I only buy well used cars. I also expect them to require attention. I know it so I can usually get a decent deal on the sale price. After I get it, I drop it off at the shop for the laundry list of repairs. I factor that in to the buy price and within a week or two I have a nicely baselined vehicle. Case in point - I just snagged a nicely used 2008 535i. Needs about $3K of work. I get the car Friday and it goes to the "spa" next Tuesday. From there, I maintain it and enjoy it. As an aside, the seats in that 535 are to die for - so comfy :)

Cheers.

I understand the OP and subsequent posts on topic, but I can see the other side as well. If your history is, say, $40k new cars and you buy a used car that stickered for $80k, you might have some higher expectations regarding performance, reliability, etc. It is therefore frustrating when something goes wrong. Yes, good maintenance history and good pre-purchase research help, but then there is the reality of BMW non-reliability especially with higher mileage (I've owned nearly 20 of them since the late '60s).

So lofty expectations and a brand that may be less reliable or more costly to repair than a comparably-priced-when-new Lexus or lower-priced-when-new Toyota (pick your brand), and I can see the likelihood of a nasty surprise. And then there is the frustration of the moment (broken, repair estimate, arrrgh!).

While I'm at it, I don't find this forum (all subforums) to be all that welcoming to newbies - especially the E70 board. (E53 is the best, though). Crappy search function coupled with "did you do a search?" or worse, "do a search first", have to be a premier member to sell anything, and like all forums too many snarky replies in a failed attempt to be clever. But the info on the cars, repairs, parts etc is good and very useful, so I keep coming back and ask and answer as I can.

Thanks for your insight on how to welcome newbies.

Yes, some have introduce them to new ownership on the "Just wait until this happens" comments. Poor judgement and lack of people skills. Kind of like saying "Why did you buy that model when it is changing next year?"

Open arms and comments is the best and most welcoming approach as newbies will need some guidance and input as ownership issues pop up.

14thbmw, I don't hit the E70 forum much, but my experience has been that the E53ers are pretty patient and welcoming to newbs, compared to other forums I have frequented for benzes, other bimmers, diesel trucks, etc. Like you, I'm not thrilled with the search tool. We have a few posters who offer little constructive, but they are rare, and most of the regular contributors here are very helpful and patient. I, for one, appreciate it!

Great thread!

Whaaat? parts are breaking???? This is POS car then..........And when it flips, I also expect BMW NA to pick up the bill and pay for the repair

http://bloggy.com/mt/archives/queens-suv1.jpg

GRAET THREAD PROP

:iagree: So much for his rear toe-in.

Edmunds has some interesting owner input......

"this is the worse car than I ever own , in just 6 month I do spend more than $ 4000 dollar on repair the ultimate pi-- on sh--t on the road , zero quality . over all , so expensive parts and mechanic labor , is fully madness."

2003 BMW X5 Consumer Reviews

A very creative writing style.

I think that Edmunds review was /s/ Boris Badanoff. :)