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why shouldnt i buy a bmw??

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bmw buy
6K views 79 replies 39 participants last post by  mave 
#1 ·
ive had my 147 for over 6 months now and im dissapointed to say the least. i have had every common 147 problem and the rest!!! coming from a toyota with absolutley no problems in 9 years is making the alfa experience even worse. The only thing that i like about the 147 is the feeling when i put my foot down but that is getting a little annoying now as im only averaging 26 mpg!!!! i know this sounds like alfa bashing but honestly its not, i wouldnt dream of such a thing!!! I know im probably gonna get hammered for this thread but im only looking for honest unbiast opinions. soooo has anyone owned a bmw and an alfa (316 and 147) preferably, and if so how did they compare? Is there such a thing as car with alfa looks/desirability with toyota/bmw reliabilty???
 
#37 ·
Ive got a 1.6 147 & my average mpg is about 23-24 its gone down a bit since i changed the exhaust though i think it was about 25-26 before. The way i see it with the couple of things i had to pay for is the 147 is my third car and i never had to pay out to get anything done on my previous 2 cars so the money i have saved on them can be put towards keeping this 1 in tip top condition:thumbs:. So my first 2 years of driving were 'free' if you get what i mean
 
#40 ·
BMWs are the Ford Cortinas of this millennium. Even Mondeos are more exclusive. When photo-copying salesman are begging for an uncoloured (silver) something with a badge the neighbours can see, you know the marketing has exceeded the reality. If you don't get what the problem is for those sucked in to a BMW then Alfa is not for you.
 
#43 ·
I own an Alfa Spider and have had a 156 V6, both have been money pits and not that exciting. I have also owned a BMW 316i 320Ci, 323Ci all E46 and a 528i E39 IMO all great cars with little other than wear and tear to sort out. For me the BMW is a better drivers car compared with any Alfa, if you fancy one go for it.
 
#45 ·
I was actually thinking about this earlier having read the thread about Autocar buying a 145.
I'm sure I'll get some abuse for my opinion, but I ended up with an E46 328i estate and it feels like the successor to my old beloved 145 which Alfa didn't really make. Big enough without being too big, nice steering, lovely handling, revvy vocal engine, with the benefit of good fuel consumption and cheap spares :)
 
#50 ·
Ive had 7 Alfas so far and some of them have been the worst dogs of any car ive owned :lol:

I had an Alfa Sprint and an older Alfetta GTV (1 of 3), and they were a total mess. Everything went wrong with them. And when I was sick of them I got something sensible like a Hyundai and a Honda. Both of which were perfect. But perfectly boring.

I always go back to Alfas and Ive had a few great Alfas where nothing has gone wrong they have been perfectly normal to maintain. You just have to get a good one.

By all means sell your 147 and get a bmw but sooner or later youll be back to the Alfa :)
 
#53 ·
You're never going to know how reliable a car will be, whoever bought new could have looked after it like a baby or thrashed it and never gave the car any love/maintenance.
If you really want a beamer, go for it. If it's just another option then maybe there are better cars out there for your money.
I'm sure you'll be back in an Alfa one day so it's not all bad
 
#55 ·
I've gone the other way after three 3 Series Coupes and one Convertible in a row I've bought an Alfa GT.

For any of my previous Coupes and moreso the Convertible 30mpg was not achievable, more in the region of 28 for the Coupes and 25 for the Convertible, they were all the 6 pot 2.5 variety.

If fuel consumption isn't a major issue then the 330Ci looks like a good option, might be hard to find a decent 320 diesel in your price bracket.

I liked the E36 M3 suggestion as well, will do 26mpg all day and a decent drivers car.

Repair wise i did not have to do anything but servicing and tyres ( expensive ) to all of the BMs i've owned, the exhausts needed replacing or fixing on two of them but that was after 10 years and 107000 mls and 11 years and 126000 mls respectively.

I would not get a 316 or 318, you'll die of boredom.

btw i like my girlfriends Mini too, but i'd never buy one myself ...
 
#57 ·
I had E36 325coupe followed by x2 156V6's and now 3.2GT. So a good comparison. I tried 316 BMW its useless and even looks like the poor cousin. The 325 was excellent, never went wrong, was exciting to drive and much more, kept it 5 years after buying at 82k miles with BM history. Bought the First 2.5V6 Veloce Trade at £3300 after head ruled heart - and loved it after I fixed all the problems. The second was also very reliable and good fun to drive. Both did extensive Euro travel including 850 miles in a day. Both had new susp' bits fitted and MAF, but good value and looked a bit different to BMW. 3.2GT - no contest except for build quality (the 147 bits). Overall, BMW was superb, trouble free and good looking though, but it had proper engine with subtle "m" bits. Alfa MPG, 28/31 - BMW mpg - 28/34.
 
#59 ·
My last car was a BMW 320d SE Coupe 2L - an outstanding car and I loved it.

I bought a used car for the first time in December, and I chose an Alfa 147 as I love them and I previously had a 159 diesel. I would never rule out another margue again but do love Italian cars.

It's your decision - do you want a fiery Italian who has stunning looks but may be a bit unpredicable or a safe dependable type who may not let you down as much but is fairly run of the mill? :)
 
#61 ·
Having read right through this thread im quite surprised how unbiased it is. Thought that on this site the Alfa would be seen as the be all and end all.

Although there are always exceptions to every rule (as demonstrated by the people who have posted about unreliable BMs) in every measurable way the BMW range (lets stick to 3s and 5s for now) are a better car. Better built, more reliable, better resale (if you pick the right engine), better dry handling or balance (most race cars are rear wheel drive for a reason - (rear wheel drive driven fast in the wet takes a more skilled driver admittedly)).

You only have to look at the various owners surveys on the net to see where BMW comes in relation to Alfa.

