[pjr710]

These are mostly highway miles, everything from 35k to 107k has been highway miles driving 100mi/day round trip to my job.

This is my daily driver. Up until this point I've (just) had to replace the water pump, the HPFP got replaced under warranty, I change oil at dealer ever 10k miles, and I changed plugs so far as well as air filters.

I can do DIY but personally I don't have all the time in the world right now to be doing stuff like this. The car is paid off so I love not having a car payment.

However I have been researching and it seems like a LOT of stuff can start wearing out and going bad about now. What I'm worried about is having a situation where I require more maintenance costs than the car is worth.

Would I keep the car forever? Yea probably b/c I honestly can't see how selling it for a couple grand would even be worth it.

But I'm just curious what others would do in this situation?

[tlow98]

You're comparing the cost of maintaining your car vs the cost of buying a new car.

So, the big question is how much would you spend monthly on a new car?

The maintenance exceeding the value of the car is sort of a false dichotomy. It sounds like your N54 has been good to you, though.

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by tlow98

You're comparing the cost of maintaining your car vs the cost of buying a new car.

So, the big question is how much would you spend monthly on a new car?

The maintenance exceeding the value of the car is sort of a false dichotomy. It sounds like your N54 has been good to you, though.

yea what you say is on point .. i'm trying to figure this out myself now...

I don't want to spend jack shit on a new car, and i know whatever it would be would suck. driving my 335i everyday is a joy and i wouldn't be able to live without it.

i guess at this point i am trying to figure out how much it would cost to 'overhaul' my car with preventative maintenence.

I'm estimating it now it might be $5-7k....

If i spent that on a new car i'd have jack shit

Open to your opinions

[slowbutsure]

I don't post much but I too have 2007 335i e90 with 140k miles. Trade in value 4500. private party 7000. The deciding factor for me now is my turbos are whining. I notice some oil leaking and most if not all gaskets just changed 2 years ago. I have other cars I rotate. Just bought a 2004 911 turbo for my weekend toy. I love my 335i as my daily but new turbos will be $3k. I'm not even considering fixing the leaks at this point. For you since it's highway miles, it might even last longer. At this point, just thinking of selling.

[tcphoto]

I look at the average cost per month to operate the car. My former E46 cost me $110 in maintenance and minor mods over nearly seven years. Once the rear main started to leak and a new suspension was coming up I bought the E92. For nearly two years now, it’s been under $70 a month and the VCG, OFHG and oil cooler gasket will need done. I would deal with the turbos if needed but that would probably be my limit. If it’s clean, you like the car and enjoy driving it I would keep it.

[TemjinX2]

i'm in a similar situation myself...sounds like you took care of everything except turbos which is going to be another 3-4k. So the question you should ask yourself is if you plan on keeping the car for 3+ yrs. if its less then 3yrs i wouldn't put anymore money into the car and get something else.

i plan on getting a CPO m2 next yr myself.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I look at the average cost per month to operate the car. My former E46 cost me $110 in maintenance and minor mods over nearly seven years. Once the rear main started to leak and a new suspension was coming up I bought the E92. For nearly two years now, it’s been under $70 a month and the VCG, OFHG and oil cooler gasket will need done. I would deal with the turbos if needed but that would probably be my limit. If it’s clean, you like the car and enjoy driving it I would keep it.

Do you factor in the cost of the car to this breakdown? $70/month in maintenance is fine, but if you put $10k into a car to save $40/month that's a different story.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by pjr710

yea what you say is on point .. i'm trying to figure this out myself now...

I don't want to spend jack shit on a new car, and i know whatever it would be would suck. driving my 335i everyday is a joy and i wouldn't be able to live without it.

i guess at this point i am trying to figure out how much it would cost to 'overhaul' my car with preventative maintenence.

I'm estimating it now it might be $5-7k....

If i spent that on a new car i'd have jack shit

Open to your opinions

Yeah, it sounds like your best bet might just be to hang onto it. You've done pretty well, but I'd expect to shell out a few grand at some point in the next couple years.

[halik008]

High mileage cars are for car people. If you are capable of fixing any issues, keep it. Majority of repairs these days is labor, not cost of parts.

[tcphoto]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Do you factor in the cost of the car to this breakdown? $70/month in maintenance is fine, but if you put $10k into a car to save $40/month that's a different story.

Only you can decide what your budget is on a car, I try to go a couple of years without a car payment. The equity you buildup in a car is only realized when you sell or trade in the vehicle. The E46 was paid for but the impending repairs tipped the scale and it was time to move on. The condition, maintenance records and being a one owner car made it an easy choice when I found it.

I'm starting to shop for an SUV to carry gear to photo shoots and runs to the hardware store, it will be a cash purchase and I'm sure there will be tax benefits for having a work oriented vehicle.

