[MRM]

Does JD Powers report statistics like that in a format that is available to the public?

The best way I've come up with to research older model cars is to simply Google reviews for that make and model. I'll search for that year and the years after it because the reviewers are always more candid about criticizing a previous year's model when they report on the updates and upgrades of the new model.

As for BMWs of that era, I can give you one data point. I bought my 2011 535 as a CPO in 2014 partly as a reaction to my loved/hated Audi RS6 breaking down so often and so expensively. 2011 was the first year for the body style and the first year they went to a single turbo instead of the previous twin turbo. I'm now 4 years into the car and have a little over 110,000 on it. Other than the dings and rash that comes with parking ramps and daily driving frost-heaved roads, it looks and works like new. I'm going to keep driving it because it is worth almost nothing and is still as good as a new car to me.

It has never had a mechanical breakdown. I can hardly remember anything it needed other than maintenance and wear items with two exceptions. First, the alloy rims are high performance to a fault. They bend it the slightest unevenness in the road and crack if you just pass a pothole. They are expensive and infuriating to replace. Finally I got smart and bought a set of aftermarket rims from Tire Rack for barely more than the cost of replacing one BMW OEM rim. That's by far my biggest complaint. The only other thing that went wrong has something to do with the gas tank vent. It malfunctioned and triggered the check engine light. The dealership said it's about a $750 job to replace the vents and reset the CEL, but that there's no reason to spend the money because the only consequence of the malfunction is that the CEL is on. So for now I am driving with a lit check engine light. It's a little disconcerting, but it does not have any effect on the car. If I cared, I'd take it to a local independent shop instead of the dealer and get it fixed for half the BMW quote.

From talking to others in the local BMW car club, the 2010 and later BMWs are quite reliable. I think they're underrated because they supposedly have less soul or character. That apparently means they have become more comfortable and reliable. Mine's sporty enough to do driver training with the BMWCCA and hold its own. Sure, it's meant to be a highway grand touring sedan with a pretense of sport rather than a sports car that can be driven on long trips, but that's why it fits me.

For what it's worth, Dinan has an absolute beast turbo upgrade available for the 2010 and earlier 535 (with the twin turbos) at an incredibly low cost. After my car was out of warranty I looked into after market tuning and salivated over the specs of the previous model's options and cost. So maybe you can look into a well maintained by cosmetically challenged 2010 or older 3 series or 5 series, drop the Dinan tune into it, and you'll have an inexpensive high performance Q Ship.