BMW has been focused on being the “Ultimate Driving Machine” since the start and they have always catered more to the car enthusiast and performance side of things compared to Mercedes. Even their largest luxury sedans and SUVs have a sportier look and feel. Almost every model has a high performance “M” version as well as a sportier “M Sport” option as well.
Because of this, BMW has earned a very wide following from people who want a car that is a little more exciting than the norm and that has not changed over time.
There are a wide array of vehicles produced by BMW and near-constant tweaks and updates to each platform and drivetrain, often resulting in significant differences from one year to the next on the same model.
The V8s (more things to break) and four cylinders (timing chain issues) tend to be a little more problematic than the inline 6s, but with proper care and maintenance they can all provide years of faithful service.
Front lower forward control arms or “thrust arms” are a very common theme from the late 2000s to current models, but are easily remedied to restore handling and prevent excessive tire wear and eliminate clunking over bumps. Another common cause of noise in the suspension, especially on SUVs, are the front strut mounts.
As with any car, coolant leaks creep up as the cars age or get higher in mileage and these can range from a few easy to access hoses to much more involved items like oil filter housings on newer B48/B58 engines. Electric water pumps, expansion tanks, and auxilliary coolant pumps are also fairly common.
Oil leaks are standard fair for any BMW, most commonly the valve cover(s), oil filter housing/cooler and the oil pan.
Due to the sheer number of models, engines, configurations and option levels, as well as M models that BMW offers, the problems can be just as varied. We are lucky enough to have a technician trained by BMW with several years experience at a local BMW dealership on our team.
Because of the variety of issues the different models can have, it is crucial to have it checked prior to purchase by a shop familiar with BMW to avoid being stuck with a problem.
For newer models, performing a chemical headgasket test is the first step during our inspection due to the high rate of oil filter housing failures that cause a sudden loss of coolant from the engine block and severe overheating that warps the engine block/cylinder head. These vehicles can still run and drive seemingly fine for a while after this failure but a chemical test usually catches the issue.
Maintenance history and consistent services at a dealer or independent shop are a great indicator the vehicle was well cared for. Avoid vehicles with minimal service history or records from non-specialized quick oil change places for best results.