@Logoman,

The only defective thing about a BMW is the Fuel Economy Rating (especially for the older models)

I presently drive a 1989 325ix (the IX means 4 wheel drive) although I had to remove the front shaft and converted the front to normal E30. I bought the car in October 2006 for N120,000. (You may think it is junk). I had to put in another N80,000 for body work and overhaulling of the Engine by a competent BMW mechanic at Ladipo.

To date after 2 years I still own the car, I have spent about 310,000 in both maintenance and repairs including the cost of converting the front wheels to Normal E30.

The car is reliable,Parts are relatively cheap. Last week I had to change the two front shocks with brand new ones (shaft only) for N6,500.00 (SACS brand), Tyrod N3000, Ball Joints 3700 and Labour about N4000.

What I am driving at here is that this is a type of replacement that is done probably once in 12 months or once in 18 months or even 2 years. Although I do not drive much around town as my office is closer to my house, on long travel and on the highway, I always have this feeling of being very safe in the car knowing it will never just suddenly stop unlike what my previous Honda prelude had done a couple of times.

Every car is good but reliability, safety, comfort and don't forget prestige is another thing. The sound of the engine alone is awesome. Once you've driven and heard the sound of the engine roaring, you will never want to let it go. Drive another car and try to listen for that engine sound if you can hear it.

The thing on Fuel is this. The bigger the engine, the better the performance and the more fuel needed. The 3 series range is easy to choose from unlike the 5 series that is strickly 6 cylinders. The lowest is the 316 as erico analysed 3 means 3 series, 16 means 1.6 litres. Other are 318, 320, 325, 325ix, 330, etc.

Furthermore, a 1996 Honda Accord (Bull Dog) hand an MPG of 24 miles, while a 1996 318 (e36) has an MPG of 23. The difference is just 1 mile. Where the Bimmer can go and come back, the Accord will have a heart transplant after it.

Nigeria is so good that you will be presented with the prices for the original and substandard parts. The choice is always yours to make and identifying them is not a problem.

If you live in Lagos and need a good Mechanic, just drive down to Ladipo. Any part seller will recommend a good mechanic for you. All you have to do is just call him and he will come and pick up your car.

BM forever.

Forget Niga roads.

If the car is not good pple will not be falling over one another to own it.

It is a machine, not a toy like those Japanese.

Good luck.

Peter.

obijack:

It is a machine, not a toy like those Japanese.

at least they consider fuel and people's pockets

https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-194763.0.html


@ logamon

Check out this thread ok. I will give this ride to you at a reasonable prize.

@obijack,
Awesome analysis Peter. Thanx alot.

@oblo,
checked ur link, not quite what i would like to have. thanx

abeg e 190 beta pass all these BMW wen una dey yarn 4 this site jore

bmw's are the BOMB!!!
forget what people say,
i have being driving mine for years,
it's the ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE>>
and the newer ones (2001 till date) are very fuel economical, their a/c's are ice cold, plus they don't overheat,
BUY ONE NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

if u've ever driven a BMW,you'll always keep your options open.from Isuzus to Peugeots,Vauxhalls to Nissans, I've ben fortunate to run them all.
i can tell you that on Lagos-Benin, between Oore & Ofosu, thieves on your tail in a Land Cruiser, the only car that will heighten your chances of getting away is a BMW.
Turning around corners, time taken to regain stability after bouncing, Headlights acuity, Braking distance, the BMW is untouched,
Nothing compares to a fit BMW.
EOD, I hope.

Guys, guys, please, please stop comparing a BMW to hondas, toyotas and whatever those jap metal cans are called. as far as i'm concerned, those that dont appreciate BMWs should not bother about them. you dont lure someone into getting a BMW. You got to have greatness in you to appreciate one. For me, proposing to my girlfriend in a BMW factory is bliss! Jeez the thought of buying the new E60 keeps me awake! I used a couple of cars and nothing compares to a BMW. My advice to jap lovers, whenever you see a BMW, stop and let it pass please. Its the least you can do.
I love BMW, gosh!

Na only poor people or poor dreamers go say good thin no good.

How you go say B M, no dey reliable?, which one come fit dey reliable?, Just talk true, not only can u not afford it, but d dream pass you by.

190 stil beta pass all these bmw wen una dey praise like the best car in the world
benz was the 1st car on earth afta garden of eden so respect all benz products
includin the 190 especially the 190,anyway hondas,toyota come next so mak una keep quiet for bmw mata

word!!

