Are BMWs Good Cars? What To Know
When it comes to vehicles that are a symbol of status and luxury, few cars are more recognizable and iconic than BMW. True enough, BMW is one of the most sought-after car brands in the world, and they’re known for creating some of the best vehicles ever to exist.
Some people love the prestige and luxury of BMW vehicles, while some love their beemers for their dynamic performance and sporty handling. But of course, it’s no secret that BMWs are also expensive, which prompts many people to ask, are BMWs good cars?
Today, we have another brand highlight for our dear readers, and this time it’s the legendary German brand, BMW. Are BMWs worth the investment, or are they just another hole to sink your money into?
Build Quality
Are BMWs good cars in terms of build quality? Well, it depends on who you ask. To be clear, build quality is different from overall reliability and has more to do with how well the vehicles were put together – in other words, their general construction. This includes the quality of the materials used, how well the parts fit together, and the lack of metallic clunking noises and loose fittings.
In general, BMW vehicles are among the highest quality vehicles available. At least, that’s the case if you ask the old-school BMW owners. These vehicles genuinely embody the essence of “German engineering” and are built with precision and attention to detail.
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However, with the recent models, it seems that various corners were cut in an attempt to make BMWs more accessible to the general public. BMW models under the $50,000 tend to have build quality issues and seem to pale compared to the models released decades ago. Some people even call lower-tier BMW models “disposable luxury.”
Most of the disappointments come from paying a premium price for not-so-premium construction.
Reliability
Are BMWs good cars when it comes to reliability?
Unfortunately, reliability isn’t a strong suit of BMWs, like many luxury brands. According to RepairPal, BMW vehicles have a reliability score of 2.5 out of 5.0, with a rank of 30th out of 32 car brands. It’s not a surprise considering that many people say that BMWs are the ultimate “driving machines” but also high-performance “money pits.”
BMWs don’t just have an expensive price tag; they’re more costly to maintain. Adding to BMW’s reputation that they’re costly to maintain, the average annual cost for all BMW models is $968 per year. In contrast, the average annual repair cost is $652 across all models, including scheduled maintenance and unscheduled repairs. Moreover, BMW owners visit the shop more often for repairs and maintenance, with an average of 0.9 times per year – almost one visit per year. In terms of severity, 15% of all BMW repairs are considered severe, slightly higher than the 12% severity average across all models.
From parts to labor, owning a BMW simply costs more. Thus, you should keep this in mind if you’re looking to invest in a beemer.
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Common Issues With BMW Vehicles
BMW vehicles might be engineering wonders, but they’re not spared from reliability woes. There’s a long list of issues with BMW vehicles, but here are some of the most common ones:
- Faulty automatic headlights - One of the most convenient automotive inventions in recent years is automatic headlights. However, many BMW owners reported that their automatic headlights stay on even when they’re not required. This issue runs down the battery and may exacerbate other electrical problems.
- Discharging batteries - The average lifespan of BMW batteries are four to six years. But several BMW owners reported discharging their batteries overnight. One common symptom of a discharged battery is that you can’t remotely unlock your vehicle, and you’ll have to use the manual key to get inside your car.
- Alloy wheels corrosion - BMWs are known for their stylish branded alloy wheels. But apparently, these alloy wheels are relatively prone to corrosion. Besides being an unsightly issue, corroded alloy wheels can affect the performance and safety of your BMW.
- Faulty electronics - BMWs have advanced electronic features that make them a class above the rest. However, these many electronics also mean that more things may go wrong. In 2018, BMW had to issue a recall that affected 300,000 and was linked to the vehicles’ power supply.
- Faulty fuel pumps - Another common issue with BMWs is their high-pressure fuel pump which was determined to be due to wire contacts. A defective fuel pump will lead to engine failure, poor acceleration, and engine stutter.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
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Affordability and Value
Are BMWs good cars concerning affordability and value? BMWs have the history and pedigree to be hailed as the driver’s car. True enough, when you buy a BMW, you’re not just buying a vehicle; you’re buying an ownership experience. And as well all know, that ownership experience comes with an expensive price tag attached to it.
Below are the average starting prices of some BMW models:
- BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: $35,700
- BMW 2 Series Coupe - $35,900
- BMW 4 Series Coupe - $45,600
- BMW 5 Series Sedan - $54,200
- BMW X4 - $51,600
- BMW X7 - $74,900
While these prices are higher than your average car, you have to keep in mind that you’re buying into the BMW brand. Suppose you want to get the most value out of your money. In that case, we recommend purchasing a used BMW since they tend to be more affordable due to several factors like oversaturated supply, pricing incentives, high cost of ownership, and more.
THE BEST USED MINIVANS ON THE MARKET
When it comes to hauling a lot of people and cargo, the minivan is hard to beat. We’ve factored in reliability, affordability, and functionality to create this curated list of the 8 best used minivans on the market today.
Should You Buy a BMW?
If it’s well within your budget and you did your research, it’s more than worth it to buy a BMW for its performance and luxury. Keep in mind that the upkeep of your BMW is also expensive. On the other hand, if you have to go to extraordinary lengths just to own a BMW, we don’t recommend it.
Also, the overall residual values of BMWs are low. Thus, if you’re planning to sell one down the line, you may lose out on money. However, if you want to buy a used BMW because you want to own and drive one, a used model would be a godsend.
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