two outta three of the devils trifecta!) - no surprises!

Klaus Schmoll > BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
04/01/2019 at 15:06

Traded in an Accord for the E61. Spoiler alert, the Honda left me stranded twice, while the BMW so far has always brought me where I wanted to be.

Party-vi > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 15:32

My E46 never left me stranded, but it was old enough to need constant little replacements. I miss it.

FSI > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 15:42

I was pleasantly surprised by how good a (for me) high km E60 523i felt. High on my shopping list...

Klaus Schmoll > Party-vi
04/01/2019 at 15:49

Remind me what you are driving these days, I only remember the XJ and the E46. Wasn’t it some Mazda?

Klaus Schmoll > FSI
04/01/2019 at 15:52

They feel more solid than their successor.

FSI > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 16:01

I actually think the F10 has also held up exceptionally well. We replaced the bags of the rear air suspension two weeks ago, that thing looked mint for a 240k km car. It all depends on the owner though.

Party-vi > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 16:01

A 3rd gen Mazda 6. It’s great, but not as grin-inducing as the E46.

Klaus Schmoll > Party-vi
04/01/2019 at 16:10

We’ve had 5 different Mazda 626/6s in the family, all great cars, but I’ve yet to drive something newer than the first gen 6. The 3rd gen is something I’ll consider once the inevitable (according to internet wisdom) happens to this BMW.

Klaus Schmoll > FSI
04/01/2019 at 16:14

It may ha ve held up well, it’s just the subjective feeling of solidity that isn’t there, even when fairly new. The chassis is softer and they cheaped out on the interiour and switches.

MultiplaOrgasms > Klaus Schmoll
04/01/2019 at 16:34

Obviously you bought a genuine GDM BMW. Everyone knows that all german cars have to pass a rigorous pre-delivery inspection, those that pass stay in germany and will last eleven million miles with oil changes every 15.000 km , those that don’t are sent to:

a) America

b) People with access to internet.

Klaus Schmoll > MultiplaOrgasms
04/01/2019 at 16:58

Hey, we all know that the true BMWs have an X in their name and are made in S partanburg, SC. Where the eff is Dingolfing anyway? It’s not even a real BMW plant.

duurtlang > MultiplaOrgasms
04/02/2019 at 02:39

Oil changes every 15k kms? Those wasteful Germans! My Peugeot (with 345k km on the odometer) requires an oil change once every 30k km. It will burn through about one load of oil (4.25 L) within those 30k kms as well, but that’s not the point.

Klaus Schmoll > duurtlang
04/02/2019 at 16:35

It only wants new oil every 25k. I have to top up a liter shortly after halftime, though.