Need advice on buying used BMWs

[philc2001]

Hi there,
new member, just joined. Not new to automotive forums as I do a lot my own car maintenance, but new to BMWs. I'm looking for advise from owners with experience.

I'm in the market for a lightly used (2019) BMW for my wife, basically her next grocery getter car. She doesn't drive a great many miles, maybe 1000 mi/month, mostly around town. It would also be our weekend leisure car.

Anyway, we are somewhat torn between the BMW 430i convertible, or a 5 series sedan. We both prefer the convertible, although less practical since it is two door, but we like the style and would likely enjoy top down driving for about 6 months out of the year in sunny S. FL. We drove one, nice drive, but it had too many cosmetic flaws, likely because it was previously a rental car. The 5 series is less sporty, but seems pretty roomy and seems to handle well for such a big car. I haven't driven a 2019 5 series, but have driven in 2017 and 2018 models, and I assume they are relatively similar.

Of course, I always look at the carfax, even though I can usually spot collision repairs. But what I have noticed is in 3 of 20 carfax the dealer either replaced or reinstalled the gas tank on 2019 4 series, which prompted me to ask whether there are some common issues with 2019 4 series gas tanks.

What other things do you recommend I look for with 2019 4 and 5 series cars? Any common or premature fails, issues, things that are costly and frequently need attention? I don't know what to watch for or stay away from. Any advise would be welcomed.

Thanks in advance.

[mbad7]

Hi there...
I c this is yr 1st post on here, so let this reply be my first post

The way i c it, u really dont have a problem here... yr buying a 2019 car, and any potential common issues will most likeley not affect you yet, if there are any to start with, unless its a high mileage car, which i presume it is not.
I dont think there should be any major concern in that regard. If u and the Mrs. like the 4 better, just go for it, wouldnt even think about the 5 series in yr shoes...

[philc2001]

Hi there...
I c this is yr 1st post on here, so let this reply be my first post

The way i c it, u really dont have a problem here... yr buying a 2019 car, and any potential common issues will most likeley not affect you yet, if there are any to start with, unless its a high mileage car, which i presume it is not.
I dont think there should be any major concern in that regard. If u and the Mrs. like the 4 better, just go for it, wouldnt even think about the 5 series in yr shoes...

I'm not after a high mileage car, but I am not looking for a certified car either, so if there is a known flaw I'd like to know about it. Furthermore, I tend to keep cars for 8-10 years, as long as they are relatively reliable and trouble free, so reliability is especially important for my wife.

[wannabemer]

"so reliability is especially important for my wife"

Buy a Toyota.

[philc2001]

"so reliability is especially important for my wife"

Buy a Toyota.

So what you are saying is BMWs are not reliable?

[mbad7]

So what you are saying is BMWs are not reliable?

Well...honestley, and sadly, not as Toyota...

But thats not why we `re here, is it

[Pragmatist]

So what you are saying is BMWs are not reliable?

That is pretty much the truth nowadays. The cars cost twice as much and last half as long.

[JohnelP]

That is pretty much the truth nowadays. The cars cost twice as much and last half as long.

if you are a car manufacturer, you have only the stockholders to fear. Cash and profit. Reliability is an obsolete concept. So, why build a high manufacturing cost and better quality car when people will get your car in leasing for 3 years? Nobody cares about reliability at leased cars. Unless it's getting too annoying. So, the car has to last 3 years. Has the car last 5 years, you are fired for not optimizing profit. You could have built the car cheaper. After 3 years, doesn't matter.

Leasing is the smartest way for manufacturers to force car change every 3 years, instead of 5 to 10 years in the past. More volumes. Better sales.
Can we blame them? No.

As for the rest of us, thinking the car will be/(should be) as reliable as a VW Golf I or Mercedes Cobra, we have to wake up.

[MarcoZandrini]

Driving a Toyota is like driving a refrigerator. It’s an fxxxxxxxxg appliance.

[jclausen]

A very reliable refrigerator where as bmw is not reliable, and costs a ton to repair. Some where you will get to the point where you just want your car to work for a long period with no repairs, bmw is not that car. Toyota is for sure