We’ve covered a few expensive BMW models, but what about the German automaker’s entry-level models? The BMW 328i is known as a fairly affordable vehicle, relatively speaking. Unfortunately, its upkeep costs are anything but affordable.
Owning one of these will cost you around $1,200 annually on average. That’s just the start of the problems, as these vehicles are known for suffering from oil leaks and fan failures on a regular basis. This is likely due to the stress put on them by the owners, combined with their less expensive build. If you’re buying a 328i, prepare to be paying hundreds of dollars for each of these fixes.
Mercedes-Benz SL550
Fans of the German automaker will instantly recognize the SL550 as one of its most beloved flagship vehicles. The luxury car remains extremely popular for decades now, thanks to being constantly updated with new technology and an ever-evolving design. It’s the epitome of luxury when it comes to design, and anyone would look good driving one of these...
While the SL550 itself costs more than a hundred thousand dollars for the base model, repairing the car is also extremely expensive. With so many moving parts, such as the convertible roof, you can expect to have at least a few of these break over the years. Getting a simple wheel alignment on your SL550 will cost you around $150. That’s about three times more than the average vehicle.
Honda Pilot
According to Honda, the Pilot is one of its most popular, reliable, and affordable family-friendly vehicles. It’s supposed to have everything you could want from a vehicle that’s used to drive your kids to school on a daily basis. However, the fact of the matter is that the Pilot is none of these, and might actually be the opposite.
We’ve learned that the average Honda Pilot owner pays over $1,000 annually to fuel and maintain their car. It is also known among car enthusiasts to have some very bad safety issues. These include having warped front brake rotors, and occasionally suffering from overheating wires. Personally, we'd rather get our heat from the AC. Assuming that works.
Ram 3500
Ram’s 3500 model is one of the brand's biggest and baddest trucks. It’s a massive vehicle and one that has the power to match its size. Ram has always been known for making some of the best pickup trucks in the industry, but this one suffers from slightly higher annual upkeep costs than its competitors. Expect to pay around $1,500 annually for gas, maintenance, and possibly some repairs on this one.
Regardless, the Ram 3500 is an extremely beloved truck and deserves all the awards it has received over the years. If you do want to buy one, just keep in mind though that an AC recharge will likely cost you over $100, and an alternator replacement around $500. These are not exuberant costs though, especially when compared to many of the other vehicles on our list.
Audi S4
Many fans of Audi swear by the car brand and would never ever buy a car made by any other company. The brand is known for selling some of the most advanced eye-catching cars you can get and often competes with Mercedes and BMW for the “best German automaker” title in consumers’ minds. Its S4 model costs just under $40,000, but that’s the least of your problems when you buy one of these.
Audi is notorious for having some of the most expensive upkeep costs relative to the prices of its vehicles. You should expect to pay around $1,600 in annual upkeep for the S4 model. Although repairing an Audi is quick, easy, and always comes with great service, it’s also freakishly expensive. Just getting a control arm replacement would cost you a whopping $5,000. Yikes.