Bought the car from Carsome beginning of the year at 95k mileage. Essentially, I've spent close to RM10k on fixes throughout the months which includes:

1. Changing the battery
2. Fixing auxiliary battery (Drivetrain issue)
3. Engine coolant leaking (Latest and current issue that happened over the weekend).

In view of this, getting rather pissed off with the car itself (and Carsome for doing a bullshit job with their multi points checking). The question is, have I fixed enough of the major wear and tear issues to continue driving the car for next 1-2 years? Or should I just sell it off and get another car and do a better job checking for issues for next car?

Would deeply appreciate the advises from the sifus here.

How much you bought the car for and when?

RM93k. Bought this year Jan.

not sure about the F30e but i have a F10 (bought new from AB), spent a fortune repairing and fixing on the 9th year of ownership (close to RM25k) replacing parts due to wear and tear etc (both interior and exterior).

just replaced one of the ECU board for RM5k (plus labor) about 2 weeks ago - sourced for a used part because the original one costs almost RM8k. with this, it tallies up to RM32k in repairs/replacements

Bro, you bought used? If you want to buy used especially you must expect to pay what the previous owner dont want to fix/maintain. Unless you damn like this ride and plan to drive another 3~5 years then fix.

Want short term/cheaper fix - Ask for half-cut/oem parts replacement

This post has been edited by littlefire: Oct 9 2023, 02:03 PM

Okay kot 32k in 9 years?...around 3.5k yearly

oh! the RM32k only refers to the lump sum payment that i made in the 9th year. not the actual amount spent by me throughout the duration of my ownership

figured that amount would give TS a better picture of the sum to be spent since TS bought it used 6 years after. i have lost track on how much i have actually spent maintaining it throughout the 9 years and i don't intend to, going to cry later

Wa...did you keep track how much it cost to maintain for all 9 years? BMW memang banyak masuk workshop...makes me think twice to get one.

9th year eh? I actually only plan to drive it another 2 years max. So now its a question of whether I just want to sell it off now or keep it for another 1-2 years.

i used to have a file that i kept all the receipts/invoices etc. for monies spent on the car but i guess i must have misplaced it when i moved houses, in it, a record of at least 3 years but after the file was lost, I don't have the enthusiasm to start all over again so i kinda forget about it

i think i would count myself lucky in the sense that the car had never gave me any major problems (despites the brand's notorious reputation), it has been nothing more than the usual maintenance and then wear and tear stuffs. it's just that the parts and labors were much more expensive than my other Japanese makes.

a few major things that i can recall immediately right now is:-

(1) the gear lever, the release tab got stuck for some odd reason and i had it replaced under warranty else, that would be RM8k (based on the warranty claim sheet) and this was sometime back in 2011;

(2) passenger side mirror, was an unfortunate victim of a "hit-and-run" motorcyclist - paid RM3k for the back cover + painting (thank goodness the mirror was intact) else that's another RM4k (because it's an auto-dimming one); and

(3) the infamous sticky interior panels - RM5k (parts & labor) to replace everything new with AB.

You changed all these from service center or outside shop?

my opinion is that if you only INTEND to drive it for another 2 years max then stop wasting money on it because you will only be paying it forward to the next owner who buys your car. sell it as soon as your can and get yourself something more affordable.

having said that (iirc), the 330e is spec'd to the brim (with all the Msport package trims) and honestly, i personally thinks that the car still looks spanking-ly relevant and still relatively modern (especially in that Estoril Blue which i absolutely adore) so if i were you, i would rather fork out the money and replace/replace whatever i need to and then you are sure to get at least 5 years of out it, easily.

factoring the loan interest that you lose and the depreciation that will hit you when you sell it now, it may make more sense for you to keep it rather than dispose off it.

BMW is a non stop money pit. Just get rid of it and get a Toyota or Honda if you want it to be a daily driver. Sounds familiar ?

well, here and there but for the most parts at an outside workshop recommended by the club members and so far, i couldn't tell the difference except that i don't have people serving me free flow coffees and pastries

EDIT: oh, i read wrongly. if you are referring specifically to the items in my earlier post then all of them are attended to by authorized service centre.

This post has been edited by shaniandras2787: Oct 9 2023, 03:08 PM

I'm heading to the bank to check what's the amount I need to pay to settle off the loan. If I can sell off the car sufficient to cover everything, I might go ahead and sell it. Let's see what the bank says.

