Driving at night

[Lawnboy18]

Yes, insurance are not cheap if you are youg male. You have to be in your parents' policy.
For Americain vehicules, I drive a Chevy 1500. I love it. Before that I had a Ranger. Liked it too, but I hated the crappy steering/suspension components. Always something loose no matter what.

BMW are very expensive to fix that is for sure, but they last a very long time. Even with that said, any other car can last as long or even longuer than a BMW. The key is maintenance. Just like a mower. But there is something about a BMW. They drive so nice and smooth. And that sound of the old ones is just awsome.

 

[reynoldston]

I have nothing against BMW or any other brain car. Just being a General motors mechanic for 23 years its just in my blood.

 

[Ric]

Yes, insurance are not cheap if you are young male. You have to be in your parents' policy.
For American vehicles, I drive a Chevy 1500. I love it. Before that I had a Ranger. Liked it too, but I hated the crappy steering/suspension components. Always something loose no matter what.

BMW are very expensive to fix that is for sure, but they last a very long time. Even with that said, any other car can last as long or even longer than a BMW. The key is maintenance. Just like a mower. But there is something about a BMW. They drive so nice and smooth. And that sound of the old ones is just awesome.

The thing is everyone says or talks about the expense in fixing the BMW and in reality it's no more expensive to fix than any other car that you buy in today's market. Really if you own a car today and it's not under a service policy regardless of make you can't afford to take it to a dealer and have it fixed. There labor rates alone can kill you say nothing about what they charge for parts.

 

[reynoldston]

The thing is everyone says or talks about the expense in fixing the BMW and in reality it's no more expensive to fix than any other car that you but in today's market. Really if you own a car today and it's not under a service policy regardless of make you can't afford to take it to a dealer and have it fixed. There labor rates alone can kill you say nothing about what they charge for parts.

This is one of the reasons I do my own repairs. Lawn mower, motorcycles, or cars. That also gives a opportunity to shop for parts prices. You fix your own lawn mow why not your own car? Service policy is a big waste of money, repair it yourself. I though that most people on this forum has a complete repair shop with all the latest in tools.

 

[Lawnboy18]

I agree with the fact that the labor rates at the BMW dealer is outrageous!

But I dissagree with the rest! Parts for BMW are expensive.

 

[reynoldston]

I agree with the fact that the labor rates at the BMW dealer is outrageous!

But I dissagree with the rest! Parts for BMW are expensive.

Such a nice like that like that BMW why would you trust anybody but your own pride and labor to repair it? I have worked for dealers and know what go's on and a dealer will never work on a car of mine, much less a car like a BMW. The only reason my cars go to a repair shop is for NYS inspection because I have to. I even change my own tires. Another thing you will find is a person that can afford a car like that doesn't get grease under their finger nails.

 

[Ric]

This is one of the reasons I do my own repairs. Lawn mower, motorcycles, or cars. That also gives a opportunity to shop for parts prices. You fix your own lawn mow why not your own car? Service policy is a big waste of money, repair it yourself. I though that most people on this forum has a complete repair shop with all the latest in tools.

The service policy comes with the car when you buy whether you want it or not your paying for it. The normal person today can't work on a vehicle because they don't have the tools required to do the work. My lawn mowers aren't a computerized engine like a car and I don't do my work on lawn mowers engine other than changing filters and oil, I take it to the shop because there under a warranty or service policy and it cost me nothing.

I agree with the fact that the labor rates at the BMW dealer is outrageous!

But I disagree with the rest! Parts for BMW are expensive.

Whether the parts are more expensive or not is really irrelevant if there not costing you anything, and don't think you'll get away from Ford or Chevy without it costing a ton of money just like any manufacturer. Really when you think about it, and for an example my 2006 F150, I drove that truck for seven years and never had an issue and my Grandson is still driving it and there has never been a repair bill on the thing. Really how many repair bills do you run into on the new autos today. My point is if you have a relatively new car and it's run out of warranty it's going to cost big money to get it fixed regardless of who makes it.

 

[Lawnboy18]

Well a car needs general maintenance. That is not too expensive. All tho, the older it gets, the more expensive it gets (ball joints, shocks, gaskets, etc.). I don't drive a new truck.

 

[exotion]

The service policy comes with the car when you buy whether you want it or not your paying for it. The normal person today can't work on a vehicle because they don't have the tools required to do the work. My lawn mowers aren't a computerized engine like a car and I don't do my work on lawn mowers engine other than changing filters and oil, I take it to the shop because there under a warranty or service policy and it cost me nothing.

Its funny you said this, yesterday I replaced my buddys alternator on his 2005 land rover. After disassembling the vehicle to get access to the parts I needed(4 decrotive plastic covers, part of air box, fan shroud, fan, couple electrical connections) for idler pulley. And wheel, wheel well liner, a second plastic access point, skid plate) I got the best yet limited access got it replaced put the car back together. I had to trick the computer to accept the new alt. Then unplug the suspension fuse to unlock the suspension so I can drive level. I had to rent a special tool for the fan. This is a basic repair. Couldn't imagine trying to fix something more in depth in these modern clostrophobic engines

I replaced a newer bmw serpentine belt once.... Took a few hours was ridiculous

 

[Ric]

Its funny you said this, yesterday I replaced my buddys alternator on his 2005 land rover. After disassembling the vehicle to get access to the parts I needed(4 decrotive plastic covers, part of air box, fan shroud, fan, couple electrical connections) for idler pulley. And wheel, wheel well liner, a second plastic access point, skid plate) I got the best yet limited access got it replaced put the car back together. I had to trick the computer to accept the new alt. Then unplug the suspension fuse to unlock the suspension so I can drive level. I had to rent a special tool for the fan. This is a basic repair. Couldn't imagine trying to fix something more in depth in these modern clostrophobic engines

I replaced a newer bmw serpentine belt once.... Took a few hours was ridiculous

Yeah it is ridiculous that's the reason I let the guys at Ford take care of my stuff and keep my vehicles under warranty. You did all that to replace an alternator and how long did it take? Multiple your time/hours by $80 plus parts for a dealer to do the job out of warranty. The days of the shade tree mechanic are numbered.