You want to buy a new car, and from all of the options available on the market, you’ve decided that you want to have the “Ultimate Driving Machine” as your car. But there are some essential things you should know before purchasing a BMW.
These are great cars that offer a lot to their owners: top-tier performance, comfort, style, and last but not least, the unprecedented sophistication associated with these vehicles.
BMW hasn’t failed to make an impression with its cars, from vintage, legendary sports cars like the E30 M3 and M1 to contemporary, high-performance versions that shout comfort and performance like the Z4 M40i and X5 M60i.
But as with any other automaker, BMW also has its shortcomings, and if you want to purchase one of their vehicles, you need to know everything about them.
1. Beware of the oil leaks
It is not that unusual for BMWs to leave a stain of oil underneath them. This is one of the things you should know before purchasing a BMW. It is a common issue that you can notice when you take your car out of the parking lot.
But some models have a higher chance of this happening: the 2000 BMW 328i, the 2013 BMW X3, and the 2009 BMW X5.
If you don’t see an obvious pool of oil under your car, this does not mean that you will not have problems. You should look out for some other signs that might indicate an oil leak, such as overheating, smoke that comes out of the hood, sputtering during acceleration, and sizzling sounds.
The examination of an oil leak’s cause cannot be ignored. But remember that there are more sources from which the oil can escape, such as the oil filter housing gasket, the timing cover gasket, the oil pan, the drain plug, and the oil filter housing. After 60,000 miles, routine maintenance is advised to keep oil leaks from becoming a real problem on a BMW.
2. If the car has alloy wheels, they can be easily corroded
One of the main attributes of the Bavarian manufacturer is their stylish cars, and since the exterior aspect is so important, alloy wheels are a big part of this. However, even if they look delightful, BMW stable wheels corrode more quickly when they have to deal with harsh weather.
Go online and check out some specialty forums, and you will notice that this is a rather common problem. This is why we consider this to be one of the things you should know before purchasing a BMW. The following are some of the models that are most affected by this: 2006 BMW E46, 2012 BMW F30, 2011 BMW X3.
Some people said that they had the BMW 3 Series (F30) for only 16 months, and their alloy wheels had already begun to rust around the caps. However, there’s good news: the seller can replace it if it’s still under warranty. If that is not possible, try to consider preventive measures such as using sealant on the affected area or applying car wax.
3. Malfunction of the window regulator
This is an issue that is well known in the BMW community and has plagued numerous automobiles for the last decades. This oddity is caused by several factors, including the German manufacturer’s continued incorporation of plastic regulator clips. So, it is easy to understand that if they are made out of plastic, they are prone to breakage, as this is not the most resistant material.
The models that suffer the most from this issue are the 1999–2006 BMW E46; the 2007–2013 BMW 135i; and the 2019–2023 BMW X5.
So, when this happens, you will notice that your car’s power windows have a higher chance of not being able to make downward and upward movements. We consider this one of the things you should know before purchasing a BMW.
After taking a quick look at the enthusiast forums, we have concluded that the model that is most affected by this problem is the 1999–2006 BMW E46. There are multiple owners who wrote about this and consider the regulator’s issues serious and something that should be addressed.
One owner said that one time the regulator broke, and they were informed by the service facility that such incidents were actually quite frequent.
4. Sometimes the repair and maintenance costs can be a little bit too much
This is one of the main things you should know before purchasing a BMW. Especially if you use your car more frequently than average, at some point your car will break, and you will need to repair it. And even if it doesn’t break, you will still have to take money out of your pocket for the maintenance cost.
It’s possible to keep your car in excellent condition for many years by taking care of it and performing preventive maintenance. This may seem fantastic, but when this project affects your finances, things change drastically.
Even if these cars are built carefully and are known for their high-quality German engineering, you will still have to pay a fortune for the repair and maintenance costs.
According to the owner, they had to spend $3,200 even if they used a 10% discount for an oil change, battery replacement, and a minor overheating problem.
The models that have the highest maintenance and repair costs are the 2010 BMW X6M, 2003 BMW Z4, 2005 BMW M5, and 2007 BMW 335i.
5. Fuel pump issues
One of the most important aspects of any car, no matter if it is manufactured in America or Europe, is, for sure, the fuel pump. This component has the critical role of delivering gas to the engine at the right pressure. While fuel pumps generally wear down after a few years, the ones belonging to specific BMW vehicles tend to break down more quickly. This is why we think you should consider this as one of the things you should know before purchasing a BMW.
While coolant leaks are sometimes blamed for increased engine temperatures, malfunctioning fuel pumps are typically the cause. If you plan to drive a BMW every day, keep in mind that an issue with the fuel pump might reduce your vehicle’s fuel efficiency.
The best solution to this problem is to regularly change your fuel filters. Also, keep an eye on any oil and coolant leaks, as they are the main indicators of fuel pump issues. And always avoid adulterated fuel.
6. Cooling system anomalies
The last one of the things you should know before purchasing a BMW is that some of their cars might have cooling system issues. Most BMW models look cool and have a great design, but this does not always help them maintain the right temperature, which leads to overheating problems.
Since the manufacturer incorporates many plastic fittings that get affected over time by the high temperatures, you should always be careful about overheating. But what is worse is that before any of the plastic parts get affected, you might encounter issues with faulty water pumps and coolant leaks. So, if any notification pops up on your dashboard, go and investigate the cause; it is in your interest.
The models that tend to have the most issues with the cooling system are the 2001–2006 BMW 330i, the 2006–2012 BMW 335i, and the 1999–2001 BMW 740i.
If you need some help with refiling coolant, this kit can help you big time: Ultimate No Spill Coolant Funnel Kit
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