Suggestions for a Reliable German Auto under $5k

[tapenick]

I've been a car guy for a long time but never dabbled with the German autos. A co-worker kind of gave me the fever, looking around for a reliable BMW or MB under $5k. Does such an animal exist? Usage will be for my daughter to drive to college. She lives on campus so doesn't drive much when there, then comes home (90 miles one way) every three weeks or so.

I've seen bunches ... to the point that it's overwhelming. Wondering, as it has been with other vehicles I've messed with, if there are certain models that are known for issues and some that are known for their reliability. Any help appreciated!


Tom

 

[Huckfeldt]

BMW 325i E46. As reliable as a German car gets.

 

[Giannis]

BMW 325i E46. As reliable as a German car gets.

That came with the M54B25, right?

The usual stuff that break down are the engine coils, camshaft and crankshaft sensors and front wishbone bushings. Other than that, it's a generally reliable engine.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Mercedes Benz W126, W124..... I can't even think of something more reliable than that pair....

 

[tapenick]

BMW 325i E46. As reliable as a German car gets.

Pleading ignorance here - I noticed you specified "as reliable as a _German_ car gets"... they are relatively reliable, right?


Tom

 

[Gullwing]

Where do you live? Do you need 4 wheel drive? Four doors, wagon, suv???
Reliable? Well cars bullet proof up to 100,000 might night be at 150,000 so knowing nothing about the history could hide issues.
Mid 90s W124 Mercedes (E300/320) should be very reliable, so should W202 C230/280, but not having it inspected correctly before purchase could be expensive.

 

[Huckfeldt]

Pleading ignorance here - I noticed you specified "as reliable as a _German_ car gets"... they are relatively reliable, right?


Tom

Err..not as reliable as a Corolla, I meant. Don't get me wrong. I now own two BMWs and none Japanese, but a Corolla bought for $5,000 would be more reliable and cheaper to maintain than a $5,000 German, I am SURE. We're talking used cars here, not brand new. I mean, if you get a used German car from a guy who loves his cars, it'd be great. But if you don't know its history, a Japanese tend to me more "healthy" even if the owner did very minimal maintenance.

But we're talking about $5,000 German, right ? Sorry for going off course.

The Merc W124 is even more reliable than a 325i E46, but your daughter might not like its styling.. that's why I voted 325i.

Cheers

 

[W124]

how does the saying go?

the most expensive Mercedes is a cheap one.

 

[Huckfeldt]

how does the saying go?

the most expensive Mercedes is a cheap one.

True. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W124

 

[mini_cooper4]

Where do you live? Do you need 4 wheel drive? Four doors, wagon, suv???
Reliable? Well cars bullet proof up to 100,000 might night be at 150,000 so knowing nothing about the history could hide issues.
Mid 90s W124 Mercedes (E300/320) should be very reliable, so should W202 C230/280, but not having it inspected correctly before purchase could be expensive.

W202 ain't that reliable at all
W124 is reliable as hell.

E46 is a great car for a lady - it looks good, easy and fun to drive, most reliable BMW after the 1st gen. X3 which is actually based on the E46 too

 

[tapenick]

Where do you live? Do you need 4 wheel drive? Four doors, wagon, suv???
Reliable? Well cars bullet proof up to 100,000 might night be at 150,000 so knowing nothing about the history could hide issues.
Mid 90s W124 Mercedes (E300/320) should be very reliable, so should W202 C230/280, but not having it inspected correctly before purchase could be expensive.

No requirements really other than reliable. Okay, _fairly_ reliable and not boring.

 

[tapenick]

Err..not as reliable as a Corolla, I meant. Don't get me wrong. I now own two BMWs and none Japanese, but a Corolla bought for $5,000 would be more reliable and cheaper to maintain than a $5,000 German, I am SURE. We're talking used cars here, not brand new. I mean, if you get a used German car from a guy who loves his cars, it'd be great. But if you don't know its history, a Japanese tend to me more "healthy" even if the owner did very minimal maintenance.

But we're talking about $5,000 German, right ? Sorry for going off course.

The Merc W124 is even more reliable than a 325i E46, but your daughter might not like its styling.. that's why I voted 325i.

Cheers

Understand on the Corolla... want something a little more exciting than that.

I'm finding that with the German cars I either find the guy that was fanatical about the car (has all the records, etc) or the guy that bought it because he wanted to look cool. Definitely want the former! I've got time so will just keep poking around. Really appreciate the suggestions from everyone!


Tom

 

[mini_cooper4]

Understand on the Corolla... want something a little more exciting than that.

I'm finding that with the German cars I either find the guy that was fanatical about the car (has all the records, etc) or the guy that bought it because he wanted to look cool. Definitely want the former! I've got time so will just keep poking around. Really appreciate the suggestions from everyone!


