All Models
Low/Empty Fuel
Allowing your BMW to run out of fuel will
probably result in failure of the pump. The fuel pump is in the fuel
tank, and the electric motor is cooled by contact with the
fuel. Running the pump
without fuel in the tank frequently damages the pump, requiring
replacement
immediately, or in the near
future.
Damage From
Overheating
BMWs have aluminum heads, which are
susceptible to damage from overheating. If the temperature gauge
rises rapidly, or the temperature warning illuminates, pull over as
soon as safety allows, and have the vehicle towed to your repair
shop. Driving a little
further, to avoid being inconvenienced, can easily add $2,000 to
your repair bill (for a 6 cylinder)!
Brake
Wear
Does it seem like your brakes don't
last as long as they should?
Talking on a cell phone while
driving is one cause of premature brake replacement.
On the freeway, watch the veicles ahead for brake lights repeatedly
and without appearant reason, or sometimes continuously
on. When you see one, you'll also probably find the
driver talking on the phone!
Fog
Lights Easily Broken
The low placement of the fog lights frequently results in
breakage from flying debris.
Several companies sell precut clear thick self-adhesive
plastic to cover the lens, protecting it from damage.
Earlier
Engines (M10, M20, M30) Have More Service Needs
The early 4 and 6 cylinder engines require a
valve adjustment at each inspection service. The 1984 1991 325s, 1982
1986 528s and 1989 1990 525s have a timing belt which must be
replaced every 4 years or 60,000 miles. Ignoring belt replacement
may result in a repair bill which exceeds the market value of these
vehicles.
///M in the Model stands for
Money
The M models are high performance and
relatively low volume.
The impact of this is that engineering costs are spread over
fewer units and parts availability is more limited. The early M engines (S14,
S88, S38) were hand built and very complex. A basic rebuild on a 4
cylinder S14 engine (M3 1988-1991) will run in the $7,500-$8,500
range. The big 6
cylinder motors are proportionally more. These vehicles also have
some combination of unique suspension, brake, transmission,
driveline, body and interior parts. They are very rewarding to
drive, but are probably not a good choice if youre on a
budget.
Cooling
System Failures
Several of the components in BMW cooling
systems are made wholly or partially of plastic. Over time, the plastic
becomes brittle and fails due to vibration, system pressure, or a
combination of these. The most notable components are the radiator
and coolant tank.
Also, many of the 6 cylinder engines (91-99)
came with a plastic thermostat housing that is prone to failure
& should be replaced with an aluminum
component.
Light Bulbs
& Failure Detection Circuitry
BMWs have circuitry which monitors current
flow through the light bulbs to tell you if a bulb has failed. The newer vehicles seem
sensitive to the electrical resistance of the bulbs, sometimes
giving erroneous failure warnings when non-German bulbs are
installed.
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