What I've Learned After Owning 5 BMWs
With anything in life, there is a lot we can learn from experience. Over the last 10 years I've owned 5 BMWs, and I think it is only right that I share my experience with those that may be considering jumping on the brand. My goal here is not to sell you or knock on BMW, but more so give you an better understanding of what it's like owning one before you make a mistake most people tend to do. Listen closely everyone!
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Of course there is so much more I've learned from owning BMWs, but I didn't want to make the video outrageously long. Part 2 maybe?
I had 4 bmws. 1995 320i. Best car I ever owned. Drove it for 7 years. Only problem I picked up was a water pump falior in the 7 years. Could drive 230km/h even when it had 380k kms on the clock. Then I had 2 x 330i. Grey one and a green bronze colour one. Now I enjoy my 335i black mamba. You have to look after your car then it will look after you.
Feel like u changed ur whole view after u lost ur m5 lol. its alrigh i would be going thru it too😩
My uncle has a 2000 e39 BMW m5 from new which now has 430k miles he serviced it twice a year changed all the fluids every year he looks after that thing and I mean it 😂 parked it in a garage when his wife left it outside in the rain he would go ballistic 🤣🤣 I have to say it drives way better than my e91 with 90k miles and I look after that aswell.
I’ve owned 3 and tbh my most problematic one was my E46M3. Plagued with issues from its previous owner in Florida. He destroyed that car and I brought it back to life and it was my second bmw. I wanted something faster so I traded up for a 2012 135i. I have yet to have an issue from this car yet because I did all the maintenance soon as I got it
Yup
I love it when people say not to buy a BMW, it makes me want to buy another one even more. I bought a 330ci E46 that came with a cracked rad for $4000 and once I fixed that it had no problems whatsoever. Best handling/driving car I’ve ever owned.
The zhp sedan?
@@lyfzgoodgarage826 vert
@@lyfzgoodgarage826 convertible non-ZHP :)
4000?? U mean 400?
@@gavinsixnine this was in 2012 lol
This video made me more open minded that it’s not bmws fault they break down. It’s their previous owners. Thank you
EXACTLY.
Yup 💯
maybe, BMW are notorious for being hard to maintain. Out of warranty repair are ridiculous expensive which leads to owners not paying for that repair. Even if previous owner paid for repairs, the current owners are just going to take over for new repair payments. BMWs are not worth it.
lol the car needs more attention then a puppy.
@@christiansoto9755just found out that a 2021 bmw m maintenance cost about the same as a 2015 Lexus rc. It’s not that expensive in my opinion.
You raised a lot of good points. I do like how the engine sounds on this used BMW x5 2007 we got a few months ago but oh boy, the oil hadn’t even been changed in over two years, the alternator went bad, and we had to get the heat valve replaced as well. Maintenance is key like you said. It works great when it works besides for those sorts of issues.
It’s a 2007
How much did that cost
I’ve only bought 1 owner CPO certified BMWs. I’ve had a ‘17 X1, ‘15 X5 50i, ‘18 530e, and my favorite ‘19 X5 50i. Out of all of the cars I’ve only had one amplifier go out and other than that they have ran perfect. I absolutely love them and the brand
I must say, the last point about owning a bmw and having people treat you differently or view you differently is true. I think it’s pretty neat that you mentioned this in the video. I think some people would be embarrassed or think that it made them look bad, but it’s a real thing and I like how you explained it.
That might be the case in the US, but over here in Europe people don't really care if someone owns a BMW, since they really common here
@@maurivalkonen4362 yes you are 100% correct. I find it funny, when I used to drive a 2006 330i, When I would be filling my car with gas I would have people make comments like “oh wow, nice car” or “that looks expensive” “what do you do for a living” etc, while the car was worth about $12,000, and parked next to me was a pickup truck that was $75,000 but no one would ever even notice the truck.
@@maurivalkonen4362 depends where in Europe. Here in Malta people still get very impressed even if the BMW is 15 years old especially the girls. And BMWs, Mercedes, Audis are dirt cheap here like in anywhere else.
This is true, I live in Florida and noticed immediately after buying a 335i in 2010. Other drivers would tail gate more and wouldn't let me merge in traffic. Basically people were shitty towards that car. I was beautiful, it had M3 wheels and side splitters. I came back to my 2003 range rover having a big spit on the driver's window one time as well.
@@floridawoodstowater8924 u seem like a native as someone who migrated why they hell do people do that make 0 sense i could b literally driving 10mph under the speed limit here comes this Floridian doin a million mph jumps behind me and stays there so confusing
I've actually gotten more hate than love from other people, by owning a BMW. You are so right when you said that people will judge you within the first 15 seconds of seeing you in one 😂.... But who cares!.. I still love my E92.
People judge everyone lmao. It is what it is
I actually like the feeling when people look at me like I'm some rich brat because I own a 2006 320d when in reality I'm not rich at all
@@charlescarabott7692 Who looks at you in a 2006 Bmw?😂😂😂
@@Ante_Knezevic yea wtf :D
@@Ante_Knezevic they do. Really they do :))
I’m on my 5th BMW. Most of mine have been new. You’re right about higher miles, used ones, as with a lot of brands. You take a real gamble on previous maintenance and upkeep. A first-time BMW owner (buying used) should have an expectation of higher maintenance costs. Some owners just buy the car for the brand and cannot afford to maintain it. That runs with the territory of buying this type of vehicle. It shouldn’t necessarily be a knock on the brand, but on the general owners of such brands.
Why shouldn't high maintenance costs not be a knock on the brand? If two cars have the same price but one has lower maintenance cost, would not people prefer that?
Question pls am a 20 year old student my uni are far and i need a carto get there that will last me should i consider a used a bmw
@@nicolaybenz3897Definitely not
@@femboy1141 Why not? If you have skills to maintain it and money to keep up with the costs, I say go for it. Why not?