Good luck and i hope you are not doing this base purely on impulse.

The whole used car market exercise is actually centered along repairs / replacements, which is why you are buying the car at a huge "discount" (depreciation). You can't buy a used car that hardly needs fixing (especially contis like BMWs )

I think thats all the issues for the 330e f30. You've got it covered

But why its not covered under bmw warranty? Isnt it last time they have 8 years warranty

8 years for battery

what u have fixed will benefit to next buyer.
so pakai lo. but afaik we already predict 2027 will loss value further more, becos it become a cash deal car

This post has been edited by ktek: Oct 10 2023, 12:41 AM

TS, 2021 and 2022 test drove many 330e BMW from Carsome cz many units, good price, for 2017 unit. One thing I noted, Carsome 0 knowledge about the car from many branches I went. Ask if the previous owners made warranty claim during the first 4/5 years usage, no idea. What is the previous service history by owner, no idea. If the car already went for couples of services recall, also no idea. Better take from direct owner from FB group if really wanna buy that car. Especially one with proven service history, sure got cz FOC service at SC

Buy Lexus. Surprisingly the service is still affordable. Except the car price on higher side due to CBU. Recond unit also expansive

You need to direct ask from BMW service center for history check if it is bought new from local dealer, unless it is recon unit then no choice. Sometimes direct owner also wont be honest, is better to still bring a trusted mechanic to check it out together.

It because Carsome already written they had done Pre-check, pre-inspection and warranty covered even though doubt they cover all for the warranty. If im TS buying Bmw used, will get it from direct owner or buy new since free 5 years service

im previously aim for 330e too. but end up bought f20 for my wife from sime darby auto selection. so far so good. just regular oil change and changed brake pad.

but the price of used bmw hybrid is very tempting. for example used 2018 g30 and x5 are below RM150k.

I am a bit skeptical when it comes to hybrid, PHEV and EV...I am looking into 2023 BMW X3...the last one with physical buttons before the next facelift but don't know if it's reliable.

I am also eye-ing on the new Mercedes GLC 300 but that car a lot of electronics and comes with mild hybrid so a bit takut jugak..

Hybrid for Bmw, too many cases. My vendors with G30 530e, also had many issues, covered under warranty. But per cases need 3 days stay under SC

the SA told me even with extended warranty campaign for the used hybrid, only battery is covered and not the electronic control module that will cost a bomb to replace. that why used hybrid is cheap.

G30 530 was better and higher RV. Love the G30 design look.

good luck on finding less electronics for new cars

can consider lexus for less headache. family have a nx200 since launch and still driving strong without any major issue

so reliable that we bought the new nx 350

pre LCI with 6 pots?

Buy tesla model y AWD

I thought carsome provide warranty?

BMW = Bottomless Money Wasted. I gave up being a Bimmer fanboy after my F13 gen M6 because it spent more time in the workshop than on the roads. Although the repairs were free, I bought the car to drive it, not to have it grace the workshop floor of PML Sime Darby (in Singapore).

Good luck, TS. I’d dump and cut my losses if I were you.

I got a 320d from 2012

Spent about 40k with fix and upgrade since ownership

It’s 12 year old and I got it second hand when it was 6 year old

So far so good. Next change will be its absorber and sprints as it’s been 6 year since last change

Overall since it’s fully paid I treat maintenance like it’s monthly repayment lol

Only reason I keep it due to 220hp and 470nm of torque and it’s a diesel


Also to add most of my cost are using original parts, and I don’t skimp on quality. For example when I change my absorber and sprint 6 year ago I changed to blistien b8 with eibach springs and my turbo kong also send to Tong turbo to fix and upgrade to hybrid design ( korek intake and exhaust as well use ball bearing for the fins). Rest are original bmw parts only. No china shit oem. Oh yah intercooler also using airtec

So my maintenance cost is based on quality. It cheap part likely half of that kot

This post has been edited by Roadwarrior1337: Oct 12 2023, 09:04 AM

Too many *

This post has been edited by ayamxxx: Oct 12 2023, 09:45 AM

nope, 4 pots.

