Well, my 1995 Maxima has been giving me alot of problems lately..You know the regular, oil/hose leaks, starting problems,the seasonal symptoms.

Yesterday, I came across this vehicle that has roughly 150k(maxima 201k dash, 53k on the engine) on the dash, for 8Gs..Its a BMW 328i, that looks really classy and from what I've heard drives like a pearl and has everything a Maxima with an exception of the BMW emblem. 190hp stock, comparible to Maxima..Only thing this car doesnt have is leg room for the passengers..who cares ..

Well, I was wondering what you guys would do if you were in my predicament. Would you trade your 95 maxima with 53k for a 97 BMW 328i (which is a big upgrade)? Or stick with your 95 Maxima because it is repairs isnt as costly as the BMW repairs?

 

thats a tough decision. i would personally keep my maxima if i was in ur shoes. why? cuz i know my max is in great running condition. (minus the oil pan leak) also my max has less than 150k miles vs the beemer.

but if ur max isnt in all dat good of a shape.....get the beemer. i mean....53k miles on the vq isnt really a lot. ur motor has a long way to go. the beemer however has 150k on it. if u know the prev owner and all records and services were kept up to date.....then the decision is up to u. its whatever makes u happy and fits urs wallet.

 

BMW = expensive to maintain.

 

Some of the German import fans on here will say otherwise, but I would seriously stay away from any older model German imports like BMW, Mercedes or Audi.

 

First hand experience with BMW
I have an E36 m3 and the thing is very expensive to maintain. If I were you I would keep the maxima rather than an 150k miles E36 for a daily driver. Seriously is not worth it IMOP. They drive nice when they run right but 40% of the time they don't run right. And giving that the 97 E36 is OBDII is more expensive in repaires.
And if you decided to get the car, better take it to a BMW mechanic and have them check out the car. One of my buddy just bought a 97 m3 and the car is just ****, everything is leaking except the winshield tank. Powersteering pump is bad and such.And just today he found out it has a bend valve which cost $3000 to fix.

just my .02 cent

Regards
jason

 

keep the max, 8g's for 150k bmw...thts too much to me

 

the BMW is a VERY fun car to drive...my aunt has a 330i and not only does it have amazing handling, it has a very good and quiet ride....hers has been very reliable, but not many bimmer owners can say the same...the repairs are veeery expensive, and in most cases, very frequent...fix the max and keep it....

 

fun car to drive, too expensive to maintain...

 

for $8000, you can use that money to fix whatever is wrong with your car and still have enough left over for cosmetic/performance upgrades.

 

I agree with everyone else. The bimmer is sweet but you better have deep pockets for repairs. I'd stick with the Max.

 

Max > 328i- I know cause my buddy has one and I can beat him, max's look better and it cost him $875 to have a strut put on it-WOW-

keep the max...

 

I'm a German import fan, but I'm not so vain as to give poor advice. I agree with you. Keep in mind, a 1995 Nissan is not the same as a 1995 BMW, or 1997. The Nissan can be repaired for say $1000. The other can be repaired for $4000. That's what a German car owner gets used to. If it were me, I wouldn't go any older than an E46. 1997 BMW = nice house in a bad neighborhood dilemma. Looks good, true cost of ownership is not worth it.

 

keep the max. and i'm not feeling the color of that bimmer...

 

As a previous owner of two BMW's, here is my take. Very expensive repairs and maintenance when out of warranty. I would not pay $8K for one with 150k miles. Even if it gets a clean bill of health from a worthy mechanic, it still has 150k miles and sooner or later you are going to have to dish out some mula to get something fixed; then you will find out the true cost of owning a German vehicle. Keep the Max or get something else...

 

dittodittodittodittodittodittodittodittodittoditto dittoditto. etc.

 

I have noticed that older BMWs tend to look all nice and new then one day, BAM they look old and dated. And ditto to all who said the repairs alone would eat up any gains or benefits in changing cars. My brother's Porsche sat in a garage for months to be fixed because it was in need of some obscure part that no one had heard of-- and it was his daily driver. A Nissan can be fixed by anyone-- even me and I'm an idiot.

 

Go to your local BMW dealership and ask what an oil change or a tune up costs, let alone a common repair. Be scared!