i don't know what u mean by "small maintainance" cost USD$500.
BMW 4 year maintainance free is a BIG advantage comparing to other model. Lexus is actually quite expensive to maintain comparing to other european cars because Lexus require more frequent visit to the dealer.
for BMW the first oil change at 15000 miles. ($80-100) free windsheld wiper change annually, ($45) free Inspection 1 at 30,000 miles ($250-300) free Break pad and roter change (yes, BMW change roters too) at around 30,000 miles ($600) free break fluid flush every 2 years ($120-140) free Coolent flush 4 years from built date ($120-150) free 4 wheel alignment at inspection 2 ($200-250) free oil change at 45000 miles ($80-100) free
you can calculate the total cost of ownenship for other models (audi or lexus) or you will have better idea how much it will cost you over 4 years. if you add all those up together, you actually save a lot of money in maintainance!!
I think $1200 to $1500 over TRUE invoice is reasonable. after all, those sales people have family and children, too. the reason i said TRUE invoice because some dealers will add MACO fees or Advertising fee to the invoice. So $1200 over invoice is out of door price including ALL fees. You only need to pay tax on top of that.
lets just say there's nothing special about BMW's maintainance schedule it's just they use synthetic so they claim you can change oil at 15,000miles (I'd suggest you do it at 7500-10k) also there's nothing special about dealer oil change (they do inspect your car while at it....but you could do it yourself lol)...if you want to pay 80-100 for oil change that's fine.....i mean my dad do it...i don't.
and Lexus's rotor and pad will not fail at 30k....I guess BMW use more of performance pad (hell most car don't anyway...and you could just resurface the rotor it's like 20 dollars)...so I am not sure why you think Lexus would be more expensive than BMW...
anyway...as for the 500 comment...my dad's friend went in for 30k maintainance came out with 5XX bill......as for Acura or Lexus is 3XX...
it was at yr 2000...for a 5 series donno what model..
BMW will be more costly than Lexus after 4yr/50k mile but it is basically free of maintenance cost before warranty expires (other than tire changes). The 4yr/50k warranty really saved me a lot of $$$. I drove my car really hard the first 50k mile, and right before 50k, I hit Inspection 2 and had already changed my rotor and pad front and rear EACH twice. If you add up the cost of all the parts and labor before my warranty expires, it's easily $3-4000. Good for me. The only cost I had to pay was tires. I burned 3 set of tires before 50k and I had to pay $1000 x 2 for changing 2 set of tires (the first one is OEM). Maybe MB or Lexus tires will last longer but you get what you paid for for tires anyway.
i agree that the free maintainance is not a big deal for some car fans, however, for average consumer, i think it is a great way to save money. (after all, most of the extra maintainance cost won't benefit resale value)
BMW just start the fully free service couple years ago. (I think in 2004 or 2005) I was just surprised that they really cover EVERYTHING! even wiper blade!! I think USA is the only country that BMW offer this kinda service. (I know Canada doesn't)
Yes, you can reserfice the roter for $20, however, why would you want to do that when BMW will replace a brand new one for free? BTW, bmw use a very soft roter and pad to give a better break feel. (also a lot of break dust) after you see how deep the pad "eat" into the rotor, you may want to just replace it.
I think in the US market, BMW 3 series is a very good choice. You can get heavy discount on a new model. The resale is one of the best. You don't pay any maintainance fee. Some people choose European delivery which get even more saving plus a factory tour in Germany. I just can't imagine a better choice. ( But this only apply to US market and for 3 series only.)
If you are in Canada, it is a totally different story. BMW is selling at a premium over it's competitors.
as for oil change. If you add all the parts (7 bottle oil ($6 x 7 = 42), oil filter ($7) , air filter ($10), windshild additive ($6) you are paying $65 for the parts even if you do it yourself. a dealer charge $85, which I think is pretty reasonable. I am willing to pay $20 in labor to let them do it while i can sit in waiting area for coffee and cookie. ( but within the first 4 year, it's free!, even better)
I think many people still prefer to do regular maintainance themselves. I did it on my car sometimes. The main idea is not to save money, it is more of the passion for the car.