Purchasing a car, need advice please

[Nonpareil]

Hey everyone, I'm thinking about buying a used car. I was thinking either a bmw 3 series, 2000 model, or a Acura 1.6el.
The only thing is I know bmw's are more expensive to fix compared to regular cars, but I don't know how much more. Does anyone know, how much more they are to fix, just an example. Like Acura break job, 200, bmw 1000 etc.. I don't know.

[SoNgMaN]

a full blown brake job using quality parts (pads/rotors/maybe calipers) with labour on any car should cost more then $200. even on a ****** civic. the BMW is going to cost more then the EL as the components are different sizes. as with all automakers there are probably aftermarket stuff for the BMW that would make it comparable to the EL but definately still would be more.

[Pete_Coach]

a full blown brake job using quality parts (pads/rotors/maybe calipers) with labour on any car should cost more then $200. even on a ****** civic. the BMW is going to cost more then the EL as the components are different sizes. as with all automakers there are probably aftermarket stuff for the BMW that would make it comparable to the EL but definately still would be more.
BMW's cost pretty close to the same as most other cars when it comes to repairs. They are a "regular" car. I am unsure what a "regular" car is actually? An import? A big three car? It has nothing to do with the sizes of any of the components. How much they weigh or what the dimensions are is irrelevent.
The Acura EL is basically a Civic and there is no comparison to the BMW at all. A brake job on any car can cost money depending on what needs to be replaced. This forum is full of folks complaining they were ripped off on a brake job and the cars range from Acura's to Zonda's and everything in between (no, not many folks have a Zonda).

[Nonpareil]

Sorry let me rephrase my question.
German cars cost more to fix than, honda's, toyota's etc.
On average, is the difference by alot, or not alot.

[MP3_SKY]

I wouldn't buy a used Euro unless there is a extended warranty. I have many friend's gettung rid of their 3 series or A4 becoz if the pricy repairs.

By how much? I don't know since I'm not driving a German and because of the $ repairs that I step back from buying a used German.

I believe the most painful repairs are on the electrical problems...I heard somone paying 3k to repair the ABS on an A6 and it cost 300-400$ to repair it on a Camry.

[Pete_Coach]

Sorry let me rephrase my question.
German cars cost more to fix than, honda's, toyota's etc.
On average, is the difference by alot, or not alot.
Well, I have a BMW and a Honda and also take care of my neighbours car and with few exceptions, they cost pretty close to the same for maintenance. I can say that the GM and Honda (so far anyway) have cost more on routine maintenance. Brakes cost pretty well tha same if you take them to the same aftermarket shops. Normal parts are pretty much the same (plugs filters etc). The BMW dealer charges a bit more for labour but not by much. The Hondas requires more regular maintenance, in accordance with it's owners manual.
Electrical problems cost the same on all cars, they are mostly labour anyway. I have a friend with a Chrysler Sebring that just paid $1300 for brakes and two front hubs including ABS. It is all really relative you see. If you do not do much of the maintenance yourself and if you don't know a whole lot about cars, you can be told (and sold) pretty much anything by anyone and pay more than you may want.
Having said all that, I really like my Honda but if Iwant to have a good time driving, for sure I will be in the BMW, there is no comparison.

[Nonpareil]

Thank you all for your responses.
Cleared up alot for me. I used to think the difference was huge.
I didn't want to get into buying a car, and then have to spend sooo much on maintaince.
Which car would be a good choice.
2001 c240
200 a4
or 1999 3 series.

[ar_ken]

Thank you all for your responses.
Cleared up alot for me. I used to think the difference was huge.
I didn't want to get into buying a car, and then have to spend sooo much on maintaince.
Which car would be a good choice.
2001 c240
200 a4
or 1999 3 series.

I would pass off the C240. It's underpowered for its weight and it's not fun to drive at all.

I'd consider the A4 with the V6 engine and AWD. Don't get the 1.8T unless you know the previous owner really take care of the car. The 2.8L V6 in the A4 is one of the better ones in terms of reliability. Besides, which 2000's are you looking at? Once you get into 2002 models it's a different model. More information on that please?

The 1999 3-Series is the first year for the E46 bodies. As usual, people will pop up ideas about "first year bugs" in German cars. So.. maybe I'll pass that up.

Any one of those cars you get, make sure the previous owner has full service records. Especially important for these cars.

I may also suggest a 2000 Volvo S70. Same solid European feeling, but comes cheaper. Parts for Volvo aren't as expensive as some of the Germans.

[Nonpareil]

Well for the bmw I was looking at the 323i.
I'm mainly looking for a first car to buy. Nothing to expensive, somethinga round 15 grand, I can finiance that.
I like classy looking cars, I first wanted an Acura 1.6 El, but can't seem to find a good one at a decent price. I've looked at about 7 of them, and all the engines were throwing oil, so I sort of gave up on that car.
Speed isn't much to me, as I don't speed. I'm looking for more reliabiility and low maintaince over the years.

[nerdonsite]

have you considerd a Saab (9-3 or 9-5)?

[apvm]

A 3 series won't cost more to maintain than a El if you take them to aftermarket garages, dealer will empty your wallet for sure....horror stories about Narkham Honda...they'll make sure you return within a short period of time.

The 7 series will kill you even at aftermarket garages since some of thier parts has no OEM, my old neightbour was trying to replace a plastic pipe/tube near the engine which there were no oem, he ended up buying it from the States which still cost him $700 Canadian, local dealer was asking over a thousand.

[Pete_Coach]

A 3 series won't cost more to maintain than a El if you take them to aftermarket garages, dealer will empty your wallet for sure....horror stories about Narkham Honda...they'll make sure you return within a short period of time.

The 7 series will kill you even at aftermarket garages since some of thier parts has no OEM, my old neightbour was trying to replace a plastic pipe/tube near the engine which there were no oem, he ended up buying it from the States which still cost him $700 Canadian, local dealer was asking over a thousand.
apvm, what are you saying? A 7 series BMW was not even talked about here. Also, 'will kill you even at aftermarket garages..." Do you know that OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer? OEM is BMW not aftermarket, so in that respect, the parts are all OEM not aftermarket.
The Audi A4 1.8 T has a terrific reputation and the all wheel drive has great handling (not so good gas milage like all 4 wheel drives). The 323 is also a fantastic car and performs a bit better than the A4 but, in winter, with snow tires, the A4 is a winner, hands down.

[Nonpareil]

apvm, what are you saying? A 7 series BMW was not even talked about here. Also, 'will kill you even at aftermarket garages..." Do you know that OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer? OEM is BMW not aftermarket, so in that respect, the parts are all OEM not aftermarket.
The Audi A4 1.8 T has a terrific reputation and the all wheel drive has great handling (not so good gas milage like all 4 wheel drives). The 323 is also a fantastic car and performs a bit better than the A4 but, in winter, with snow tires, the A4 is a winner, hands down.


I really do like the a4's and 323's. Before buying one do what do you suggest? Any things I should look for on them. As I don't have a mechanic that knows those cars well, to bring it too.. and I don't really want to pay one of those expensive dealership mechanics.

[Pete_Coach]

Don't know where you are but if from Toronto area try www.e46toronto.ca
They may be of help from the BMW side of things. They may also have info on other brands.

[Nonpareil]

have you considerd a Saab (9-3 or 9-5)?

Don't really like those.