X-ZZ4

I looked starting at 2003 and up because that the "newer" body style.

And don't tell me it's the 150K miles......does that REALLY cause THAT much depreciation?

I'm seeing quite a few on craigslist for ~$8500, which peaked my curiosity.

Here's just one.....

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/cto/4394196095.html

I'd love to pick one of those up for my daily diver/commuter. And I only commute 15 miles roundtrip.....so I'm not asking a lot out of a car for that.

I thought that price was too good to be true. But there's quite a few of them out there. So I Blue Booked them (kbb.com)......and they show ~$6000. So what I thought was too good to be true.....might actually be a bit high!

Somebody with experience on these help me out here. I can deal with some high maintenance costs. Hell......I'm sure I've voluntarily put way more into my Vette and GTO in performance mods than I would spend on one of these as a commuter.

I'm seriously considering snatching one of these.

PeterK

Because you can easily pay the purchasing price in annual repairs on a car like this one.

X-ZZ4

Sounds like a crappy design. I've had Volvo's and Acuras go past 250K with nothing but tires, brakes, and fluid changes for maintenance.

With the driving that I would plan on using this car for I could see it being in my hands for 5 years and still not hit 200K.

You'd think a $70K car (or whatever they were new) be built with a bit more longevity in mind.

Of course, your answer probably does answer my question though.....

PeterK

Transmission failures are not uncommon and will run you $$$. At 150km you probably need to rebuild vanos, replace a bunch of suspension components, etc, etc. Plus the car needs premium and only gets upper teens on the combined cycle. In other words, you get a very expensive car to upkeep.

These are the reasons why these cars are so inexpensive on the used market. Few can afford to keep a car as expensive as this one and these who can would rather buy/lease a new car.

2003Evo

Their biggest flaw is the failure of valve seals..google it. It usually costs ~7k to fix it, but it happens around 60k

runutzzzzz

I wouldn't touch that car with a 10ft pole!
Those cars had so many issues when they came out, mostly electronics gremlins. RUN!

If you are looking for a used luxury sedan, look at a 2003+ MB S class. They are in the same ball park.

X-ZZ4

Good advice. But they seem to be far and few between at that price. Need to add a couple thousand or so to see a decent selection. At least that I've seen locally. But perhaps that couple of extra thousands might be well worth it.

LTC Z06

Since when is $150K cheap?

03clyde

No warranty, no BMW.

Greg MFn Z

8500!!!! Wow , when you said cheap I expected 4-5k. The 03 is the ugly highly debate able Bangle design and the early yrs had tranny issues. They are 7k cars all day yet I wouldn't touch one unless it led a pampered/serviced life. And I've had quite a few 7 series , I love them, just not in that era. Try and hold out for a 750li for just a few grand more.

Dave68

I think he meant 150,000 miles.

SLO VETTE

i will never ever ever ever again own a bmw out of warranty.

it will cost you about 30-40 cents a mile over the long haul, esp. if you eclipse the 100k mark.

don't ask me why i know this.

every time you fart wrong, the car stops and asks you for $500 to pass go.

Wicked C5

I agree. I used to have 08 E60 535 lighting model went out 2 weeks after purchasing it. Luckily I had an extended warranty and it was covered otherwise it would been $860.00. Battery also died and they wanted $550.00 due to programming not covered by warranty. Went to walmart said screw programming for $110.00.

The E39's would be a much better choice and tend to be a bit cheaper

X-ZZ4

Ok.....you all have steered me away from the big Beemer, thanks for the input.

How about downsizing a bit.....here's a nice looking MB C230 Sport. I see quite a few a bit less too, but this one looks quite appealing.....



Details here.....

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/4395777416.html

Dave68

Keep in mind that many of the cars on used car lots were bought at auctions, meaning many of them are repos and not wanted by dealerships.

X-ZZ4

Thanks. But yeah, well aware of that, and I actually normally just search private party as I'm a full cash buyer. But this one looked "pretty" ......and it's just an example of what I'm now looking at.

bolowbc

What you need to keep in mind is $100K cars have equivalent costs of maintenance.

Just because you can buy one cheap does not equate with a good deal. Like any used car, they are being sold that cheap because the cost to maintain one at a certain point becomes more than the car is worth.

The_Dude

Ask GTrain why you shouldn't own a BMW out of warranty.

dmaxx3500

or any euro v12 car,talk about matinece costs

lionsfan5454

0-60 in about 8 seconds? Why not just buy an Accord at that point?