ElectricChair

535i 100%

andy92782

My ex-neighbor is the owner of a BMW indy repair shop. All I can say is this: his business is BOOMIN'! I recently found out it costs $400+ to replace a "valvetronic eccentric shaft sensor" on an N52 engine in an E90. A what? Exactly.

BMWs should be leased new and never owned for the long term outside of warranty. Especially if it's got a turbo.

If you're buying to keep it and drive it for many years, look at Infiniti or Lexus.

PVKPorsche

and the same goes for an MB and Audi, but why lease, if you buy it right and under warranty, then no worries of mileage and being locked in through the lease term.

Carmichael

I wouldn't own a post-E46 BMW outside of the warranty period. I'd at least purchase an extended warranty.

BMW tunes their cars extremely well. They're even relatively well-engineered. They just can't seem to find any decent suppliers (or bother to pay for better parts).

Hell, I turn my own wrenches and I wouldn't touch a newer BMW, the 1M excepted.

BIG smoke

[QUOTE=andy92782;12554781]My ex-neighbor is the owner of a BMW indy repair shop. All I can say is this: his business is BOOMIN'!

I could see that. All indy's do well. Take you 997 to the dealer and pay shop time? Take your BMW to the dealer, or indy?
I just did four rotors on my wife's X5. Dealer wanted 2300 + tax. I sourced four Zimmerman rotors and pads, and my indy put them on with an oil change and wipers. I was all in for 1100.

We are smarter for Rennlist, and our forums. I do not, would not, cannot, own a 200,000 dollar car. I buy a more complicated and developed car than I can afford, through knowledge and depreciation from others.
"BS sept 1st 2015"

O/P Do post a picture of your purchase. No car is perfect, were just trying to limit anyone exposure.
The world loved the 2007-13 MDX. I hatted mine, and was appalled and disappointed with the way Honda/Acura dealt with my issues. $1400 for a headlight bulb? on a 15 month old car? Light bulbs are covered under a 12 month warranty. Hmmm
Think twice about that $1700 mirror with the blind spot sensor?

Mbiondo

I did, obviously! But if one can't spell Alfa, please DO NOT pretend to know an Alfa. Period.

Carmichael

[QUOTE=BIG smoke;12555669]$1100 for a brake job? Can be done for way less than that if you DIY.

When clients bitch about how much they pay to press a lawsuit, I always ask them how much they paid their mechanic the last time they needed work done to their car.

BIG smoke

Carmichael- Way less DYI? sure, but did not have the time. Paid my indy 300 bucks for the install. While I don't mind doing the job. too many other things on my plate. Like crushing little white golf *****...

"Car for the wife"? Keeping wife safe, with new brakes... plus some money saved in the pocket.

O/P- Any update on the car hunt? Macan? We need to know.

Iceter

I have no opinion on the BMW or Audi, as I haven't owned one, but I can tell you that my wife's CPO'd 2011 E550 Cabrio has been a total PITA from a reliability standpoint. Electrical gremlins out the ying-yang and a charging issue that Mercedes has never been able to diagnose that has left her stranded on three separate occasions in the two years that she's owned it. Her CPO is about to expire and I'm strongly suggesting to her that she replace it.

I have read and heard no information in any of the automotive press to suggest that the reliability of Audi or BMW is significantly better than Mercedes.

If YOU are making the car decisions and this car is to be used primarily for hauling the wife and kids, I would humbly suggest that you might do better getting her a Japanese luxury sedan. The reliability will be better, service will be cheaper and retained value will be higher when she gets tired of it.

If you or she are not open to that, my only advice is to steer clear of the Merc and make darned sure that you get her a new car before the CPO runs out. You need to have serious disposable income to own any of these German sleds outside of the warranty period.

BIG smoke

Any used premium car.

x² - The most comprehensive/longest extended warranty you can afford.

BIG smoke

While de-sanding my wife's car interior last night. I had a few thoughts while the sweat dripped from my furrowed brow.
O/P- does your wife clean her own car?
Does she go to the car wash? My wife's new to us X5 275/40/20 & 315/35/20's don't fit in the rails of the no touch.
X5's has no spare tire. Run flats. 35 series rubber is one third the height of a curb. Thus the scuff's up the spokes.

Hella-Buggin'

Ha, yeah right! I clean the cars by hand. I usually spend one Saturday a month doing a proper wash and then do a waterless wash wipe down as needed in between. I've heard horrible things about the run flats. I'd probably swap them out at some point and maybe pick up a Spare tire to keep in the trunk if we end up with the 535.

Paqueras

Cayenne for the wife and kids.