Overall running costs, in my experience, tend to be less with the BMWs as there are more specialist parts are service people around for BMWs. I have spent more on my 156 V6 Veloce in the 6 months I owned it than I spent on my previous 528i E39 in the 3 years I had it. Fuel consumption was better on my heavier (similar power 528i) too. The Alfa also seems to have the softest paint on any car I have owned!!

Our cars have problems with cambelts and Selespeeds. BMWs auto box (although not the same thing) is very reliable. Most (not all) six cylinder BMWs have camchains that last the life of the car. I sold mine with 170000 miles on the clock, smooth as silk, never had head off, never had box out and on original clutch.

Now as I said "in every measurable way". There is much more to owning a car than the things you can measure. I like the feel of my 156 better than the 528i. It feels more alive and has way more charactor. I like the unique looks and the comradery of Alfa ownership. But does that make it a better car than the 5 series???..... Almost certainly not. Does that worry me?..... Not one bit!!

Having said all that I will have to sell it soon - will let you know when if anyone wants a Rosso and tan leather (Momo) V6 Veloce with FSH, new belts, tensioners, f & rear discs and pads, 91000m- as its just proving too small. A 166 is not for me (too ugly sorry!). So will be looking at a BMW 5 or an A6 (whoever said that the Audi interior was rubbish clearly should not be driving with eyesight that bad - universally aclaimed as one of the highest quality interiors on the road today)

Whatever you drive, enjoy it.
 
#62 ·
Yep, the two I have just now are money pits and they are both low owner, well maintained cars by their previous keepers! I think Alfas just demend love and the understanding that you will pay higher maintenance on one as opposed to some other makes of car.

I drove my wifes 147 to the garage this morning and it felt like it was falling apart - creaking & rattling front suspension, clunking brakes, rattle along the length of the exhaust under the car and a drone from the rear reminiscent of a Lancaster bomber over Bremen.

Picked it up tonight though and it's a different car. I always forget how good a drive a 2.0l 147 can be! It's so sharp around corners and handles excellent compared to my 166 (which has Konis and Eibachs, so no slouch). What a difference a new top suspension wishbone, rear wheel bearing, brake clean and exhaust fix can do! It's now ready for it's MOT this Friday. :thumbs:
 
#63 ·
Picked it up tonight though and it's a different car. I always forget how good a drive a 2.0l 147 can be! It's so sharp around corners and handles excellent compared to my 166 (which has Konis and Eibachs, so no slouch). What a difference a new top suspension wishbone, rear wheel bearing, brake clean and exhaust fix can do! It's now ready for it's MOT this Friday. :thumbs:
yep, when an Alfa is on form it can make the heart sing in a way no BMW could ever match,

and even more so when the owner has done the work:)
 
#64 ·
I'm out of date on BM's but I did have 3 series as a company car. It was nice to drive and felt very solid. The thing I remember most about though was that in the wet, snow and ice the rear wheel drive was horrendous almost frightening. Maybe I had got used to front wheel drive cars but that thing was scary.
 
#66 ·
I was a roadside assistant (maily Green Flag). I have seen a lot of cars and have a good idea as far as reliability goes. BMW are no more reliable than *****. The difference is BMW Spares cost the earth! For this reason you will not see one much over 10 years old, because they are unfeasable and get scrapped! BMW AND ***** ARE LEVER PEGGING ON THE JD POWER SURVEY!

I have a 156 JTD now, bought it for fuel efficiance and because it was cheap and so stylish. My other car is a Lexus IS200. It is a racey 2.0 litre handles like a dream and corners better than any BMW I have ever driven. Toyota reliability, RWD, goes sideways if you want excitement. IT HAS SOLE AND CHARECTER (Rare for JAP). It also has style, well worth a look!. Problem is it likes its fuel 25mpg. I cover 80 miles a day and it costs a fortune!
 
#68 ·
While I don't agree w/ the way JD power is put together, i agree with the general stat that BMW isn't that reliable...

its pretty far down the charts for the money and has been for a while...

what i was getting at, is if you want reliability as no.1. look at the japanese, they are usually much cheaper to upkeep as well...

as said, lexus may well be a good rwd japanese alternative to 3 series...
 
#69 ·
I've owned an E36 M3 (a US M3 so only 240bhp), and an E36 325i, and recently an Alfa 156 v6. I'm not sure why, but if all 3 were lined up outside the house in the morning, I would take the Alfa for a drive. For some reason the Alfa appeals more to me. For sure on paper the BMW wins (rear drive, reliability etc.). But I think there is more to wanting to drive a car than that.
 
#73 ·
We've had our 3 series just over 2 years, it's on a fleet scheme so we don;t really have to pay for anything but in 2 years and 40 thousand miles it has had the following work done.


















2 rear tyres and a service and returns 50mpg+
The 2 Audi's we had before we did around 90K in across the cars and only had to service and fit new tyres.

My GTA has cost me 10K in 2 years of ownership including 2 gearbox rebuilds, my previous 147 also needed its gearbox rebuilding plus lots of other things went wrong with it.
 
#76 ·
316 is slower than a 1.6 147. Theres one very good reason ;)

Invest in a remap and some decent suspension for your 147, you wont regret it. The remap makes the car feel more alive and responsive while helping the mpg slightly as you dont have to "flog" it quite as much.

Also as said BMWs are common as muck now, sick of the sight of them.
 
#78 ·
I wouldn't worry about it.
Just because there are anchors driving BMWs, doesn't mean that driving a BMW will turn you into an anchor.
Try the cars you are thinking of buying for as long as you can, and don't let prejudice (whether that be rusty unreliable Alfas or soulless BMWs driven by anchors) put you off buying the one which you enjoy driving the most :)
 
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