I agree. They don't build them like they used to (which is a good thing). Paying mid 60k for a "used" car still sucks though... mentally speaking I mean. Imagine how many solid new cars you can get for 60k?!?!?!

this thread makes me want an M3. uh oh.

Yes it is. It is every bit as bad. German brands have their high tech proprietary tools, and any work not covered under warranty is ridiculously expensive, and if it's non-warranty work, you have to decide whether you're comfortable leaving the work up to a non-BMW mechanic. Some non-warranty repairs are too important to leave to some shlub.

Find me a new M3 with DCT and normal options for 50k and I'll buy it. We are talking similarly equipped cars here. An M3 with options is easily in the 70s.

I have friends who track their 335i and M3 without mayor problems. If they do have small problems, dealer takes care of it.

Same as above. They are doing a lot better with reliability now.

New? or is that a non-option dealer test drive beat up car.

It all depends on what the original value of the car, the idea of paying 60 or 50 or 70 sounds a lot better when you're getting what was, 15k miles ago - a 90k car.

Im not sad man, someones gonna be in the same position I am, buying something that they wouldnt otherwise be able to afford and getting a really nice, fun car to drive. I love my Stillen kit, still to this day, no issues.

Considering I've taken two 540i's to 230,000 miles each, I think I have a pretty good idea of what the long term maintenance costs. In va, autoscandia and curry have both taken really good care of me on maintenance costs... I think they were cheaper that the z will be.

New, comp package, 0 miles (custom order)

I wouldnt want the dct, but even with it the gtr is still 30k+ more.

Your face has taken two 540i's to 230k...

I doubt they'll be cheaper than the Z, since the Z will probably die before then and you get to at least sell it for parts.

More likely traded for a mustang:-0


I don't miss the 8 quarts of oil in that big old 4.4 liter engine though.

German car maintenance isn't bad at all. But repairs can be a PITA.

great answer.its sad, but absolutely true.

Yeah, definitely looking for something a dual clutch and no overheating problems ;)

If you're refering to the GTR, then you'll need to add an aftermarket trans cooler to your list of purchase items cause while the Z's motor oil's temps are our weak link, the GTR's is the trans temps.

Meh. Both the GT-R and BMW's cost out the arse to maintain in my opinion. IT's not oil-changes that get you, it's the $8000 brake-jobs and the $1500 transmission fluid changes.

I belive a brake job including rotors on my Z06 is under $1K. Transmission is "Fill-for-life" but if you just HAD to change it, probably could get it done for $200 or less if you didn't want to do it yourself.

Imports are just expensive as hell, and I really wish Nissan would change a few things about how they build cars. Even the little things they do. Such as those clamps on your hoses. Yeah, the little wire type. They will, over 5-6 years, groove the hoses, lose tension, and **** will leak all under there. BTDT with my Infiniti. Replaced it with worm-gear clamps like should have been used to begin with, if not quick-detach type fittings. Import cars are FULL of little stuff like that that will nickle and dime the piss out of you once they begin nearing the end of their service-life (around 100K miles/6-10 years for every component but the driveline it seems). My Infiniti has cost more to maintain than all of the domestics I have owned combined, even though my domestics had WAY more miles on them and were as old/older.

I hate the GT-R is expensive to maintain BS.
One article was written when the guy did multiple things at once and it gets blown out of proportion.