[alig2]

I'm coming from a string of GTI's and considering a new 230.
Driving about 20k a year and have been trading at about 4 years and 80K.
The GTI's have been reliable (any issues occurred during factory warranty or were cheap to fix), trade in value has always been about 35-40% of original cost.

All the discussions about high mileage 2 series reliability seem to center around 40-50k, and I realize the 230 and B48 are only 3 years old at this point, but what would be a realistic expectation for reliability at 80k and value?

(Yes, an extended warranty is an option, but it also makes the car more expensive. Latest 5 year depreciation on large BMW's and X3, X5 is pretty ugly)

Any thoughts?

[kindofblue]

I have read that the 2 series is considered the most reliable of the BMW models so there's that.

[ScottAndrew]

Much of it depends on how you look after it. My last car went to 11 years without needing work beyond service replacement, despite a list of well-known ailments, because I looked after it proactively and changed the oil and filter more frequently than required by the service schedule. The engine is fairly new but the tech inside it is a known quantity. The only thing that would give me pause for thought is the 11:1 compression ratio which is high for a petrol turbo. However it is not high for turbocharged engines in general.

[MarkDemma]

Originally Posted by kindofblue

I have read that the 2 series is considered the most reliable of the BMW models so there's that.

I wonder why that would be. Perhaps because they generally have less fancy Gee whiz tech they like to tack on to the higher end models thus less overly complicated stuff to malfunction?

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by MarkDemma

I wonder why that would be. Perhaps because they generally have less fancy Gee whiz tech they like to tack on to the higher end models thus less overly complicated stuff to malfunction?

You're on the right track. I posted about this a while back.

BMW introduces its latest-and-greatest new wizardry first in its upper-tier cars. Then, over time, a lot of that once-new tech filters down to the lower-tiered cars.

And naturally, the tech becomes more refined AND more reliable as it reaches broad integration in BMW's lineup. The 7 Series invariably suffers the most "teething pains" and reliability niggles.

And luckily (for me/us), the winner is... the 'lowly' 2 Series!

[Taskmaster]

I’d pass on N2x anything.

[ScottAndrew]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

I’d pass on N2x anything.

And the B46/48 in the 230...?

[230iZTR]

If you’re planning on continuing the same purchase and driving patterns, I’d recommend passing on the BMW for now. “Luxury” cars take too big a hit on depreciation very quickly, and no one knows how a B-series block is going to hold up to high mileage use yet.

If you’re hellbent on going BMW, either lease a new one and double down from your 4-year cycle to whatever they give you (probably 2 or 3 years) then lease another, buy out that car, or a buy a CPO car once the lease is up. That will kill two birds with one stone: you can (1) let someone else take that depreciation hit, and (2) wait it out to see how the B-series engines are working out at higher mileage.

All of that boring finance stuff said, if you like the GTI, you won’t be disappointed with the 2-er. I also tried the GTI when I was car shopping and the 2 was next level. The interior is an excellent place to sit, I think it looks tons better, and there’s no comparison for dynamics and fun-to-drive factor with RWD and the track package.

[Taskmaster]

Originally Posted by ScottAndrew

And the B46/48 in the 230...?

No comment on those yet.

[p912guy]

I am surprised "SteveInfante" hasn't responded to this thread yet. He is the high mileage king. He has a 2014 228i Coupe with 80K miles and as far as I know, no issues of any significance. There are lots of folks who only lease because they don't want to worry about owning and driving a car outside of warranty, especially a BMW out of warranty. However, there are many of us who purchase new with every intention of driving 100K miles or more. I am in that cohort. I don't see any reason why my M235i won't be completely reliable to 100K miles or more, provided regular maintenance is attended to.

Yes, BMW parts and service is generally more expensive than most Japanese or domestic brands. That said, back in the day I had 92 Ford E150 Conversion van, purchased used with 18K miles. I owned it for 4 -5 years and put an additional 80K miles on it, and over that time spent the equivalent of a brand new van on it in service and repairs. When I finally traded it in, it needed a at least a top end rebuild if not a completely new short block.

