FOURTEEN REASONS " NOT " TO PURCHASE A ( BMW ) AUTOMOBILE ! part 1

On March 12th 1999, I purchased a brand new BMW 528IA loaded with all the extra's, for my wife's birthday. The total sale price was $ 52,121.42 after I added wheel dust covers and sunroof air deflector. Anyone and everyone that knows me would tell you how much time I spend taking care of everything I own, in other words I am very punctilious. My thoughts were paying that much for a vehicle I would get great performance for 150000 to 200000 thousand miles with little to no repairs, as long as I kept the BMW serviced. That was the only way I could see paying that much for an automobile; boy was I wrong. The following fourteen reasons will tell you why BMW is nothing but ( JUNK ), boy did I get ripped off. I am not listing all oil changes because I knew they would have to be made when my BMW automobile told me to and I did just as BMW called for; I do have all my oil change records . # 1 On June 18th 2001, mileage on my BMW was 29746 noted on BMW dealer repair order, replaced front brakes and rotors, cost to me $507.06; note: rear cup holder was replaced at n/c . # 2 On November 1st 2002, mileage on my BMW was 45048 noted on BMW dealer repair order, service engine, balance tires, replace wiper blades, replace a/c compressor drive belt, cost to me $353.45 . # 3 On August 7th 2004, mileage on my BMW was 63509 noted on BMW dealer repair order, performed an inspection II, brake liner repair kit, 2 disk brakes, sensor, replaced rear cup holder again only this time holder cost me $ 50.00; remember this because it comes up again, replaced brake fluid, replaced drive belts, replaced front and rear brakes, rotors, and sensors; cost to me $1960.02 . # 4 On March 2nd 2005, mileage on my BMW was 68112 noted on BMW repair order, replaced power steering hose, return pipe, suction pipe, checked battery, battery tested good; note charged me $ 42.50 just to test battery, cost to me $345.95. # 5 On December 17th 2005, mileage on my BMW was 74720 noted on local auto repair center Johnson's repair order, replaced rear constant vel carrier, replaced left front fog lamp, cost to me $422.34. # 6 On June 19th 2006, mileage on my BMW was 76600 noted on local auto repair center Johnson's repair order, replaced battery, cost to me $106.95. # 7 On August 3rd 2006, mileage on my BMW was 77876 noted on BMW dealer repair order, replaced ASC module and coded, cost to me $1058.09.

FOURTEEN REASONS " NOT " TO PURCHASE A ( BMW ) AUTOMOBILE ! part 2

Continued from part 1. #8 On August 11th 2007, mileage on my BMW was 85223 noted on local auto repair center Johnson's repair order, replaced front struts, upper mounts, radius arm bushings, alignment, replaced wiper blades, cost to me $1179.03. # 9 On August 20th 2007, mileage on my BMW was 85300 noted on local auto repair center Johnson's repair order, replaced left inner tie rod, alignment, cost to me $ 115.30. # 10 On August 23rd 2007, mileage on my BMW was 85408 noted on BMW dealer repair order, replaced front sway bar, cost to me $442.10. # 11 On March 21st 2008, mileage on my BMW was 89178 noted on BMW dealer repair order, replaced spark plugs, replaced valve cover gaskets, buffed headlight covers, flushed brake fluid , flushed coolant, performed injector flush, cost to me, $1274.58. #12 On April 17th 2008, mileage on my BMW was 89659 noted on BMW dealer repair order, replaced pressure regulator, vent hose, vent pipe, vacuum hose, connecting line, return pipe, connecting line, cost to me $ 584.15.