@@officerahmo do you seriously think a 20 year old university student has the money to maintain a used bmw
I have an e46, and I used to have an e39. Not gonna argue about the maintenance aspect of this video, but the driving experience - when the cars are up to spec - is better than any other car I’ve driven, let alone owned. They are so solid and precise. And even working on them isn’t terrible - the engineering and layout is just so impressive.
You need to drive a current Alfa Romeo Giulia. We owners like to think it's what BMW 3 series used to be - small, nimble, pretty and rare. I loved the E46 M3, but today's BMW M3/4 are way too big, too heavy and too focused on luxury. They aren't super capable as sport sedans unless you go for the (very expensive) CS versions.
I’ve got a 320d, done 35k miles in a year. 0 problems. Literally 0. Amazing MPG, amazing handling, very very comfortable on long journeys. For those who want a BMW but money is tight don’t buy a high performance one. Buy a “slower” one. More likely to have non racer previous Owners and less parts to go wrong. They still drive amazingly
Good advice
Mine is a 2006 320d. Same here. No problems after three years of daily use
I bought a second hand 520d. No problems. Running superb.
The 320d gets clobbered by competitors, what are you on?
@@roboticvenom1935 audi a4 is 177 hp with turbo...c250 170. Put that 320 in sprt mode. Da hell are YOU on? hater
I just bought a 2010 E93 335i, cuz I've been lusting for one for years, and cuz I didn't win yours. Been watching your videos constantly, taking plenty of notes. Before I made my 1st car payment, I was getting maintenance done on it. My car's now getting a new (warranty covered) N54 engine because the rod bearings were shot. I thank the previous owners, and will continue to do "Maintenance First". No complaints at all; I figure a used BMW is only as good as the owner's dedication to maintenance.
Bought my car and had the engin rebuild for free by the dealer. Cost about 5000 us dollars. Paid 10K for the 2009 335i. Drove the first month after the rebuild to about 1000kms. Then they took the oil out. Everything was fine. Pushed it the other day to 220km/h with little fuss. I try to keep it under 4k revs most of the time. The rod bearings were shot and they changed everything. I enjoy every drive with it even if it is to the shop.
Glad you're adopting the maintenance mindset 💪🏼
How did you get this covered by warranty on a 2010??
@@thooke222 Dealership that sold it to me also sold me a warranty. They made some $$$ off it. Probably didn't expect anything to come of it. Warranty company wasn't happy cuz they had no easy way to refuse it. They'd already denied me a prior claim a week earlier as a "pre-existing condition". My 2nd claim got me a new engine.
@@themadpirahna8810 nice!
I bought my f30 330i as a CPO car after lease usage. That’s honestly the best way to get into a slightly cheaper bmw. It won’t be as cheap as the ones you see with 5+ owners, but knowing that the maintenance has been done properly is worth it. I’ve had it for 3 years now, and the only problem was the coolant recall that I got fixed for free.
DIY is The Way.
I've owned 6 bmw's. Always around 6-10k in price, i run them a few years and sell them for a little more than invested. I think this is safe to do with any brand vehicle that has a good engine and transmission. If you learn to do your own maintenance and repairs, these cars are great and although bells and whistles can fail, the inline, non turbo has been very reliable, although i usually change out the valve gasket first thing when i buy.
It's all the special tools and the manuals you need to buy. Good scanners aren't cheap, some of the special tools are pretty expensive, software, firmware, recalls... Can't just turn wrenches and screws anymore to be successful.
I currently drive a very fun volkswagen hatchback and I love it, but I've always wanted to own a BMW. Watching and supporting your channel for several years has made me want to own a BMW more and more. It's also made me better with the vehicles that I own now because "maintenance first" is a very real thing in any car. Thanks for doing what you do and keep up the good work.
I came from VW and have a bmw now. 100% worth it the car drives amazing. I highly recommend one if you want something sporty/ luxury. But yup you gotta be on that maintenance cause most of them are neglected/ clapped.
Me too support but not own BMW
Same but I don't own a BMW yet
VW are high maintenance as well.
Thank you for your honesty. Not a lot of people would do do that. I agree with you on maintenance first. It’s not just BMW for bad past owners. I’m like you in the maintenance. Once I take care of the maintenance. Then I could do other things to make my look and sound better. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work.
Currently own a 2015 428i with 82,000 miles, 2020 Z4 M40i with 82,000 miles and a 2019 740i with 62,000 miles and have no major issues with any of them. All drive great with mainly maintenance and tire costs, with only a couple minor repairs. Also owned previously a 2015 740i I traded with 98,500 miles on it never had any major issues with it either. Owned numerous others from 5 series, to 1 series, to older Z4s and a Z3 and again no major issues with any of them. Bought most certified used.
My 2006 E91 325i touring has been in the family since new. 175k on the clock and going strong. No maintenance missed and the 6 cylinder is music to my ears. Also holds 2 dogs and loads of luggage 😊
Is a 325i with 4 cylinders? I remember back in the E and F generation only 330 and 335i are with 6 cylinders. In G generation 330 has 4 cylinders
I bought an e90 330i N52 previously owned in Italy and I am a second owner. I got to tell you I've never saw a BMW that's so well maintained. And that motivated me to keep this car maintained. I own it almost for 2 years now and every time something is wrong I fix it. I am really happy with the car.
Great video man! You're spot on, I love cars and usually take really good care and service them when needed. but getting an older car from a private is a pain.
Everything this dude said is 100% spot on. Also at the end, in regards to his sales increasing, it's no secret that people are attracted to success. Luxury cars, especially Mercedes/BMW/Lexus etc, these types of cars give you credibility and status...it sounds silly but it's just the way most people's minds are geared.
