Snobs---- (archive)

I am a certified Chysler mechanic--let me tell you the majority of Americans drive their cars until they break and then fix them. My point was that BMW's are reliable in that they will still run and get you to work even with a lot wrong.

Don't get me wrong--I assumed from what you said about the posts here making you hesitant to buy it that you had a good idea about what could go wrong. Jens hit the nail on the head. The heaters go out---water pumps tend to go at about 190K---the steering pump can be a pain in the a-- and has a bunch of tiny places that may leak. The oil preasure switch likes to go out(on mine anyway) Its an easy fix. Watch the frount ball joints and tie rods--these are heavy cars and they need replacement about every five years(and 100 miles a day means they will) I put on at least that.

As to the safty issue--as you can tell from the posts---it is a large issue when thinking of buying a car. Think about it--you drive an average speed of 130K here(that's 80mph.) ON a trip to Frankfurt I drive at 180-210K (up to and over 120mph). Its a one and half hour drive from my home.

My car has never failed to get me there, no matter the conditions. It always starts--and I feel safe in it--I am safe in it. Lets face it most older cars are not very safe. We have a1968 Buick Wildcat that scares me to death. All that steel and hard stuff around you and safty belts that are useless and none in the back. I have 1980 Dodge RT, one of the last made of that style. The seat belts let me crack my head into the steering wheel when I got rear-ended. I owned a 1969 Vett---I fliped it and was lucky to have survivied--nothing was left of the car.

I have seen many older cars brought into the shop with the insides covered in blood and guts----most BMW's come in with the owner on their own feet--that to makes it an easy choice.

Mechanicly if the engine and drive train are sound all the extras can be fixed and I am safe driving it. A big issue for me.

So, go over the boards here. I have recived some exlant help with things that baffled me and things that irritated me and things I havenot done before-----They are not that hard to work on.

Sorry if we looked like snobs but I will say again--we love our cars. And that can be true of anyone with a car they love.

Shawn

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