Need some advice on purchasing a BMW

[Brenden_E]

Inferior to 125i and 135i.

Not inferior in speed - and cost way less
Anyway it was kind of a sarcastic comment. Last time I checked out BMW you paid 1/3 of the price for the badge. Looking past the smoke and mirrors in advertising hype a sensible person quickly realizes there's superior products out there, especially the Japanese cars.

 

[Chevron]

Not inferior in speed - and cost way less
Anyway it was kind of a sarcastic comment. Last time I checked out BMW you paid 1/3 of the price for the badge. Looking past the smoke and mirrors in advertising hype a sensible person quickly realizes there's superior products out there, especially the Japanese cars.

Lexus.

 

[feo]

OP, what made you decide against it? Service history dodge?

 

[ubercal]

Not inferior in speed - and cost way less
Anyway it was kind of a sarcastic comment. Last time I checked out BMW you paid 1/3 of the price for the badge. Looking past the smoke and mirrors in advertising hype a sensible person quickly realizes there's superior products out there, especially the Japanese cars.

But who wants to be seen in jap crap :erm: The sheep in SA think once you have a German "luxury" car you have made it in life

 

[Drifter]

To quote my Dad, "German efficiency is rumor started by the Germans".

 

[Colin62]

To quote my Dad, "German efficiency is rumor started by the Germans".

Credit where it's due - it's a very efficient (and effective) rumour

 

[satanboy]

The moral of the story is always to never buy what you can't yet truly afford.

Whether that means having to load up a residual that's so large that you're only renting a car, or moving into a house that is making every inch of your budget scream, just don't go there.

I wouldn't take a risk on a 3 Series, and especially not a 'boring' one like a 318i, and ESPECIALLY not an M-Sport variety (i.e. somebody pimped it because they can't afford a real sports car). If you're gonna hold a gun to your heard, at least let the prize be worthwhile the risk yes?

My advice would be to look at running costs. There are BMW run-flat tyres that cost R5 000 a pop and can only be replaced as a whole set. You get one of those cars and you're screwed.

I just replaced all 4 of mine (BMW X1) at R13K (Pirelli's). So R5k per tyre is a bit high.

 

[Brenden_E]

I just replaced all 4 of mine (BMW X1) at R13K (Pirelli's). So R5k per tyre is a bit high.

Does the X1 have the same size run flats as the one series? I'm going to venture a guess and say no.

 

[f2wohf]

Does the X1 have the same size run flats as the one series? I'm going to venture a guess and say no.

I find 118 runflat tyres at 1500 to 1800 per true on Errol Tyres.

 

[Brenden_E]

But who wants to be seen in jap crap :erm: The sheep in SA think once you have a German "luxury" car you have made it in life

Many of my wife's friends all drive top end Mercs and Beamers, while they live in matchbox houses and tons of debt. It's painful.

Looking at society though, the way we are brought up and broken by systematic indoctrination on what defines success/happiness, it's understandable. A phat ass BMW will make me happy, the advertisement said so. An easy solution to complex problems. Eish...

 

[Chevron]

Many of my wife's friends all drive top end Mercs and Beamers, while they live in matchbox houses and tons of debt. It's painful.

Looking at society though, the way we are brought up and broken by systematic indoctrination on what defines success/happiness, it's understandable. A phat ass BMW will make me happy, the advertisement said so. An easy solution to complex problems. Eish...

I must say that once I saw a Merc ad that made me want to puke.

The tagline was:

"Who says you can't buy class"?

Sigh.

 

[Brenden_E]

I must say that once I saw a Merc ad that made me want to puke.

The tagline was:

"Who says you can't buy class"?

Sigh.

The BMW ad on 702 that goes along the line of, "only a BMW let's you take control of the road...". Playing on the subversive message that once you get a BMW you will be master of your destiny. It's depressing when I think about all those who can't afford it being manipulated into poor life choices.

 

[skeptic_SA]

Many of my wife's friends all drive top end Mercs and Beamers on 40 or 50% residuals, while they live in matchbox houses and tons of debt. It's painful.

Looking at society though, the way we are brought up and broken by systematic indoctrination on what defines success/happiness, it's understandable. A phat ass BMW will make me happy, the advertisement said so. An easy solution to complex problems. Eish...

FTFY

 

[BBC]

OP, what made you decide against it? Service history dodge?

Can't attach local file so view it here - Imgur Link

 

[Chevron]

The BMW ad on 702 that goes along the line of, "only a BMW let's you take control of the road...". Playing on the subversive message that once you get a BMW you will be master of your destiny. It's depressing when I think about all those who can't afford it being manipulated into poor life choices.

My take away from that tag line is it would make poor drivers think they will be experts and can drive more dangerously if they have a BMW. I remember reading once that most drivers become over-confident in their driving ability once behind the wheel of an expensive car.

But I get your point.

 

[f2wohf]

Can't attach local file so view it here - Imgur Link

Good choice:

Cylinder head deformed in June 2014.

One year later in June 2015, you can see a coolant leak on the cylinder head.

That sounds rather dangerous and a future major issue as it hasn't been sorted properly.

 

[satanboy]

Does the X1 have the same size run flats as the one series? I'm going to venture a guess and say no.

Bigger so it should be more expensive.

 

[Gazzacpt]

Can't attach local file so view it here - Imgur Link

That is a result of the dodgy cooling systems these cars have. Its a BMW thing car goes in leaking coolant because the tank or pipe cracked, they replace the pipes and reservoir then hope nothing overheated. Goes back later for performance issues or its using water.
I know a few of then that that has happened to.

 

[Colin62]

Can't attach local file so view it here - Imgur Link

Good call there - run and don't look back.

 

[Craig_]

The person (in general, not talking about you specifically) that gets the M package are far more likely to drive it like it's stolen versus a person who gets the more conservative choice. Seems logical to me. Disagree?

Not necessarily, my VW has the R-line package, and I drive it no different from the cars I've had before. In fact, it gets babied a little more as the tyres are of a lower profile than my previous cars, thus, I'm a lot more careful then I used to be.