Hi,
Thinking back to a Scotty video of best European auto maker; he had Volvo as the top and BMW as second. My 20 year old stepson wants a European car and we cant talk him out of it. He has it down to a 2014 BMW 320i with 41K miles and a 2017 Volvo S60 T5 with 84K mileage. They both have the 4 cylinder turbocharged engines and get roughly the same MPG. We’re trying to avoid him having the least “endless money pit” please help with the decision.
Run away from that BMW, they had the dreadful N20 engines that timing chain failures and they turn into endless money pits. Consider the 3 series with the B58 engine, or just go for the Volvo since they are better made than the BMW's.
@infinitifxfan please copy + paste your replies into the correct place. Thanks.
https://carkiller.com/scottykilmer/qa/read-this-first/#post-46150
Definetly Volvo but lower miles would be better
Volvo, the BMW will be an endless money pit.
If you have to buy one of these two I would get the S60. However, if possible, I would try to find a naturally aspirated version.
Between those two, I would go for the Volvo. Its got higher mileage, but since it’s only 4 years old that mileage has to be mostly highway driving. Avoid the BMW because it’s 7 years old so some of the plastic stuff in the engine compartment is going to be brittle and start cracking, which means expensive repairs. I wouldn’t pay more than $14K for that Volvo because of the mileage - don’t even think about it if the seller is asking more than that. Also, ask him to consider a Lexus IS. They are also RWD, handle well, and are WAY more reliable than any European sports sedan.
The BMW has the N20 engine from a time period that sits smack in the middle of a huge timing chain/timing chain guide issue. I would definitely avoid it.
Agreed, tell him to try to save to get a 340i 2015. those are some of the most reliable BMW's since the 90s'. And, he would probably want it more because it is faster.
Tell him to save for a 2015-2018 Bmw 340i, I found a 2016 for under 17k and you could negotiate down to 13-14k. In my opinion this car will outlast both of the cars you listed. I found a 2017 with less than 20k miles on it and it is around 19k.
I would encourage him to save up for a BMW 340i, I found one on true car for under $17k with similar mileage to the volvo, but this BMW will probably outlast both cars you mentioned. It also shares the engine and transmission with the 2020 Toyota Supra. You can probably negotiate this car under 15k, and if you want one with less miles you can find some listed for under 20k with similar mileage to the 320 you listed.
Run away from that BMW, they had the dreadful N20 engines that timing chain failures and they turn into endless money pits. Consider the 3 series with the B58 engine, or just go for the Volvo since they are better made than the BMW's.
