[anonymousmoose]

I've very new to this so please excuse the uneducated questions when it comes to BMW.

In Australia;

If I did purchase an older 5 Series (2005-2006) or a 3 series around the same age, what kind of running costs can I expect? I own a V8 Caprice now and running costs are not that much more then my older standard commodore I used to drive.

Note; I'm excluding fuel from this, moreso afer servicing, repairs, tyres etc.

Oh, and is a 3 series diesel more to run (service) then a petrol engine? Would there be much difference in running a 5 series compared to a 3?


Thanks so much!

[Dec540]

Much of it comes down to who you want to service the car, if you want to have your log book filled with BMW stamps then its fair to say its going to cost more than your caprice services. There are however, many indy mechanics who know euro cars in and out that don't charge an arm and a leg.

Chappy recently had an oil service done on his 335 which included scanning for error codes, replacing the brake fluid and replacing the coolant. He only paid $345

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by Dec540

Much of it comes down to who you want to service the car, if you want to have your log book filled with BMW stamps then its fair to say its going to cost more than your caprice services. There are however, many indy mechanics who know euro cars in and out that don't charge an arm and a leg.

Chappy recently had an oil service done on his 335 which included scanning for error codes, replacing the brake fluid and replacing the coolant. He only paid $345

Cheers for that. BTW, I really like the CI in your photos. My mates 330CI looks good but I like the kit on yours better.

What fellow WA drivers? Are there any really good mechanics you guys take your cars too?

[anonymousmoose]

just bumping thread to get more feedback from owners

[johnnydad]

So far I haven't found routine servicing too much of a shock - oil, filters, brake fluid flush etc have all been much the same or a little less than other semi-premium Euro or Japanese brands. Servicing is done by condition - oil every 15,000-25,000km depending on model/engine/use. Brake fluid every two years, pads ought to last 45-70,000km, around $400 an end to replace at a dealer. As with other brands, at the three year mark there is a big service which might not leave any change out of $1000.

Tyres - really depends on size and if you stick with run-flats or not. Worth ringing for a quote once you have found the car you like as likely you will find if you use OEM or other premium rubber you might get a surprise. For example the original RFTs on my 325i were $395 each front and $540 each for rears whereas you can get acceptable non-RFT alternatives for $250/$300.

Oh, and when looking, you can check through the iDrive to see when the various services are due including an estimate of brake pad life.

[kaishang]

I've never owned a BMW more than a few years old, so my advice may be limited:

- Can't see why a 5 would be more expensive than a 3
- iDrive failures if your car is fitted with iDrive (rare, but can happen) would likely be expensive
- Diesels can be more expensive to service
- Newer diesels get phenomenally good fuel consumption, like real world 8L/100km city driving in my 330diesel. Highway is about 6.5L/100km. Highway at 150km/h (I'm in Europe and this is normal) is about 7L/100km - However BMW improved their diesels in about 2008 so not sure of the fuel consumption in earlier models.
- The 5 and the 3 will both use run flat tyres which are significantly more expensive than normal tyres. Contrary to what you may read, if you get a screw/nail puncture with a slow leak, as long as you do not let the tyre pressure go to zero then they can be reapired. Personally I don't think RFTs are a big deal; I drove across the Nullarbor on run-flats, drove 4000km in Western Europe on run-flats, a car show drove something like 1000km with all four tyres flat.
- Check if your car has a diesel particulate filter... the easiest way to tell is if it is a diesel and the exhaust pipes are angled down then there is no filter, if they point straight out then there is a filter. DPFs cost about $2000 to replace, but this is a high mileage 160,000km or so item. They do completely eliminate any black exhaust though.


If you look on the UK branch or general 3-series branch, both have threads from long term owners. There is a active thread on the general branch of people whose 3-ers have done 100,000 miles.

As a general point - I've driven a lot of Commodores, I like them but a BMW is a big step above. Even if a BMW is nominally less powerful (infact most are less powerful than a standard Toyota Aurion), you can use 100% of the power all the time. Commodores (or Toyotas) don't do as well if you push them.

