[JYSC]

Hello from a new comer!
Recently I couldn't resist my urge to own a 8 series and I am browsing through the 2nd hand market. I want to run some numbers and ideas with folks here to see if I missed anything.

I can find some 840 with 40k miles range with price of $44k-$50k, which fit my budget.
I probably won't own the car for a long time, the idea of high cost of maintenance scares me. I just want to drive it for fun for a year and sell it. I will probably put at most 6000 miles on it.

Let's say I bought a car for $46k, and if I can sell it for $38k, then my total cost of 1 year ownership would be:
$2k insurance, $3.7k tax (8% rate), and $8k ($46k-$38k) price difference, this is total $13.7k.
How much should I allocate for repairs and maintenance?

Does these numbers make sense? Is there better way to do own a 8 series?
Any suggestion is appreciated!

Thanks!

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by JYSC

Does these numbers make sense?

Sorry, but I don’t think any of this makes sense.

In any case, and 840i isn’t really more complicated than other current BMWs, the B58 and ZF8 are solid reliable performers, and it doesn’t have fancy air suspension or anything like that.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by MJBO

Sorry, but I don’t think any of this makes sense.

In any case, and 840i isn’t really more complicated than other current BMWs, the B58 and ZF8 are solid reliable performers, and it doesn’t have fancy air suspension or anything like that.

+1!!! Buy a low mileage example, 40k miles like you said, and keep it at least a few years. BMWs will ruin you. Even if you buy the car with the intention of only having it a year the odds are high you will not want to part with it after a year.

$14,000 for one year makes absolutely zero sense.

[OnlyGerman]

“the idea of high cost of maintenance scares me”


You shouldn’t be buying a BMW then and especially trying to time buying/selling. Not the car for you, especially if the 840i with a already reliable powertrain scares you.

[BlkGS]

I think your depreciation estimate is low first of all. That said, you're buying the wrong engine for that car, which is gonna hurt resale even more. Get an 850i.

All said, $14k for a year is a lot, but you could spend that money easily on a lot of hobbies. Golf, fishing, women, dugs, travel, whatever. So if it's gonna make you happy, go for it man. I'd just buy a V8 car with a bit lower mileage and keep it low mile.

[freakystyly]

Originally Posted by JYSC

Is there better way to do own a 8 series?

If it's about money, don't buy an 8 series. If it's about possible maintenance after warranty don't buy a used car.

If you do happen to buy *one of the most reliable BMW engines ever made, you'll save money the longer you hold the car. The depreciation curve simply wont be as steep as a 3 series past this point.

[Brandoch]

What in the world is with the amount of people cycling through cars every year? I just don't get it. Buy the car you want, and keep it.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by Brandoch

What in the world is with the amount of people cycling through cars every year? I just don't get it. Buy the car you want, and keep it.

There are a lot of cars out there, and sometimes you want to experience them all. Sometimes a car doesn't live up to your mental hype. Sometimes the car you wanted becomes more affordable.

There's lots of reasons. Some people spend money on loose women, some on fast cars, some on gambling, some on travel, it's all about what bring you enjoyment.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I think your depreciation estimate is low first of all. That said, you're buying the wrong engine for that car, which is gonna hurt resale even more. Get an 850i.

All said, $14k for a year is a lot, but you could spend that money easily on a lot of hobbies. Golf, fishing, women, dugs, travel, whatever. So if it's gonna make you happy, go for it man. I'd just buy a V8 car with a bit lower mileage and keep it low mile.

I have to disagree on the motor point. There is NOTHING better than a BMW inline six and the B58 is pretty much the best one they have ever produced. BMW V8s do not have a stellar reliability past. There’s so much more to a BMW than cylinder count and horsepower.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I have to disagree on the motor point. There is NOTHING better than a BMW inline six and the B58 is pretty much the best one they have ever produced. BMW V8s do not have a stellar reliability past. There’s so much more to a BMW than cylinder count and horsepower.

Not in an 8 series. I can understand in a Z4 a little inline 6 being the fun choice for lightness. But not in a big boat 8 series.

The N63TU3 (which cannot be judged based on previous motors in the same way we aren't judging the B58 off the Trainwreck of previous N motors) has proven to be as reliable as the B58 (neither have any documented major issues), with WAY more power, and better sounds.

The 8 is a big luxury cruiser that pairs well with the effortless power of the V8. It isn't a no.ble.little 2 series where the light B58 makes sense.

[Chihuahua]

Originally Posted by JYSC

Hello from a new comer!
Recently I couldn't resist my urge to own a 8 series and I am browsing through the 2nd hand market. I want to run some numbers and ideas with folks here to see if I missed anything.

I can find some 840 with 40k miles range with price of $44k-$50k, which fit my budget.
I probably won't own the car for a long time, the idea of high cost of maintenance scares me. I just want to drive it for fun for a year and sell it. I will probably put at most 6000 miles on it.