[BimmerNugget]

Has the car been modded from 35k to 107k? If it's been stock I think you should keep the car. You won't get more than $7k for it private party sale in major BMW infested cities like Southern CA, NYC, Houston, Dallas, Miami, etc.

Just set aside $100/month ($1,200/yr) for unexpected repairs. I highly doubt anything will go terribly wrong that requires $5,000+ repairs as long as the car hasn't been abused.

Also you can put that $1,200 into a Goldman Sachs MARCUS high yield savings account. Earn 1.70% interest.

Or put that $1,200 into a PenFed Money Market Certificate with a 12 month term and earn 2.10%. (There are penalties for withdrawing early though).

[catcher22]

Hang on to it, repair when needed, do regular maintenance, and aggressively save that cash for a new one in 12-18 months (adjust for your situation as needed).

Basically drive it and fix it when something breaks or needs fixing.

I dunno, that's just my theory. Can't see spending thousands on preventative maintenance for a car that won't be a daily driver in 5 years.

I am basically in the same boat. 10 year old 335xi, 90k on the odo, treated me fairly well but it needs some work (mainly suspension and injectors). I am aiming for an M in about a year.

[GMe90]

Keep the car and fix it when needed. It's by far the most cost-effective option. Plus, today's cars (especially BMWs) are not as fun to drive as cars from ten years ago.

[hassmaschine]

How much could you possibly spend on maintenance over the next few years, worst case? 5k? 10k? You can't even buy the cheapest Kia for that much.

The argument for buying a new car to save money on maintenance is rediculous...

[jeddo45]

Just keep her. As much as I hate to admit it ( because the 335i is just awesome) it's basically worthless to sell for a new car.

Once you address your turbos (whenever they go out. Could be soon, could be way down the road) that's basically the last expensive thing for awhile.

I say drive her until the wheels fall off.

[pjr710]

Originally Posted by BimmerNugget

Has the car been modded from 35k to 107k? If it's been stock I think you should keep the car. You won't get more than $7k for it private party sale in major BMW infested cities like Southern CA, NYC, Houston, Dallas, Miami, etc.

Just set aside $100/month ($1,200/yr) for unexpected repairs. I highly doubt anything will go terribly wrong that requires $5,000+ repairs as long as the car hasn't been abused.

Also you can put that $1,200 into a Goldman Sachs MARCUS high yield savings account. Earn 1.70% interest.

Or put that $1,200 into a PenFed Money Market Certificate with a 12 month term and earn 2.10%. (There are penalties for withdrawing early though).

Yea I never modded it, previous owner did for 25k miles ... he wasn't a dumb kid though, he took care of it. Its been all stock since i had it.

Originally Posted by GMe90

Keep the car and fix it when needed. It's by far the most cost-effective option. Plus, today's cars (especially BMWs) are not as fun to drive as cars from ten years ago.

Really? Didn't know that .. i just know whenever I sit in a new BMW i'm not blown away by any means .. I just think "yea i like mine better still" and "they cheaped out on this shit" and "this doesn't feel any different than my car" (which is a great thing!)

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

How much could you possibly spend on maintenance over the next few years, worst case? 5k? 10k? You can't even buy the cheapest Kia for that much.

The argument for buying a new car to save money on maintenance is rediculous...

I totally agree, money spent elsewhere will result in a shitty car. Def not even close to as fun to drive.

Originally Posted by jeddo45

Just keep her. As much as I hate to admit it ( because the 335i is just awesome) it's basically worthless to sell for a new car.

Once you address your turbos (whenever they go out. Could be soon, could be way down the road) that's basically the last expensive thing for awhile.

I say drive her until the wheels fall off.

Driving it until the wheels fall off has been my motto since I got the car. And I will likely stick to it. I agree, turbos will be the biggest expense, and injectors, but not the end of the world.

Also one thing I would be concerned about is RUST. Any thoughts on this point? I can dump money in the car, but is rust a real factor with these? I live in northeast PA.

[babyzoe]

keep the car... you took care of it so BE LOYAL TO HER!! my 335IS has 107k and i swear she drive like new still.. I honestly get zero issues and if she wanna stick w me till 250K then soo be it.

LASTLY!! i have not found any car closer to a feel of a 335IS other than my EVO X and currently, my car gets taken cared of like its my own child I swear it

Keep the car for your child or yourself.. no other person deserves her.

[Blackhawk36]

I just sold my 07 335i 6MT. It had 155k miles on it and was the most reliable car I have ever owned. I replaced it with a 2014 550i. I miss my old car. I should have kept it.

[CTinline-six]

New cars rarely make financial sense especially if you need to finance them. A car payment + higher insurance and taxes will pay for a lot of repairs on a paid off car.

Newer cars also break too. I have a friend with a newer truck that needs a whole transmission 15k miles outside the warranty.