# Keep it or trade it in? **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Tags:** bmw, 528\ **Created:** [August 10, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314 "2010-08-10T20:39:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Frank\_Tripi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7cd45c/32.png) [@Frank\_Tripi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Frank_Tripi)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 8:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/1 "2010-08-10T20:39:49Z")
I won a 2000 BMW 528i and just found out it needs a new DSC computer and mulitple suspension repairs - $5K…It has 123,000 miles and blue book value about $5K…wondering how long it will last after repairs or am I smarter to trade it in? ---
**Author:** ![Frank\_Tripi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7cd45c/32.png) [@Frank\_Tripi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Frank_Tripi)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 8:40pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/2 "2010-08-10T20:40:35Z")
typo I didn’t win it I OWN IT… ---
**Author:** ![Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/joseph_e_meehan/32/21_2.png) [@Joseph\_E\_Meehan](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Joseph_E_Meehan)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/3 "2010-08-10T21:53:32Z")
Consider having another mechanic take a look, especially if that recommendation was from the dealer or some sort of chain shop. ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 10:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/4 "2010-08-10T22:13:00Z")
It’s ten years old and you’re asking. It’s time to move on. I’m a firm believer in newer is safer. It’s too expensive to keep maintaining and it’s time to trade IMO. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 11:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/5 "2010-08-10T23:29:33Z")
I’d get at least 3 estimates before I decide what to do. Consider that if you trade it in, it will have little to no value. The dealer might not even want it. If you want a similar car (3-5 years old), it will cost a lot more than the $5000 to repair this one. Are the interior and body in good shape? ---
**Author:** ![twotone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@twotone](https://community.cartalk.com/u/twotone)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2010, 11:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/6 "2010-08-10T23:49:04Z")
Sell it on craigslist for $2k and move on. Twotone ---
**Author:** ![Goldwing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@Goldwing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Goldwing)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/7 "2010-08-11T02:26:25Z")
It’ll be above average in maintenance/repair costs to keep it going - but you knew that when you bought it. Learn how to do some work on it yourself, or find a cheaper mechanic, or sell it. Don’t go to the dealer, you’ll write a 4 figure check every time you stop by. ---
**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 2:30am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/8 "2010-08-11T02:30:20Z")
You have a car that does not age well; like a picky movie star thsoe face lifts, etc will get more and more expensive. It’s to move on and I would sell it privately. Dealers don’t really like to take in anything that old with problems. You’ll do better by selling it yourself. ---
**Author:** ![galaxybeing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@galaxybeing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/galaxybeing)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2010, 11:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/keep-it-or-trade-it-in/53314/9 "2010-08-11T11:28:59Z")
IF, and the, if, is capped for a reason, the DC comp really is bad, you have two options you may not have thought of. 1), Part the vehicle out yourself and get more than the 5 grand Blue Book value, or, 2), go to [RockAuto.com](http://RockAuto.com) and see if the DC is available from them. I buy parts from them and they are 3 to 4 times less than the dealer charge. I check both places each time I need parts. Last time I checked for the coolant recov tank for my wife’s car. $90. from dealer, $23.80 from [RockAuto.com](http://RockAuto.com). Same maker, too - Dorman.