Summary of "The Only BMWs Worth Buying"

Summary of “The Only BMWs Worth Buying”

This video reviews BMW cars across different eras, focusing on which models and engines are worth buying and which ones to avoid due to reliability and maintenance costs.

Key Information About BMW Cars

Main Features & Highlights

BMW engines are the most critical factor in determining a car’s reliability and value, more so than the model itself.
BMW has gone through five distinct eras, each with different reliability and engineering quality.
Inline 6 engines are generally the best and most reliable BMW engines.
Maintenance, especially frequent oil changes (every 3,000–5,000 miles for M cars), is crucial to BMW longevity.
Avoid overly complicated electronics and luxury features that add potential failure points.
Automatics from the 2000s onward improved but require regular transmission fluid changes despite “lifetime” claims.
XDrive (all-wheel drive) adds complexity and potential issues; avoid unless necessary.

Era Breakdown & Recommendations

1. Golden Era (Classic BMWs, pre-2000s)

Simple, mechanical, bulletproof cars.
Avoid V12 engines due to complexity and maintenance costs.
V8s are generally reliable but expensive to repair.
Inline 6 engines from this era are highly recommended.

2. Transition Era (Early 2000s: E39, E46, E90, E60)

Introduction of more tech and bigger cars.
Best engines:
- M54 (last old-school inline 6)
- N52 (BMW’s best non-M naturally aspirated inline 6)
Recommended models:
- E39 530i (early 2000s)
- E46 330i
- Z3 3.0i
- Z4 3.0i (N52 engine)
- E87 130i (manual hatchback)
- E46 M3 (needs special care, frequent oil changes due to rod bearing issues)
- X3 and X5 3.0i (prefer diesel M57 for SUVs)
Avoid:
- Four-cylinder petrol engines (N42, N45, N46) – unreliable and slow
- V8s and especially E39 M5 unless you have serious expertise and budget
- V12s (E65 760i) – very complex and unreliable
- E60 M5 – expensive and problematic

3. Dark Times (Mid 2000s to early 2010s)

Introduction of turbocharged engines, notably the N54 twin-turbo inline 6.
N54 engines have massive tuning potential but are prone to failures (high-pressure fuel pump, injectors, turbos).
Facelift E90 330i with N53 engine is similarly unreliable.
Avoid:
- Four-cylinder petrol engines
- V8s and M5s from this era
Recommended:
- Late E90 335i with N55 engine (2010–2012) – more reliable than N54 but still a gamble
- F20 M135i, F22 M235i – only if well maintained and with known service history
- F30 340i and F32 435i with N55

4. Modern Era (2010s to present)

Introduction of B58 inline 6 engine – currently one of the most reliable BMW engines.
Still some BMW typical issues like cooling system problems due to plastic parts.
B48 four-cylinder engine is finally reliable and good for modern four-cylinder petrol cars.
Recommended:
- Facelift versions of M140i and M240i
- G20 330i, M340i, G24 230i, M240i, G29 Z4 M40i
- X3 M40i and X4 M40i SUVs (if forced to buy an SUV)
Avoid:
- Hybrids due to battery concerns

5. M Cars (Performance Models)

F80/F82 M3 and M4 with S55 engine are powerful and relatively reliable but require strict maintenance.
Rod bearing issues are common; oil changes every 3,000–5,000 miles are mandatory.
Latest M cars (G87 M2, G80 M3, G82 M4) are powerful, reliable for M cars, but still fragile and maintenance-heavy.
Owner experience varies; neglect leads to expensive failures (rod bearings, oil filter disintegration).

Pros and Cons

Pros

Inline 6 engines (M54, N52, N55, B58) are reliable and deliver classic BMW driving feel.
Modern automatics have improved significantly.
Some modern engines (B58, B48) show promising reliability.
M cars offer exhilarating performance if maintained well.

Cons

Many BMW engines, especially turbocharged and four-cylinder petrol engines from mid-2000s to early 2010s, are unreliable.
V8s and V12s tend to be expensive to maintain.
BMWs require frequent and careful maintenance; neglect leads to costly repairs.
Complex electronics and luxury features add potential failure points.
BMW’s “lifetime” transmission fluid claims are misleading; fluid changes are necessary.
XDrive systems add complexity and can cause mechanical issues if tires aren’t matched perfectly.

User Experience & Tips

Always check the engine type when buying a BMW, not just the model.
Research chassis codes and production years to identify reliable engines.
Avoid facelift models with known problematic engines (e.g., facelift E90 330i in Europe).
Regular oil, transmission, and differential fluid changes are critical.
Avoid cars with excessive electronic features or complex options unless necessary.
Trustworthy previous ownership and maintenance history are crucial.
BMWs are premium cars needing premium care; they are not as bulletproof as some Japanese brands.

Comparisons

N54 engine compared to Toyota’s 2JZ for tuning potential but less reliable.
B58 engine considered more reliable than N55 but still unproven long-term.
Diesel engines (M57) preferred for torque in SUVs over petrol variants.
M cars require more maintenance than regular BMWs but offer superior performance.

Overall Verdict / Recommendation

Buy BMWs with classic or modern inline 6 engines (M54, N52, N55, B58).
Avoid four-cylinder petrol engines from mid-2000s to early 2010s and complex V8/V12 engines unless you have a strong maintenance budget.
M cars are fantastic but demand diligent maintenance and frequent oil changes.
Use chassis codes and engine codes to identify reliable models.
BMW ownership is rewarding but requires acceptance of higher maintenance costs and regular servicing.
If buying used, prioritize cars with well-documented maintenance history and avoid heavily optioned or all-wheel-drive variants unless needed.

Different Speaker/Contributor Views

The main speaker emphasizes engine choice over model.
A mechanic’s perspective highlights the importance of maintenance and known issues.
Owner anecdotes illustrate the variability in reliability depending on care.
Enthusiast perspective appreciates classic mechanical simplicity and modern performance but warns about complexity.

In summary, the video serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating BMW ownership by focusing on engine reliability and maintenance demands, recommending certain models and engines while warning against others that are likely to cause expensive problems.