Re: E32,Cost of Ownership (Cont'd) (archive)

The complete automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners like you.

If you count up the cost of all the items you listed it comes to a grand total of $3900 which would cover maintenance for a little over two years at $150 per month. This is not unusually high. Before buying my car, I asked a couple of independent mechanics what the cost of ownership would be for an E32. Their response was between $125 and $150 per month. My experience has been that this is a fairly accurate figure. However, it does depend on the maintenance performed by the previous owner and the amount of miles driven per year.

As far as I can remember, these are the items I have replaced over the four years of ownership. I also use OEM BMW parts and practice preventative maintenance where possible (why just replace thrust arm bushings and not the complete control arm). If you look through the archives, most items are common replacement parts. My car has also had to have a few unusual replacement parts but then again I have managed to dodge (so far) a couple of the common maladies.

Radiator (twice)
Fan Clutch (twice)
Water Pump (twice)
All Coolant Hoses
Cylinder Head Gasket
Complete Front and Rear Suspension
Headlights and Foglights(lost count, now use headlight covers)
Window Regulator
Passenger Seatbelt
Fuel Pump
Fuel Pressure Regulator
Idle Speed Regulator
Brake Rotors (twice)
Brake Pads (three times) and Brake Pad Sensors
Driveshaft Center Bearing
A/C Compressor and Drier
O2 Sensor
Various Rubber Mounts and Seals

In addition, my car currently needs a new driveshaft and A/C compressor but I have been putting these off until after the holiday period. I haven't estimated the labor costs since I do all of my own work but I imagine that these can be high if you farm out all the work.

Basically, if you expect the costs in advance, you shoudn't have any shocks. As someone below said, you cannot put a price on the smiles per mile.

***OUCH!!!***$125-$150 a month sounds like a lot. Even if this is averaged out over a year.Could you tell me what you're doing every month Alex, that costs so much???
The thought of a new front end,exhaust,suspension,and driveshaft isn't too frightening for me as long as I feel the benefits of the cost.

I joined the BMWCCA, purchased the Bentley Service Manual a few months ago, and have also spent countless hours on the internet (great site by the way) so I'm fairly familiar with the mechanics of the car as well as my abilities to perform most of the maitenance and upgrades myself.

My thoughts up to this point have been that an average E32 will need in it's first year:
>Shocks and Springs,$650.00
>Stearing Components,$600.00
>Exhaust System,$850.00 (Not Incl. Cat Convt)
>Ignition System Upgrade,$500.00-$800.00
>Injectors,$300.00
>Misc (this and that),$1000,00 <(Liberal Est.)

What it really comes down to is: What does a reconditioned 735i feel like after I've done everything listed above???
I should also mention that I'm not looking for a road rocket. I just want an asthetically pleasing car that I can depend on, feel comfortable in for hours and hours, and upgrade as I please.

Questions, comments, or problems, please visit the Roadfly help desk.