[hades281]

I've searched the forum and other sites for information about maintenance and repair costs on BMW's - and most people tend to agree that about $1500 - $2000 per year is average for maintenance and upkeep on a BMW once the free maintenance and warranty has ended.

Is this because once the car ages some (50,000 thru 150,000 miles), every time you turn around it'll need a new sensor here or bushing there?

I'm trying to add up the maintenance costs and I dont see how they get that high - say for two years (30,000 miles) to make this easier...


4 oil changes @ 7500mi and $80 each -- $320
Coolant Flush, once every 2 years -- $100
Total brake job, once every 2 years -- $400 (parts only)
Air Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Micro Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Manual Trans Flush every 2 years -- $100
Fuel Filter every 2 years -- $150 ??
Brake Fluid Change every 2 years -- $150 ??

Total here is $1288 for two years.... $644 per year.

I know this doesn't include everything! I didn't budget for Tires or labor on the brakes, and if you average things you'd pay for half of a spark plug change. But will that push you into the $2000 a year range??

Can you damn near expect expensive repairs every year outside of "normal maintenance" that are responsible for these figures? Any input from E46 guys that have owned their cars into high mileage?

Hopefully this will either confirm or debunk the "BMW extremely expensive to maintain" myth... for a bunch of us either saving up or sitting on the fence about getting a new e90?

edit: added other maintenance items

[icedragon]

Originally Posted by hades281

I've searched the forum and other sites for information about maintenance and repair costs on BMW's - and most people tend to agree that about $1500 - $2000 per year is average for maintenance and upkeep on a BMW once the free maintenance and warranty has ended.

Is this because once the car ages some (50,000 thru 150,000 miles), every time you turn around it'll need a new sensor here or bushing there?

I'm trying to add up the maintenance costs and I dont see how they get that high - say for two years (30,000 miles) to make this easier...


4 oil changes @ 7500mi and $80 each -- $320
Coolant Flush, once every 2 years -- $100
Total brake job, once every 2 years -- $400 (parts only)
Air Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Micro Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Manual Trans Flush every 2 years -- $100
Fuel Filter every 2 years -- $150 ??
Brake Fluid Change every 2 years -- $150 ??

Total here is $1288 for two years.... $644 per year.

I know this doesn't include everything! I didn't budget for Tires or labor on the brakes, and if you average things you'd pay for half of a spark plug change. But will that push you into the $2000 a year range??

Can you damn near expect expensive repairs every year outside of "normal maintenance" that are responsible for these figures? Any input from E46 guys that have owned their cars into high mileage?

Hopefully this will either confirm or debunk the "BMW extremely expensive to maintain" myth... for a bunch of us either saving up or sitting on the fence about getting a new e90?

edit: added other maintenance items

I think it would be wise to find yourself a trusted mechanic to work on your car after your maintenance program expires, if you do not have one already.

My family used to always take our past cars to the dealership for service until my uncle recommended his mechanic to us. This mechanic is great! We've been going to him for years. He's always able to solve out problems and he always charges us fairly. My BMW dealership charges $85 for a "BMW oil and filter change", which is really just Castrol synthetic oil. (I love how BMW puts its name on products to give the illusion that they manufacture it when they actually don't). My mechanic would charge about $40 for a synthetic oil and filter change on my E90. That's more than half price, and I know he will do a great job.

[David328M-Sport]

For a car that costs twice as much where I live than in the USA, I cannot but ensure that my dealer's service department look after servicing. From my experiences trading up from e36 to the e46 and then to the e90, it was worth it for resale value.

Any problems (not that I had anything major) are sorted by the service people fuss free. No issues with my e90.

We all choose what makes us comfortable and sure, there are some fantastic non BMW mechanics around.

All the best.

[stressdoc]

The $ for parts on a complete brake job look a touch low. Depends how high end you go, and whether you can get a BMWCCA discount.
Changing the transmission oil is usually not necessary.
Most folks pay for labor, doubling or more your total.

But yes, routine maintenance costs are not that bad. It is the non-routine ones that can get you.
The maintenance costs on my E46 over 7 years/80kmiles have totalled 3340. And that includes winter and summer tires. Gas has averaged just about 30 mpg. Thrills and avoided collisions -- priceless. Broken record here, but IMO bimmers can not only be wonderful cars to drive, they can also be a bargain if that is a priority for you.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by hades281

4 oil changes @ 7500mi and $80 each -- $320
Coolant Flush, once every 2 years -- $100
Total brake job, once every 2 years -- $400 (parts only)
Air Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Micro Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Manual Trans Flush every 2 years -- $100
Fuel Filter every 2 years -- $150 ??
Brake Fluid Change every 2 years -- $150 ??

Total here is $1288 for two years.... $644 per year.

Brake job every 2yrs? I think that's a little high. I've had my E46 for almost 3yrs and the brake pads have plenty of life remaining.
Fuel Filter every 2 yrs? Maybe 1x every 50k miles.

You can do the oil changes (BMW's are the easiest cars in the world to change oil), as well as the air filters.

[hades281]

Yeah I figured for the sake of the discussion, I would low-ball the life of the brakes and other parts as to determine a "worst case scenario."

I'm am at least somewhat mechanically inclined, so a lot of work I wouldn't be too afraid of doing myself. Currently I drive an F-150 but to it's credit, it's rock-solid reliable and it's almost maintenance free. It's so easy to do things like spark plug changes, brakes... I dont even need to jack it up to do oil changes! And parts are CHEAP CHEAP.

I guess the scariest part of the BMW would be component failure. A set of catalytic converters, or a new electric water pump, a starter...

One other vehicle I'm considering is the Infiniti FX35 because of how easy it would be to maintain and work on.... I like to keep vehicles a long time.

[F32Fleet]

[QUOTE=hades281]I dont even need to jack it up to do oil changes! And parts are CHEAP CHEAP.

QUOTE]

Buy some ramps and you'll be good to go.

[longtran]

Originally Posted by hades281

4 oil changes @ 7500mi and $80 each -- $320
Coolant Flush, once every 2 years -- $100
Total brake job, once every 2 years -- $400 (parts only)
Air Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Micro Filter, yearly, at $17 each -- $34 (part only)
Manual Trans Flush every 2 years -- $100
Fuel Filter every 2 years -- $150 ??
Brake Fluid Change every 2 years -- $150 ??

Total here is $1288 for two years.... $644 per year.

oil change are due at 15k miles not 7500.
manual transmission flush?? that thing is lifetime.
i dont know about all the others.