[jake2106]

hi guys,

my friends looking to get into a 3 series, but she is worried its gonna cost her to much in maintanence, with her budget she is gonna be looking most likely at an E90 of some description (N46B20).

would anyone be able to give me a breakdown of their yearly costs, how many kilometres you're doing and also what country youre from so i can convert the currency

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Is your friend doing work herself, or is she taking it to a shop? Fixing things at a shop outside of normal maintenance: expect to spend at least $300-$600 USD per visit depending on what needs to be done. Many things can run $1,000 or more. Rarely are things going to be done for cheap.

If she goes the DIY route, she can save a significant amount of money. Parts are cheap and guides are free. Labor is expensive.

Front brakes can be done for as little as $100.
Fuel pump can be fixed for $175.
Shocks and struts can be done for $300-$400.
Front lower and upper control arms can be replaced for $150.
Spark plugs run $10 each.

She'll need to spend some money on tools, such as torque wrenches, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, etc.

[slowcar]

it will be expensive.

[tcphoto]

After ten years of BMW ownership between an E46 and E92, I spend an average of $95 a month on maintenance.

[Efthreeoh]

If she is worried about maintenance costs, then buying a BMW is not the right decision for her. Tell her to look elsewhere.

[Jesda]

Roughly $280/mo in repairs over three years.

Started at around 63k, now at 128k.

If you consider 13,000 miles a year typical mileage, it translates to around $160 a month.

I have an N52 328 vert. Is it outrageously expensive? No, but it's far from cheap.

[tlow98]

Yeah, buy a Toyota

[C2YT]

After having my 11' 335i for almost 2 years now expenses have been limited to oil changes, spark plugs, and a water pump/thermostat replacement DIY. This doesn't count any modifications, as they are not necessary.

I have put roughly 25k on my car over two years. It has been exceptionally reliable and trouble-free. That mileage is from 31k to 55k.

Everyone has different experiences. I would recommend a N55 car as my personal experience has been great.

[Efthreeoh]

My car has cost me about 9 cents per mile to repair and perform routine maintenance.

[ryan stewart]

I think the consensus is YMMV but its going to be more, if anything because of labor. But not any more than any other complex luxury vehicle if you get the right car. Honestly nowadays all things being equal cars are usually, well, equal. A Corolla is going to be cheaper because its a lot less complex, but also doesnt come with the advantages of that complexity.

Beyond that the difference is in the market demand for labor (being higher for luxury because we usually can and do pay more). Which is why DIY makes such a difference. a tie rod is a tie rod, so they are going to cost roughly the same. Same goes for a 225 width premium tire, regardless of what country the car came from.

Being said, the N52k seems to be the simplest motor available.

[MightyMouseTech]

Bought a 10 year old E90. Spent $6k in repairs in the first 5 months. That is getting parts at cost, and doing all the work myself. Still needs front struts and an evaporator.

[ctuna]

IF you are buying a 10 year old car you can expect to do some maintinance.
The thing is all cars are kind of expensive to maintain unless you
can do some DIY now.
The parts on BMW's are expensive for the major ones but labor
is off the charts .
If you bought a really cheap BMW there is a reason it's so cheap
people don't want to pay for the repairs.
If you are a good DIYer you can drive a superior car for reasonable prices.

The sticky at the top of this forum page (How to buy a BMW ) has
very valuable tips of what to expect.

[El Cheapo Loco]

Depending on the driver's age, insurance cost is another major concern. It's going to cost significantly more than a Civic. And it's perpetual regardless if anything breaks or not.

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by jake2106

hi guys,

my friends looking to get into a 3 series, but she is worried its gonna cost her to much in maintanence, with her budget she is gonna be looking most likely at an E90 of some description (N46B20).

I'd be wary of the N46B20, there are some known issues with those engines. Excessive oil consumption seems to be the #1 problem, and there seem to be many reports of failed timing chain issues.

https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=136258
https://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1358620

We don't get that engine in the USA, so the regional forums (UK specifically) seem to be the resource for more info.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by El Cheapo Loco

Depending on the driver's age, insurance cost is another major concern. It's going to cost significantly more than a Civic. And it's perpetual regardless if anything breaks or not.

Not necessarily. Granted, I am not exactly young, but my E90 is cheaper to insure than the Civic Si it replaced. Same year for both.

[Meeni]

For FY19 I am looking a $0 in repairs. That being said I have an oil change to do, and probably another valve cover gasket to change (2nd one).

FY18 was $200 (DIY leaking fuel line to the injection rail, DIY oil change, DIY brake fluid)
FY17 was $1000 (DIY transmission oil, tire, DIY differential oil, DIY oil change)

There was a year that was particularly brutal, around the 80k miles mark, where I had the water pump, valve cover gasket, oil filter housing, main oil pan leak and a bunch of other minor stuff all striking in short succession. Almost got rid of the car, but since then my average is recovering.

Also remember that I DIY. Don't know how it is in Australia, but in the US the hourly rate of labor on BMW cars is punitive. At dealership cost, I would have sold the car already.

[jake2106]

mate thats wild, i really dont think that is normal, i owned a 2010 1 series and it didnt cost me nearly that much... what were all the things you had to fix ?

[slowcar]

Originally Posted by jake2106

mate thats wild, i really dont think that is normal, i owned a 2010 1 series and it didnt cost me nearly that much... what were all the things you had to fix ?

probably more preventative and being bored. some of the major stuff ive done over the past year.

- New Bridgestone Ecopia tires on all 4 corners + spare in the trunk
- New brake pads, fluid and rotors (Zimmermann/Akebono) all around
- Completely refresh suspension (shocks, mounts, struts) with BMW OE
- M3 control arms
- New tie rods
- New OE engine mounts and BMW m3 transmission mounts
- New NGK spark plugs
- New ignition coils
- New euro front lights and bulbs
- New Serpentine Belt, Belt Tensioner Assembly, Drive Belt Idler Pulley
- Manual transmission and rear differential fluid flush
- New cabin filter
- New intake filter

car also burned a shitload of oil - 1quart per 500 miles, so maybe that added up

[Schmitz]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

If she is worried about maintenance costs, then buying a BMW is not the right decision for her. Tell her to look elsewhere.

Probably the most sound advice.

[csquared013]

Originally Posted by tlow98

Yeah, buy a Toyota

^^ yeah... this lol

I own a 2016 4runner that's bulletproof so far but I'm about to dump a ton of money into my 330 to get her back on the road. If you can tolerate something as simple as a Toyota for a couple years and just sock money away, do it. You'll thank yourself when you're ready to get into something like a BMW that, in my experience, kinda always wants to have something fixed.

[Serf27]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

Bought a 10 year old E90. Spent $6k in repairs in the first 5 months. That is getting parts at cost, and doing all the work myself. Still needs front struts and an evaporator.

Wowzers.

[iqraceworks]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

If she is worried about maintenance costs, then buying a BMW is not the right decision for her. Tell her to look elsewhere.

This. You can't plan when stuff breaks, and if she can't fix it herself it's going to be expensive. $1000 for this, $2000 for that, $750 for this, etc, etc.....

I bought my 07' 335I a few months ago and right off the bat I put over $2,000 in parts in it just for "maintenance".......it probably would have cost me twice that much or more if I would have taken it to a shop for the work.

Get a Honda or Toyota and drive the hell out of it.