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

I've very new to this so please excuse the uneducated questions when it comes to BMW.

In Australia;

If I did purchase an older 5 Series (2005-2006) or a 3 series around the same age, what kind of running costs can I expect? I own a V8 Caprice now and running costs are not that much more then my older standard commodore I used to drive.

Note; I'm excluding fuel from this, moreso afer servicing, repairs, tyres etc.

Oh, and is a 3 series diesel more to run (service) then a petrol engine? Would there be much difference in running a 5 series compared to a 3?


Thanks so much!

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

I've very new to this so please excuse the uneducated questions when it comes to BMW.

In Australia;

If I did purchase an older 5 Series (2005-2006) or a 3 series around the same age, what kind of running costs can I expect? I own a V8 Caprice now and running costs are not that much more then my older standard commodore I used to drive.

Note; I'm excluding fuel from this, moreso afer servicing, repairs, tyres etc.

Oh, and is a 3 series diesel more to run (service) then a petrol engine? Would there be much difference in running a 5 series compared to a 3?


Thanks so much!

Budget $1-1.5k per annum to cover servicing, replacement of wear & tear items and you'll be fine. That excludes tyres, which will set you back $2k a set for decent rubber (Michelin PS2/3's, Conti SC2/3 and so on).
If you can't afford that, you can't afford the car.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

Budget $1-1.5k per annum to cover servicing, replacement of wear & tear items and you'll be fine. That excludes tyres, which will set you back $2k a set for decent rubber (Michelin PS2/3's, Conti SC2/3 and so on).
If you can't afford that, you can't afford the car.

doesnt sound too much more then the caprice I got. Is it possible to change the tyres to non-run-flat? Not just to save $$$, but just so I can get better ones.

[kaishang]

There's nothing wrong with run-flat tyres. Esp if you get 17" wheels you get a comfortable, compliant ride with grip which will probably still exceed your driving ability.

Also there is no space to put a spare wheel, so if you get a flat with non-RFTs you will be getting towed on a flatbed truck.

[johnnydad]

Yes, many have swapped. Even the best RFTs are a little compromised compared to standard tyres as far as grip and ride comfort. While a convert to non-RFTs, I don't think they are as bad as some people make out, especially the Michelins.

Spacesaver spare (the BMW one I bought was $120) takes up minimal boot space and provides a handy receptacle for small parcels.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by kaishang

There's nothing wrong with run-flat tyres. Esp if you get 17" wheels you get a comfortable, compliant ride with grip which will probably still exceed your driving ability.

Also there is no space to put a spare wheel, so if you get a flat with non-RFTs you will be getting towed on a flatbed truck.

My caprice is on a state of the art LPG system that takes up the spare tyre space. I got a foam can that will fill a punctured tyre to allow driving to the nearest tyre-place. Never had to use it touch wood. So there are always options. Obviously if I ever want to take my car out of town into a country area, I'd put a spare in the boot.

[BMW //MPOWER]

Originally Posted by anonymousmoose

doesnt sound too much more then the caprice I got. Is it possible to change the tyres to non-run-flat? Not just to save $$$, but just so I can get better ones.

Yes it is, the ones i mentioned at $2k a set are for non-RFT high end tyres (RFT sets will cost another $1k or so depending on rim size), IMHO you can't go past Michelin Pilot Sports if your after good rubber.

[anonymousmoose]

Originally Posted by BMW //MPOWER

Yes it is, the ones i mentioned at $2k a set are for non-RFT high end tyres (RFT sets will cost another $1k or so depending on rim size), IMHO you can't go past Michelin Pilot Sports if your after good rubber.

Thanks. My last set on the caprice cost me over $1300, Continentals from Barbagallo. Thats with a discount from Mr Barbagallo himself. So there isnt much difference I guess. Plus I'm not the kind of person who needs low profiles on a sedan. I'm happy with good tyres which aren't necessarily designed for racing around.

[yxalitis]

Originally Posted by James_Squire

... if you just bought a car for the Mrs to cart the little shits around, consider keeping them.

I feel the love!