Tom

325Ci - It's one of the best looking BMW coupes... definitely beautiful and exciting!
And trust me if you find a decent one it will be reliable as hell. Cheap non-OEM parts too
One of my mechanics has one and the car is brilliant

 

[Gullwing]

W202 ain't that reliable at all
W124 is reliable as hell.

Why do you say the W202 isn't reliable? Simple engine management, electronics weren't over the top so fairly simple to work on, Suspension is strong other than the front lower ball joints (but then they take five minutes each to replace).

W202, W124, W210... were great cars to work on, when they came in at around 100,000 miles you could write up all the normal maintenance items, brakes, and find some normal oil leaks (diff, trans pan...) and some worn rubber, ball joints, flex discs... All that work would take less than a day to complete, if you know anything about cars then you could do most/all yourself. And rarely would something prevent the car from driving.

Did have some issues with the M111 exhaust gas recirc system but that was about it.

 

[Gianclaudio]

Err..not as reliable as a Corolla, I meant. Don't get me wrong. I now own two BMWs and none Japanese, but a Corolla bought for $5,000 would be more reliable and cheaper to maintain than a $5,000 German, I am SURE. We're talking used cars here, not brand new. I mean, if you get a used German car from a guy who loves his cars, it'd be great. But if you don't know its history, a Japanese tend to me more "healthy" even if the owner did very minimal maintenance.

But we're talking about $5,000 German, right ? Sorry for going off course.

The Merc W124 is even more reliable than a 325i E46, but your daughter might not like its styling.. that's why I voted 325i.

Cheers

I'm not sure a Corolla is more reliable than a W124.... I've seen both W124 and Corollas being used as taxies, and according to the taxi drivers, no car could stand the abuse like a W124.....

Regards!

 

[mini_cooper4]

Why do you say the W202 isn't reliable? Simple engine management, electronics weren't over the top so fairly simple to work on, Suspension is strong other than the front lower ball joints (but then they take five minutes each to replace).

W202, W124, W210... were great cars to work on, when they came in at around 100,000 miles you could write up all the normal maintenance items, brakes, and find some normal oil leaks (diff, trans pan...) and some worn rubber, ball joints, flex discs... All that work would take less than a day to complete, if you know anything about cars then you could do most/all yourself. And rarely would something prevent the car from driving.

Did have some issues with the M111 exhaust gas recirc system but that was about it.

The company's W202 has problems with the AT and had some other major issues I can't quite remember.
Many W202s went through our service stations and most of them had issues with the AT and some with the fuel pump for the petrol engined ones. What I've seen and what I've experienced with the W202 is not good.
On the other hand the W124 has only minor issues and lasts way more untill the first major one.
W210 is a solid car from what I know... tho it has some issues too but is way better than the W202

 

[Wunderkind]

Get a VW Golf.

 

[tapenick]

Gents - I'm getting overwhelmed again... may need more specifics. Like from what I can tell the W124 came with a wide variety of engines, and from my past experiences with other vehicles one of more engine options might not be great. Sorry to be a pest, but looking for suggestions on year range and engine option for max reliability... average price under $5k!!!

Tom
PS: If you ever need similar advice on Jeeps, Ford Trucks/Broncos, or Mustangs just let me know!

 

[mini_cooper4]

Gents - I'm getting overwhelmed again... may need more specifics. Like from what I can tell the W124 came with a wide variety of engines, and from my past experiences with other vehicles one of more engine options might not be great. Sorry to be a pest, but looking for suggestions on year range and engine option for max reliability... average price under $5k!!!

Tom
PS: If you ever need similar advice on Jeeps, Ford Trucks/Broncos, or Mustangs just let me know!

A 2002-2003 325i/Ci will still be cheap but will also be in good condition. This engine is the best choice you have in the US IMO You can also try to find a 1998-2001 car in good condition... it for sure will be as cheap as a modern german car of this class can be

 

[Huckfeldt]

Gents - I'm getting overwhelmed again... may need more specifics. Like from what I can tell the W124 came with a wide variety of engines, and from my past experiences with other vehicles one of more engine options might not be great. Sorry to be a pest, but looking for suggestions on year range and engine option for max reliability... average price under $5k!!!

Tom
PS: If you ever need similar advice on Jeeps, Ford Trucks/Broncos, or Mustangs just let me know!

IMHO best W124 is a last year production (around 1995) E 320 (inline six, some examples are V6). Avoid the first year production W210. But IMO, it's too old.

Get any 325i E46, take it to BMW dealer and do a major service, replace all the spark plugs and if you have the budget, replace the bad condition coils. My advice, go over your $5,000 budget, to give your daughter a headache-free car.

I bought a year 2000 325i, replaced the major parts, and I still love driving it more than my 320i E90 LCI.