My 2007 Ford Focus had motor mounts replaced last year. It needs a new set replaced this year. The A/C - Heat damper switch is failing (because of Ford's gooey damper door issue), the driver side window failed so the shop put in their own switch after trying a replacement relay (which is apparently custom and unlabeled - thank you ford engineers), the other windows sometimes decide they will or won't work, the e-brake line makes constant squeaking, the suspension clunks and its got 145,000 miles on it. I figure its time to let it go to greener pastures. I was looking at possibly getting a bmw 325, 330 or 340 (75k or less miles, 2009 and up) as those are the last of the naturally aspirated engines. Is it worth it or will I just be facing similar issues as I have with the Focus down the line? Everyone says "the plastic is bad" on bmws, but what does that mean? Plastic sensors? If so, can they be ordered online relatively cheap. If it's accessible, I'm happy to wrench on it....
You'll be jumping out of the frying pan into the blazing inferno with that move.
There will nothing "relatively cheap" about anything to do with a Bimmer.
Alright then, with that in consideration, Scotty talked about the XC70 station wagon, I've read about various years of the XC60 and XC90 having head gasket problems. Any years that are worth looking at, or is that a stay away as well? Thanks all for the assistance.
Alright then, with that in consideration, Scotty talked about the XC70 station wagon, I've read about various years of the XC60 and XC90 having head gasket problems. Any years that are worth looking at, or is that a stay away as well? Thanks all for the assistance.
In regards to plastic, two issues I had was the DISA valve and the PCV valve needing replacing because of “cheap plastic”.
The PCV valve was dumb because the entire PLASTIC Valve Cover assembly needs to be replaced to fix the PCV valve. That’s $$$$.
basically a ton of engine components are now cheap plastic.
Don't buy a newer BMW in exchange for a Focus. If you think the Focus is bad, wait until a water pump goes on those more modern BMWs. The E90 3-series car, which are the generation you mentioned, has an electric water pump that costs $500 just for the part. It's computerized junk that shouldn't be computerized.
If you really insist on a BMW, get an older BMW from the early-mid 90s. Cars like a 3 Series of the E36 generation or an E34 generation 5 Series with a straight-six and standard transmissions are about the most solid BMW you will find before going back to the real fossils. Many are OBDI, so they won't work with OBDII. The straight-sixes (-25i and below) are relatively simple to work on and they aren't engineering heathens with plastic everywhere except the engine block and engine internals. You can get Genuine BMW parts from dealers for 50% off because it's an old car. I had a 540i of that era and got rid of it because it was a $2,000+ job to pull the engine to replace a $70 power steering hose and adjust the steering box. Stay away from V8 E34s.
BMW makes good NA straight 6 engines and the ZF transmissions were bulletproof, however, the overuse of plastic and electronics cause those things to break down more often and go haywire. Unless you want one as a weekend toy, don't buy it. It's not worth buying one for daily driving. You should consider looking for an Acura TL or TSX if you want a sporty car or Lexus IS sedan or an Infiniti G35/G37 that's been well maintained since all three would outlast the BMW.
If you are serious on wrenching, I recommend looking at the prices for common components for BMW parts.
I only recommend BMW’s for people who have the money to spend OR have the skill & time to wrench on their own.