Treat a Honda or a Toyota like shit, it will still run and run and run and run, treat a BMW like shit and you will be best friends with your mechanic and your towing company, expect to meet them a lot...sometimes even BMW's that are babied are always breaking down
yup. its the same way the 'fake entrepreneur social media gurus' will hire flashy cars and models to make them appear successful because we are all sheep and just believe what we see, apparently. It actually makes me feel sick of how stupid we are
@@HawkEyesAndy You made some sound points! I currently own a BMW X35i 2018. It drives & looks INCREDIBLE, esp. with the ambient light feature!! I had to do a few maintenance on it last Sept. '22 (one of oul gaskets had a leak & the back tires couldn't get rotated because they were stuck likely from the tires not being rotated ever) at once because the previous owner clearly didn't do any other maintenance outside of the basics. So, that maintenance got passed down to me, unfortunately. Thankfully, I do have 5 yr extended warranty which covered ALL of the major work listed above that they had to do. Yet, I still had to be out of pocket $2,000 (the warranty covered almost $4k worth of work). And I have owned the car for 2 yrs now. In addition, if I were to sell my car now with 44, 800 miles, my warranty company Lithia would pay me $3,000 of for the 3 yrs of warranty that I wouldn't have used (the total cost of the 5 yr warranty was $5,400). I think that is another great benefit of this extended warranty; I don't know if other companies offer similar benefits with refunds of unused years!! Again, the previous owner likely didn't do any major maintenance, which is a downside to not being the only or first owner!. My family also owns a Toyota Highlander for 2 yrs, which is '08 with 64k miles so far!! Yep, we're the 2nd owners, & the previous was an elderly couple who barely drove it. I can frankly say that the BMW is still the Ultimate Driving machine!! However, I think if a person can own a BMW & a Toyota/Honda for those longer & more wear/tear traveling then that would be a GREAT way to go!! This way, you can enjoy the BMWs driving, luxury style, handling, etc. And have a lower maintenance cost car for more wear/tear driving!!
@@-gordon3817 agreed 100% , i already have a honda for day to day beating, now what i am missing is to acquire another BMW 😎😎
@@HawkEyesAndy lol you dont know that Toyota isnt that reliable you wish :) but i know Americans dont know statistics they believe in Biden and love lies. Poor you - you havent seen badly treated Toyota iam sure.
I own two e60, a 528xi and a 550i. I enjoyed them but they also cost me tens of thousands for repairs and maintenance. Then this year I got myself a 1990 Miata. I wouldn’t say the Miata is more fun, because they are just different, but if I got the Miata at the first place I would never regret and would have enjoyed troublefree ownership for the past four years.
I mean out of all the bimmers you decided to get big daddy unreliable 🤣 but fair point man
The best video ever for a bmw owner to hear I was Ready to give up on my 2011 X3 but he right it's a special feeling you have when you own it even though I'm able to do most of the maintenance and it dug deep in my pockets but the car all around is a damn great car and a eye catcher no matter how old they are💪🏿💯
Everyone told me not to buy a BMW but I did anyways. I got a super great deal on a 328i and bought a set of tools and have done all the maintenance myself, there is a lot of vids on how to work on them and I don't regret buying it. It now has over 130,000mi and it's a pleasure to drive.
Congrats on the car man 🥂 Out of curiosity what year is it? I plan on buying a 2013 with 120k
@@FilmerStevie thanks, it's actually a 2007, I got it for $7999, I've had it for 4 years and still going strong
Nice bro my 325i 2006 n52 engine has 185k miles! Runs smooth 130 mph sounds amazing
how much $ did you get when you parted it out
@@nanerpussz I still have it
Thank you for this. I just bought a '21 430i xDrive with 27k miles on it with a consistent, even proactive maintenance history. I didn't do a lot of deep research about reliability until the purchase was already finalized. I just got too excited and it didn't really occur to me to do so. I have a friend who's obsessed with BMWs, so in my mind, they're really great cars. I knew they were more expensive to maintain, so I was expecting that... I just didn't know about the reliability stigma. Browsing page after page of reddit threads going on and on about how bad BMWs are and how they're money pits put me into a depression and stupor - that I might have made a huge mistake, was becoming overwhelming. Your video makes me feel so much better. The car I bought is low mileage, one leaser, who had it serviced at the dealership every 5k miles. Based off of your video, I shouldn't have anything to worry about. And I do hope it stands the test of time... with proper care and maintenance, of course. Thanks again!
Your title is correct. I’ve owned my 1994 E36 convertible since 2003. You have to have a passion for these vehicles and are able to make most repairs yourself if you can’t afford a mechanic. People will see my car and see how nice it looks and rides but have no clue what it takes to keep it on the road. But it’s a great car!
i'm a mechanic and i agree to all first 4 points until the 5th. that's the 1st time I've ever heard that and I agree to it a lot. my friends working in saes also had that same effect among them when they drive in a BMW. "so that's how it really is" is what I thought when I heard the 5th point. great video, I learn something new today, thank you so much!
I had an e82 128i, and I loved EVERYTHING about that car, specifically how it drove in the corners, and that manual trans was perfect. Unfortunately I lost it a couple months ago when a dumb ass ran a red light and totaled my car. There hasn’t been a day where I haven’t missed my car, I’m still looking for another one but have had no luck finding another manual one.
Man Amen to all you said on this video! I couldn’t agree more…The driving experience, top down and just start driving without destination just you and the bimmer, doesn’t get much better than that! BMW4EVER, BMWRULES 💪💪💪
I'm driving a flawless e90, it's 18 years old. It's doing great. I love it. It does not break at all, super reliable.
I actually bought my single turbo 335i because of you and despite all the headaches with it I love that car, it's the most insane car I've ever driven especially for the money
BMW's turbo engine will burn oil
My friend had it and gasket blew up and it had oil leaks.
@@realnapster1522 What car do you drive?
@@realnapster1522 did he do any maintanence when he bought the car and was he thrashing it everytime he drove it?