I too own a diesel Bimmer. My 8 years ownership since new was all good! I know everyone would condemn conti cars but I had nothing but praises for my ride. All in all, the cost of maintenance in the course of my ownership was roughly RM11k plus minus. The biggest bill was perhaps changing the main pulley and the coolant hoses which came close to RM3k. The 2nd biggest bill was perhaps the battery (AGM DIN105 the biggest) which cost RM 2k original BM. Now you can get the same spec battery for less than RM1k with China brands.

Anyway, loving my ride to the bits. But I'm using it as a weekend drive for now coz I have another fun ride for my daily drives.

sell it off and buy toyota veloz

Ya true the new NX350 looks good...the old Lexus interior is ugly IMHO. But then as a fanboy..need to get at least 1 time conti car ma

Now still contemplating between XC60, X3 and GLC300 Plan to get a 2-3 years old car...not worried about the installment but I am worried on the repair cost lol...probably will set aside 10k a year..but don't know enough or not

This post has been edited by Duckies: Oct 16 2023, 09:04 AM

Repair cost, after service, expertise available outside SC, dont take Volvo.

Sad to break the truth, most aftermarket turbo spare parts are from China manufacturer especially those upgrade hybrid design. Dont believe, just search in Aliexpress. Dont assume few bad apples all are bad, some China suppliers does got quality parts also. I can say you pay what you get.

Cause Volvo is more expensive to repair and harder to find outside expertise?

lack of expertise other than SC. for BMW, Merz plenty of skillful outside, parts can even purchase online or at Parts shop and bring to workshop for installation. Volvo, most conti shop also reluctant and some don't even take it for problem issue for repair.

Ah I see I see...Between BMW and Mercz which 1 more problem?

This is good piece of info from the ground. I test drove the S60 over the weekend and honestly can say that the drive is immaculate. Cabin size, power, boot space are all better than my current drive. Only thing that I had to get used to was looking at a squared screen for the infotainment rather than a rectangular one.

But if if one were to buy a Volvo now, they get 5 years warranty and free service no? After 5 years, one can sell off the car or hope to dear lord that the mechanics out there in the market have learnt to deal with Volvo cars?

all Volvo models come with Hybrid system. Try follow their FB Group, have also issue that make the car need to sleep at SC for weeks. For peace of mind, better take car without any hybrid system. I know my friend fed up with BMW 530E cz keep pop up issue, he even said many similar cases as him at SC. Volvo with Hybrid, after warranty ended, sure hard to find brave buyer.

Not able to find the FB group you're talking about but will keep checking when I have time.

Having said that, what are the good options out there at a RM300k range? Merc owners are telling me Merc got a lot of issues. BMW owners (and myself as a owner) experiences a lot of issues. Safe to say, just forgo conti cars then? Haha...

RM32k? wow.
My 8 year old Toyota Camry Hybrid, daily driver, touch wood i haven't spend a single cent fixing it yet.
the only time i spend money is the regular service and changed the 12v battery once.
Wiper, brake pad all still haven't change before.

yeah RM32k is a LOT of money to fork out but I tend to do my calculations as an aggregate sum so that makes it a little bit more palatable but I guess you get what you paid for, nothing i currently own drives like it despite its age. however an aging continental IS an aging continental and there is going to come a time where the costs of repairs will outweigh the benefits.

so, i'm presently looking to offload it and then buy a Harrier as a replacement. I think i had my fair share of continental fun and now it's time to be sensible

I wonder newer cars like 2021 and above will have more problem or not

as far as i know, car manufacturers are using more and more lightweight plastics for construction (on the facade of saving weight but in reality, cheaper costs) PLUS with the increase of more and more electronics, i can only infer that reliability will suffer. after all, it's the manufacturer's job to make sure that the car will "die" otherwise they cannot sell more cars.

yaya... all brand the same... plastic is getting everywhere

when i was small my dad own a 3 series coupe. when my dad passed away, my mom sold it off as she said too expensive to maintain.
that time i don't really know what she means expensive to maintain. now i know.
My niece just bought the new 5 series. wonder what will it cost to maintain it in future.

ouh... was it a 325Ci (E46)?



P/S: I love this car too bits but can hardly find a decent one that is not modded to hell.

