View Poll Results: 2003 BMW 540 Auto or 2003 Lexus GS430?
2003 BMW 540 Auto
27
40.91%
2003 Lexus GS430
39
59.09%
Voters: 66. You may not vote on this poll
2003 BMW 540 Auto or 2003 Lexus GS430?
08-09-2010, 12:24 PM
#41
Team Owner
iTrader: (4)
Sounds like the answer IS the GS430 which I'd opt for over the 540i.
A colleague of mine has an 02 540I (6mt) which he's had since new and has been very well maintained since day one. He loves the car to death but wants to unload it as it's having several issues (a couple major) that he was too aggravated to get into.
Another consideration might be the 1G Inifiniti M45
A colleague of mine has an 02 540I (6mt) which he's had since new and has been very well maintained since day one. He loves the car to death but wants to unload it as it's having several issues (a couple major) that he was too aggravated to get into.
Another consideration might be the 1G Inifiniti M45
08-09-2010, 12:29 PM
#42
The Box
I had a 99 GS400, my friend had a 02 525i.
I had my GS for a year, my friend had his BMW for a year.
I spent $563 + oil changes. The $563 was for timing belt/timing belt.
My friend spent $4300 on breakdowns/maintenance.
I voted GS.
I had my GS for a year, my friend had his BMW for a year.
I spent $563 + oil changes. The $563 was for timing belt/timing belt.
My friend spent $4300 on breakdowns/maintenance.
I voted GS.
08-09-2010, 12:51 PM
#44
The Box
08-09-2010, 01:05 PM
#45
Senior Moderator
Yeah...that'd be the rain on my E39 parade.
08-09-2010, 04:38 PM
#46
Banned
Back on topic, I owned a lot of used cars and never had the privilege of having a 6+ yo without regular issues. Even my 85000 miles Accord had a few unscheduled ones.
Don't hold your breath over such a thing as a need-no-repair 7 yo car.
I had my GS for a year, my friend had his BMW for a year.
....
My friend spent $4300 on breakdowns/maintenance.
....
My friend spent $4300 on breakdowns/maintenance.
Last edited by Saintor; 08-09-2010 at 04:50 PM.
08-09-2010, 05:19 PM
#47
Registered but harmless
Join Date: Aug 2005
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I expect to replace timing belts, brake rotors/drums, clutches, wheel bearings, axles, shocks/struts and mufflers/resonators as mileage accumulates, but not major drivetrain components, electrical or A/C items. My cars mostly went 150K-180K miles before disposal; only the Camry and Civic were under 100K miles when sold.
Last edited by Will Y.; 08-09-2010 at 05:22 PM.
08-09-2010, 05:59 PM
#48
The Third Ball
Join Date: Sep 2002
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Stop showing your little brain dumbass. I didn't insult you and I expect the same.
Back on topic, I owned a lot of used cars and never had the privilege of having a 6+ yo without regular issues. Even my 85000 miles Accord had a few unscheduled ones.
Don't hold your breath over such a thing as a need-no-repair 7 yo car.
Back on topic, I owned a lot of used cars and never had the privilege of having a 6+ yo without regular issues. Even my 85000 miles Accord had a few unscheduled ones.
Don't hold your breath over such a thing as a need-no-repair 7 yo car.
I bought several cars older than 6 years and done nothing but regular maintenance on them. 89 accord, 89 prelude, and I bought my pathfinder at 10-11 years old with 167k and drove it to 212k with nothing more than oil changes and standard wear and tear items (tires, clutch, timing belt/water pump.)
My kind of luck.
08-09-2010, 06:21 PM
#50
Whats up with RDX owners?
iTrader: (9)
My father loved his GS and it was decently quick. It was comfortable too.
Get the Lexus.
Get the Lexus.
08-09-2010, 06:31 PM
#51
It's actually quite the opposite. Vanos is a huge problem for 525i's and always has been. And if he wants to avoid Vanos all together he could get himself a nice low mileage '97/'98 540i that don't come with Vanos (they also happen to put out more hp + tq), not to mention it'll be much cheaper than a 2003 540i.
