Cheapest, most reliable used BMW?

[malicanli]

118i is my favorite

[TAZ007]

Originally Posted by houbmw

I have a 2007 530i 6 speed manual with 110,000 miles that my family keeps trying to get me to get rid of. I dont DYI so I pay a independent to keep it in top condition as a daily driver. I am the original owner and have had the car since 19. Always treated it with the respect and care it deserved. Have 2 set of KW coilovers, 3 sets of rims and so much hard earned $$$$ in mods, maintance and exterior detailing lol. It was an original SMG that I enjoyed until 2016 and then converted to BMW OEM 6 speed. So much sentimental value. Sadly, I do not think it would sale for more than $7k and what is really the price I could swallow to let it go for? I cant even say $20k lol. I am delusional and in love with a car that is probably had over $100,000k total with original price paid of $60k included. That was very sad to type.

Would love for my 3year old daughter to learn how to drive this car.

Since you are not going to recoup the $$$ you put into it and you are madly in love with it still, keep it and continue to enjoy it. In 12 years, teach your daughter how to drive it and continue the bonding. It will be a great story and point of pride for you both when she will be only a handful of her generation that can actually drive a manual.

[sspade]

So…

Not counting the F30 (for conversation sakes, saying it's too young to count)…

What are some top contenders for used BMWs from purely a reliability standpoint? Any particular build years and or option combos known to achieve 300k without major failure?

Always been interested in the answer and only got into BMW a few years ago with the F30, so have no personal experience with anything older other than riding/driving friends and relatives bimmers over the years on random occasions.

[BIANCA'S M3]

I'm getting rid of my 2018 Austin yellow f80. I know that is not what you are looking for but you might know somebody interested.

[uncle ben]

Owned a 2006 330i 6speed sport package, fairly reliable. Still expensive to fix. $3k for clutch and flywheel, oil pan gasket not a cheap fix or diy friendly (have to drop the front subframe), also had to have camshaft and bearing ledge replaced due to an oiling issue ($2800). So just keep an extra $3000 around for any issues.

If you value AWD get a 330xi/ 328xi

If you want a small car, maybe try a 128i, I’ve always been a little tempted to get one as a track toy.

[GilM3]

I agree with you 100%, I bought my i3 incredibly cheap and it has been the best commuter I've ever had.

Originally Posted by jmg

The i3 was/is the best commuter I have ever had. I'm on my 3rd one so far.

1 hour (40 mile) commute each way in heavy Los Angeles traffic. Carpool sticker and adaptive cruise transformed my commute from horrible to relaxing. I was commuting in my F80 M3 prior to that.

Giga World interior with the moon roof and tech package which includes a bigger iDrive screen and Adaptive Cruise Control which is a MUST.

I may or may not have enabled video playback while in motion for really heavy traffic days to have movies and tv shows playing in the iDrive in the background with ACC on (just keep your eyes on the road).

I saved ~$200 in fuel expenses. My lease is a 15k/year 30 month lease with effective zero drive off for $199/mo including tax after full MSDS, fed tax rebate, state rebates, and SCE energy rebate. Insurance is under $100/mo.

I'm in the opposite boat as you however, it looks like I'll be working from home from now on, so I went from an 80 mile/day commute to a 0/mile a day commute and my i3 is just sitting there only being used occasionally for errands.

[rmanm4]

I've owned 3 e46's and a e90 and can tell you the best bang for buck are the following:

e46 (ZHP if possible) 330i or 330ci in manual OR (if its hard to find one in good condition) a 328i e90 with N52 engine. Do not get Xi and manual over automatic if you can! e36 328i are just as good but even harder to find! The N52 engine is pretty easy to fix and cheap but not as easy as the m54 engine!

What you want to stay away from are BMWs that burn a lot of oil

[XutvJet]

2016 M235
Owned new since Feb 2016
52K miles
NOT ONE issue

Prior to my BMW, I had Japanese cars since 1989. The M235 has been the most reliable car I've ever owned. I would have never imagined.

I do the required maintenance and preventative maintenance. That's where these cars get a bit more expensive than others, but if you can do the work yourself, it's substantially cheaper.

[hbeamish]

E9x 3.0 diesel engines were pretty good.
Saying that my 4.4l V8 N63TU caused 0 issues during ownership.

Good maintenance is key..

