That seems to be the gameplan for most drivers of Mercedes and bmw, but you still take a massive loss on depreciation since you have to buy fairly new to get the warrantee.

If you buy a german car for $60k today, 5 years later its worth like $10k-$20k tops ...sure you had no cost of repairs but you took a huge loss anyways.

 

I've still got a 13' BMW 335i sitting in the driveway waiting to be turned in at lease end.

For the fixed monthly payment of the BMW and the enjoyment it gave me to drive every day it couldn't be beat. I had a worry free car though. Besides oil changes the car never needed a thing done.

My Lex is here as my mileage mule until I can get another BMW.

 

Every German car I have ever owned pulled me in with good driving dynamics and a solid, well-built feel. And every one has created a residual worry in my mind every time I drive it. What will break next? What is that strange noise? Something doesn't feel exactly right....etc. It's not worth the stress to own a German car, unless it's a really old, simple one like a BMW 2002. One only has to look at resale values to determine the desirability of a German used car. Even this works to fool people into buying them "I can get this for 1/10 of what it cost when new, and it's only a few years old!"....ugh.

 

Not to get into a lease vs buy debate, but that is why the lease deals on BMWs are so attractive. Great residuals that beat most other luxury brands including Audi and Lexus means I pay less for more car on a lease and still write off the full lease payment.

 

Yeah nothing leases like a BMW.

 

So true and well said. I just got rid of a 2010 meticulously maintained Audi S5 that had 52k miles. We had it as a third car. Every time I drove it I was paranoid something would beep at me- and I had it for 10 months and only put 2k miles on it... But I loved every second of driving it. It's definitely the hot and crazy girlfriend syndrome.

Date a German car, marry a Lexus.

 

So true. My S4 was a a $13k engine rebuild waiting to happen. Drove and sounded great but constantly had problems. This is why I'm looking to marry an LS460 but still date my M3 on the side.

 

I can relate. I had an 07 M5 for two years, and it costed me over $5k of repairs. The biggest repair for me was one of the two throttle actuators went bad and put the car into "limp mode" (I did the work and replaced both actuators just to be safe). On top of that I had a third party warranty that didn't cover the throttle actuators.

The wife refused to sit in the M5 after the limp mode incident. Lol
I took $15k lost and traded it in for the 13 LS 460. However, I truly missed the V10 power and the launch control. It was a beast!

 

Not trolling, just a data point on my experience with BMW's. I drive approx. 25K miles per year, 80% highway. I don't drive them like I stole it, but I don't baby them either.

I am on my 9th BMW, over 20 years of ownership, almost all 3-series. All manuals, except the last two (2011 335d and 2012 X5d). The diesels only came in auto's. The others were all N/A 6's with the exception of the 08 335i, 11 335d and 12 X5 35d. The 08 has the N54 engine, the "real" twin turbo. I follow the Mike Miller (well known to BMW CCA members) old school maintenance plan, which I think has been key to my lack of issues. I change the oil every 7,500 miles with full synthetic and change all the other fluids routinely. I don't believe in "lifetime" fills when I plan on driving the cars well over 100K. NOT ONCE did any of the cars leave me stranded. The least amount of miles I had was on an 89 325is w/75K when I traded. The most was on my 2003 328i w/198K when it was t-boned and totaled.

The 335i had 85K at trade and only had the i-drive screen replaced under warranty. Nothing else ever failed or caused a problem. The 335d had 108K when I traded, and never had an issue. Only traded because, for various life reasons, I needed more room. Thus the X5 35d. X5 has 87K with the only "issue" being a failed TPMS sensor. I never bought an extended warranty, and never needed one, however the X5 is a CPO. The only one I purchased new was the 08 335i, because no one had a manual on the lot, and I ordered it.

The "worst" BMW we have, is an 06 330i that my collage age son drives. It lives a semi-hard life with a lot of short trips from off-campus apartment to school and back. About 4 miles each way. With 145K on the odometer and 11 years old, I have replaced one starter, one alternator and two batteries.

Replaced three steering wheel trim pieces on all the later models. About $75 each, parts & labor. They were a known trim issue. Coating would peel after time ....

So for me and my family, BMW's have been very reliable and fun to drive.

With that said, I am lurking on this forum because I may consider an LS or GS for my next car. I'll buy one 2-3 years old, with reasonably low miles, like I have all my other cars. I have not driven an LS yet, but looked at the GS before I bought the 335i. Just no comparison in the performance and feel between those two in 2008. I realize all cars can have their issues, and certainly Lexus is not immune, but I have confidence from reading this forum that I can put a lot of miles on the Lexus without a lot of worry. I just know the issues to be aware of as discussed in this forum.

Cheers. Cliff

 

I'm in a similar boat as you. I'm on my 4th BMW and aside from my old E21 which was already falling apart when I got it, they have never let me down, unlike my Audis. That is not to say they are bulletproof, I just don't own them long enough to experience a breakdown (knocking on wood). The Lexus LS interests me for the same reason, and I plan on a gently used cpo 2013+ to purchase and keep as a long term DD. Their reliability and comfort is very attractive and I like the current subdued style. The 2018+ has yet to grow on me.

 

Not trolling at all, it's interesting to hear different stories. The car I was researching was a 335 because it was heading towards the 100,000 miles club, so that was the mileage point I paid attention to. And that's where I saw the problems. My friend has owned it since 50,000 miles and he's now heading into that higher mileage category. I love the way these cars look and drive, but when talking about kind of going the distance with these things it seems like the smart move is to cut bait around the 100,000 mile mark. Of course there's always exceptions, for instance I have a friend who owned an M5 and he put almost 300,000 on it with minimal problems (highway driven/well maintained).

 

hahahahaha so true....

One could get their German fix via renting one via Turo for a week or so...

 

Had an '02 330i manual (bought used w/ 40k miles), and put 80k completely trouble free miles on it. Still regret selling it. That I6 was bulletproof! Right after I purchased mine, a friend decided he wanted one as well and purchased a '99 323 stick shift, as well. 11 years later, he's still driving it! He's currently at 250k+ miles. Little things have started to break down on him here and there, but the car never left him stranded. Before purchasing our '08 LS, I briefly considered a used 3 or 5 series, but quick glance at bimmer forums made the decision to buy the LS a no brainer.

 

Whenever i change cars, i always start with BMWs- 7 series just because for the value of what you get for a 2 year old plus i think they look really good, but then i search 7 series (model 760li etc) problems and then read all the horror stories. Then i go and hug the next Lexus i buy...From my first Lexus Gs400 to ls460 i haven't really had crazy issues with any of them and i have almost owned all of the current and previous lexus lineup.

 

Owned multiple Lexus Acura Infiniti Jaguar BMW Mercedes Porsche. Not even close Germans break/ cost 5X + to own.
I always have a Lexus as my primary for the reliablity. Never owned a Audi. My 5 series BMW's lived at the shop!