[Jordanf32]

I'm currently looking to buy a 2014-2016 535i with the M Sport package and my main concern is reliability. I'm not planning on buying a warranty and I was wondering if that's not a good move to make? I'm gonna keep the car for probably 4 years and I'm not really considering any with over 50,000 miles. I didn't want to keep it past 100,000 miles because of the reliability factor but I've seen warranties from BMW that cover 6 years/ 100,000 miles. Also I would like to know what to expect to pay in maintenance annually. Oh also this is going to my first car. Kind of. So I'm 16 and I'm driving a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC that my grandparents keep at their winter home in Naples. (They didn't come to Florida this year which is why I have the car in January) But the lease is up in July. I looked at 2014-2016 E350s a little but I really don't like the driving dynamics of the non-AMG Mercedes models and plus that generation of E-Class is known to be driven by... lets just say the older crowd. So my main focus is now on the 535.

[ezaircon4jc]

Originally Posted by Jordanf32

I'm currently looking to buy a 2014-2016 535i with the M Sport package and my main concern is reliability. I'm not planning on buying a warranty and I was wondering if that's not a good move to make? I'm gonna keep the car for probably 4 years and I'm not really considering any with over 50,000 miles. I didn't want to keep it past 100,000 miles because of the reliability factor but I've seen warranties from BMW that cover 6 years/ 100,000 miles. Also I would like to know what to expect to pay in maintenance annually. Oh also this is going to my first car. Kind of. So I'm 16 and I'm driving a 2017 Mercedes-Benz C300 4MATIC that my grandparents keep at their winter home in Naples. (They didn't come to Florida this year which is why I have the car in January) But the lease is up in July. I looked at 2014-2016 E350s a little but I really don't like the driving dynamics of the non-AMG Mercedes models and plus that generation of E-Class is known to be driven by... lets just say the older crowd. So my main focus is now on the 535.

My 2014 535i has a hair over 47K on the clock. I have the maintenance agreement so I pay nothing for scheduled maintenance. I've had the car for 2 years and about 22K miles and I've done nothing other than the scheduled maintenance. Your annual maintenance costs will depend on how many miles you drive and if you can do the maintenance yourself. From what I've seen BMW straight-6 reliability is mostly dependent on keeping up with the maintenance and not waiting for any type of issue to get worse.

Only 16 and looking at a 3-5 year old car? Good on you; but don't take the privilege for granted! I purchased my 1st car when I was 18 and at that it was 10 years old!

[Ickdeep]

Before I got my 535i, I had a '08 C300. I was also looking at E350 but the power wasn't there so I ended up getting '13 535i about 3 years ago. I got it with 48k miles completely stock. I did end up modding it. I purchased an extended warranty just to have the security but never needed it and gave it to the next owner when I sold the car. As for service, I would say a couple hundred a year if you can do it yourself. I did let the dealer do the oil change (because of warranty) but I did all the rest; such as brake pads, rotors, brake fluid flush, spark plugs.

Let me know if you have any additional questions. Feel free to post ad's for car's you're considering and we'll let you know what to look out for.

Here is my old car build thread. https://f10.5post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1293245

[JayBimmer83]

I haven't been a BMW owner for very long. I usually went with Japanese cars for the very reason of reliability. But I wanted something more engaging so I got a BMW. Like ezaircon4jc said the inline 6 is BMW's bread and butter and is usually pretty reliable. And this forum has a lot of knowledgeable people if you do have a problem.

[Dyelson]

Have you ever driven an F10 535? It's a boat. Not a bad car, but be sure it's what you want.

Have you considered an E90 or E92 coupe? At your age, I think you would find them way more fun to drive. Avoid the 335 with the N54 as that motor has a poor reputation for reliability.Look at 328i RWD with N52 as they have a great reputation for reliability, they are also a great value and likely won't get much cheaper then they are today...for example you can find nice 2008 328s for around $7,000.

