Dependability???

wasatch22 · Nov 2, 2003

I've always wanted to own a BMW. I've driven my Aunt's quite a bit and I'm always impressed. I was looking for maybe a 94-96 3 series. Most I've looked at have 75kto 175k miles. How dependable of cars are they? Are repairs/parts significantly more expensive than other foreign cars? I've also looked at a Mercedec C series, again 1994-1996. Which would be more dependable, or which would you expect to get more miles out of assuming they have been well cared for. I'd appreciate any advice or insight.
Thanks in advance......

BMWdude · Nov 2, 2003

Don't quote me on this, but from what I understand, those model years you can't go wrong with either car. Both will always start and get you where you want to go, but I've heard(at least for bmw) that the maintenance cost are... [ohcrap]

. It all really depends on what model you get(the kompressor or the most expensive, the 318 or the 328?) and who the previous owner(s) was. Everything has its cost, these cars aren't sunfires or civics, and you have to pay for that - what I'm saying is with these brands, you have to be ready to pay a little extra $$$ just for the name brand.

manuel · Nov 2, 2003

BMWdude said:

and quality...

frolf · Nov 2, 2003

yeah, BMW's are very high quality, strong parts in most cases

CTBMW · Nov 3, 2003

I think the BMW will be more in tune to serious driving.
Maint./parts cost about same-try to stay away from dealer! Parts are expensive in any car- would I pay more for parts for a quality car? YUP! How many parts do you have to buy for any car?! I'll drive the better one and pay a little more.
You will get better support here than Mercedes site- I know!
-Mel
P.S. Comsumer Reports had an issue out a few months ago (your library has a copy) VERY dependable years for the BMW!
Edmunds liked them too.

andreyiv · Nov 3, 2003

Some people will also try to charge you more for something because you have a bimmer. I went to see how much an alarm would cost and the guy BSed me about the whole thing and told me I can only put in 2 alarms and those would cost 200+. I went home and an even better model by the same company was 35 on eBay (Buy It Now and new in unopened box). I also asked him how much it would cost to put in a BMW OEM alarm, and he said it's very hard and would cost even more although all you have to do is plug it in and mount the siren. So be carefull with either Merc or BMW, some people will try to rip you off just because they think you would pay top dollar for anything that concerns your car.

carcus · Nov 3, 2003

Mel Weaver said:

I second what Mel says.....actually, any local lube place will work on a BMW.....Midas will fix almost anything pretty cheap and has no cost to check the car out. Hell, had my radiator installed at Midas....if I need lifetime brakes....going there also. No way I am going to a BMW dealer. There are lots of local Euro car mechanics that work on German cars. Key is, find a good web site for cheap replacement parts, ask around for a good German car mechanic.....all is well. Transmissions and computer/electrical problems are a different matter though. [B)]

andreyiv · Nov 3, 2003

carcus, I heard Midas offers lifetime brake pads but how is that possible? And what is considered lifetime, the time of the pads, rotors, your car or you driving with the pads on? lol

skandalous · Nov 3, 2003

it just means you pay now and you can go back when your brakes die and they put new ones on. It doesn't mean they last forever.

As for this thread, both will run about the same in maint. costs. With that said, go BMW. Better all around driving car. In my family we've had both bimmers and mercs, and while the mercs go just as fast, the bimmer is the most fun to drive.

Also, the bmw roundel is harder to rip off compared to the merc symbol on the hood [;)]

Dependability???

wasatch22

New Member

BMWdude

Member

manuel

2

frolf

2

CTBMW

Member

andreyiv

2

carcus

1000 Post Club

andreyiv

2

skandalous

2