Cost of repair Audi BMW Saab...(crossposting)

A Saab with 300,000 miles isn't all that remarkable; it's more about years than miles. The others are well designed also, so they're probably comparable. As far as repair parts, there's a site called eeuroparts.com (note two e's at the beginning) which sell for Saab, BMW, and Volvo; you can compare relative prices of Saab and BMW there for like items.

All 3 are designed well. Depending on your weather conditions, you might find that the front wheel drive of the Saab is important; I prefer it myself, living in Wisconsin and all. For an anecdotal data point, I have a 1999 Saab 9-5, which has been in exactly twice for other than "normal wear items" (tires, spark plugs, belts), and those two times were the 30,000 and 60,000 mile checkups. It's at 80,000 now and drives like new. I'd buy one again, and in fact this replaced a 1988 Saab that I had 247,000 miles on when I traded it in.

Of course, people feel strongly that the make they own is the best, which is why they bought it. I freely admit a bias, but I am not unhappy at parts costs, since I've needed to buy so few repair parts and they're not so bad.

Dave Hinz

Do NOT buy a SAAB. Do NOT buy a BMW.

Buy an Audi.

I think they're all very nice cars. When buying secondhand it is important to check for past 'issues', sometimes fixed for free by the manufacturers. Some BMW had engines that were dissolved by the petrol and the digital odometer can be changed. It is all a matter of personal preferences. BMWs are very common and their drivers are often ill behaved on the road. The new 1-series BMW looks horrible, like mangled metal. Older Audis look bland, like a piece of soap with wheels. New A4 is nicer. New BMW-5 is interesting, slicing a hole in the air by that little roof fin. BMW Z4? What were they thinking? Again looks like mangled metal. And finally Saabs; the pleasure of proper petrol turbo engineering.

I think you'll find it's more the luck of the draw combined with past owner care/driving style that decide how reliable it will be. It also depends on what you want. If you want sprited driving pleasure, it's the BMW (Audi will be close though, depending on model). If you drive in the snow, quattro is unbeatable, and the Saab FWD is better that the BMW RWD (at least for getting moving, once you're moving it's another story). Personally, I'd stay away from any brand associated with GM (Saab), but that's me. Parts and repair prices for all three will be more that your typical american or mainstream import.

Jim must be new to Saabs - Saabs weren't always owned by GM. The Saabs often quoted as running after 300,000 miles were pre-GM. I currently own two Classic and strongly considering a third. My wife lets me collect cars :-)

He's talking a '97 so that's a "partially GM" Saab.

I think it might be relevant to know which country he's posting from too. Also, is he a DIY guy (parts cost only) or is he paying for labor too ?

Remains to be seen if this is has any drawbacks. In fact it is GM that has been associated with Saab; learning turbo technology and using a 175 bhp Saab turbo engine as an option for GM Vauxhall Vectra. Modern saabs use GM platforms, but they have been heavily modified by the clever Swedish engineers. Saab 9000 (to 1998) and early Saab 900 have no connection with GM.

For me, BMW are too common on the roads. They are not particularly fuel efficient (petrol), although they do have some fine diesels, probably the best. But then if you don't like diesels, you're stuck. And the BMW servicing indicator must be a nuisance if you do your own servicing? I always have an image of BMW drivers being very pushy: "get out of my way" sort of thing.

"speakeasy" wrote

We had a recent discussion in alt.autos.bmw. google for: "Re: How much maintenance?"

Sounds like you're looking for 3-series, for that $. In this set of cars, I doubt that you will find significantly different maintenance costs. Might look at Lexus IS300 if you want Toyota reliability.

Floyd

But pay similar prices (at least in the USA) if you do need repairs.

Not particularly "common" in the USA compared to most other cars. More common in some areas than others though.

Funny how they apparently have the same reputation worldwide. I imagine some of them are nice fellows... but many of them seem to have a bit of an attitude problem.

If I judge myself I must be honest; after getting a BMW I did become more aggresive on the road. But that didn't make me a worse driver. I still pay attention on others.

-- Rajngla t.

The guy I go to for service had this problem with a used BMW he bought for his wife. If you decide on a BMW make sure the year/model you buy does not have this problem.

I had a '95 A6(2.8)Q wagon which I traded at approx. 140K (miles) and now have almost 140K (miles) on a '98 A6(2.8)Q wagon. My repair and maintenance costs have been pretty low. The single most expensive repair was around $600 - but the car was barely out of warranty and Audi picked up half of that. The timing belts have been somewhat expensive as I recall, but every car needs that at rougly 60K.

I'm fussy about reliability and cheap, but I would not hesitate to buy another Audi A6Q.

Good Luck, Bob

they are all very fine cars. IMHO BMW would be a much more enjoyable ride. I have never owned a Saab or an Audi so I cannot compare maintenance costs, but I would imagine they are all not so different.

-Bob- wrote:

Yes, imagine a lump of gooey paste under the car and no engine :) Anyway, BMW keep track of all cars with this problem and will replace the engine for free.

Jaguars were not included in the above. A software bug in auto boxes can sometimes switch the box into reverse! Jaguar are recalling at the moment and apparently not very happy.

Well, not every car; Saabs use timing chains instead of belts :).

Nice enough motor, but pricey though.

Now you are none the wiser, you will see there are more saabies out here. Probably because SAAB being a smaller volumes manufacturer has more of cult following (and GM will screw this up soon).

Where will you do the servicing?

If at a dealer of local mechanic spend your time finding out about the quality of service you will get from them. (it will not be the same everywhere although it should be). My point being it does not (should not?) matter if one dealer/maker charges 100 USD more than another as long as you get what you pay for!

Repairs, concentrate your mind on which exact cars from each make you would like and then ask the questions. SAAB faults for example will affect one model of a particular year(s) not every car (unless it uses the v6 GM engine).

Regards Charles

Of course so do BMWs, at least all the ones sold in the USA.

Matt O.

Not really the petrol, it was only high sulfer content fuel which was not used in all geographical areas. This also only applied to those engines with a nikasil bore treatment of aluminum engine blocks. This means it only applied to the 3.0 and 4.0 liter V8 engines in the US and to certain aluminum block 6 cylinder engines in the european market. No 6 cylinders in the US market ever had the problem. Here is a good synopsis of the issue:

No more so than any other car's odometer. This is a non-issue IMO.

-Fred

Why not call local mechanics (specialists in the brands, both dealer and non-dealer) to get price estimates for the scheduled maintenance intervals?

Good start, but some cars (current Saabs for instance) have that as a free (well, included in the purchase price) service. Also, the planned service may be more comprehensive on one than anotther.

Bottom line - they're all fine cars, with enthusiastic owners. Decide what you want to spend, and then drive one of each at that price point. Buy the one you like the best.

Dave Hinz