I've had 2. A 320ed & 435d x drive convertible. Totally agree with it boosting sales performance/image. Had problems with 435 but not with 320. Unless you're an expert driver, opt for x drive if you're buying a powerful BM, it will save your life. If I had another would be 2 litre diesel. Very reliable, excellent mpg & still pretty fast. & it won't try to kill you
I love my E91. I'm keeping it in very good condition and I've had zero issues with it despite having 210.000 km on it. As soon as I can, I'm going to try to make an M3 Touring out of it.
When I had a Tundra and took really good care of it. Since I work at the the BMW plant(we get really good deals on leases), I leased a ‘23 BMW X1…that little SUV is quite the machine. I means seriously, the car “wants to be driven.” I am impressed. …but with any vehicle worth keeping, you gotta keep up on the maintenance.
I've got a 2016 535i XDrive with the M-Sport package. I absolutely love it. However, you're ABSOLUTELY right! These are HIGH PERFORMANCE engines that are tight. They NEED to be maintained. If you can REGULARLY maintain them, they are EXCELLENT cars. However, it's all about that caveat of maintenance you mentioned. It's really all about the care you put into them.
people say bmw engines are unreliable but at the same time they wont do any maintanence to them at all for years and wonder why theyre not even 5 year old bmw is running like a pos
Becomes a master BMW automotive technician then buy any BMW you want 😅
Working on it lol
In progress
interesting vid even tho i dont agree with you saying nobody should buy any bmw, i had a 318 for sometime and absolutely loved it, no problems, took good care, did some work on it and sold it off for higher i’ll buy a new one in the coming days-weeks prolly 3series again or 5 🙏 cant wait
I would love to add a bit of perspective. Aside from my E46 M3, which I owned for 7.5 years and over 100k miles with all but zero issues, our 2012 X5 with the N55 has been bullet proof. I bought the X5 with 135k on the dial, and within 2 months had the expansion tank go ($100 and 15 minutes of work) and the dreaded HPFP issue (which if you know, you know). Mine was OE, and technically within the build dates of the recall of the N54, but not covered. I admit, it was $500 and I had to fix it myself, but after that, 50K + miles and ZERO issues worth noting. Obviously, some interior plastics wore away a bit, and the headlights need replaced (again, if you know you know), but its still going super strong at 204K miles. If you are new to BMW, try and get one with the N55 engine to start. Decent power, great torque, has some tuning potential and is reliable. However. There are some issues with other power plants (do not buy a V8 or V12 unless you know how to wrench) and stay away from M cars unless you have deep pockets. The M tax is serious. They can be great fun, and hilarious to drive, but will hurt you in the end. Guys like Hoovie buy them with 2 pocket mechanics and tens of thousands of youtube dollars to fix and maintain them. Don't be fooled.
I’ve been a BMW e30 guy since summer of 2014. Eventually I wanted a little more modern Bimmer when suddenly a few months ago had the chance to get my hands on one of the cleanest E46 330ci $5k can buy. It’s a 2001 black on black sprt pkg 5speed manual; Man needless to say it’s a blast to drive. Still cannot believe it - Best car I’ve ever owned. Cheers to the bavarians
Telling me not to buy a BMW is like telling me to stop breathing
I considered amg 63... Considered it
You 🤡😂
Nah Fr tho 😂😂😂
@@ItumelengS Instead you bought a shitty 3 series?😂
I really think he wants to buy them all… you know convince people not to buy so more are available.
You made some sound GREAT points about BMWs! I currently own a BMW X35i 2018. It drives & looks INCREDIBLE, esp. with the ambient light feature!! I had to do a few maintenance on it last Sept. '22 (one of oul gaskets had a leak & the back tires couldn't get rotated because they were stuck likely from the tires not being rotated ever) at once because the previous owner clearly didn't do any other maintenance outside of the basics. So, that maintenance got passed down to me, unfortunately. Thankfully, I do have 5 yr extended warranty which covered ALL of the major work listed above that they had to do. Yet, I still had to be out of pocket $2,000 (the warranty covered almost $4k worth of work). And I have owned the car for 2 yrs now. In addition, if I were to sell my car now with 44, 800 miles, my warranty company Lithia would pay me $3,000 of for the 3 yrs of warranty that I wouldn't have used (the total cost of the 5 yr warranty was $5,400). I think that is another great benefit of this extended warranty; I don't know if other companies offer similar benefits with refunds of unused years!! Again, the previous owner likely didn't do any major maintenance, which is a downside to not being the only or first owner!. My family also owns a Toyota Highlander for 2 yrs, which is '08 with 64k miles so far!! Yep, we're the 2nd owners, & the previous was an elderly couple who barely drove it. I can frankly say that the BMW is still the Ultimate Driving machine!! However, I think if a person can own a BMW & a Toyota/Honda for those longer & more wear/tear traveling then that would be a GREAT way to go!! This way, you can enjoy the BMWs driving, luxury style, handling, etc. And have a lower maintenance cost car for more wear/tear driving!! From the U.S
100%. I love BMW's and this is why I only buy them new(unless looking for a certain year of course). But my recent M40i and X3M were purchased new. Too many people who can't afford to own a BMW buy used ones, neglect all the maintenance just to pass it on once they've driven it into the ground.
Man I just love how you tell the truth about the importance of maintenance! So many people cut corners on maintenance and then magically expect the car to perform at its best. It does not work like that! I live in the UK and in 2013 I bought a year 2000 BMW 740i -E38. It was cheap but had the engine light on, so I paid to have it fixed. The car had only done about 23K at the time. I have enjoyed driving it since then and I'm always happy when I'm in it because it is just so nice to drive. If my wife knew how much I have paid to keep it well maintained over the past 9 years she would kill me. I don't know much about cars, so when something goes wrong I take it to the garage and then wait nervously for the diagnosis and repair costs. The car has now done over 62K miles and still drives smoothly. The paintwork is pretty good too and sometimes I get looks when driving it. I hope to keep it for many more years to come! I'm dreading the timing chain guides change next.
I’m willing too put in the work to keep it running up to spec because I love the drive feel of it. No other brand can imitate that feeling.
