Hi Folks,

Back in the market for a MCS, having sold my 05 about a year ago.
Unfortunately, the local market up here in Maine is very slim, so most likely I'll be buying out of state and shipping (or flying down & driving up if reasonable).

Thinking about a Gen 2 car, something that's got a few more creature comforts when my wife needs to drive it around town.

Give me your thoughts on something like this:

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ink=true&Log=0

If you take a look at the CarFax maintenance history, there have been quite a few repairs/replacements.

My question is...on a Gen 2 car, is that a positive thing or a negative? Good in the sense that it's got some problem prone parts that have already been addressed? Or just an indicator that this might be one of the problem prone Gen 2's i've read horror stories about?

Should i stick to the later year Gen 2's as a rule, like I've read, or dont be leery of an 07/8/9 that's been taken care of?

Any advice would be really appreciated!

 

Keep looking. That year has the N14 engine, a real money pit and one of BMW's worst decisions. I think it was payback for the Mangino line incident.

 

Ah is that suppose to be the Maginot Line from WW2?

But on topic, there are those that have had no issues with the N14 and then others that curse the day they ever heard about it.

 

Yea, and I misspelled it on purpose 'cause I've got absolutely no respect for them.

 

Thanks for chiming in gents. Seems pretty universal that the N18 is the way to go...even my mechanic said the only way he'd get into a gen 2 car was if it was late model.

Always been a BMW guy...and having owned 2 335's, I know what it's like to love everything about a car...except for the fact it's rarely in driveable condition.

 

Ya, as mentioned above, shoot for 2011 or newer..

 

I bought my 07 mcs with 100k. Leaked/used oil from day 1. Might be some good 1's out there but that would be a roll of the dice. Stick with a N18-UP. Good luck with your search. Loved the car just not a fan of N14.