I don't know how owning an 86 BMW 735i would cost $2000/yr. I owned 12 Bimmers and only Bimmers before my 1st Benz and still have one. I can list all the possible problems that could go wrong in a pre 90 BMWs. I personally would not consider any of them major. An 84 528e that I spent no more than $1500 in the past 7 years. Starts every morning and I prefer it over the Benz. It's my daily driver. The Benz costed me about $3000 so far most of it in parts in less than 2 years. I drove the 528e to Chicago from SC over 15 times in the last 2 years. I love the way this car cruise on the Highway. By the way, Not a single drop of oil added between oil changes. It has 189,xxx. Unless your friend goes to the dealer everytime something wrong goes with the car, small or big, I can understand $2000. Most of the expense of maintaing German cars is Labor. I must admit that I don't take my car anywhere unless I really really have to. I research and try to fully understand the system I am working on. I have plenty of tools. I am successful 90% of the time and sometimes I give up due to lack of specail expensive tools. I can't wait to get a 540i 6-speed...talking about power and handling. Truly the Ultimate Driving Machine.

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Meza
1993 190E 2.6
Advanced Diesel Systems Test and Research Engineer