Its so funny after posting my comment I came across yours which is nearly identical.
I mean, no lie, a BMW engine, even the famous old in line 6 has no match, I got a 2007 X3 with the even better inline 6, it's currently my fave engine ever, and yes I have a 2011 sl550 too, that bmw inline 6 is just pure evil.
An Audis a close second
porsche
My Mum owns a 2018 BMW 340i Luxury Line with the B58 engine. It is a superb car and with the right maintenance it has been quite reliable.
It's the same way when your a buff guy. You're just a magnet. Is the same way with my 24 foot wakeboard boat. I get compliments all the time. And my kids look proud too. Having nice things does help to open conversations and connect with people.
The attention's kind of a negative for me. I want to stay under the radar and drive something that only a handful of those who know will respect... But that said nothing beats love and I'm freaking loving my 640i!!!
even tho this would give u a shit ton of attention get a 2008-2010 m6 last v10 by bmw n it’s one of the more rare bmws
640i 👀👀
Valve seals
The only problem with the 640 is being the model chosen to use the last n55s available. Otherwise cool car
@@sammyboy5955 those years are so ugly
I’ve own a 2011 E90 from new and have ZERO regrets. So far I’ve only replaced the tires, the ignition coils, and some trim around the windows that got old. And the driver’s seat has some wear. That’s it. The best handling, most enjoyable and most reliable car I’ve ever owned. So maybe the secret is: buy new so you’ll know the history, don’t buy a performance model, drive it with care, and maintain it.
What mileage do you have on your car? What are the major maintenance you have performed at far (eg gaskets,valve covers, eccentric sensors, water pump) and the cost? Do you also have the usual 30/60/90K service or not at much because of the other maintenance? Any transmission oil changes? I bought a used 2011 E90. Looking for advice. Thanks in advance.
I own an 09 e90 diesel
Thank you for sharing these insights and your perspective and first hand experience.
Yes Your last point is very true with any foreign or high end domestic. We live in a world where your first impression is everything. When I got my 2018 Audi A5, I got a lot of attention and it opened doors for me that I didn't even no I needed to be open.
For me it has and will always be the experience, from my first bmw a 2001 540i 6spd to my current 2011 535i 6 spd, it always has been the experience, the drive and the feel. I've owned multiple BMWs like you and i can attest that if you maintain your car, you will enjoy it more! My ex's mom asked me once why i keep buying BMWs, i told her because nothing drives like one.
What does mean maintain your car!? Do you refer to regular oil change with filter, or a lot more beside that oil change service!? Good luck with BMW, then!
@@ImportedFromSerbia Depends on what model, year etc but yes mostly just general maintenance like changing all your fluids and filters. I know some people do plugs and vcg, etc every 10k as well. Just do whatever the manual says.
Except a Mercedes!!!!
@@charleskavoukjian3441 Huh? Drives like BMW, are you joking?
My dad has a 1999 bmw 525tds and he says it has had some problems (mostly electrical) but he also says its one of the best feeling cars to drive, and even tho its a under powered land yacht he still says its alot of fun to drive 😂
I agree with you on the maintenance first concept. I own a 2015 528i from new, it’s not the fastest or coolest BMW out there, but it’s quiet, comfortable and looked classic. After the original warranty expired, I started to doing all maintenance by myself. Nothing crazy, just strictly sticking to the BMW maintenance schedule and replaced transmission and rear differential oil at 50k miles. I am confident to say that each single bolt and screw I touched, it’s tighten to the exact torque that BMW specified and all fluid used are with the spec and volume that’s required. Now the car has about 65,000 miles on the clock and to my surprise, it has never had one single issue throughout the last 7 years, not even burning oil, which I was actually expecting. I did not need to top up any engine oil between maintenance and the oil level stays the same all the time. Also, I found it’s the easiest car I have ever worked on among all vehicles I had owned in my life, including Toyota, Lexus, Dodge, Audi, Buick, Mazda, Jeep, VW, Kia, Chevy. Think I will keep it for a while.
That means you don't drive it very hard. Keep doing that, and it will last you long time. I can't resist pressing the gas pedal further lol
im planning very soon on buying one at age 15, 2000 model however understand they need a ton of maintenance but what better way to learn man
My Corolla has 220,000 miles on it. It's a shoebox economy bland car. That horse is reliable though.
Easiest car you’ve ever worked on? You’ve clearly not worked on many cars.
@@AaronEmerald try Volvo, then you will enjoy bmw 🤣
I got my first bmw recently, msport 535xi, in like 4 months I’ve had to replace my coolant expansion tank, I’ve had to pull out my front axles, now I’m getting a code for a solenoid, lots of other small issues too but I can say confidently that 99% percent of all of my problems with the car were caused by the previous owners. This video is as true as it gets
How much did you pay for all that
I learned never to buy a late model BMW when I noticed my friends auto repair shop was always full of them (and MB too). He told me never buy one. Lot of mechanics say that. Too many cheap plastic parts under the hood that fail due to heat from turbos. But if you’re that brand image conscious and don’t mind the money pit, like a hobby, then go for it.
I got got into owning one knowing it was going to be a work in progress. I got a 2005 325i for 2k since it was misfiring and started intermittently. Considering the new plugs, injectors, mass airflow sensor, vanos o rings, and replacing a lot of the vacuum hoses, it only cost me about 400 bucks. But a lot of preventative maintenance in the future will cost maybe another grand. All in all, not too bad for a DIY mechanic.
Owning a BMW was a childhood dream of mine I realized earlier this year. 2013 125i, N/A 6, real wheel drive making it one of the last pure BMW’s out there. The only previous owner was a female estate agent so it’s in virtually brand new condition, don’t think it ever saw 3000+ rpm prior to me owning it. Will take extremely good care of it, always warm up the engine and carry out maintenance at regular intervals so I hope I can enjoy it for many many years to come. Unlike most people who fall in love with the image I fell in love with the car and that indescribable connection you mentioned. Great video!
n52 cars like yours are one of the most reliable modern BMWs
You spoke the truth that many wont. I love BMWs like i love the color Orange. I dont just love the prestige the hood ornament gives. But… what you said is true as well. It has a way of giving an impression. Treat it well.
