Used European/Scandinavian cars

[toothfangclaw]

Sometime this year we are going to be buying a new to us car for around $5k and I am noticing a fair amount of nice looking EU cars(Audi, Sabb, BMW, Volvo etc.). I was wondering what is the realistic operating and owning of these exotics?  I've always heard of the classic $3000 alternator change, $700 oil change. Just wanted to know what life is realistically?  I know it varies between make, model,  year as always.  But are there harder to live with brands then others?

Thanks, Matt

[JimmyHoffa]

Can you do a lot of the work yourself?  If yes, then BMW isn't too expensive (as compared to taking it in).  There is a big parts warehouse in Canada and they would ship parts quickly, but the cost wasn't really much more than parts for common domestic auto parts.  I think the biggy is the labor, they have more features and harder to get to, so it takes longer to do small replacements.  Plus small hands and wiry arms would be a benefit.

[Woodchuck]

I would steer you away from Audi, I see a ton of them in and out of the shop, not much that's "cheap". I would also steer you away from Saab, They are an all but dead company and parts are getting harder and more pricey to come buy, they are also a car that some shops may not want to touch because they are sometimes a little "strange" to work on.
BMW and Volvo are really pretty decent cars, will be a little pricier to work on as parts are just not in as high of demand as say Honda or Toyota.

[jackelope]

Sometime this year we are going to be buying a new to us car for around $5k and I am noticing a fair amount of nice looking EU cars(Audi, Sabb, BMW, Volvo etc.). I was wondering what is the realistic operating and owning of these exotics?  I've always heard of the classic $3000 alternator change, $700 oil change. Just wanted to know what life is realistically?  I know it varies between make, model,  year as always.  But are there harder to live with brands then others?

Thanks, Matt

They're Audi's and Saab's, not Lamborghini's and Ferrari's. There are no $700 oil changes on the cars you mentioned.
They are expensive to fix relative to a Chevy or a Ford, but they're far from actual exotics when it comes to cost of repairs and oil changes. From what I've seen regarding repair costs and specialized equipment needed to properly diagnose their issues, I wouldn't purchase, but I'm not too interested in owning a BMW or a Saab anyway so I'm going to be a bad judge. A $5k one is probably going to be older with a bunch of miles.

[Cap.Silver]

All my relatives in Europe would want to drive US made Pontiacs,Fords ,Chevy's and such because there is not too many around and owning foreign made car makes you look rich  .Most of my german family members drive Audi ,not gas but diesel . Each car make and model has its problems no matter where its made . I'd say stay away from 5000 Audi (unless its inline 5 Audi Qauttro ) ,I would never buy  Wolksvagen (unless its true made in Germany diesel Golf or Passat ) ,some have really good luck with the older station wagon Volvo's ,Saab went belly up few years ago - I don't know if anyone makes parts for them ,BMW - I don't have desire to drive or own one . Older Mercedes could be good buy ,but you spend more money on parts and service IMHO .
My advise to you is rather than buying $5000 used euro made car ,take the money put it as downpayment for something new ,maybe Nissan Versa and finance the rest .Good luck in impossible quest 

[floatinghat]

Might want to give more detail.  What models, years and models?  how many miles? 

[huntnphool]

Sometime this year we are going to be buying a new to us car for around $5k and I am noticing a fair amount of nice looking EU cars(Audi, Sabb, BMW, Volvo etc.). I was wondering what is the realistic operating and owning of these exotics?  I've always heard of the classic $3000 alternator change, $700 oil change. Just wanted to know what life is realistically?  I know it varies between make, model,  year as always.  But are there harder to live with brands then others?

Thanks, Matt

They're Audi's and Saab's, not Lamborghini's and Ferrari's. There are no $700 oil changes on the cars you mentioned.

 $140 tops for those Italian jobs 

[Special T]

Id get an older Volvo diesel wagon. Those things run forever. Cople good shops around that specialize in them as well... Should be pretty easy tho for most things to do yourself...

[toothfangclaw]

Thanks guys. I don't have a specific make or model in mind yet. I am just looking to open up my options because in the past I've always put EU cars on the don't touch or look. Lol

[Kittman]

Just a little input to represent BMW here, wife wanted to get rid of her Expedition a few years back (2008), ended up with a 2002 BMW 325i sport sedan.  No faux wood trim, and a 5 speed stick.  This car handles and drives like a dream.  26-29 MPG average.  Oil changes I do myself, set of plastic car ramps, 8 quarts of Mobil 1 (0W-40) 7 in crankcase, 1 spare for in trunk, oil filter (about $9.00-$10.00) and I am set.  I've had to replace fuel pump (under rear seat) about $155.00 parts, did it myself and easy job.  Door regulator plastic parts needed repair (did myself) and PVC system (not fun!).  In my case the car is used as a POS commuter car daily, mostly for the wife.  Sometimes a love hate relationship, but mostly worth it for us.  I do not know if I would go newer than a 2006 model on these though.  Parts they are using seem to get really expensive with the new cars.  Take your time, shop around there are many good deals to be had on the older ones and are really not that difficult to repair in most cases and the parts can be had as reasonable as any other make.  There is a wealth of knowledge on the BMW forums on the mechanicals and quirks associated with these.

[runamuk]

My parents drove a volvo back in the 70's was a good car, we also had a volkswagen bug or two in the family.

My father had a beamer course dad is mechanically inclined and has a good mechanic on hand and ok so my dad may not be a good one he is a car guy. 

My young friends jetta had the tranny take a dive and she went looking for a car she knows I know car guys so I asked them, she didnt like how the good cars looked and was convinced an audi or jetta was the way to go.  She ended up buying an audi and promptly had problems not covered by her extended warranty  but her car looks good 

I ask the car guys they tell me what to expect and I listen.  fyi they have already all chimed in 

[toothfangclaw]

Thank you all for your help. My beater was wrecked last week. So now I am in the market for a new to me car. I'll take your advise with me. Thank you all for your help.

[Bluemoon]

My sunny day car is a Mercedes SL500,  An oil change is about the same as my Dodge Cummins.  The MB holds 8 Quarts of oil all Synthetic and only needs to be changed every 10K as recommended my MB.  Like the BMW they are quality made and things don't go bad.  When they do, there are on line sites for the do it yourself person.