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When you talk about the most sort-after luxury cars in the world, you most definitely will mention BMW, which is one of the prime German luxury brands. But are BMW good cars?
For sure, BMWs are good cars, but can be super expensive – not just the purchase price, but the maintenance, also, is on the high side.
BMW makes some of the finest and most notorious luxury car models driven worldwide. The brand is remarkable for using and integrating cutting-edge technologies in its vehicles.
BMWs come with a lot of patented technologies and hi-tech systems that beat what you may find on other luxury car models. Owning a BMW is cool, as long as you’d be able to keep up with the high maintenance cost.
BMW Cars Overview
The German brand makes a lot of vehicle models and types; it has sedans, SUVs, coupes, minivans, and other types of cars. But while BMW is popular worldwide, and notable for producing super-quality vehicles, its vehicles are not usually on the top lists of reliable cars to buy.
Now, don’t get it wrong; this does not imply that BMW does not make reliable cars – but their cars are not as reliable as that of its competitors like Lexus, Mercedes, and Volvo. Also, BMWs are very expensive to maintain over their service years, which is why quite many people don’t like the brand.
There have been so many notable BMW models, starting with the BMW 3 series, 5 series, and 7 series, to the infamous X and M series (X6, M3, and others). One thing is certain with BMW models, they are super luxurious – equipped with sophisticated technologies that will blow the mind of any driver.
Furthermore, the design of BMWs is unique and spectacular – you’d easily fall in love with it. In Germany, BMW is inarguably one of the top three best automobile manufacturers when you talk of hi-tech features and aesthetics. Virtually every part of BMW cars is responsive and operates smoothly.
Are BMW Good Cars?
This is quite a rhetorical question; some people will answer NO, and some others will give a YES. Well, the truth is, BMW makes cars for people who understand and want to enjoy a luxury experience when they drive around towns or across states.
BMWs are built sturdy and classy (even though they don’t always appear on the top lists of reliable luxury cars).
From the mechanical engineering to the built-in technologies and features, BMWs are typically with the best-in-class components, ready for adventures and tours.
With proper maintenance, and a good driving culture, a BMW model is predicted to last over 200,000 miles and still look good; but then, the maintenance is on the high side.
The average annual maintenance cost of BMWs is around $960; the cost grows to around $1,150 after the first five years, and there are chances of having a major repair done on the car within these initial years. In terms of reliability, BMWs have continuously had low scores across auto review websites and forums.
Well, not only BMWs have poor reliability scores and high maintenance costs – practically all German and Italian luxury brands are in the same shoes.
Many people who buy BMW are all about the luxury features, unique styling, and the high-level recognition the brand gets; they are not buying the car primarily for reliability.
Common Issues With BMWs
If you’re considering buying a BMW model, it is important that you know some common issues you may experience with the ride.
These issues were reported on platforms like ConsumerReports and CarComplaints by BMW owners, so you should watch out for them if you own – or planning to buy – a BMW.
1. Electric Issues
Among the commonly reported electrical faults on BMWs include power window/mirror failure, door lock problems, TPMS failure, and faulty automatic headlights.
These electrical problems cost an average of $900 to fix, depending on what failure, and could cost up to $1,500 or higher if some parts need to be replaced.
2. Fluid Leakage
This happens on every car, anyway. Yeah, when you slack in maintaining your vehicle, you may start seeing oil or fluid leaks whenever you park the car for a while.
Notwithstanding, there are other scenarios that can cause fluid leaks, such as head gasket cracks, oil pan cracks, and other similar issues.
3. Battery
Quite a number of BMW owners allege that the original battery in their vehicle died off even before 80,000 miles.
The battery issue typically starts with frequent discharging, which makes it uneasy to access the power controls and electrical features, and then subsequently dies off – requiring you to install a brand new battery.
Note: BMW has a complex engine bay, only professional BMW mechanics can actually work on BMW models.
This implies that your regular mechanic may not be to fix the issues with your BMW, and this is part of the reason why maintaining these cars are expensive – you’d have to travel miles to see a mechanic that can work on your vehicle when it’s faulty.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Miles Can BMW Go?
Well, BMWs are pretty strong – with regular maintenance and care, you can drive them over 200,000 miles, for up to 10 years. But for the first 10 years of owning a BMW, be sure to spend at least $9,700 on maintenance; if a major repair happens to be done, the cost could be over $11,000.
Is BMW Worth Buying?
If you’re a fan of performance vehicles, you’d definitely find BMWs worth the price. This is because BMWs typically come with powerful engines that produce incredible amounts of horsepower for all kinds of driving.
Basically, BMW tunes all of its vehicles for ultra-performance without sacrificing luxury and premium driving dynamics.
Is BMW or Mercedes Better?
Both are luxury car brands from Germany and they produce some of the finest cars you’d find out there. Whether you buy a Mercedes or BMW model doesn’t matter, as both brands produce cars with similar attributes. But many people would prefer BMWs because they appear sportier.
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