[Edslittleworld]

I just bought a well cared-for CPO 2017 M240i in the royal blue. It has apparently spent it's first years entirely in a garaged environment and continues to do so with me...both at home and work.

However, I was wondering how would it age as far as appearance and operation compared to a well-equipped Honda Accord...especially if it sat out in the sun every day during work. Worse yet, how would it age if it sat outdoors (24/7) like in an apartment complex...even if had shaded parking?

PS: I'm asking because my next job may be way out in the hot/dusty Arizona desert and wonder if I should consider a second "beater" car.

[harma24]

I've had my car for almost 3 years now and it sits outside at home (although it is in a garage at work). I polish and wax twice a year and it still looks fine.

As a past and present Honda owner, I'd say there's not much of a difference in wear at the three year mark (at least not that I can recall), but 3 years isn't much of a history. My 21 year old Accord was definitely showing signs of it's age in the paint; I'll let you know how my M240 compares to that in 18 years!

[stein_325i]

BMW's paint quality has really improved within the last decade, ever since around the Bangle era. The E46, E39, and E38 had terrible flat and metallic paint quality, with clear coats peeling and many areas fading from the sun.

However, I can't speak about how it will age, as I haven't owned a modern BMW long enough, and have been garaging my cars for quite a while. A car cover can always be a good cheap investment, as well as routine care for the paint.

[AndDown]

I'd get a 2nd beater car, that way you wouldn't have to worry!

[chattanooga240]

I've had way more issues with Honda paint due to sun exposure than I have with BMW.

If you are planning on keeping it 15 years then maybe this is a concern, but otherwise they are comparable.

[morphomeman]

The real issue about aging is on the inside of the car, not the outside.
There, Hondas continue to lead the pack in every category, which is why they have the lowest depreciation by far of any vehicle.
If you are worried about the paint fading in the sun, buy a decent car cover, as noted above, one designed to resist heat.

[RoundelM3]

Both of my BMWs (F80 M3 and F23 228i convertible) have tinted windows, are garaged, and receive regular maintenance. Zero problems with wear and tear over as long as 5 years in both Texas and coastal Carolina climates.

[rhop101]

I’d say just get a sunshade to protect the dash during the day and it’ll probably be fine.

The beater car is more of a question of Miles. Do you telework a lot or always driving 60-70 miles a day to the office? From what I’ve heard stuff is further apart and the miles will get racked up more quickly then say on the east coast. Not sure where you are now. The fuel savings along basically paid for the insurance on a cheap beater.

My last BMW was a 128i that was under cared for by the prior owner so I had some catching up to do maintenance wise, but the interior was still basically perfect aside from the vent fins fading a bit and a crack in the thigh bolster of the drivers seat. The Honda Accord will need more body work, the BMW more mechanical work.

There is something to you get what you paid for. I have a 200k mile s2000 that’s basically lived outside without a car cover that’s needed work over time but it’s been a solid car never had any paint (that wasn’t my own doing) or interior issues aside from the wheel leather going bad because I’ve used it and I used to be worse about taking care of leather. Quality on a $35k>$15-20k honda My 130k mile LX civic beater has needed a lot more interior stuff fixed up speakers, lights, dash LEDs, AC compressors.

Not too worried about the M235i but definitely doing everything I can to protect this car better than prior cars. Generally modern BMW interiors hold up well if cared for, but will require more mechanical maintenance because they’re more complicated. Honda’s have worse materials and build quality, but will require less mechanical maintenance. I spent 4K in 1yr on a 130-150k 128i but 10k on a 140k-200k S2000 over 5yrs

[9t2hoo]

My father-in-law has a ten year old Lexus LS in Florida. He keeps it in the garage at all times except when he plays golf and then the car is parked the sun. Over ten years, all of the interior trim essentially melted and became sticky to the touch. I don’t know about a Honda, but Lexus interior quality is pretty good, and it still melted. To Lexus’s credit, my father-in-law complained and Lexus replaced all of the interior trim, including the dashboard, the door panels, the center console, etc. last December, even though the car was 6 years out of warranty. So buy a Lexus beater!

[USA-RET]

Originally Posted by Edslittleworld

I just bought a well cared-for CPO 2017 M240i in the royal blue. It has apparently spent it's first years entirely in a garaged environment and continues to do so with me...both at home and work.

However, I was wondering how would it age as far as appearance and operation compared to a well-equipped Honda Accord...especially if it sat out in the sun every day during work. Worse yet, how would it age if it sat outdoors (24/7) like in an apartment complex...even if had shaded parking?

PS: I'm asking because my next job may be way out in the hot/dusty Arizona desert and wonder if I should consider a second "beater" car.

Regardless of what car it is, left out in the elements for long periods of time will not do the car any favors. Direct hot sun and the Interior and direct hot sun on the paint isn't good. A good car cover would be the cheapest investment to mitigate both of those, although the interior will likely be "oven hot" even with a cover.

Much depends on what your long term plans are. Is the M240i your "Forever" car? If not, how long do you plan on keeping it? If it's going to be a "keeper", then I'd buy a beater to drive to work (or a ecnobox lease). If you plan on something else in the next few years, get a good (designed for UV and heat protection) car cover.

[Rocky58]

Since the m240i travels much faster, close to the speed of light, the Honda will age more.

[P2]

Originally Posted by Edslittleworld

I just bought a well cared-for CPO 2017 M240i in the royal blue. It has apparently spent it's first years entirely in a garaged environment and continues to do so with me...both at home and work.

However, I was wondering how would it age as far as appearance and operation compared to a well-equipped Honda Accord...especially if it sat out in the sun every day during work. Worse yet, how would it age if it sat outdoors (24/7) like in an apartment complex...even if had shaded parking?

PS: I'm asking because my next job may be way out in the hot/dusty Arizona desert and wonder if I should consider a second "beater" car.

At work I park at the airport, outside, and right near a runway. The soot from jet exhaust will etch the clear coat. My 2006 325 had no etching after 11 years. Always waxed. The last Honda I'd cheat and not wax the roof so much. Who sees the roof right? Lots of etching after just a couple of years. Wax,wax,wax

[Winemaker2]

I'd get a car cover. Keep your car clean and use the cover daily...takes about two minutes to put it on and to take off. It's not the paint we need to worry so much about if you keep your car waxed, it's the outside rubber seals and the interior.