What will f30's be like in 25 years?

[ME30W]

I think this forum is proof e30s have stood the test of time, and there are plenty running strong 25 years after they rolled off the line. I was wondering, what is an f30, an e92, or any nice new car, going to be like in 25 years? I can't imagine they will hold up well with all the electronics, and it just being a much more complicated build.

What do you guys think? Will our kids be driving 2012 335's they picked up for $4k?

[chance]

I've been wondering that for a while.

There's hoi g to be a time where you have to lug a battery with you to the junkyard to be able to get in the car with electric door handles and to test any parts you need to buy

[Andrew325is]

Probably not. They just aren't designed to last. Most of the new BMW's will be just too expensive to maintain after their warranty period expires. For example, since the engines are direct injection they foul up with carbon buildup on the intake valves rather quickly. There are a lot of people with very new BMW's who have had to have major engine service already because of this.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Probably not. They just aren't designed to last.

When was the last time you seen a TV repairman? they just dont' exist b/c everything is being designed to be throw-away/recycled/biodegradable.

Overall, it's all about money. Servicing an old car like an e30 is great for ownership costs, but sucks for new car makers.

Im ok with this as I use my car sparingly as it is (better for the environment, and my bank account).

[MC Hammered]

I'd hate to deal with the deteriorating electronics and the carbon buildup issues, but I will be wondering what my e30 will be worth at that time.

[mother_russia]

Haha you're talking about f30's and e92's?
Just take a look at the e46's, for example. They're barely 10 years old, and the ones that have been dailied are complete TRASH!
I work for a dealership and three times a week, I get to go to car auctions. I test drive cars 2-3 hours before it starts, and then buy the ones that I think will make us money AND are in good condition to re-sell.
8/10 times, there is something wrong with them. Window regulators are NEVER working on these things, all the buttons on the stereo, consoles, etc, are always in terrible shape, dashboard lights always have pixels missing. Same goes for the e38's, e39's, e65's. I know that these were awesome cars when they were in their prime, but now, they're just a huge gamble to own.

[Stanley Rockafella]

but I will be wondering what my e30 will be worth at that time.

this

[redsubdivisions]

Haha you're talking about f30's and e92's?
Just take a look at the e46's, for example. They're barely 10 years old, and the ones that have been dailied are complete TRASH!
I work for a dealership and three times a week, I get to go to car auctions. I test drive cars 2-3 hours before it starts, and then buy the ones that I think will make us money AND are in good condition to re-sell.
8/10 times, there is something wrong with them. Window regulators are NEVER working on these things, all the buttons on the stereo, consoles, etc, are always in terrible shape, dashboard lights always have pixels missing. Same goes for the e38's, e39's, e65's. I know that these were awesome cars when they were in their prime, but now, they're just a huge gamble to own.

As much as I'd like to agree with you on the E46's, I have to say they are the least problematic with "newer" technology. My E46 has served me pretty well and has yet to give me any major issues. Maybe I got lucky, or the fact that I take care of the vehicle like BMW (or any car manufacturer, for that matter) recommends. The ones that do come through our shop are all the usual maintenance items needed (CABs, VC Gaskets, Oil filter housing gaskets, maybe an oil pan gasket if they neglected it too much). Other than that, I've seen some that have over 250k on the odometer because people don't wait to fix a problem. You go to auctions, so of course you're going to see all the shitty ones that the previous 4 owners with high APR/BHPH loans they took out on them and let them go to shit. You want to see a pile of shit? E65/E66....ask any BMW tech and they will cringe at the thought of them. now THOSE are the problematic ones.

[slammin.e28]

I'd like to hear from someone who remembered e30s new and how people thought they were gonna be in 25 years.....

[lowsodium]

I dont think E46's can be compared to the newer cars that have turbos and DI. E46's can be found with high mileage still running decent. These newer cars will just be really expensive/difficult to maintain depending on how much aftermarket parts are available. I love my 135i but I dont see myself keeping it past the extended warranty I bought for it.

[Herr Faust Schinken]

I'd like to hear from someone who remembered e30s new and how people thought they were gonna be in 25 years.....

i was talking to a older gentlemen a couple of days ago that said he had an 87 325i and an 77 320i he said they were pretty much the best cars you could buy at that time, it was kinda cool

[Holland]

Think of them like an E36 interior, but the entire car.

[brianao34]

If only my wife appreciated older cars enough like I do to DD one :/

[agent]

Just take a look at the e46's, for example. They're barely 10 years old, and the ones that have been dailied are complete TRASH!
...
Same goes for the e38's, e39's, e65's. I know that these were awesome cars when they were in their prime, but now, they're just a huge gamble to own.

You can't paint the entire E46/E38/E39/E65 series with that wide of a brush. Any car that hasn't been properly maintained is a huge gamble to own. As a car buyer, you of all people should know that.

[FasterSoonerNow]

I'm 32 so I have no emotional attachment to these cars, but it'd be interesting to see how today's 14 year old boy will feel about buying one of these in 20 years. Fixing and restoring any old car is a labor of love that very rarely ever makes sense monetarily. These cars have more appliances then a modern kitchen, so these kids will have to either have to spend a lot of money replacing them or learn creative ways to bypass them.