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In Reply to: God, these cars are expensive! posted by Erik on November 25, 2000 at 20:36:05:
You guys all seem to love these cars, and after driving one, I found I liked the model as well and thought that one would last a long time and be fun to drive.
I had heard stories about rip-off repairs, but I needed new shocks and springs for my car because there was a banging in the left front corner on parking lot speed bumps only a week after buying it, so felt that the dealer would be more honest than unknown independent shops.
I ended up paying over $2200 for shocks and springs plus almost $1000 for front brakes (I needed pads and calipers, but the dealer wouldn't do the job without new calipers since my car had over 100,000 miles on it and I couldn';t prove the calipers had been previously replaced).
I only paid $4500 for the whole car, and now I have almost $9000 (including tax and license) in it and they told me that I need new front end parts ($2500 or so)to make the car "right."
Add to that the fact that I failed CA emmissions and they want $1700 plus an additional $300 to install a new catalytic converter. The local muffler shop won't touch the car since their cats are not CARB certified for BMWs unless they get a cat from the dealer, so it's the same price either way.
Short of actually doing the work myself (I live in an apartment don't even own a hammer), how can I ever afford to own this car? I like driving it, but they just didn't build them like I thought they did! Do you guys have a list of shops that can fix my car somewhere? I live near Redding, CA. and cannot justify owning a $14,000 car of 1986 vintage regardless of how much I like it.
Erik
Erik:
Bummer about the gouge job the dealer gave you.
One thing I LOVE about these cars (especially the older ones!) is that they are relatively easy to fix/work on/ have worked on, and parts are ABUNDANT!!
First thing to do is get a copy of the Bentley manual... then you can decide what, if anything, needs to be done about the symptoms you are having.
Next step is finding a good mechanic... BMWCCA is an awesome resource for thoughtful, interested people with similar tastes in cars.
A decent source of salvage parts is key... no need to buy all new all the time (although sometimes that IS the way to go). I like Jim Dowd (bmw@capecod.net), the ROUNDEL (magazine ONLY available to members of BMWCCA) is an excellent resource as well, both the commercial ads and classifieds. www.zionsvilleautosport.com is another source of good used parts.
Sorry you can't take back the money you spent at the dealer... for what it's worth, you DID pay too much, but have little risk that you got the wrong part, the part was installed wrong, or that an adjacent part will have to come out next week when something else goes. You DID get into a great model, and could have pissed away $9K or more by buying some overpriced domestic or Japanese shitbox (or even a new BMW) which will lose its value at an astonishing rate.
YES your car will require a little thought about WHERE to get the next part, WHAT should you fix next, WHO will do the work, CAN I try that on my own (HUGE benefits in self-satisfaction when you do, and you get it right... and/or learn something about your car).
Best of luck moving forward, remember the board is an excellent resource and a great place to check BEFORE you get major work done... and before long, you will be able to add your 2 cents worth as well.
It really IS the ultimate driving machine, and you really can control the costs by spending some time sourcing components, ideas, and labor.
eric
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