3 vs 5 vs 7

[pioneerniles]

Okay I have been meaning to ask this question for a long time and since I may be looking at a new car in the fall, BMW of coarse I am wondering about cost differences between a 3,5 and 7 series. Any car I will be looking at will be under 2003 probably. Right now I have a 95 325i and I don't find it to be excessively expenses in comparison to other cars. But I have been wondering about a 528, 535 or 540 and possibly a 740 but are they much more to run and to repair. Seems that there are many parts for 3ers and more at the wrecking yards, but 5ers and especially 7ers seem to be more rare. Thanks for the help.

[KPACOTKA]

If I were you, then I would take 7. I had a chance to drive it once and now want it badly.

[KPACOTKA]

If I were you, then I would take 7. I had a chance to drive it once and now want it badly.

[Rallyincali]

E39 for sure. I love the E38's style, but like most 7's, I've heard nothing but problems from them.

[Rallyincali]

E39 for sure. I love the E38's style, but like most 7's, I've heard nothing but problems from them.

[AwesomeIsLuke]

If I were you, then I would take 7. I had a chance to drive it once and now want it badly.

Is this a joke?

If you don't want to spend a lot on repairs, but you really want a BMW, I'd look at a non-M E46. You do NOT want a 7 series unless you have a budget set aside specifically for repairs and maintenance.

[webdesigner]

3 makes you look young

5 makes you look mature

7 makes you look baller

[LandonJBennet]

3 makes you look young

5 makes you look mature

7 makes you look baller

hahaha that's actually so true when you think about it.

[Rakshas]

I'm not sure where everyone gets this impression that 7's are maintenance nightmares. Our 3 have been mechanically very sound, except the E32 750 is a bitch to work on when it does have problems. The E38 740 and E32 735il are both stone reliable and dead simple to work on.

Honestly, the repairs on my cousins E39 are much harder, though still not terrible.

Get whichever one you like driving most, they're all very different cars.

[S52M]

3 makes you look young

5 makes you look mature

7 makes you look baller
troof.org

[Quartermile]

3 makes you look young

5 makes you look mature

7 makes you look baller
True, but also:

3 - Sporty
5 - Sport/Luxury
7 - Luxury

Which do you want/What are you going to use it for?

[AwesomeIsLuke]

I'm not sure where everyone gets this impression that 7's are maintenance nightmares. Our 3 have been mechanically very sound, except the E32 750 is a bitch to work on when it does have problems. The E38 740 and E32 735il are both stone reliable and dead simple to work on.

Honestly, the repairs on my cousins E39 are much harder, though still not terrible.

Get whichever one you like driving most, they're all very different cars.

I'm not sure where you are getting this from... As a 7 series owner who does all of his own work, the 740s are one of the least reliable of any modern BMW ever made.

E38 740s are much less reliable than the 750s. The 750s are generally harder to work on because there is more there and less room to work, but things break FAR less often. If you don't believe me, ask any of the 7 owners who do their own work.

And the E39 540s are about exactly as hard to work on as the E38 740s as far as "under the hood" work goes, because they have almost exactly identical engine bays. Actually, I'd go as far as to say 740s are harder to work on in general because they have more electrical problems (on average) than a 540 has.

[Lucid3ntr0py]

Can you even compare the 3? They're pretty much completely different. It's like should I get a road bike, bmx, or mountain?

[Codeman]

I thought most of the 'problems' with the 7s were the electrical issues, hardly anything drivetrain related (other than those V8s that seem to guzzle oil [and gas]).

Oh and 5s and 7s are more rare in the junk yard because BMW made and sold FAR less of them than the 3. So what you see in the junkyard is proportionate to what BMW sold originally.

[webdesigner]

Can you even compare the 3? They're pretty much completely different. It's like should I get a road bike, bmx, or mountain?

That is a pretty bad comparison.

[mpower5266]

I have had all 3 and I love my 7.

[mattjw916]

the only real difference is the size...

3 - easy to park

5 - ok to park

7 - impossible to park

[AwesomeIsLuke]

I have had all 3 and I love my 7.

Just to clarify, I never meant to say I don't love my 7. I put my heart and soul in that car, she is everything to me. After all the work I've put into her, I'd never trade her for anything else.