[4Hockey4]

Our 01' 330ci vert. was owned by an older gentleman, not an enthusiast. No cracking, peeling and even the leather seats look new, mint actually. It was owned in mid atlantic...another 1 off I guess...we looked at a bunch, worst issue was not preserving the leather seats, but dash, board, console etc never saw any issues. Look at one, E46 solid choice.

16' 235i MT, just turned 32K, and no issues to date.

[tailendcharlie]

IIRC, Mike Miller has said in his Roundel column he would vote for the earlier, M52-powered, E39 series - the 528i’s.....

[brownman]

The E46 is a great platform. Relatively easy to work on and parts are easily available. Plus there is a lot on information about almost anything you may need or want to on them. Its getting more difficult to find them with a manual transmission, but they are out there.

[Chihuahua]

Any E46 or E39 with an M52 or M54 would be my vote.

Originally Posted by Pugi

Hi, I think older BMWs are more reliable. Now, unfortunately, reliability has faded into the background, beauty and technical characteristics are a priority. The most reliable and luxurious car is the Rolls Royce Phantom, but this is if you take all the existing cars, since I classify BMW as a luxury car series.

Dude, you're fucking AWESOME. OP asks for a cheap, reliable car and you throw out the Phantom. What planet are you on where Rolls Royce Phantoms are cheap because I sure would like to live there.

[Vivek.]

E34, 535i.

Just saw (one of) my old one(s--had 2) up for sale, went and test drove it. Way nicer than it was when I had it in 2017, someone's gone thru the full suspension and added Bilstein coils and all new arms, links, etc. Interior is rough though, and the selling dealer is asking 7.5k. Definitely going up in value but we had a good laugh about how its the only BMW engine ever that won't leak a drop of oil

[SteveinArizona]

Originally Posted by xxpanipuri

honestly i'd go electric for this, like a tesla model 3

The auto pilot has alot of value in commuter traffic...the algorithm actually works better with more traffic (which provides more data).

Doesn't require any maintenance ( OTHER THAN tires/suspension/brakes)

Charging is the only thing, but with Tesla's charging network you have alot of options, and if your office has charging (or somewhere nearby) then you can leverage that.

model 3 - Dual Motor would be the best option with AWD. you can pick them up used for a decent price, and considering the fact that you have no other running costs on the car, it would be cheapest to own over the period of 5-8 yrs...

i don't use my 550i for commuting in traffic, so my DD is a 1998 toyota camry with 110k miles on it. So when that needs to be replaced, i'm def going electric (right now Tesla has the best range and Tech) but others are catching up soon. and the acceleration is unreal!

if you're going to stick with a GAS car...then i'd suggest

e92 330i (335i was turbo motor) earlier 330i's were still the old straight 6 - and you can find them with a 6 speed also you could probably find in AWD (also wagon)
e46 330i or 325i (older) but again NA Straight 6 and you can find plenty with a manual trans. e46 had an AWD version, not sure how popular they were.
e39 530i - older but you can find plenty with a manual. (e39 never came in awd) the 540i was v8 all other e39's (525/528/530i were all straight 6's)
e60 525/528i/530i - all were straight 6's that were produced for the e60 (which did get the TT straight 6 from 335i). i believe you could get these in AWD as well.

hope that helps...

I agree with going electric but I suggest a basic model with plenty of range. The OP doesn't need the speed of the Tesla Model 3 as he has a BMW 550 for fun. So I think an inexpensive but long range electric car would be perfect and if DC copies London and NY and starts congestion pricing, the OP will be fine.

My suggestion...a Chevrolet Bolt.

But if you really want to stay German, what about a used BMW I3?

[Tommy26]

I'd go for an E90 335 M. My ex car, still looks good especially if it is white with red leather interior...

[FoxberryJam]

Originally Posted by Chihuahua

Any E46 or E39 with an M52 or M54 would be my vote.



Dude, you're fucking AWESOME. OP asks for a cheap, reliable car and you throw out the Phantom. What planet are you on where Rolls Royce Phantoms are cheap because I sure would like to live there.

I believe he is from Planet Titan...

[DanG]

I would go for a BMW 318ti. Easily repairable natural aspirated four cylinder BMW.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by FoxberryJam

I believe he is from Planet Titan...

Booking my ticket with SpaceX now.

[DemetriusJoel]

MK7 GTI. No brainer!!

[MightyMouseTech]

Half the techs in our shop drive manual E90 328's. (either a sedan or wagon)

That must count for something.