Thanks for making this video. I'm considering buying my first (used) 2015 BMW550i (96k miles). The seller cared for it very well and only drove it in the summer. Before I buy it, I am going to get a pre-purchase inspection on it. Do you have any advice? Are there any known issues with this particular model?
Just bought my first BMW E36 323i and I’m loving it, I waited for a long time to find a BMW or any sporty car in a decent condition, and I will say the BMW being the ultimate driving machine is no joke, I didn’t understand that statement until I drove the E36 for a week and hopped into my daily and was blown away on how much more you feel connected and part of the road and have control over so much more, from handling to power it’s an all around great car, and I will take care of this timeless gem
Enjoy man.. BMWs are really on another level
Again you bought an old BMW back from the days before they went stupid and started ruining what was good about theit engine and car design. Post 2006 BMWs with exception of maybe 1st gen X3 as it was still derived of e46 and used old engines. N52 naturally aspirated motors were okayish, but very complicated already. 4 cylinders and all turbo motors were increasingly worse and worse especially n54. This also why people circlejerk around b58 becuase this is first somewhat reliable inline 6 and only because toyota forced bmw to change things to fit their standards or they would not cooperate in making Z4/Supra mk5 twins. So entire decade in betweennis full ticking timebombs no matter how well they were maintained. All because BMW engineers got collectively mentally ill and used plasti and electronic pumps for critical components like oil and water pumps among other things.
good thing i got my e92 n54 from someone who cared about the car. index 12s, gasket leaks, water pump, basically everything but the turbos. currently waiting for them to blow up now lol, big W
How do you feel about OEM parts for the car (alternators and important parts of that caliber)
I’ve had my F34 2016 328i GT almost two years now and have had no problems with it. I love it because it’s a touring car so it handles extremely well on the interstate roads. I got it used and I intend to drive it until it doesn’t want to drive anymore.
Definitely agree 100% with this video! I just got my n54 135i kinda payed a little too much for it but MAN i love the car. Starting to make content about it like you aswell
I agree with you man, my first BMW was badly maintained by the previous owner ... Terrible! Second time I learned from my lesson it was much better, the third time I bought a low mileage 335i from a rich guy who maintained the car at BMW. It's perfect, zero issues for more than 2 years.
0 issues for 2 years isn’t a flex 😂
@@chrisc4903 I’ve owned a number of BMWs - my 1988 e30 has given me no issues in 15 years, and has clocked up 250k miles, while my 2013 e92 has had no issues for 5 years although it’s only at 85k miles. They have been very reliable, although I do maintain them properly & bought them off previous owners that also maintained them well too. If you keep up the servicing they don’t end up needing many repairs. My wife’s Hyundai on the other hand has been a lemon, has needed AC compressor replacement, airbag replacement, boot release replacement, and finally a new transmission with in the first 80k miles; we bought that car new and it has been fully serviced by the dealer!
0 issues for 2 years on a low milage car is not impressive. My Toyota lasted for 27 years without any issues.
@@TheRealCatof yeah because we all believe that. even if you werent lying its a boring toyota.
@vL07k It's a 95 Supra, but okay lol. And believe it, funny thing is cars can last a long time when they aren't german.
Purchased my first BMW. 2019 M-4 for $56,500, competition and executive package. Competition steering wheel also. Appears to be in good mechanical shape with only 39,000 miles. I Purchased the cabin filter, air filters, oil and oil filter. Plan on doing that this weekend. I hear so many different comments on these vehicles. I am hoping that I will be one of the good comments in the future. Great video by the way!
I've had 2 with either no problems or something small,cheap and easy to fix, you really just gotta find the right previous owner that you can trust and the car looks well taken care of
Owning a 335i N55 has been overall a good experience FOR ME not a lot of problems, good body style, and good tuning. Definitely will buy another BMW but I will say maintenance on them is very very important and I mean extremely important
Love that engine. Had a 135i N55 with only a software upgrade and that car was more than enough.
I bought a 500$ 325i all it needed was an expansion tank fix it an been driving it for the last five an a half years it's been one of the best cars I've ever owned
Manual pre facelift e39 528i. 270,000 miles on the clock, 0 warning lights, and still more power than I should really have lol. Love it tho, definitely my favorite car to date as far as a daily.
Great video and some good insights. I have a BMW F31 that I picked up second hand about 2 years ago. It's been a good car so far except for the VCG that was leaking. Had that "sorted" and guess what? Still leaks. I undertsand that the Valve cover can crack with age, so that could be the issue. I only wish BMW hadn't used so much plastic in the engine bay.
Brotha You are 100% right. Love the video keep up the good content
Man, BMW’s are so special. There’s nothing like it. The best drivers brand overall for us car people.
love my bmw z3. no major issues. so fun, makes me want manual everything. unforgettable part of my life.
5:30 I'm am so surprised that at this time of this video you were actually daliying an E46 M3!! Good on ya bud! I have been guilty of thinking you were one of the "Prestige only" people. But by the act of actually driving the E46 M3 daily it showed me that you actually pay attention to what is a GREAT chassis and GREAT car to be in for hours and to drive often!
Honestly the biggest concern is just the history of the car. They may be expensive to buy new, but it ensures they are in peak condition and in many cases, it's ludicrously hard to find a well kept one. I went with something different, though new, and I'm more or less applying the same principles to it. Even if they aren't necessary given the brand is known for their reliability especially as of late.
