BMW Buyer's Guide | Fred Larimer | A good book to start with during your search

BMW Buyer's Guide | Fred Larimer | It is one of the most used books in my collection

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BMW Buyer's Guide

	BMW Buyer's Guide Fred Larimer Motorbooks, 2002 - 160 pages average customer review:based on 9 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Navigate your way through the buying process effortlessly with the facts at your fingertips! From the exotic M1 and 850Csi to the popular 3, 5 and 7-Series sports luxury tourers, this all-color Buyer's Guide points the way through the full history of the BMW marque, and offers valuable specifications, production numbers, investment advice, and more. Take the "ultimate driving machine" out for a test drive before you buy!

A good book to start with during your search

This is a good book for those that are new to purchasing BMW's. Having owned three getting this book, I found it to have some interesting information that made it a good coffee table read as well as a begining reference when car shopping.

Those that own previously owned BMW's either love our mechanics because the car purchased was in good condition or they love us but we purchased a bad egg and will be spending big $$$ at the shop.

No, this isn't the BMW Bible. Join the BMWCCA for that book, but it does contain a large amount of good information and nice photos of the various models up to the 2001 X5 which makes it a good buy for a non-BMWCCA member wishing to learn about the various models.

It does what the author said it would do, provide a "guide" for the buyer.

Get it and enjoy.

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It is one of the most used books in my collection

Having owned 3 BMW's (82 320i, 83 528e, 95 318ic), I have found this book to be a wealth of knowledge. Especially for my 528e... since I bought that car after the other two and after buying the book. It has definately helped me pinpoint problems I have had with the car, very accurately I must say. Its a great book to start learning BMW lineage from 67 on up. Overall with the picture guides and pricing tables for parts and the valuable text... I'd say anyone looking for a used BMW shouldn't go without it... or even mechanics for that matter!

Must read for prospective buyers

If you have never owned a BMW, this book is required reading. Pros: (1) Contains an overview of the more common problems with BMWs (a godsend). (2) Author provides a step-by-step primer of how to inspect a used BMW, which is more thorough than anything else, including the Consumer Reports Used Car Buying Guide. (3) The book's primary focus involves highlighting problems on a model-by-model basis with pictures of the different models, organized according to E number (i.e., the automotive platform), and includes cost replacement charts, detailed specs charts, and owners' insights. Cons: (1) Just about all of the owners offering remarks are from California. I live near DC and would like to read comments from owners that have to contend with east cost drivers, hazards, and road conditions as well as ALL four seasons. (2) Balance. In contrast to all of the negatives pointed out for each model, the book doesn't highlight the positives. For example, if traction control is standard on the E46 323i and 328i, it should be highlighted somewhere on those two pages, perhaps with a different color border indicating a positive. The few positive comments are buried in the one-page introductory remarks for each E type. (Gushing hype lifted from Motortrend or Car and Driver doesn't offer insight into owning a car.) (3) Each section offers ratings charts for the different models, which are ambiguous at best.

THAT BEING SAID, the book was an invaluable resource when I purchased my used BMW. It really helps to have the devil's advocate sitting on your shoulder (or tucked under your arm) when laying out this kind of money. But my mechanic's reassurance convinced me that my BMW choice was reliable and worth the investment. (He bought the same model for his wife and she's never had a problem.) If anyone's decision to buy a used BMW was based solely on reading this book, few would ever buy one. But having read the book, I can't imagine buying one without it.

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BMW Buyer's Guide - good option

For those who have no clue about BMW's but would like to buy one it is a very good option.
It focusses on elements that a layman would not think of.

Highly recommended.

Excellent

Informative text. Before buying a used BMW, buy this book. Especially useful in talking to sellers over the phone. Use the information on each model to get the seller talking about what repairs and maintenence have been performed. It will put you in the driver's seat during negotiations.

reviews: page 1, 2

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