The only MAJOR (remember I said major, before anyone freaks out) high mileage issue on 540i's is the timing chain guide rails going to hell. Which I admit, can be very expensive to fix.
I can go on and on, but I won't, kinda stop by this thread when I'm taking a break from work, PM me if you want any info about 540i's and I will do my best to help you out.
BTW the GS430 is a great vehicle, I am simply attempting to make sure you understand that 540i's can be very reliable, I am not trying to take away from the fact the GS430 is reliable/nice as well.
08-09-2010, 07:29 PM
#53
'12 & '13 AL West Champs!
Impossible unless they are driveway queens.
I bought an used Audi and spent 11000$ in maintenance / repairs between 70000 miles and 110000 miles. More recent cars do better, but that it is just plain ridiculous to suggest that a 7 yo car won't have regular repairs and will be as reliable as a newer one.
I bought an used Audi and spent 11000$ in maintenance / repairs between 70000 miles and 110000 miles. More recent cars do better, but that it is just plain ridiculous to suggest that a 7 yo car won't have regular repairs and will be as reliable as a newer one.
My dad has a 1989 Mazda B2200 truck that has been rock solid for the 16 years that he's owned it. Again, only maintenance and typical wear items, it's got 140K+ miles and it doesn't even rattle or squeak. It's also a daily driver.
My sister has a 97 BMW 328i that's got about 195K miles and had a problem with the auto temp control ($50 fix), blower motor resistor ($80 part, fixed myself), other than that it's been nothing but your typical maintenance. I recently did plugs and a valve cover gasket replacement on it.
My other sister has a 99 VW Passat 1.8T with about 155K miles. The ignition control module ($75) and ABS unit ($150 fix) were the only non-maintenance issues with this car. Other than that, regular maintenance like any other car.
I could go on but I think I've made my point. All of these cars are over 7 years old with considerable mileage and they all have been relatively repair free the entire time we've had them. They are also all daily drivers.
If you can't keep a 7+ year old car out of the shop you're probably not doing a very good job with maintenance. Just because you bought a poorly maintained Audi that ate your wallet doesn't mean that all older cars run like yours does.
08-09-2010, 07:40 PM
#54
Banned
Not ridiculous at all. I have a 2000 TL with 105K+ miles and have had zero repairs. Just regular maintenance, tires, etc. It's not a driveway queen, it's my daily driver. I'd put it's reliability up against any car you can think of.
My dad has a 1989 Mazda B2200 truck that has been rock solid for the 16 years that he's owned it. Again, only maintenance and typical wear items, it's got 140K+ miles and it doesn't even rattle or squeak. It's also a daily driver.
My sister has a 97 BMW 328i that's got about 195K miles and had a problem with the auto temp control ($50 fix), blower motor resistor ($80 part, fixed myself), other than that it's been nothing but your typical maintenance. I recently did plugs and a valve cover gasket replacement on it.
My other sister has a 99 VW Passat 1.8T with about 155K miles. The ignition control module ($75) and ABS unit ($150 fix) were the only non-maintenance issues with this car. Other than that, regular maintenance like any other car.
I could go on but I think I've made my point. All of these cars are over 7 years old with considerable mileage and they all have been relatively repair free the entire time we've had them. They are also all daily drivers.
If you can't keep a 7+ year old car out of the shop you're probably not doing a very good job with maintenance. Just because you bought a poorly maintained Audi that ate your wallet doesn't mean that all older cars run like yours does.
My dad has a 1989 Mazda B2200 truck that has been rock solid for the 16 years that he's owned it. Again, only maintenance and typical wear items, it's got 140K+ miles and it doesn't even rattle or squeak. It's also a daily driver.
My sister has a 97 BMW 328i that's got about 195K miles and had a problem with the auto temp control ($50 fix), blower motor resistor ($80 part, fixed myself), other than that it's been nothing but your typical maintenance. I recently did plugs and a valve cover gasket replacement on it.
My other sister has a 99 VW Passat 1.8T with about 155K miles. The ignition control module ($75) and ABS unit ($150 fix) were the only non-maintenance issues with this car. Other than that, regular maintenance like any other car.