FOURTEEN REASONS " NOT " TO PURCHASE A ( BMW ) AUTOMOBILE ! part 3

Continued from part 2 . # 13 On September 4th 2008, mileage on my BMW was 91810 per me. A/C compressor went out on my BMW. I called BMW dealer to get approximate cost for repair and was told anywhere from $1500.00 to $2000.00 dollars. Enough, I was not believing an automobile I paid so much for " COULD BE NOTHING BUT A LEMON". Even though my warranty was over long ago I called the North American BMW customer service department around 1:30 p.m. eastern standard time and spoke with a representative named DEE. I went over everything with DEE and told her I thought BMW was suppose to be a very high grade auto builder and I would never have purchased it if I had known a BMW couldn't make it to 100000 miles without spending over $ 10,000.00 dollars in repairs. I told her since this was a lemon, BMW should help with repairs. DEE said with the age of the car and the mileage there was nothing they could do. So I said, then are you telling me a BMW will not last 100000 miles because my BMW has a little over 91000 miles and I started paying for repairs when my BMW had 29746 miles on it ? I told DEE I drive a 1995 DODGE RAM 4x4, 5.9 liter short bed Pickup I purchased new and I gave less than $25,000.00 for it. It has 134000 miles on it, serviced regularly just like the BMW. I told DEE I have spent less than $1000.00 on repairs on my DODGE RAM PICKUP. I told her I could have purchased (2) DODGE RAM Pickups and had over $12000.00 in my pocket, ( NOT COUNTING FINANCE CHARGES ) for what I gave for the 1999, 528IA BMW. All readers need to remember that before you buy a BMW, you will save a lot by purchasing an American made auto over a BMW. I told DEE about my web site and that I just wanted to get BMW'S response before I wrote this so I would get everything right for this article. On Friday September 5th 2008, after I spoke with DEE at BMW, my wife let all the windows down after leaving work. When she got home, pulled into our garage ( by the way the garage has heat and A/C to help protect our automobiles ) THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP. We do not have children and I would bet that window has not been used twenty times since the car was new. # 14 Today, September 8th 2008, mileage on my BMW is 91814 miles, MARK'S AUTO GLASS; REPAIR ORDER, REPLACED REGULATOR; MY COST, $445.55 . Oh yeah, the cup holder in the rear is not working again.

FOURTEEN REASONS " NOT " TO PURCHASE A ( BMW ) AUTOMOBILE ! part 4

Continued from part 3. I purchased my BMW at BMW of Chattanooga where I was and still am treated fairly and with utmost respect. I've been there so often, Desmond Hagan, Service Advisor, knows me on a first name basis. My post is not to bash BMW of Chattanooga, but rather to bash the manufacturer, BMW. After reading all four parts of my post, " DO YOU STILL WANT TO PURCHASE A BMW?"

Now Is The Time To Purchase a SUV "SPORTS UTILITY VEHICLE"

With the high gas prices across the country, the suv market has dropped to a record low . This has caused a buyers market if you are looking for a deal in an suv. New, or used, you can get deals on all suv purchases. You, the consumer, need to decide if the bargain deals are worth the high gas prices. If you think so, now is the time to make that purchase. I don't think the savings on buying will get any better.

AUTOMOBILE HISTORY CHECK ( could save you hundreds of dollars )

If you plan on purchasing a used automobile from a consumer, it will pay you to have a history check done on the automobile. Consumers are not required by law to sign a form stating if it had been wrecked, any major repairs such as "engine replacement", (which would affect the proper odometer reading), water damage, or if vehicle had more than one owner. A vehicle history check will answer these questions, thus helping you to come closer to knowing the true value and how much to offer. If you're still not sure how much to offer for the vehicle be sure to read in my archives, you will find the answer . Note: Automobile Auctions run a history check.

GAS SAVING TIPS

There are many ways to use less gas while driving your vehicle. Some may sound strange to you, but in today's high gas prices any savings should be helpful:
1) Make sure your engine is tuned up
2) Check your tire pressure monthly
3) Make sure brakes are adjusted properly "not holding slightly".
4) Less weight saves gas; "check in trunk and interior". Some people let
things accumulate. Only keep items that are needed for safety and tire change.
5) Keep vehicle clean; rinse mud and grime from underneath vehicle and fender
welds.
6) Wax at least twice a year; a slick surface cuts air better.
7) Do not rev engine or push gas pedal down further than needed for proper speed.
Ease gas pedal down when you accelerate.
8) Keep windows up and use a/c when traveling on interstate, or high speed highways.
Less wind drag will save gas.
9) Most important way to save gas is to travel only when you must. Cut back on pleasure
driving.