Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
On one side, I want something unique and fun to drive; on the other, I don't want to deal with car problems.
I used to have a 96 Mustang GT. I spent thousands after thousand of dollars to fix it. First the wheels, then its water pump broke, then it randomly wouldn't start and the dealer couldn't figure out what was wrong. After that, I got a Honda and in the last 10+ years, I had zero problem and it still runs like new.
The only complaint I have about the BMW is it's a little small.
What are your thoughts? I also plan to buy probably 1-2 years old ones, not new.
Last edited by lifeexplorer; 04-04-2012 at 01:09 PM..
As far as lack of problems and cost to maintain I would go with the Mustang. The 2012 Mustang is not the same as your 1996 Mustang. This is another complete car alltogether.
Plenty of friends have the BMW 3 series cars and they can be costly to own. If you are buying new you may get away with paying for anything as I do know our dealer offers no cost maintenance for the first 3 or 4 years I think. Still after that you may want to make sure that your budget can afford the car.
As far as lack of problems and cost to maintain I would go with the Mustang. The 2012 Mustang is not the same as your 1996 Mustang. This is another complete car alltogether.
Plenty of friends have the BMW 3 series cars and they can be costly to own. If you are buying new you may get away with paying for anything as I do know our dealer offers no cost maintenance for the first 3 or 4 years I think. Still after that you may want to make sure that your budget can afford the car.
Can you explain why the 3 series would be costly to own?
Depending on what year youre talking about, BMWs can have parts prices that are way higher than domestic cars, and need them way more often.
The ability to DIY is much more necesary in order to keep costs reasonable with BMWs. I've owned a number of them (and am replacing the engine in my 740iL right now...)
I compared the cost of a 2012 BMW 328i with that of a 2012 Mustang. I chose cars that were as close as possible for these two. What I came up with that over the 5 year time frame you will spend $56,516 for the BMW and $40,943 for the Mustang. The BMW cost $38,000 new and the Mustang cost $22,000 new. Also from what I have heard is that it is easier to work on the Mustang. Oh and when you change the oil on a BMW, you take it to BMW to do that, or risk the warranty.
Why not look at a used Pontiac G8 GT? Often directly compared to the BMW 5 series, lots of power stock, a blast to drive and you won't see one every day. Bulletproof LS motor and the very stout 6L80 6 speed shiftable transmission that will run 200k with oil changes and gas.
Two very different cars, imo, with very different driver feel, interior ambiance, etc.
Difficult to rec'd one over the other, due to their dissimilar 'feel'. I rec'd driving both,
as close to back to back as you can.
As for BMW being expensive to repair: yes, parts & dlr charges are higher than the Ford
dlr, but both cars the OP is considering should have some decent warranty left. I can't
recite the FoMoCo warranty, but BMW's is 4 yrs, 50k miles, inc an annual oil change,
wiper blades, etc. And, very extendable via dlr or 3rd party when oe warranty is close to
expiring.
Neither are 'large/roomy', imo. The BMW trunk is an afterthought, though the usual split
seat with 'pass through' on most 3 series helps. But, tiny backseats, tiny trunk.
If OP portrayed what either car is 'for', it might help.
Not a fanboi of BMW, but I have one, have had a few, and the BMW urban myths and dis info on this forum are remarkable, imo.
Two very different cars, imo, with very different driver feel, interior ambiance, etc.
Difficult to rec'd one over the other, due to their dissimilar 'feel'. I rec'd driving both,
as close to back to back as you can.
As for BMW being expensive to repair: yes, parts & dlr charges are higher than the Ford
dlr, but both cars the OP is considering should have some decent warranty left. I can't
recite the FoMoCo warranty, but BMW's is 4 yrs, 50k miles, inc an annual oil change,
wiper blades, etc. And, very extendable via dlr or 3rd party when oe warranty is close to
expiring.
Neither are 'large/roomy', imo. The BMW trunk is an afterthought, though the usual split
seat with 'pass through' on most 3 series helps. But, tiny backseats, tiny trunk.
If OP portrayed what either car is 'for', it might help.
Not a fanboi of BMW, but I have one, have had a few, and the BMW urban myths and dis info on this forum are remarkable, imo.
The car is intended for daily commute not a weekend thing. So it will be driven all the time.
What are the urban myths about BMW?
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