Let's say I bought a car for $46k, and if I can sell it for $38k, then my total cost of 1 year ownership would be:
$2k insurance, $3.7k tax (8% rate), and $8k ($46k-$38k) price difference, this is total $13.7k.
How much should I allocate for repairs and maintenance?

Does these numbers make sense? Is there better way to do own a 8 series?
Any suggestion is appreciated!

Thanks!

Do what makes you happy, but this scenario isn't making any sense to me. Maybe go online and take over someone's lease that's due up in a year or so? This seems like flushing money right down the toilet just for the sake of driving a car for one short year.

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Not in an 8 series. I can understand in a Z4 a little inline 6 being the fun choice for lightness. But not in a big boat 8 series.

The N63TU3 (which cannot be judged based on previous motors in the same way we aren't judging the B58 off the Trainwreck of previous N motors) has proven to be as reliable as the B58 (neither have any documented major issues), with WAY more power, and better sounds.

The 8 is a big luxury cruiser that pairs well with the effortless power of the V8. It isn't a no.ble.little 2 series where the light B58 makes sense.

B58 in G12 and X7, not sluggish

[pbonsalb]

$4k in tax is eating a lot for 1 year of use. Are you going to pay tax again on another car a year later? What about buying an extended warranty and keeping the car for a few years if you are scared of potential maintenance costs? Or find a good independent mechanic and self insure.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by OnlyGerman

B58 in G12 and X7, not sluggish

Disagree. Drove the X5 with the B58. Was sluggish. It would be fine on an X7 as a family hauler, but it's sluggish and the V8 is better in every way but fuel. It's more refined, more powerful, more effortless, and sounds better. It is just the better motor, that's why it's a fairly expensive upgrade.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Not in an 8 series. I can understand in a Z4 a little inline 6 being the fun choice for lightness. But not in a big boat 8 series.

The N63TU3 (which cannot be judged based on previous motors in the same way we aren't judging the B58 off the Trainwreck of previous N motors) has proven to be as reliable as the B58 (neither have any documented major issues), with WAY more power, and better sounds.

The 8 is a big luxury cruiser that pairs well with the effortless power of the V8. It isn't a no.ble.little 2 series where the light B58 makes sense.

The N5x motors were not a train wreck. The N52 and N55 were both relatively trouble free. The N54 initially had HPFP issues, but once those got sorted the motor had relatively few problems.

Originally Posted by OnlyGerman

B58 in G12 and X7, not sluggish

Totally agree!!! I would choose a B58 in the 7 Series, the X5 and the X7, and the 8 Series every single day!!! 330+ horsepower and plenty of torque is more than enough!!!

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Totally agree!!! I would choose a B58 in the 7 Series, the X7, and the 8 Series every single day!!! 330+ horsepower and plenty of torque is more than enough!!!

Your expectations are too low for a flagship vehicle.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Your expectations are too low for a flagship vehicle.

I’m sorry! You don’t get to tell me what my expectations should be!! You need to stay in your lane!! If BMW buyers had your attitude historically BMW would have been out of business long ago.

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I’m sorry! You don’t get to tell me what my expectations should be!! You need to stay in your lane!! If BMW buyers had your attitude historically BMW would have been out of business long ago.

Lol, OK bud. Sorry for offending you about your B58. I should know by now that B58 owners are incredibly sensitive about their motors.

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

Not in an 8 series. I can understand in a Z4 a little inline 6 being the fun choice for lightness. But not in a big boat 8 series.

The 8 is a big luxury cruiser that pairs well with the effortless power of the V8. It isn't a no.ble.little 2 series where the light B58 makes sense.

The 840i coupe only weighs about 10% more than a Z4 M40i, and almost the same as an M240i

[BlkGS]

Originally Posted by MJBO

The 840i coupe only weighs about 10% more than a Z4 M40i, and almost the same as an M240i

An 840i is approaching 4000-4400lbs. A Z4 M40i is 3500 pounds. Yes, that's a lot for a small convertible. But it's also 500-900 pounds less than an 840i.

The new M240i is of course, disgustingly over weight at 3800-3900 pounds. BMW should be ashamed of that.

[OnlyGerman]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Totally agree!!! I would choose a B58 in the 7 Series, the X5 and the X7, and the 8 Series every single day!!! 330+ horsepower and plenty of torque is more than enough!!!

And that is before any tuning

[moriluvatar]

Originally Posted by BlkGS

I think your depreciation estimate is low first of all. That said, you're buying the wrong engine for that car, which is gonna hurt resale even more. Get an 850i.

All said, $14k for a year is a lot, but you could spend that money easily on a lot of hobbies. Golf, fishing, women, dugs, travel, whatever. So if it's gonna make you happy, go for it man. I'd just buy a V8 car with a bit lower mileage and keep it low mile.

Bwahahaha. Amazing. Thank you scholarly gentlemen of Bimmerpost