How much to maintain an early 90s BMW/Merc?

[kzone]

Guys, do any of u own an early 90s BMW or Merc? How much do u spend on maintenance? What are the major repair costs expected? And how about road tax/insurance?

Edited September 4, 2011 by kzone

[MS]

Guys, do any of u own an early 90s BMW or Merc? How much do u spend on maintenance? What are the major repair costs expected? And how about road tax/insurance?

 

Depends on condition. The price can vary greatly. So it is very hard to determine a price.

The insurance also depends on your profile.

 

What I can advise is to go to stockists like Eng Soon and Golden Link and buy aftermarket equivalent instead of OE components from C&C or PML. These aftermarket parts are similar to OE. I will suggest the BMW as it's easier to source for aftermarket parts.

 

There are some good brands to go to if you need.

 

ZF (most BMW use ZF Transmission)

ZF Lenksysteme (The steering division of ZF which BMW is also using 99%)

SACHS (BMW and MB use this brand of shock absorbers widely)

BOGE (an alternative brand to SACHS)

ZF PARTS (the after market steering division of ZF Lenksysteme)

Lemfoerder (the monopoly player of the suspensions market for continental cars. available only at Eng Soon)

BOSCH (electronic parts for both BMW and MB)

 

TRW, Bilstein are also renowned brands you can trust.

[Throttle]

Back in 2002, i owned a 1995 BMW 318is coupe Manual.

road tax is standard for a 1.8 liter car

Insurance was cheap becos car was fully paid with a very high paper value so i bot 3rd party fire and theft. I was 30yrs old. Enough of history. Back to present.

You hv to consider following:

 

If car exceeds 15yrs road tax is 1.5times standard

Insurance for you will be higher then mine even if you buy 3rd party FT becose you hv no NCD

Maintenance for a manual BMW is cheaper than auto as gearboxes are hardier however if you are particular expect to replace the following:

Fuel pump $400

Water pump and hoses $800

Rubber seals $600

Suspension $1500

Miscellaneous $1000

 

Therefore you need to set aside at least 5k for maintenance and repairs.

 

If you manage to find perfectly maintained car (like mine)

Then regular servicing work is as cheap as any Modern Jap.

 

note that prices i mentioned are indications base on my personal general knowledge of BMW part.

 

For Mercy i hv no experience with old ones

Edited September 4, 2011 by Throttle

[kzone]

Thanks for quick reply guys!

 

expect to replace the following:

Fuel pump $400

Water pump and hoses $800

Rubber seals $600

Suspension $1500

Miscellaneous $1000

 

Therefore you need to set aside at least 5k for maintenance and repairs.

 

Are these the recommended one off replacements when u get the car and can last long term (5 yrs or more) or the problematic parts that may need regular change?

 

Re insurance - will this as per normal newer car or higher since its a COE car?

COE - Is there a max number of times COE can be renewed for car before we have to convert to vintage status?

[Throttle]

Thanks for quick reply guys!

 

 

 

Are these the recommended one off replacements when u get the car and can last long term (5 yrs or more) or the problematic parts that may need regular change?

 

Re insurance - will this as per normal newer car or higher since its a COE car?

COE - Is there a max number of times COE can be renewed for car before we have to convert to vintage status?

 

these are long term "regular" replacements that will probably last 60,000km or more.

about 4 yrs for my standard.

 

insurance depends on your age , profession, driving experience and type of car (coupe, turbo, sedan etc.)

first time owner without discount gonna be expensive

 

if i recall correctly, after 30yrs on the road it becomes "vintage" plate

[Throttle]

kzone, i thought you were not considering a car as your finances are fairly tight with you new property purchase?

 

COE conti cars hv no paper value nor street value unless they are true collectors

not advisable unless your pocket are truly deep as the chances of getting a crappy old entry level conti is very very very very, did i say, very high?

 

if you want to buy one, make sure you can afford to fully pay for it and also cover all repairs and maintenance cost. becos you need to take it as a write off.