Did she bought the 5series new, used or CPO?

if it's new then she shouldn't have much to worry about (for 3 years at least) however if it's either used or CPO then she might be in for a trip. just curious, how old is your niece and what is her occupation? very rarely i heard for a women to buy a sedan of that size. most of them either go for the X3 or the 3series

That's sad...there goes my dream to get one..I don't wan to send my car frequently to workshop

hahaha owning a continental car is not all about going to workshops. this misconception is widespread because the owners have either zero knowledge in car maintenance or is too cheap to give the car the good parts. i have been in an argument with a club member who insist that his F10 can take the same lubricants/parts/service as his Camry and coincidentally, he is the one of the few that rants the most about the car giving him issues

in summary, it's an experience. i have learned so much about cars just by attending to my F10 because my other Japanese makes gave me no problems at all to worry about

as long as you have reliable car ready at your disposal, i say go ahead and live your dream.

I am driving Mazda CX-5 now for 5 years...so far no problem. Not sure if I want to switch that to a potential problematic conti hahaha I do prepared a budget for the repair...but if the car is stuck at workshop for weeks or months...then it sucks

Mazda is a very reliable car (as far as I am concern) so you pretty much have that aspect taken care of.

you can start by scouting F30s (if BMW is your choice), have heard that the F30s are generally a very reliable car but do avoid the 1.5 litre engine. as far as time spent in workshops, you probably could get the car in and out in no more a week now.

diagnostics have come a very long way whereby one plug into the OBD port can tell the mechanic exactly what is the problem. no more poking around in the engine bay and "assuming" what is wrong

Was planning to replace the current one with a conti SUV...so a bit redundant to get 2 SUVs hahaha

i see, i assume you bought your CX5 new from BERMAZ, yes?

to me, it will always be a bad idea to replace a brand new car with a used car (no matter the brand). too risky. to own a continental car, one must always have a reliable Japanese make car on standby

Ya I bought it new from Bermaz. Sadly my partner doesn't want the SUV or else I can pass it to her hahaha. She prefers her old Myvi..easy to drive and park, petrol saving and cheap to maintain

myvi can consider one of the steel made yea...
you rarely see them breakdown over the road side vs many other cars

Volvo parts are expensive & harder to get this is for sure.
My mechanic did a comparison cost before for continental similar model across BMW/Merc/VW - Similar cost, Porsche/Audi/Volvo - More expensive
BTW there is a catch, if you know the part no. share between VW/Porsche/Audi it is cheaper to maintain compare to Volvo as there is a so call Porsche/Audi tax (30% higher) if buy from official store.

Thus why my mechanic bite the bullet and bought Porsche Cayanne 3.6 VR6 & Boxter 986 2.5 flat 6 (both used for sure) for experiment and his gamble is true, parts are more reasonable if you know VW equivalent and aftermarket used parts/half-cut are even more cheaper and easily available compare to Volvo.

If got friend want to sell Porsche at a good value, just buy it.
German spare parts support are really far more better compare to the Swedish/China brand.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Oct 17 2023, 09:37 AM

i am sure no one will reject if it is given for free

You will be surprised how girls don't like SUV

Hahaha Porsche is out of league for me...even it's cheaper to source the parts if you have the know-how but it's still to expensive for me to maintain and repair. BMW and Mercs probably still feasible.

Probably when I want to buy them I need to find a good workshop first haha

most of my female cliques swear by high riding vehicles (cross-overs, SUVs), the mothers like SUVs whereas the singles and attached ones love cross-overs. they dislike the fact that they can't see that much out of the vehicle in sedans and the fear of getting stuck in floods.

i assume that your partner is petite then, the CX-5 can be quite imposing if so

Ya she's petite in size Hmm..I'll most probably sell my CX-5 and get a used 2-3 years old X3 or GLC300 when the time comes. If really break down then I'll use my partner's Myvi hahahaha

Well, you are damn wrong if you think all Porsche must be expensive to maintain and repair. If you are buying the lower range model like my mechanic did, the maintenance is quite similar across other continentals just the mechanic want to chop you or not. I can tell, spare part price is quite similar across.

Those expensive 1 are the high performance model like 911 model or Cayenne turbo with the V8 turbo engine. Those are really expensive to maintain similar to BMW M series. If you knew anyone which own real M series, they will know how much maintenance difference compare to normal lower range models.

