Junior Member
Bmw
I am looking to buy a cheap car for about 3k. Most Japanese makes are fairly old models for this price but I can get a nice BMW for less. Is there a reason they are so cheap here, are they very expensive to service and maintain? Are they worth buying here, it is only for a run around when we don't have all the kids with us.
Senior Member
The problem with BMWs (and many european likes) is the poor reliability track record once after 10 or 15 years. Value for $, yes they're a good bargain "as long as they're running". The low price dictates how frighten people are when it comes to repairing them. (more or less, in a break down, you simply walk away).
Want reliability after 10 years? Stick with Japanese
Senior Member
I second the Japanese. I bought (2000 make) Merc A160 for $3000 on trademe auction. I could not sell it (very next day) at same price but the max I was offered was $1700, so I decided to keep it and got tiny bit & pieces repaired. Till date I have spent around $600 which seems to have been worth the effort, car is working fine even after 2 years now.
The major drawback is to get spares for e.g. someone knocked off the wing mirror glass which I had to order from UK. There are some outlets that sell spares but it seems they sell the whole set (wing mirror plus glass) costing around $200.
Senior Member
What sort of price tag are you willing to spend when you say Jap cars are older and more expensive than BMW?
Senior Member
I guess for about $3,000 you'll likely be looking at a 20-year-old car (be it Japanese or European - they both cost about the same to buy on the used market). The word on the street is that for a 20-year-old car, it's probably a safer bet to stay with a Japanese brand (and by Japanese they really mean Toyota). Apparently parts are plentiful and repair costs are lower. I don't know for sure if that is true. I do know from personal experience that no matter if it's Japanese or European, if you send it to one of its authorised agents with the fancy showrooms in town, you'll be expected to pay through your nose for even the simplest of jobs done on it.
My current car is a 23-year-old Mercedes-Benz 230E sedan (W124 platform) and my regular mechanic is an independent specialist. I pay no more than what I would have paid for work done on it if it were a Japanese car. I still get regular genuine parts easily, although that could be due to the relative popularity of these models. Unless, of course, I decide to spring for the original genuine motorised telescopic antenna replacement, which mine had broken presumably by a bored teenager off while it was stuck in the "up" position, in which case it costs a pound of flesh. Basic third party replacements are apparently available, but I don't mind not having an antenna so I've never gotten it replaced.
The BMW 328 series (approximately that price, and that age) seems rather popular at least here in Christchurch, and I would hazard a guess that it wouldn't be too expensive to maintain it as long as you stay clear of the flashy showrooms and have access to a competent mechanic!
Junior Member
If you're handy or find a cheap mechanic you should be okay. Otherwise an old Japanese car would make more sense as a runaround.
Senior Member
I would stay well clear of any BMW after the mid 90s. Around this time they seemed to give up the idea of selling a rather basic but extremely well engineered product and instead stuffed them full of unreliable gadgetry.
Someone I know has just sold a 2000s 5 series after owning it for less than a year and a series of costly repairs at a loss of $9K so be warned!
Member
I'd avoid BMW before 2006 tbh.
E46 3 series (and older) famous for electrical problems.
I got a low mileage 325i from 2002, Japanese import which came with lots of extras (they all do). In just over a year, failed both WOFs, electric seat went, air con went, problems with auto gearbox. Under warranty but ended up costing a good $10K. 5 series have similar problems, known for electrical faults, and because rarer here, more expensive to fix.
As for them being cheap, they're astonishingly expensive compared to Europe. In Europe, $20K gets you a 4yr old 3 series. Here - it's a 10yr old one....
Testing the Water
the main concern i have come across in nz has been IMPORTS every one i have looked at has has been misrepresented either milage or accident repairs, no matter what car you go for have it checked by some one who knows what he or she is looking for !
personally i had toyota amazon (VX) in the uk because there not as expensive as they should be (awesome vehicle) but also had bms and mercs here i have a dodge as it has good mechanics and an engine which is fitted to 7 different models with over a million produced and running so very reliable people will tell you stay away from them but i import all the parts from usa and receive them in 5 days and the cost is cheep (service parts including new brake pads $100.00 including shipping) so you see dont be scared to import your parts!
most german manufactured cars you cant fault but like i said depends on how the history and how they have been cared for japanese cars do have a good reputation but personally i wont pay the price they want for them here !
Member
Generally the point is though andynnat is that if cars play a large part in your life, i.e. you really like them, NZ isn't the right country to come to.Originally Posted by andynnat
As you say, realistically, if you want something reliably and you're not rich (and I mean REALLY rich - like 200K PA rich) - you are best going for a Japanese Car. Which sadly means something nondescript, dull, woodgrain and velour.
Even the local cars like Holden Commodores command ridiculous second hand prices.....
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