thejulex

And I only pushed you towards wagon 5 series as these are very nice cars that don't require almost any maintenance. No timing belt, no turbos to die, very strong (as for their displacement), BMW just makes better cars perios.

My wife has x5 now, we had 2 separate Z3s (for many years) and my family has about 5 different BMWs ranging from 1992 with 250k miles on it to 2003 5 series... I can't remember anything serious breaking on any of them bar the water pump once overlooked on a 120k car... normal interval is 90k on these.

I checked classified and coupld easily find sub 10k 5 series circa 2002 albeit with 100k mileage but for BMW it is nothing... for turbo Audi 100k is guaranteed expensive problems.

Think again

mustbeaudi

I had a 2000 V70R (262 hp, 5 sp auto, same body as yours). allroad is less reliable and will cost you more in upkeep than you probably imagine. It's a newer design and engineered/finsihed to a higher standard with more amenities than the V70R, less sporty unless you tighten it up (it's heavy, plows and leans, easily addressed with Hsport sways), more comforable and luxurious, and way way more complex. Even more iconoclastic, too. Still, I have to agree that you might better like the BMW 5 in the longer run, and consider the smaller yet nice A4 Avants (that 2.0t is one sweet engine, IMHO) if the smaller size is okay.

RedBlackYellow

We've got a 2001 2.7t allroad and a 2004 v8 allroad and the v8 hauls majorly compared to my poor stock 2.7t. If I really feel like moving I put the v8 allroad in sport mode on the driveshift it really goes.

soledoc

OK...now you've definitely got me thinking more logically now about the 5 series wagon. I even talked to my previous volvo salesguy (who is a personal friend) and now sells porsche/audi and he said stay away from the allraod unless 4.2, but even at that he was hesitant. He said maybe the S6 Avant but that's too rare and a little more money than I'm willing to spend.

Good advice here guys. I appreciate it.

mustbeaudi

Oh, S6 might work for you but could be more costly than V8 allroad.

MYD-WGN

I have the 4.2 and find it very reliable.In 146k I've had to replace 3 coil packs and spennd $500 on fixing the ac shaft.Not to many cars can claim that.

thejulex

I am in the middle of engine pull now and found one more thing that will break very soon. It seems like factory clamp on one of the control arms slipped right off power steering rack a long time ago and the whole side is bacially a big lump of rust. I am surprised the steering rack doesn't have a big leak yet...

To put it into perspective, this is what failed on 2001 2.7t 130k miles and I am in the middle of replacing now:

- front half axles - ones skips when turning
- front rotors warped
- secondary air injection pump dead for some time - makes noise and throws engine codes
- leak in coolant system narrowed down to usual secondary coolant pump - $15 a bottle coolant, needed 1-2 bottles a week to not run dry.
- one cat is out - CEL light.
- turbo died two weeks ago - left a wall of smoke behind the car
- power steering rack
- leak from valve cover on passenger side

Stuff recently done:
- front air sacks replaced in january, one just died miserably...
- TB/seals/water pump in january since water pump failed after 40k miles...

I am doing all the work myself but the parts themselves are probably as much as I paid for the car... Turbos (k04s) cost 2.3k new for the pair. If I had to pay for labor to do these... 3-4k just for labor in my estimate.

Mind you that the exmaple above is by no means a lemon, this is just normal stuff that happens to ARs as you can find our on these boards.

I only keep this car because I want k04s and some serious power in wagon car.


Now, let's sum up maintenance on the Z3 I sold in march on (2000 BMW Z3 2.5L engine with 160k miles on it):

- replaced water pump at 110k
- some minor items like coolant change, spark plugs even though the original ones at 150k were still running perfectly.
- NOTHING ELSE


The car run like a clock work.



Still want an AR?

K2audi

X 2...S6 Avant would be a great alternative.

03 Cobalt allroad

I had a 97 A4 - Went 190k did timing belt service at 90k and front control arms at 150k thats it !
Wife had 2002 A6 Avant 120k no troubles - Did timing belt service at 95k thats it
We also had a 2000 A6 2.7t lost turbo at 160k - did timing belt at 101k

I briefly had a 2003 330i - spent more time in the shop than any car i have ever owned, Oil Leaks, Windows leaked (interior wet after every friggin storm...yes i put the windows up !) Check Engine light came on at least 5 different occasions in the 9 months I had it - we unloaded it for the 2002 A6 Avant

I think Audi had a much better fit and finish than BMW - they just dont feel as solid to me.

I just bought a 03 allroad no probs so far ....I think you run the risk of having a problematic car when ever you buy used regardless of brand. I will say that Turbo replacement does suck....big money - but if I wanted low performance and low cost of owner ship I would have bought a Prius !

Regards,

D