Looking for my first BMW

[chuckj2]

Now after reading this forum and other reviews, I'm having serious doubts !

I keep hearing idle problems. Reminds me of when I bought a Jetta thinking..."finally some German technology" the piece of crap would idle wildly all on it's own at red lights, then I'd try to kick it down to no avail.

It always did it whenever it felt like it, (it was embarrassing too) I changed the idler (tube shaped piece of junk) $300.00...one day later, the same thing.

I now have a chance to spend approx. 25K CDN on a used Beamer. I love the way they look and from what I hear they drive like a dream...

...but this idler problem sounds like shear German stupidity! To allow the Beamer name to slide like it is.

Btw I'm Canadian but I was born there so I can take a shot at their slacking workmanship.

Can someone here recommend a Beamer that DOES NOT break down frequently???...I still have a sliver of hope.

[DinanM3_S2]

E36 3-series
E39 5-series
E46 3-series

All of them are generally considered to be very reliable. Before you buy anything, have a dealer run an inspection on it, its worth it.

[chuckj2]

Originally Posted by DinanM3_S2

E36 3-series
E39 5-series
E46 3-series

All of them are generally considered to be very reliable. Before you buy anything, have a dealer run an inspection on it, its worth it.

Thanks for the reply.


I bought a 2001 Mercedes E320. For now I need a car where I won't have to worry about repairs as in the idler etc. Who knows maybe the Cedes will give me a problem, but I had to choose the more reliable name for now.

Within 2 years though...a Bimmer it will be. I still love their LOOK better than the Mercedes. My son was disappointed lol, but I'm patient...a Bimmer is still on the horizon.

[raphyb]

I have a 540I 1999, and my two biggest problem with it is 1-The battery draining constantly, and the dealer can't figure out how to fix it and 2- The idle runs wild when I slow down to almost stop at red lights, but I can live with that, is the battery problem that is killing me...good luck, I still love BMW's

[antose9]

Let me put it this way:
ALL cars breake down. Because no matter what badge they have - be it Bentley, Mercedes Benz, Aston Martin or BMW they all break down.. you know why> Because cars are made of glass, rubber, and steel, and those things wear out. There`s no unbreakable car in the world. Sorry about you Jetta, but don`t blame German technology for that - blame previous owner for that. or maybe you just had a bad luck. I had bad luck too.. I bought 1994 BMW 540 with 98 000 miles, and after 20 000 miles everything went wrong: tranny, oxygen sensors, power steering pump and some things in suspention.... But i`m thinking.. I could have bouhgt a Buick or shitty Chevy, and I would be fixing the same problems.... but after I take ir from a shop, I still have nice running 540i/// , and another guy has Buick...it`s about driving pleasure.. Yeah, it cost some money, but thaths what money is for, right? To buy us things we enjoy.... So enjoy your money!!!