 

especially in todays high COE environment, getting such a car is downright silly, unless its collectors like a Porsche 993 or a Mercy SL320 or a BMW E30 325i cab where there is a market for resale at least

[cougar]

never buy coe car on loan, its gona costs more since it doesn't have parf and coe rebate value. its a no turning back purchase, usually car dealers or collectors buy coe cars. one for salvaging the parts, one for collectors reasons. just my opinion.

[cougar]

Depends on condition. The price can vary greatly. So it is very hard to determine a price.

The insurance also depends on your profile.

 

What I can advise is to go to stockists like Eng Soon and Golden Link and buy aftermarket equivalent instead of OE components from C&C or PML. These aftermarket parts are similar to OE. I will suggest the BMW as it's easier to source for aftermarket parts.

 

There are some good brands to go to if you need.

 

ZF (most BMW use ZF Transmission)

ZF Lenksysteme (The steering division of ZF which BMW is also using 99%)

SACHS (BMW and MB use this brand of shock absorbers widely)

BOGE (an alternative brand to SACHS)

ZF PARTS (the after market steering division of ZF Lenksysteme)

Lemfoerder (the monopoly player of the suspensions market for continental cars. available only at Eng Soon)

BOSCH (electronic parts for both BMW and MB)

 

TRW, Bilstein are also renowned brands you can trust.

 

you in auto trade?

[Throttle]

you in auto trade?

 

I think he is more in auto parts trade.

[MS]

you in auto trade?

 

Let's just say I make a living dealing with the technical aspecs of automotive parts.

[kzone]

kzone, i thought you were not considering a car as your finances are fairly tight with you new property purchase?

 

Not as a form of transport, but as a "toy". Yeah, will surely pay full for such a purchase.. recently been falling in like for old BMW 5 series & merc E series coupe

 

re the house purchase, after recalculating, its more comfortable than i initially calculate. As i will be paying minimal mortgage for the 3 yrs, so there will still be +ve inflow to cpf ordinary acct.

[Throttle]

Not as a form of transport, but as a "toy". Yeah, will surely pay full for such a purchase.. recently been falling in like for old BMW 5 series & merc E series coupe

 

re the house purchase, after recalculating, its more comfortable than i initially calculate. As i will be paying minimal mortgage for the 3 yrs, so there will still be +ve inflow to cpf ordinary acct.

 

The E39 5er is a good car. a standard 520i is 2.2literes with in line 6 BMW award winning engine. An outdated intereior but decent comfortable ride.

however very few on the roads and the prices are totally not worth the car itself.

 

The old E Class coupe of the same era is a waste of time when you have the E39 5er as competition. but as a toy, a coupe/sports/cab is ceertainly more fun, i agree.

Edited September 7, 2011 by Throttle

[MS]

The E39 5er is a good car. a standard 520i is 2.2literes with in line 6 BMW award winning engine. An outdated intereior but decent comfortable ride.

however very few on the roads and the prices are totally not worth the car itself.

 

The old E Class coupe of the same era is a waste of time when you have the E39 5er as competition. but as a toy, a coupe/sports/cab is ceertainly more fun, i agree.

 

How about Z3 huh? haha... Or the Z1. Exciting doors!!

[Throttle]

How about Z3 huh? haha... Or the Z1. Exciting doors!!

 

 

z3 interior is very dated

quite a fun drive although it is not powerful, becos it is small and nimble.

 

z1, i dont think they brought into SG.

 

for a cheap toy, can consider an old SLK too.

well built, hard top, little faults.

but again dated looks.

 

one car that i though of getting was the E220 cabrio or coupe.

can mod to look very mafia. and the size is big enough for presence

[Throttle]

How about Z3 huh? haha... Or the Z1. Exciting doors!!

 

 

z3 interior is very dated

quite a fun drive although it is not powerful, becos it is small and nimble.

 

z1, i dont think they brought into SG.

 

for a cheap toy, can consider an old SLK too.

well built, hard top, little faults.

but again dated looks.

 

one car that i though of getting was the E220 cabrio or coupe.

can mod to look very mafia. and the size is big enough for presence