That being said, she has had her share of issues, and usually these issues don't come cheap.


the only real difference is the size...

3 - easy to park

5 - ok to park

7 - impossible to park

Almost true, except E38 and newer 7s have PDC, making it only nearly impossible to park as opposed to absolutely impossible.

Seriously though, once you get used to parking it, it really isn't so bad at all. It's nothing compared to a Z3 though. If you think a normal 3 series is easy to park, try a Z3.

[dnav]

1 sausage, 3 lengths.

[webdesigner]

1 sausage, 3 lengths.

The younger it is, the better it is at... well, you know :eyebrows

[M62pwrdE38]

My 3 series has had far more issues than my e38 ever did. My e38 was very reliable, fairly easy to work on and great fun to drive. I'd buy another one for sure.

[peterbg16]

the only real difference is the size...

3 - easy to park

5 - ok to park

7 - impossible to park

haha 7 series IL is a whole another concept by itself. I tried parking a friends and it took me like 5mins to get it right, and it takes me 10sec in my 528i..

Oh to the OP, I would say a 5 series, possibly an e39 2003 530i Sport Package...Plenty of fun to drive, and as sexy as any 5er out there...

[LinearX]

A used E39 530i M Sport model would be a good all-around step up. Very versatile, quick, good on gas and relatively easy on maintenance.

[k5gsxr1000]

5er has the best in both world. had a 740il e38 maintance sucks and my e46 330i is much better. 5er has more space if you have passenger then the 3er. Would aim for a e60 5er myself if not the M5 in the near future. just drive it all and you will make up your mind. good luck

PS
after all maintance is the key to keep anything running right and your luck.

[Aarodynamics]

If you are honestly considering all three then go for a 5-series.

[TthizzleE39]

I would get the 5 series but one with the i6 not the v8 maintance is easer on the i6. Just take care of the car and you will be fine.

[paulmer]

E39 for sure. I love the E38's style, but like most 7's, I've heard nothing but problems from them.Meh. Tired of the 7s undue reputation. Makes me rage.

So tired of people thinking they can quantify the reliability of a car based on it's model designation.

Epic fail
http://images.*********************.com/images/1/1a/Rageoriginal.jpg


the only real difference is the size...

3 - easy to park

5 - ok to park

7 - impossible to parkIf you find a 7 "impossible" to park you shouldn't be on teh road. Forsrs.

[Rakshas]

I'm not sure where you are getting this from... As a 7 series owner who does all of his own work, the 740s are one of the least reliable of any modern BMW ever made.

E38 740s are much less reliable than the 750s. The 750s are generally harder to work on because there is more there and less room to work, but things break FAR less often. If you don't believe me, ask any of the 7 owners who do their own work.

And the E39 540s are about exactly as hard to work on as the E38 740s as far as "under the hood" work goes, because they have almost exactly identical engine bays. Actually, I'd go as far as to say 740s are harder to work on in general because they have more electrical problems (on average) than a 540 has.

We do our own work, and our E38 has not been a problem at all. 128k miles, owned since 85k and the only thing it's needed is a crankshaft position sensor. I don't know about your particular car, but ours is more reliable than the Honda accord parked behind it in the driveway.

[nickMANDERFIELD]

If you find a 7 "impossible" to park you shouldn't be on teh road. Forsrs.
e38il is nearly impossible to park, especially with any amount of tint on the windows.. compared to my e36 the e39 is pretty damn hard to park, but since i upgraded the suspension it has been much easier, relatively speaking

i say get a 5, a 3 is fun, but the 5 has a less sporty more comfort feel (e36 3 that is, e46 is much more comfy imo)

[AwesomeIsLuke]

We do our own work, and our E38 has not been a problem at all. 128k miles, owned since 85k and the only thing it's needed is a crankshaft position sensor. I don't know about your particular car, but ours is more reliable than the Honda accord parked behind it in the driveway.

Well, you've probably taken good measures as far as preventative maintenance (I applaud you!), that and you are lucky.

Also, we must take into account that I have 160k miles on mine, you have 30k less. All I can say is be prepared for the worst. The good thing is that these cars are a BLAST to drive and it is very rewarding.

[Wolfen]

I recommend you get the E39 530. Great all around package.

Otherwise get the 540 and be done with it.