We have an opportunity to trade our 1999 Honda Civic with 104000 miles for a 1998 BMW 328i with 80000 miles. We would be buying from my father in law. The BMW was very well maintained. The only thing I can even see potentially needing right now is an allignment. Vehicle has been checked out and has no issues. Our civic is a standard- which I can't drive all that well. The BMW is an automatic. It has a lot of features that most new cars today don't even have. Here is the thing.. We are trying to determine whether to keep our car (that has been maintained as well) or trade for the BMW.
We were told that we would need to take the car to the dealer for an oil change.. which is a ridiculus $125 for every 3000 miles. BMW has a higher labor rate... We expected that it would be more, but not that much more... My husband can and has done his own oil changes and it looks like it is easy to do (easier than he has done in the past.) Obviously if the vehicle breaks down, the BMW parts are going to be more expenive.. But... we have a connection when it comes to labor- the mechanic has maintained the vehicle in the past, so we wouldn't be faced with dealer prices for labor on that. My husband is very OCD with his vehicles... He replaces things before it even needs it.. Drives me nuts, but the vehicles are always taken care of.
So... economically, longevity, etc...I would greatly appreciate suggestions and opinions from individuals that know cars and especially from individuals that have owned the BMW in question...
Thank you for your time.
We were told that we would need to take the car to the dealer for an oil change.. which is a ridiculus $125 for every 3000 miles. BMW has a higher labor rate... We expected that it would be more, but not that much more... My husband can and has done his own oil changes and it looks like it is easy to do (easier than he has done in the past.) Obviously if the vehicle breaks down, the BMW parts are going to be more expenive.. But... we have a connection when it comes to labor- the mechanic has maintained the vehicle in the past, so we wouldn't be faced with dealer prices for labor on that. My husband is very OCD with his vehicles... He replaces things before it even needs it.. Drives me nuts, but the vehicles are always taken care of.
So... economically, longevity, etc...I would greatly appreciate suggestions and opinions from individuals that know cars and especially from individuals that have owned the BMW in question...
Thank you for your time.