Bros,
I have been using a BMW 320i for over 5 years now. Guy, that machine is something wicked. Before I bought the car, I sought my friend's opinion and he gave the car names like Busted My Wallet and Big Man Wahala. I told him I loved the car so much that I would still buy it. Up till now, no regrets whatsoever. If you want an unforgettable driving experience in an auto built by the world's finest auto engineers, its a Beemer. You may like to know that these Bayerische Motoren Werke (thats the real name) dudes started off with fighter aircraft engines!
This space is too short for my testimony, just call me . The only thing is that yes, the parts are expensive so if you are not on a living wage, you may consider a mazda

did i hear mazda,
it dosent even exist anymore
anyway BMW is an electric car,
always one electric problem or d oda
2 me,
my list remains the same,
1, mercedez
2, toyota
3, honda's
4, BMW/audi**dem drag**
5, odas

Guys, there are three things you should consider when you wanna buy a car,Ground clearance,Fuel consumption and maintanance, eery other thing are almost same for a new cars,if you wanna know the coolness and durability of any kind of car, just do a suray arround the mechanic workshop you can find, se what brands ar predominant in the workshop for repairs, I recon you aint gona find that many BMWs with thier hods up for repair as you will for toyotas,Hondas and the so called 190s lol, oh did I say 190? they've actually stopped manufacturing them I think

Talk of ruggedity (The 5 series),talk of response,talk of safety (u can negotiate 180 degrees at 100km/h and apply break with a bursted front tire without summersault).

I have been driving my BMW 5.35 for the past 5 years without any cause for regrest,though th fue consumption is high and parts relatively high.

That car makes Abuja,lagos and port harcourt 2 times a week without shaking,all u need do is to changet the oil when due.

The engine has never failed me anyday.

I give it anyday to BMW.

@ erico2k2

Hi i need to discuss some issues regarding exporting RHD cars to Nigeria. Please drop me a line at formats50@yahoo.com.

Man, sorry it took so long for me to reply, I aint come to this section for ages, well for starters, it depends on how far you wanna travel fro and to, I have noticed from personal expirience that bigger engines are mor fuel efficient for longer journeys ie motor ways, but shit in town ie driving below 40m/h, but you got more breaking horse power with the bigger engines

To say the least, I have enjoyed this particular thread abour BMWs. I love these machines so much since I was an undergrad in my uni days and I have made up my mind to own one, especially a 3 series, So thanks to all those who have contributed to this, Cheers.BMW, The ultimate driving machine!!!

extremely reliable!!!!

Hmmm, pretty old post but good one.

@Topic

Do NOT compare BMW's with hondas,toyotas or any other asian cars.BMW's are vehicles in a class of their own.They are built for pleasure driving and durability.They are not meant for EVERYONE.It's high maintenance and if you have a maintenance culture imbibed in you, then you wouldn't be complaining.

My dream ride is the BMW X6.Love it.

If you have money to burn, keep driving /looking for a BMW. Otherwise, look for a TOYOTA CRESSIDA. Save money and build a house, then drive a cressida. Stop flushing money down the drain.

wic one be toyota cressida
again

after all said and done u shld be able to count the positive replies against the negative ones BUT as for me I WILL NOT WITHOUT RIDING A BIMMA.
I drive a Nissan but know that I'm not a complete man

BMW all the way.

bmw the best motor on wheels!! cant compare any car in this world to that german machine, one luv! bm lovers

Hi Siena,

You are very correct with respect to the engine designation. Recently my elder brother recently bought a 5 series which I found out had thesame engine as that in my 3 series.

As for my conversion, I had to take the six cyl out and replaced it with an m40 engine 4 cyl for some reasons,

1. I couldn't get a good front shocks for replacement. (I know fit order am because pepper no rest) The price of the one I saw that was almost new was more than 300% over regular e30 shocks.

2. The replacement ball joints were out of reach compared to regular e30.

The front shocks were replaced with regular e30 but the show stopper was the oil pump. So I had the option of getting a 2.5 half engine or replace the engire engine to m40. I chose the later. Though it was a huge cost for me and the car has lost togue I prefered it as I now drive it around town without burning much fuel.

My wife now drives it and apart from minor electricals, the engine is still sounding sweet especially on the highway. It may be sluggish around town but once it picks up, it is always a joy to drive. My wife had to put up her honda civic 96 for sale as refuse to drive it and she is constantly nagging that I exchange the bimmer for the civic. I sold the civic and how drive an e36 320. It has more togue but I still prefer my e30. We have taken the e30 to Ubulu uku (my home town) in Delta state 2wice this year and the engine is still spurring for more action.

"Most German cars will exceed 500,000 miles"

Well said sienna. This is something Iv been preaching and laying emphasis on. Have I ever seen a toyota reach 220k miles?.Dont think so.

I have driven litterally every series of bmw, even back to the 1995 BMW 850CSi coupe (which perhaps a lot of people dont know of), but it was of the most powerful bmw's ever made.

I drove a Le mans blue bmw x5 4.6 for two years, Yes you heard right sienna"BMW X5 4.6 ", lol . A huge gas guzzler I must say, but was a pleasurable driving experience. Gave me the best euphoric and exciting feeling ever. Mileage reached 220k miles when I sold it off and it still drove like brand new.

german007:

Have I ever seen a toyota reach 220k miles?.Dont think so.

Correction, my 1992 Carina E Read 342,*** on the odometer Sometime in january. Bought it when it read 160,*** on the clock in 2000.
Never changed the engine. Still drove magnificently. N i'm sure when i go home this christmas, it'll still ride well.