Where to buy extended warranty (not from dealer as original warranty expired?) and what scan tool do you recommend?

Typically, a dealer would offer the warranty. But you have to be careful as some warranties are capped for specific line items such as drivetrain, engine, electronics etc. Do your math and homework on what the risk vs. costs are in repairing a particular pain point. Would suck to find out that your transmission isn't covered because you didn't buy extended warranty.

Sounds like a fucking headache. I will put all of this into consideration. Thanks everyone for chiming in.

^these are things to consider not just for used BMWs, but also the case for MB/Audi as well

Basically, when the warranty is up, bail.

I don't think anyone here meant to douse the flames with a bucket of ice cold water; I certainly did not mean to. I mean, imagine you buy the 435i and suddenly the transmission and engine run into some kind of mechanical failure. The last thing anyone wants to do is say, "I told you so!"

It would help us all by identifying what you drive now, and then to perhaps throw us all a bone to get a better idea of what you are looking to achieve within your ownership of a BMW. Or if you have considered any alternatives? Will this be your daily driver? How much mileage are you averaging over the past three years? Go test drive a few cars first to see if you really like it, and if so, go for it. But as I said in my previous post - Do some heavy planning around it.

"The Ultimate Driving Machine" ... when it works. I hope the newer BMWs are better, but of the 9 months I've owned my e46, 4 of it was spend sitting in the garage LOL.

THIS. Unlike bcrdukes, imma suck it up, cause I love my unreliable ultimate driving machine when it works.

I'd just avoid those scammers at AutoWest. I know an RSer works in Parts, so the only reason for me to go to AutoWest is for parts, plus its close.

When I bought my e46 from a private party, I took it to AutoWest for the airbag recall. I actually didn't know I needed to do it, until I registered the car with AutoWest to check for recalls, since the airbag light wasn't on or anything.

Got the car in, SA was admiring it and tells me he hasn't seen "one of these for awhile" (im sitting there thinking oh cool, but its not a m3). Car gets the recall done, but now airbag light is on. When asked about it, SA says it's not covered under their complementary inspection, and won't tell me what the issue is, other than it's not their fault. So basically, they'll only tell me what the issue is, if I pay them a diagnostic fee for things they already know/caused. I just left. Haven't been back since.

On the other hand, I hear good things about Brian Jessel BMW sales, service, and parts dept tho. Buddy got his recall done there, and some complementary services b/c tech thought his 01 330ci with immola interior was mint and its rarity deserves free service LOL

I've always been a big fan of BMWs (and still am). I was considering an e92 M3 back when I was shopping for a car but after a lot of research I ended up buying a Lexus. I just didn't want the reliability worry on my mind after working so hard for my money. For what it's worth I never once regretted not owning a BMW. You may feel differently though so do what you feel is more important to you. Good luck

I also considered F30/32 335/435 before I made my decision and found that these were supposed to be pretty reliable. N55 is nowhere near as problematic as the old N54 and they all use the ZF 8 speed transmissions which typically nobody complains about.

Being a CPO I wouldn't worry about it too much. End of day any car can have problems, whether its small electrical glitches or major mechanical problems is luck of the draw.

I've owned E53 X5, E65 E60 535xi, F10 535x drive, E65 745li still have F30 328i.
From brand new to used, I would say reliability depends on luck. (N54s are the worse but I love it) But IMO any model over 100k kms is problematic.
I think if you never own one, you should get one at least once in your life. I've enjoy all the bmws I owned, but I would never dare to keep them for too long, 3-5 year is my ownership time frame. Even with extended warranty, the maintenance bills are high as well. Leasing is better option if you are not a mechanic or know a friend who is.
If you care so much about reliability, I would never recommend anything else but Japanese brand. However, if you want to experience driving, you have to get a BMW before u can say its really not that amazing. . . or is it? lol

e36 m3 is far and above the best car I have owned. Its broken down, but overall its been reliable, incredible to drive, and I wouldn't get rid of it for anything at this point.
e46 touring is complete trash. It drives like a boat. If it was a TV it would be branded as a SORNY or MAGNETBOX, and BMW should have gone out of business for allowing such trash to roll of the production line.
You are rolling the dice, but I feel the newer the car, the more disposable I'd expect it to be. They just keep getting more and more complicated, and the repair bills can outpace the values so quickly. Buy new (because of the warranty), or buy old (because of the simplicity), but buying in-between is what makes me nervous.

Only when I'm flogging my is350 do I wish I had a BMW.
At least then, wasting all that premium fuel and tire tread would be exciting!:fullofwin:

With the Lexus, everything is anti-climactic.
:okay:

I drove it like it was my own bm.... Can't help it if it doesn't accelerate like one :badpokerface:
But in retrospect Yea probably shouldn't have taken it out on the shit piece courtesy car but going from a full size sedan to a tiny compact for a week wasnt sitting well with me especially having the dam thing during the recent dump of snow AND getting stuck cuz the bitch didn't have decent tires (shit all seasons) .. Didn't help the service guy laughed it off when I called that I was stuck and probably would need a tow Yep I really wanted to treat that car like a princess :pokerface:
at least have the common sense to provide snows or a comparable vehicle with awd :fulloffuck:

If you're buying a used euro car best to start knowing where the good independent specialized shops are especially if you're scared of the dealer costs. My Audi care just ran out but I've already started taking my S4 to RPI Equipped.


