So, You Want To Buy A BMW

Common Maintenance Issues To Know Upfront

Ah, the BMW. The pinnacle of luxury mixed with a safe, sturdy build makes this particular brand a must-have around the globe. People from all walks of life, from all backgrounds and creeds, stop to rubberneck at these cars as they go by. They’re sleek, their performance is unlike any other vehicle in the marketplace, so it doesn’t take much education to realize why the public enjoys them so much. However, no make or model or brand of car is devoid of its downfalls, and the BMW is no different. Here are the top three things you need to know about BMWs before you purchase one.

Air Conditioning Failure

The automotive marketplace isn’t perfect, so more often than not brand-name vehicles sometimes come with performance issues. Whether they are design flaws or a symptom of something deeper, that is still speculated. But, the truth of the matter is that AC failure is one of the most common complaints from BMW owners. Beneath the hood of your BMW will lie an intricate web of systems and wiring that easily overheats. As the demand for technology increases within the computer chips of our vehicles, so does the type of wiring necessary to keep all of it functioning at peak performance all of the time. That comes with some serious heat, and the issue is that the heat can quickly eat away at the air conditioning system. So, why does this heat wreak havoc so much? It’s because BMW uses plastic fittings on many of the components within the AC system that have to fuse together in order to work properly. When that plastic gets warped by all of the excess heat, the air conditioning system fails and it’s a bad time for everyone. Make sure to understand this going forward with your purchase.

BMWs Are Known For Their Electrical Issues

It’s no secret to anyone who knows their track record that BMWs, in general, haven’t been rock solid on their electrical systems. From turn signals stopping out of nowhere to failing windshield wipers and cooling fans, all the way up to complete alternator failure, these vehicles sometimes come with complicated electrical kinks to work out. BMW engineers are always on the lookout for ways to fix the growing issues and complaints, but until they develop more improvements it’s good to be aware of what you’re getting into. While none of this is said to steer you away from purchasing a BMW, make sure you have an auto repair shop near you that specializes in these kinds of repairs for these vehicles.

Faulty Ignition Coils

In older models, engine issues–such as a ticking noise coming from the hydraulic lifter–made some drivers so nuts that they returned their newly-purchased N52s. Insane, right? Well, even though BMW doesn’t deal with issues quite like those any longer, they still have a tendency to produce vehicles with faulty ignition coils. While most of these coils can run 100,000 miles or more before they need to be replaced, those same coils in a BMW have been known to last maybe 60,000 miles before requiring replacement. No one knows why, and while most can only speculate as to what’s going on beneath all of the intricate mechanics, the important thing is that you understand that the issue exists.

With these three big things, it’s more important than ever to make sure that you have an auto repair shop around you that specializes in BMW repairs with BMW-certified parts. Don’t let any of this scare you, though. Knowing upfront what you’re getting into in terms of vehicular responsibility is important. It allows you to take a true, unfettered look at the financial and emotional responsibility you’ll be taking on with your purchase. So long as you keep your BMW regularly maintenanced and address small issues before they turn critical, you’ll be able to head off most big issues at the pass.

In the market for an auto repair shop that has ACE-certified technicians who are versed in all things BMW? That’s where we come in. At Eurofed Automotive in Duluth, GA, our team of experts are standing by, waiting to assist you the moment you call. Give us a ring at to speak with someone now, or simply walk inside any of our 13 locations to talk with someone face-to-face! We have auto repair shops scattered across Georgia in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Buckhead, Decatur, Duluth, and Snellville, along with locations in Austin, Texas; Charlotte, NC; and Jacksonville, FL. So, come on down and let us show you what we’re all about! I promise, your BMW couldn’t be in better hands than ours.