Unreliable cars and "money pits"

MEM62

There is enough info out there to make an informed choice.

Many cars have common faults that are well reported. In most cases these do not necessarily need to put you off a particular car. I love my 3-series but, apparently, cam chain and injector failures are common in my model, as are clutch issues. None of these have manifested themselves on my vehicle - yet. And I am prepared to deal with these if they arise a I love the way the car drives.

There is also a rule of thumb for various makes. For example, if you want something that is reliable but cheap to fix when thing do go wrong buy a Ford. Spares are plentiful, cheap and anyone can fix them. If you buy a Range Rover expect it to go wrong, require more specialist attention and very deep pockets.

But in all cases, the condition and reliability of a used car, no matter what the characteristics of the marque, will be influenced by it's history. If it has been well looked after you are likely to have fewer issues. It is has been ragged and never seen the inside of a garage you can expect trouble and expense.

Personally, I love BMW's and have two- and four wheeled versions. My OH has just taken delivery of her third Ford Focus and finds that particular car suits her well.

shinytop

I never really had a "I love XYZ marque" mentality, with 4 wheels or two; I'm quite promiscuous with brands. I've even come across this with Honda (i.e. loving Honda cars and bikes). But each to their own. And BMW bikes are nice, and a bit different. I might even buy one if they made one that's better than mine.;)

Jackmydad

MEM62 wrote: »

. . .It is has been ragged and never seen the inside of a garage you can expect trouble and expense. . .

That says it all for me. I've had all sorts, and little in the way of real problems. The last major breakage was a Land Rover Series 3 timing chain that left me stranded. Early 90s that was.
(Cue a plethora of expensive mechanical breakdowns for me in the near future! )

Keep 'em serviced, and drive 'em with some mechanical sympathy and they'll generally last.
Don't service 'em, and drive 'em like you stole 'em, and you'll have expensive troubles.

foxy-stoat

I don't think you can say "you tube says BMW's are unreliable". Means nothing.

Which BMW's, what age and with what mileage?

MEM62

shinytop wrote: »

I never really had a "I love XYZ marque" mentality, with 4 wheels or two; I'm quite promiscuous with brands. I've even come across this with Honda (i.e. loving Honda cars and bikes). But each to their own. And BMW bikes are nice, and a bit different. I might even buy one if they made one that's better than mine.;)

I have a thing for Honda bikes too and was a serial Honda owner back in the late 80's / early 00's owning a Fireblade, Blackbird and a pre-V-Tec VFR800. All stunning bikes. The 1200RT is a world apart from those and not everyone can live with it's 'character', although there is little to touch is as a touring bike - which is what is was bought for. I also have a GSF1250s sitting in the garage as well, for those days when a 4-pot fix is needed

I bought the BMW car after 20 years of company vehicles. (Which I gave up because the taxation is just too onerous now) I really like the way that the 3-series drives. I'll probably replace it in about three years or so as I am clocking up 20K per year and will change it for a lower-milage car when I semi-retire and work closer to home.

shinytop

The closest I got to being a one make sort of guy was with Triumph - I had 6 or 7 including a Rocket 3 up until a few months ago. I also had a Honda CB1300 as a 'normal' bike but sold them both for my current KTM 1190. I really can't think why I would ever need another bike - but I've said that many times before and it'll probably be gone in 2 years

parking_question_chap

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Very few (if any) modern cars are unreliable if you stick rigidly to the servicing requirements and use them in the sort of way the designers intended (so, for example, using a modern diesel for a 3 mile shopping run once a fortnight is asking for trouble!)

That just isnt true.
Land / Range rovers are frequently bottom of reliability charts due to electrical problems.