This post has been edited by littlefire: Oct 17 2023, 10:02 AM

I am assuming the one your mechanic bought is the one with 3600c Porsche...road tax also can kill me haha. Jokes aside I also do not have the know-how like your mechanic does so it'll be a big challenge.

Yes Conti car had bunch or more OEM parts as option that are working just fine as Original, and in rare case work better than an original parts. Buyer if willing to spend some time reading online, sure can find the OEM/ Aftermarket parts that are affordable to buy and no issues to use. Most workshop here love to keep on scaring old owner to die2 use original parts that not just expansive, but markup extensively by them. Try getting a Brake Pad replacement at Merz SC/ Authorized Dealer and sure the bills will make a heartbeat move fast for the owner.

This post has been edited by ayamxxx: Oct 17 2023, 06:47 PM

but i really hope that you would keep the CX-5 and sell the Myvi away instead. the CX-5 is the better drive after all. Perhaps entice her first with the CX-5, let her get familiar and maybe she will grow to like it.

i have a few female colleagues who is driving the CX-5 and they absolutely love it because they can "bully" other people on the road :haha: furthermore, it is much safer than the Myvi so it gives you a peace of mind when she is on the road.

What about warranty? Which conti car brand allows you to change the most during the warranty period? I've heard stories of people changing a crazy amount of parts right before their warranty ends.


I can vouch for this as a CX-5 owner. My wife loves the car and to be frank, she uses it to bully her way around traffic jams and when on the highway. (Disclaimer: not when my kid is in the car la at least)

Wear & tear items mostly dont have warranty, example like brake pads. you need to be smart and ask what item got warranty or not.
Most SC will try to scare owner to change in their center as they can charge higher and earn more. In reality most of these parts are not that expensive.

This. Similar to tyre, those are wear & tear parts. No warranty. Change it outside

I got friends that bought 330e either it's 2017/2018 that still under warranty last year, after bought 2nd went to claim full warranty to change all changeable parts.

That's what they told me and is this claim valid?

Depends on the technician. If there’s no damage, they won’t change. This is Slime Darby after all right?

on the final year of warranty... you request an end of warranty inspection and they will change whatever necessary, excluding normal wear n tear items...

Oh, for real? Is this valid for all cars or just BMW?

I have extended 7 year warranty plans for both my Porsches in Sydney. Am thinking of doing this at the end of the warranty period.

Yes, thats the term.

Completing on this that still have warranty or CLA200 1.6.

Going to test drive both model soon.

for sure bmw n mini provide FREE end of warranty checks and fixes... others dunno

alternately you PAY for a thorough inspection and request faulty items to be replaced under warranty

I don’t mind paying, especially for the last of the non-hybrid 911 GTS (I’m so glad I made the right call)

you baby your 911 so much... its probably still like new after 7 yrs

i drove my bmw hard... after warranty done only then i baby her... hahaha

583km on the odometer only …. It’s not that I baby it. It’s that my wife hates it and refuses to get in it with me. She prefers the Cayenne’s air suspension comfort.

i think these merc is 3 yr warranty?

make sure mileage hasn't been tampered... if real mileage has exceeded warranty you gg...

330e will drive better than cla200... but i would seriously look at cla250 instead...

Is this the old CLA or new (present generation) CLA?

The new one is a much better drive than the old, and IMHO looks better too

Okay, add another model cla250. Haha. All of them are under 100k used.

2015 cla200
2015 cla250, I browsed through carlist and saw one still have warranty until 2027. A bit on the warranty part.
2018/2019 330e, need to make sure can do the end of year warranty claim.

Ah, ok. Thanks for the clarification on the CLA.

it will repeat the same thing TS, want lesser problem then buy new..
You buy an old car for sure wear and tear and replacement of part is needed.
Unless you buy a car like 3 years then you might able to enjoy problem free for first 2 year unless the previous owner did not take care well.
These drivc train and battery issue i believe not easy to diagnose.
leaking yes if its major, but as you said you used a few month only saw the leaking.

old cla... M'sia stopped bringing new cla models... got only a and c class

used car sellers all tamper mileage one... be very cautious also listings mostly cut n paste... but anyways one has to start somewhere...

as for bmw... can also consider 330i while you are at it... i think its ok also if previously done end of warranty claim, then you know car is local n just 'refreshed'...

anyways good luck... buyers market now... lowball the sellers...

whats your 911 shoe size... 20" staggered?