You’re right, and when you do, you got to get it. My last bmw was a 5 series. Had so many issues with that car, but once I got a new engine, it drove beautifully. Unfortunately it just got totaled because I was hit 2x’s this year and the insurance didn’t want to deal with it again. I just picked up a 2018 X5 with only 13k miles in perfectly new condition. The previous owner (I believe passed) he was a bmw enthusiast and this was his weekend car. Everything inside & out looks like it was just parked in the garage. Still has the plastic protectors on the bmw doorway emblems, trunk net still wrapped in the original BMW bag. Seriously it is like no one ever drove it and he only got it to admire it. I really feel I lost my old money pit bmw to gain a more reliable vehicle!
I love my beamer, it's only a 120i, I think the previous owner looked after it. I change the oil and filters very often, it's 16 years old and still feels nicer than cars I've had that were only 5 years old. They're real drivers cars. I don't like having no dipstick though, it's an odd design
Have had 5 BMWs from E46 325i sport to F30 330D MSport. Never had a single issue with any ff them. Current 330D has 160K miles on it and is 9 years old. Only problem has been an indicator LED required changing. That's it. Brilliant cars if you ask me as long as you get them properly serviced.
I am contemplating getting 2011 E92 M3 6MT Love that V8 sound. In the process of doing research. Thanks for the vid.
Having owned two BMW’s you are spot on my friend.
Many years back I bought a straight up neglected E36 325i, I loved it despite all of the problems. I just bought an E46 325i, also neglected just not as bad, and it's still a gem. Maintenance first definitely. I've never had as much of a grin as when driving a BMW.
Try a 2017 TTRS or a Porsche Cayman. Another level.
@@Ante_Knezevic Meh haldex go cart with dsg. Cayman on the other hand is on another level
@@DuBstep115 That haldex trashed ANYTHING from Bmw to 600hp lmao. With 396hp.
@@Ante_Knezevic No one cares about your ego if you "trashed" someone. It's about driving experience, didn't expect someone driving awd automatic to understand
@@DuBstep115 Driving experience is to be able to drive fast on a track, where the TTRS blasted all your Bmws
I picked up a '14 F10 M5 2 years ago and i got a special deal of lifetime warranty which included engine, transmission, and drivetrain. Also purchased an extended warranty. Its been a good buy so far!
I’ve owned 3 bimmers (including that e36 M3) and I loved driving them. The ultimate driving machine definitely isn’t just a marketing phrase. The maintenance cost drove me insane though and I eventually had to leave the brand alone. Still my M3 and 335i will always have a special place in my heart.
i own an e92 320i, f10 520i, g30 520i and an x1. theyre all extremely reliable howver they must be maintained on time and some parts need to be replaced under preventative maintainance
I have owned two e92s. A 335 that I traded for a very lightly used M3 with less than 10k miles on it. I still have the M3 and it now has well over 100K miles. I agree that maintenance is expensive, I have gotten really good at being a amateur mechanic because of this. On the bright side I have saved thousands in repairs and maintenance. If you change the oil regularly, follow the maintenance schedule and any procedures outlined in the operators manual they will last a long long time. You treat it like a ford truck from the 70s I can guarantee you it will break
I agree with the respect angle, people definitely treat you differently. I drove a 2005 530i 16 years, loved the car, great road car. I kept up with maintenance. I started having repair issues at 100k miles, serious issues like rack and pinion, ac compressors(replaced every 4-5 years) transmission, etc. and to repair is NOT cheap. But I truly loved the car.
I just purchased a 2005 530i today. Runs like a dream (so far), but the suspension needs work, it's on those giant chrome factory 20s and the iDrive needs some updating.
For me, and my N54 E92, it's basically maintenance only...it's stock, manual and by now rare as not being tuned. Everyone gets used to the increase in power anyway...so you keep on tuning and tuning... Only thing I'm considering is an MMI CarPlay module upgrade.
This is a great video. I’m 54 years old and could never afford a new BMW. I bought a very used and affordable E39 M5 and had to get rid of it do to rust issues and crank bearings after spending thousands already on maintenance needs due to its age. Next I bought a 2009 335xi out of warranty. Same story. Tons of problems and maintenance that was not done before. Just bought a 2 year old BMW with an extended warranty. What I have learned is that if you can’t afford at least a CPO BMW then you definitely can’t afford a used BMW out of warranty! They are amazing vehicles and I understand why we buy them cheap!
How the hell do you keep making the same mistake?
@@Jykobe491 LMAO…I asked myself this same question. Addiction must be the only answer.
The video say that problems are due to lack of maintenance and then points out some oil leaks. How are oil leaks caused by a lack of maintenance?
I have owned a 2004 BMW 330i for 14 years since it was brand new. I did all of the maintenance as required and I still had a bunch of problems over those years even though when I got rid of that car in 2018 it only had 85k miles on it. Among other things, it leaked oil from every single possible place for example. That being said it was indeed the best driving car I ever had. Yes it had something magical about it. I now drive a Mazda 6 signature with a 2.5 liter turbo and it’s about 80% as good and hopefully a lot more reliable. I would argue it’s the most fun to drive and highest quality front wheel drive sedan you can buy.
Japanese cars make BMW's look slow always.
The Mazda 6 is fantastic but Honda exists as the king of fun fwd cars
@@nospoon4799Japanese cars are slooooww
@@rustyscrewdrivr Mhm.
Knowledge about any brand of car we own and proper maintenance is the key.
To each their own. I've never enjoyed driving a car like I do driving my e60 M5. Been on the road 3 years. Sure, she's a high maintenance machine. But the tradeoff is a driving experience like no other. Rain or shine, traffic or open road, I am happy when I'm driving it. It's just so fun to drive, and I wouldn't change it for anything else at this point.
Tbf it's an M car, high performance cars just come with that kinda cost.
I bought an E36 325i manual convertible a year ago for cheap and oh boy did it need a lot of work. Since I've gone through all the maintenance, doing most of it myself, I can say that it was a headache but it's definitely one of the best cars I've ever owned. Not only has it been a blast to drive but I've learned so much about cars and how to fix them. I just bought an E46 330ci the other day for a more comfortable daily and I couldn't be happier (even if it also needs some work).