[Jordanf32]

I have driven a non M Sport 5 series (550i) and I thought the ride was a little floaty but I don't want a super tight handling, firm suspension car as I wanted something more on the luxury side of things. Plus I don't think I could really see myself in a car more than 10 years old as I considered the E92 M3 for a little while but the interior is just not all that high quality and it looks pretty dated. I thought that the M sport suspension or always having it in sport+ should keep it from riding like an S-Class with blown shocks though, I'll have to find out.

[Ickdeep]

Originally Posted by Jordanf32

I have driven a non M Sport 5 series (550i) and I thought the ride was a little floaty but I don't want a super tight handling, firm suspension car as I wanted something more on the luxury side of things. Plus I don't think I could really see myself in a car more than 10 years old as I considered the E92 M3 for a little while but the interior is just not all that high quality and it looks pretty dated. I thought that the M sport suspension or always having it in sport+ should keep it from riding like an S-Class with blown shocks though, I'll have to find out.

Eh even with M Sport, the F10 chassis feels like a boat. After I installed lowering springs on my 535i, that's when I felt the car sticking to the ground and cornering well. The car was made to compete with E-class so luxury is majority of the market. Simply things can change it to a more sporty kind of car

When I got my 535i; I debated a E60 M5 which was around the same price point back then. But the interior and technology of the F chassis is worth, especially in the long run

[JDMSteven]

Originally Posted by Ickdeep

Eh even with M Sport, the F10 chassis feels like a boat. After I installed lowering springs on my 535i, that's when I felt the car sticking to the ground and cornering well. The car was made to compete with E-class so luxury is majority of the market. Simply things can change it to a more sporty kind of car

When I got my 535i; I debated a E60 M5 which was around the same price point back then. But the interior and technology of the F chassis is worth, especially in the long run

I'm similarly aged (20) and this is my 2011 535i xDrive, I wanted an M SPORT as well but this was a great deal. It only had 19k miles when I got it and since then I've put 20k on it. H&R Lowering Springs 666M M3 Competition wheels muffler delete K&N cone and a jb4. This car is ROCK solid I've driven it from Florida to NY and back round trip and it's been amazing not one issue.

[TTG]

I have a 2016 M-Sport and one of the most reliable cars I have ever owned. 27K miles and zero problems.

Its under maint program so I don't pay for anything.

Try to find a lease return as they are usually pretty well maintained.

[derekwg88]

Bought it 2 years ago, 2013 535xi, I have upgrade the following...
AFE intake box which gain 30hp
Meisterschaft full exhaust gain around 30hp
JB4 gain 60 to 80 hp
Spring booster v3 ( Gas pedal react much faster)
21" BBS CH-R ll 2pcs
AC Schnitzer rear window and trunk spoiler
Vorsteinsor rear diffuser
Carbon mirror cover
Carbon front lips
Vinyl wrap side skirt M performance
Caliper painted blue with M logo



It feel faster than my 2013 Panamera 4s & my 2019 x5 50i but the suspension feel a bit too soft to handle the extra HP.

Even with all the modification which I have made, the car is still trouble free.

[vladmury]

Originally Posted by Jordanf32

I have driven a non M Sport 5 series (550i) and I thought the ride was a little floaty but I don't want a super tight handling, firm suspension car as I wanted something more on the luxury side of things. Plus I don't think I could really see myself in a car more than 10 years old as I considered the E92 M3 for a little while but the interior is just not all that high quality and it looks pretty dated. I thought that the M sport suspension or always having it in sport+ should keep it from riding like an S-Class with blown shocks though, I'll have to find out.

I have sold my E90 LCI which had Bilstein B8 shocks, M3 control arms and subframe bushings and considered an F10 M sport as replacement.

Man, that car drives like a boat for sure. And I dont think the quality of materials is much above e90.

At your age , I would take any day an E90 335i M sport N55 ( same engine as in F10).