[ScottAndrew]

My last two BMWs went to 122k and 116k, each without major work. Sure, capex was required; rubbers perish with the passing of the years, and eventually you’ll get a stone in the radiator or noise in a compressor bearing.

Interestingly, the latter of those two was seen by the old guard in exactly the same way as the current generation is seen by the “new” guard.

[ralawren]

A new BMW with high mileage will have significant depreciation (as others have said). Leasing a new car does not avoid this. If you want a BMW then find a used one with low mileage that is still under warranty. This way you enjoy the features of the car but the original owner takes the hit on most of the depreciation. My 2015 only has 20k miles. Paid $45k and now is worth $22k. It still drives and looks like new...

[BEM-S4]

Originally Posted by ralawren

A new BMW with high mileage will have significant depreciation (as others have said). Leasing a new car does not avoid this. If you want a BMW then find a used one with low mileage that is still under warranty. This way you enjoy the features of the car but the original owner takes the hit on most of the depreciation. My 2015 only has 20k miles. Paid $45k and now is worth $22k. It still drives and looks like new...

This is the only way to play the game if you're driving 20k per year. Get a lease turn in with under 30k, CPO it out to 100k and you've got 3 years of worry free driving with a little wiggle room if you drive a little more than planned.

That's why GF realtor has a CPO 328 that we paid $25k for, pretty loaded and 27k if memory serves.

Look at it this way pay $25k for a CPO 228 now sell it for $10k in 3 years, do the same thing again. That's 6 years and 120k of worry free driving for $30k in depreciation, or roughly what you'd lose in 4 years if buying new.

[ralawren]

Originally Posted by BEM-S4

This is the only way to play the game if you're driving 20k per year. Get a lease turn in with under 30k, CPO it out to 100k and you've got 3 years of worry free driving with a little wiggle room if you drive a little more than planned.

That's why GF realtor has a CPO 328 that we paid $25k for, pretty loaded and 27k if memory serves.

Look at it this way pay $25k for a CPO 228 now sell it for $10k in 3 years, do the same thing again. That's 6 years and 120k of worry free driving for $30k in depreciation, or roughly what you'd lose in 4 years if buying new.

Well stated!

[SteveInfante]

Originally Posted by Taskmaster

I’d pass on N2x anything.

I don't know. This was last week in my 228i

[rainfall]

Get a CPO to get the extended warranty and proactively look at the "what to look for" things for your specific engine.

I think my dealer quoted me 3800 just for powertrain plus on an M235i, +36 months and miles up to 100k miles. No service included i believe

[SteveInfante]

Originally Posted by p912guy

I am surprised "SteveInfante" hasn't responded to this thread yet. He is the high mileage king. He has a 2014 228i Coupe with 80K miles and as far as I know, no issues of any significance. There are lots of folks who only lease because they don't want to worry about owning and driving a car outside of warranty, especially a BMW out of warranty. However, there are many of us who purchase new with every intention of driving 100K miles or more. I am in that cohort. I don't see any reason why my M235i won't be completely reliable to 100K miles or more, provided regular maintenance is attended to.

Yes, BMW parts and service is generally more expensive than most Japanese or domestic brands. That said, back in the day I had 92 Ford E150 Conversion van, purchased used with 18K miles. I owned it for 4 -5 years and put an additional 80K miles on it, and over that time spent the equivalent of a brand new van on it in service and repairs. When I finally traded it in, it needed a at least a top end rebuild if not a completely new short block.

Like I've said many times before in here, this is the best daily I've owned for tons of reasons. I guess I am kind of the 2 series high mileage king on the forums. I didn't get this far by following BMW's maintenance schedule though. Belt and tensioner pulley along with an oil change is what's next on the list. Being member of BMWCCA helps when getting parts like oil filter kits. No shipping wait and you save 15%. So far as I can see from personal experience, BMW really got it right with the 2 series.