Facts facts facts. U have stated all facts. I’ve owned 4 Bmw my self in the past. You are correct. Facts. U have to own one to understand and appreciate. U hit it pin point bulls eye. A goat of clarity for those to understand the true experience of owning a bmw over a benz. It’s big difference. 🔥🔥🔥💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿💪🏿
What’s the ‘big’ difference? I’m on the fence of getting a 340i or a c450 amg, I haven’t had a chance to test drive the MB but I absolutely loved my w204 and I test drove a 2017 and 2018 330i and 340i and loved the 340. The interior does make a difference to me and BMW is severely lacking and n that dept
@@joeschmidt6597 me personally the big difference is benz more luxurious with better ride quality. But not a drivers performance feel vehicle. There powerful don’t get me wrong. But Bmw are a all around machine plus the tune ability for the 340 b58 you quoted. That engine right there is basically the redesign modern 2jz. Which speaks for it self capability wise. And most bmw. It’s not the motor that gives the issue. It’s the revolving plastics around 🤣🤣🤣. Chris explains it best in a lot of his maintenance first videos. 💪🏿💪🏿
@@daryla4968 oh yeah I definitely know bmw is more of an enthusiast car with tons of aftermarket support. Mercedes IMO have a much higher build quality than BMW, and let’s be honest, I don’t think Toyota would be risking their entire “reliability” branding putting it all on the line if they didn’t think the B58 engine wasn’t highly reliable and a great platform. There haven’t been any major catastrophic issues with the engine yet. That is the ONLY reason why I’m considering a 340i (or M240i or 440i). Mercs are also probably the safest luxury brand out there, they sacrifice some curb weight and their 0-60 time for your safety, and it’s saved my life. Mercedes are fuckin tanks - that’s a good and bad thing depending how you look at it lol
@@joeschmidt6597 well said and we’ll agreed as well. You said it how I would break it down to another. Benz are definitely more luxurious and safe. More eye candy. BMW are best of performance while looking classy or fancy. But benz is like a rolls Royce to a Bentley. Same concept for those nice vehicles as well. One other opinion. If you never owned a bmw. Lease one of the 340 and if it doesn’t work get rid of it in one yr just to try it like a car rental. Then after driving and modding. You become like Chris here. Addicted to different builds because of the parts out there for it and the support behind this b58 mystery. 😂😂. Keep us posted when u try one for a few months
My father owned an e92 320d with m kit as a daily driver and he said it was one of the most fun to drive cars he drove besides the renault 5 gt turbo. He made 150k km (93k miles) and he had no problems whatsoever but he bought it from the brand, not some ordinary streetracer who tried to tune ot at home. Very safe, great handling and managed to get 250 km/h (155 mph) and that's impressive for a diesel. My mother currently owns an e61 520d and same story but with 250k km right now. The only single issue it had is common on diesel cars that drive slowly in the city, the particle filter that got full dirty and cut the power to not damage the turbo but the car has its own system to repair it overtime. My father also has an e36 cabrio 318i and that car was badly treated so it has lots of electrical problems but for a 30yo car it's impressive how that engine still runs and never had issues. People hate them because they buy them from other bad owners and own them badly overall and the rest is just mercedes and jdm fanboys who never owned one. The only fair reason is the indicators and tailgate memes that are 100% true but that also happens with every single german and UK brands and also specifically the renault meganes that have decent power and torque for the budget (those are way worse imo).
6 months ago I just bought a used 08 328xi. I wish I had seen this video bought it. Exactly what he said in the video very cheap attractive price for a used BMW and anyone can afford but neglect and maintenance from previous owners. And I have noticed as well that you do get treated a little differently having a BMW. My coworker actually got jealous and he went out and bought a used Porsche SUV, but have fun with the $900 to $1,000 car payment.
Yessssir nothing like chilled sunday evening watching vehicle Virals
That’s exactly what I’m doing right now.
This is all facts, I have a f10 m5 and it’s my dream car, I was so excited when you got one because I love your channel and content. People definitely treat you better and respect you when you pull up in a bmw.
Try an Audi, Porsche, Merc. That's respect.
@@Ante_Knezevic dude you re obviously just butthurt and old. Stfu already BMW are cars for young or youngish people that have ultimate driving feel to them. Audis are good mercs are good but neither come close in driving feel and adrenaline compared to BMW's.. Porsches yes they are better than BMW but they are also far more expensive and they only produce 2 seater cars that are useless to most of us.
@@VladRadu-tq1pg TTRS with 396hp was faster on straight and on track than the m2/3/4/5/6. Btw the m/5/6 were pushing 620+hp on dyno instead of 560hp. So Bmw lies to you. And you pay for it.
@@Ante_Knezevic not a fan of most models of those brands.
@@billywelch4611 Ever tried it?
Definitely facts ! I got mine (E90) after it was leased for a year at a dealership still was on warranty and I’ve been taking care of her and keeping up with maintenance there after at the BMW dealership 9 years later for a 10 year old car still going smooth .. if you can’t afford to maintain it DONT DO IT
I've seen so many BMs lately in car dealerships in my area for less than 17K.. and it made me wonder why the price.. thanks..
When you buy a BMW you must be prepared to play the role as its number one mechanic! It is indeed a dream machine that must be dreamt about all the time
It’s a failure then as a product 😂
I wouldn't agree with that statement for newer ones. They're pretty reliable nowadays up in the top 20 brands
I had 3 inline 6 BMWs (E36, E39 and E60), bought new. The only one which remained mostly problem free was the E39. The E60 was sold for peanuts after breaking the engine due to a well known defect. Never again.
Mine is 530i from 2005, bought it with 120k kms, almost on 300k now, i always take it for service every year, no matter how much kms i did that year, and works like a baby, this year i will change, but cause i want, no cause i need to, the engine is in perfect condition, no electronics failures, only a big scratch on a side cause of my stupidity and had to fight with a metal fence