I could go on but I think I've made my point. All of these cars are over 7 years old with considerable mileage and they all have been relatively repair free the entire time we've had them. They are also all daily drivers.
If you can't keep a 7+ year old car out of the shop you're probably not doing a very good job with maintenance. Just because you bought a poorly maintained Audi that ate your wallet doesn't mean that all older cars run like yours does.
Leaking power steering pump. Then leaking power steering rack. Failed A/C compressor. Tie-rods and various link. Fuel pump. Leaking gas valve. Blower motor. Wheel bearings. Many electrical windows. Starter. Front struts. Alternator. Flywheel sensor. ABS sensors. Various exhaust work. Three towings.
This is just of sample of what happened before 110 000 miles and it was a lot of hassles. I replaced it with a brand new Honda Accord and was more than happy to pay more to have a peace of mind. My current Bimmer has also its fair amount of problems at 40000 miles. Last month it was an O2 sensor. This month, the gear shift was completely changed (DS/manual mode no longer worked). I have a laundry list of warranty work. I got many VW and Mazda and they were are troublesome as they passed 5-6 years.
Maybe Honda / Toyota are in another league.
08-09-2010, 07:57 PM
#55
The Third Ball
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08-09-2010, 10:00 PM
#56
The Box
Just out of curiosity, where do you get the information that 540i's are known for more breakdowns than the inline 6's ?
It's actually quite the opposite. Vanos is a huge problem for 525i's and always has been. And if he wants to avoid Vanos all together he could get himself a nice low mileage '97/'98 540i that don't come with Vanos (they also happen to put out more hp + tq), not to mention it'll be much cheaper than a 2003 540i.
The only MAJOR (remember I said major, before anyone freaks out) high mileage issue on 540i's is the timing chain guide rails going to hell. Which I admit, can be very expensive to fix.
I can go on and on, but I won't, kinda stop by this thread when I'm taking a break from work, PM me if you want any info about 540i's and I will do my best to help you out.
BTW the GS430 is a great vehicle, I am simply attempting to make sure you understand that 540i's can be very reliable, I am not trying to take away from the fact the GS430 is reliable/nice as well.
It's actually quite the opposite. Vanos is a huge problem for 525i's and always has been. And if he wants to avoid Vanos all together he could get himself a nice low mileage '97/'98 540i that don't come with Vanos (they also happen to put out more hp + tq), not to mention it'll be much cheaper than a 2003 540i.
The only MAJOR (remember I said major, before anyone freaks out) high mileage issue on 540i's is the timing chain guide rails going to hell. Which I admit, can be very expensive to fix.
I can go on and on, but I won't, kinda stop by this thread when I'm taking a break from work, PM me if you want any info about 540i's and I will do my best to help you out.
BTW the GS430 is a great vehicle, I am simply attempting to make sure you understand that 540i's can be very reliable, I am not trying to take away from the fact the GS430 is reliable/nice as well.
The best 540 I ever bought was a 2000 with a brand new engine. It had a sport pack, only problem was it wasn't a 6MT.
Anyway back to the topic, I'd pick a Lexus over a BMW any day. The power in the GS430 is more than enough. It may not handle like the 540i does but it more than makes up for it in saved maintenance costs IMO. Oh and if you get Mark Levinson, you'll have much better sound - and much better cup holders either way.
08-10-2010, 08:41 AM
#60
Senior Moderator
Not the best reason to pick a reliable car.
08-14-2010, 10:11 AM
#63
Cruisin'
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I dont know if it is a bad idea but a friend recommended the Mercedes 2006 E350 sedan. I know they had problems in the early years when it 1st came out in 2003 but I believe they should have been fixed by the year 2006. 2009 was the last year the W211 was manufacture.
Im going to start a new thread for input on the E350 from you guys on the 2006 E350. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12257975#post12257975
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
Im going to start a new thread for input on the E350 from you guys on the 2006 E350. https://acurazine.com/forums/showthread.php?p=12257975#post12257975
Thanks in advance for your time and help.
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