Ask an expert

I am looking at an option to purchase a 2000 BMW 318i that has done 116,000km. It has been in NZ a few years and was sourced from Singapore. Can you tell me:

1. Are there any issues about where it was sourced from?
2. Are these cars reliable (it will be AA checked)
3. It appeals because it seems very solid and safe. Is this a fact?

Bev

From the "Ask Jack" archives - 14 December 2009

All cars coming out of Singapore are developing a reputation for problems with the electrical wiring.

This is due to the high levels of humidity they are exposed to and reports of some vehicles requiring major repairs are not unusual. You may be lucky but the problem is you don't know even with a visual inspection as the wiring is encased in a protective wrap.

If the car has been in NZ for some time your mind could think about this in two separate ways; Firstly the vehicle may have no problems or the seller is quitting the car because of on-going issues.

If you are looking at cars of this age they are all pretty much solid, safe and have good crash test ratings.

BMW's like a lot of European cars can be very highly spec'd which is great, but it does increase the risk of higher maintenance costs as there is more to go wrong. And when things go wrong the costs can certainly be very high.

Normal servicing should not be any more expensive than comparable Japanese cars to be fair.

On the subject of reliability, it would depend on the cars past service history to be honest.

From my experience BMW's are not the easiest cars to sell simply because there has been such an increase in numbers due to the influx of imports over the last few years. It's also a buyer's market at the moment which is more advantageous to the buyer more than the seller.