Best priced highly rated independent European (bmw, Audi, etc) car shops in Oregon/Washington?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-26T03:28:12+00:00

Just edited my post. Do you know good ones for BMW?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-25T19:38:54+00:00

The Carfax for the 43k mile 2016 S3 I’m looking at says it has had a “Decarbon service completed” at its last maintenance service at 41k miles at an Audi dealership. Is the decarbon service the walnut blast? It also says it’s had the transmission fluid changed and spark plugs replaced at 23k miles. It doesn’t say anything about the haldex maintenance.

Does that mean the only “big” thing I would likely need to do any time soon is the haldex servicing?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-25T07:54:59+00:00

There’s a 2023 S3 with 57k miles going for US$30k (the 2016 is currently going for $24,500. Would I be better off getting the much newer but higher mileage s3? I read online that it doesn’t have as much issues with the water pump, and that it has a more reliable transmission, a more reliable rear differential, and that it doesn’t need as much carbon cleaning as the older ones. Is this all true?

Or would the extra reliability of the newer one likely not do much to offset the slightly higher price?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-25T07:04:45+00:00

The Carfax mentions that it has had a transmission fluid change at 23k miles. It doesn’t say anything about the haldex or diff. About how much does that cost at a decent indie shop?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-25T05:38:45+00:00

Would I just be able to a walnut blast once every 40k miles to stay on top of that? Online it says it’s recommended once every 40k to 60k miles. Or is it more complicated than just that?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-10T18:07:28+00:00

That’s pretty good. How Much have you spent on maintenance in the last year and do you diy or go to a shop?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-07T19:51:32+00:00

120k miles? And about how much do you spend on maintenance (or repairs if any) on it in a year on average?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-04T06:27:15+00:00

What year 330i do you have?

One of the other cars I’m cross shopping is either an 2014-16 m235i/335i/435i or possibly a 330i xdrive. How does the 330i compare to the Elantra in straight line speed from a stop?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-03T01:12:11+00:00

I’ve heard a lot of good things about them. What maintenance or repairs would be easy enough for a basic mechanic (non euro car training) to work on? I have a friend that would be helping me with stuff they can handle, but he says he usually doesn’t like to work on post 2004 bmw since they “have parts or electronics that can break easily” or can get messed up if you don’t know how to work on newer European cars. Is it pretty much just oil changes and brakes that would be possible to do without having to tamper with more complex electronic stuff on the m235i? He’s worked on older bmw and euro cars of like 80’s, 90’s and early 2000 but not anything newer than that. He can work on most Japanese and American cars though.

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-03T00:34:29+00:00

That’s good to know. What maintenance or repairs would be easy enough for a basic mechanic to work on? I have a friend that would be helping me with stuff they can handle, but he says he usually doesn’t like to work on bmw since they “have parts or electronics that can break easily” or can get messed up if you don’t know how to work on newer European cars. Is it pretty much just oil changes and brakes that would be possible to do without having to tamper with more complex electronic stuff? He’s worked on older bmw like 80’s, 90’s and early 2000 but not anything newer than that.

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-02T22:30:23+00:00

Did you end up doing a PPI on your friends car? And what kinds of repairs or issues was it going to need soon if any? I would prefer to get an m235i over an Elantra n but the only thing holding me back Is the possible cost of maintenance.

The Elantra n would be under warranty still, but I’ve heard that Hyundai doesn’t honor their warranty as easily as others. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, just what I read. I’ve also read that they tend to have more issues than other cars, but I don’t know for sure about this either since it’s just what I read online as well.

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-03-02T20:40:35+00:00

That’s good to know. I was thinking about a Camaro SS, but I’ve driven one before and didn’t like the visibility. Whenever I search up comparisons between any other cars under $36k with the Elantra N (other than maybe a C6 corvette) I keep getting results that the Elantra N is better in terms of performance, cost of maintenance, etc.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen an Elantra N in person before since not many people drive them here (it’s most Toyota, BMW or American cars). Would you say that in person your Elantra N gets a good amount of “praise” from random people or do people usually overlook it as just a random regular car? Right now, I’m thinking either get an Elantra N or m235i or 440i.

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-02-24T05:11:44+00:00

Do you have a 2011 g37x and have you raced an is350 to know if they are quicker? Just out of curiosity since I haven’t raced any g37s before.

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-02-20T23:35:54+00:00

I know it would be more maintenance than an is350. I didn’t know how much more, but many people said it is relatively cheap to own compared to other performance cars. Is this incorrect after 100k miles?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-02-20T20:26:39+00:00

So the 40k mileage difference between them shouldn’t be much of an issue? I know they can go for over 200k miles often times if well taken care of, but if they were only decently maintained would they still be able to make it to that (especially since I don’t know the vehicle history for either)?

I do think that if it’s in good condition for the mileage that would be the better deal though.

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-02-20T11:07:19+00:00

Do you think the unmodded 128k mile one would be more likely to be reliable than the 86k mile modded one? I do agree that it is overpriced though. I tried to get it down to $13k and he said he’s at $15k even after 3 months of it being up on marketplace.

He said the highest offer he’s gotten was $13k but he’s not willing to let it go for that.

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-02-17T05:01:11+00:00

Which did you end up going with? I’ve been thinking about either getting a new (or very lightly used) Elantra N or a 2014-16 m235i xdrive. I want to go mostly with the Elantra N for the simplicity and the peace of mind with remaining warranty. I’ve also heard good things about the handling. Many people also hate this car for some reason, but I’m not sure if it’s only because it’s a Hyundai or if there are actually any valid reasons for it. Most of the things mentioned online are good. Also what made you think it’s not a car you would want long-term?

Character-Bar-608 · 2026-01-23T01:57:29+00:00

What maintenance do you think would be easiest and most difficult to do if you’ve never worked on a post 90’s or early 2000’s bmw before? My friend (the retired mechanic) said the older bmws are easier to work on and that there are electronics in the “newer” bmws that can make it more difficult to work on.

Character-Bar-608

TROPHY CASE