Not going to rant. Want an honest answer

[JCL]

I agree with MD, for $8k to $12k you are just buying a worn out excuse for a vehicle that you will be maintaining and repairing regularly whatever it is. If low purchase cost is the criteria, buy whatever brand you can get parts for cheapest, since I assume your labour is free.

I have had good luck with my last 5 BMWs, no maintenance expense at all, but I make sure to sell them to people who want out-of-warranty cars. I leave happy just prior to 4 years, they get the problems. Costs $$, but never had to worry about fixing anything. And that is even though I have access to a shop, can do all the repairs myself, and get parts at a discount. It just isn't worth the trouble.

Your list is somewhat telling. Window regulators don't wear out from cycles, I believe that they wear out more often from slamming the door with the windows down. It is often the clip that is broken. Just don't slam the doors, or raise the windows an inch first to put the glass further back in the track. You don't need to change the brake fluid every two years, you can leave it and just rebuild the calipers instead. Cheaper to change it though, and that isn't a BMW issue, they all use the same brake fluid. All of us who bought new BMWs got free MIDs and displays when the pixels went. Poor design or manufacture, but they stood behind it. BMW doesn't give out free displays for people who aren't their customers though, so if you bought used you are hooped. If you have the condensate building up under the oil filler cap, then the solution is to drive it harder and longer. If you can't do that, and you have to do a lot of short trips, then expect to have to maintain the CCV. If you keep it cleaned out every few years there is no reason for it to freeze either open or closed. CV boots split on many vehicles. You need to catch them when you do your annual inspection. If you don't, you will end up buying axles. Not necessary if you keep on top of it though. Suspension bushings are not uncommon at that mileage. It sounds like you expected everything to have just been done, and it to be pristine now. Doesn't work like that, they require regular attention.

Buy a CRV. Dead reliable. Boring as hell though.