Same with Capilano Audi. There fleet ranges from A3/Q3-A4/Q5. New models to boot.

I should probably mention that my brother and some close friends of mine own various BMWs. But just personally I don't regret not owning one. I wanted to clarify that I'm not putting BMW down or anything as I'm a big fan of them like I mentioned already. Reliability is just a big factor for me personally that's why I went the Lexus route.

Never driven the is350 but I'm happy with my isf

Ive owned
2004 330ci zhp
2002 x5 4.4
2002 e46 m3 convertible
2002 e46 m3 coupe
2007 x5 4.8
2010 x6 3.0

I haven’t really had many issues.
I never had any of them breaking down on me. Generally an issue will creep up on you slowly and you’ll know something will need to be taken care of.
The main thing is maintenance. If you don’t change the fluids then expect the failures to come up.

Lexus. Always Lexus.

E70 X5M with 100k now, just EVAP hose. Dealer wanted 1900CAD for parts. Bought it online from states picked up Pt.Rob for 200$ and installed in 5 mins.

1 Headlight bulb at 90k.

Does consume little bit of oil, top up 1Qt between oil changes.

Otherwise, been very happy with the vehicle. Will be trading it in these coming 2 months as extended warranty is ending VERY soon.

You can check out BMW Engines | Specs, oil change, problems, tuning to see the oil consumption (if reported) for the 435. Most older (e46 era) BMWs burn about 1L per 1000KM. There might be some information for you there, but I can't confirm as site is currently down for maint.

I love the X5M. That SUV is just a beast. What do you plan on getting next? F15?

That fee can be waived if you're on good terms with your service advisor. My mom used to take her car to auto west and she always asked them to waive it for her. I usually go to park shore and my advisor waives it for me as well. I used to go to Brian jessel as well and they never even mentioned anything about a loaner fee. Really up to the dealer/service advisor on that one.


Oh my god so much truth in this quote. LOL.


@OP if you get a BMW, just be prepared that stuff is gonna start breaking past 80,000 to 100,000 KM. Extended warranty is nice and I would 100% recommend it, but for some reason I feel like all the big things break after you're out of warranty. My moms X5 needed a new transmission one month out of warranty. My 335 needed a new water pump 2.5 months out of warranty..

That being said, I am probably still gonna get a BMW for my next car just because I like the way they drive and the styling.

Somewhat off topic, but I saw an RS member post in another thread with the username BrokenEuro and I thought of this thread.

Had a leased E90 LCI 323i back in late 2010, used it for nothing more than commuting around 100km/day at least 4-5 days a week. Two years later, around 35,000kms iirc, car abruptly bogged down and went into limp mode while accelerating on the southbound on ramp to the 99 from Westminster Highway. Had to limp the car 30kms home misfiring like crazy with a CEL. Routine maintenance had all been done, oil changed every 5000kms, spark plugs just checked a few months prior.

Found out later the car decided to simultaneously fry two coil packs, which actually resulted in some internal damage to the head after BMW checked it out. Car was in the shop for about a week as they rebuilt the head. Everything covered by warranty and I got a courtesy 323i, which happened to get a CEL after two days of driving it. Strangely enough the motor never felt the same following the rebuild, just felt rough and down on power.

From that point on I vowed never to own a BMW ever again. As great as they are to drive, it's really not worth the headaches. Having owned a Honda since 2004 and racking up more than 350,000kms without a single issue aside from stuff breaking from wear-and-tear (with a perfect comp test to boot), now owning a Toyota with 260,000kms and still going, and my parents leasing Mercedes vehicles without any issues either (except for a squeaky/malfunctioning panoramic sunroof fixed under warranty), I'm not sure why it's so difficult for BMW to make good cars.

LOL, you guys are definitely scaring @Fcukedd from owning a bimmer EleGiggle

F80s/F82s have fairly good reputation, recommend do some homework from bimmerpost, there is a poll from all the users on if they have problems with their F80s and if they do, what is it, you can see it's very small numbers of % that actually have issues, mostly have none. I had N54 engine in my F10, same in 435i that you are thinking I believe, it is a powerful and smooth engine and BMW been using them for a while so i mean, any flaws should been covered already by 2014.

I do have a solution for you, be like me, get a F82 still but get the M version, then you sit your fat ass on those wonderful seats M has, fire up the engine and let that sweet exhaust sinks in your ears a little bit. A voice then comes in telling you everything will be okay. You then start to pull away from the garage, all you be thinking is that today is gonna be the best day ever!
You be ok man with F82, don't let these ppl bully you LOL

Fixed :troll: