Hewn from a Single Piece of Broken

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by fastfredracing

Not only plastic, but variable speed electric, hewn from a single piece of broken

This caught my eye in the earlier BMW thread.
My coworker had a 2013 3 series, I don't remember now if he sold it before the timing chain failed, or if he had the timing chain repaired, then sold it. One of many issues he had with the car, he kept it less than a year. But he keeps most cars less than a year.

What are the current thoughts on the 2, 3 or 4 series cars around 2014 or later?
How about the N55 engine?

A couple that have caught my eye
2014 435i xDrive coupe
2015 M235i

Or should I steer clear of any BMW once the warranty is up?

[Nostril Cheese]

Lease. Do not buy. They make a profit on service.

Nanny computer controlled architecture on everything. Software updates billed by the hour.

[MRM]

I have a 2011 535 with 140,00 hard Minnesota miles on it that has needed nothing but routine maintenance and wear items. Other than parking ramp scrapes it still looks new. YMMV but I don’t understand the bad reputation modern BMWs have. I think the lingering perception comes from their technological leap of several years ago when they hadn’t perfected the technology before rolling it out. Maybe the more expensive 5 series is built more robust than the 2 and 4 series.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I’ve had three and won’t have another. Great driving cars but the build quality is appalling, especially considering the price.

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by Nostril Cheese

Nanny computer controlled architecture on everything. Software updates billed by the hour.

This worries me. My wife has a Chevy, needed a radio update for Android Auto. How long could it take to flash a radio? 30 minutes? They ended up sending her home with a loaner because the techs couldn't figure out how to do it. This, after she sat there the whole day on her day off. No way I would have put up with that. At least they had a guy drive her car to her work and pick up the loaner the next day, so she didn't have to go back to the dealership.

I don't drive anywhere anyway, I've been working from home since March. I guess it doesn't matter what car sits in the driveway slowly draining the battery.

[911 Rod]

I had a 2011 335 with Dinan stage 3 that I sold 3 years ago after having it for 3 years.
It had an extended warranty and I'm pretty sure that the claims exceeded the sticker price.
I really miss that car.
I'm so glad I sold it.

[GH85Carrera]

One of my friends bought a brand new Jaguar XJ-12 in the early 1990s. After 6 months it had actually been at the dealership for twice the number days than it was in his possession. He had an attorney buddy write a letter and said he wanted a 100% refund, plus interest. He got his money.

For some reason he will not even consider a Jag again.

[fastfredracing]

I took an 18 month break from BMW's. I thought I could just pimp an Accord, and leave frequent maintenance behind me .
I am back in one now, but had to psyche myself up for it .
Love the way they drive. Not impressed with reliability . Like Matt said, it's not exactly like they were cheap KIAs to start with . Cooling system , suspension , and engine parts should last 100k an nearly any car. It upsetting to be on your 2nd valve cover, and water pump at 140k. Throw in a few window regulators, an ABS sensor , loosing all interior functions due to self folding mirrors crapping out, a few broken shock mounts, a radiator, cooling bottle, Plus all the other little stuff that fails along the way .
Seems like the newer stuff has gotten somewhat better .

[RWebb]

the bad rep seems to be mostly from electronics problems

MRM, if you have a sweet one, keep it!

[onewhippedpuppy]

No it’s way more than electrical. BMWs have been notorious for needing a full suspension and cooling system overhaul before 100k. A few other samples are N54 HPFPs that grenade and take out the entire fuel system, tearing rear subframes on multiple models, rod bearings on multiple models, VANOS solenoid failures on multiple models, the list goes on. That’s not to mention a litany of premature squeaks and rattles, cheap brittle plastics, rapid leather wear, dropping headliners, vinyl peeling off of panels, and other issues that are purely poor quality. I would love to have another, but every time I start down that road and do a little more research I stay away.

[asphaltgambler]

I'm still in for the Roundel, my DD which is '08 base 5 series / XI has been very good to me, but I have been very good ( maintenance ) to it. Now has 210K on the clock. The key with BMW as you move up in performance or model #'s you go up in buy-in and ownership costs, therefore the risk is higher for failures.

I'd love to have a E60 M5 with a manual trans only, but just could not stand the high failure rates of the engine and everything attached to it.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by RWebb

the bad rep seems to be mostly from electronics problems

Yes, other than the electronics they are models of engineering elegance and simplicity.

[McLovin]

And I’m probably the biggest BMW fan here.
Have had them constantly since 1980. 2 right now and looking for a 3rd.
But I wouldn’t own any of them made in the past 10 years or so. I’d buy nothing in the HPFP/turbo era.
Whippedpup’s list is unfortunately too real. Too risky even for a 40 year fanboi like me.
Sad.

[RWebb]

get a Saab

[pmax]

Originally Posted by McLovin

Yes, other than the electronics they are models of engineering elegance and simplicity.

I don't see the coil packs

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1080892-08-bmw-328-6-cylinder-coil-pack-tips-pull-off-when-removed.html#post11143909

[Nostril Cheese]

Originally Posted by McLovin

And I’m probably the biggest BMW fan here.
Have had them constantly since 1980. 2 right now and looking for a 3rd.
But I wouldn’t own any of them made in the past 10 years or so. I’d buy nothing in the HPFP/turbo era.
Whippedpup’s list is unfortunately too real. Too risky even for a 40 year fanboi like me.
Sad.

My daily is an E46 wagon. Along with the E39, those are the last really well engineered BMWs.

[rockfan4]

Originally Posted by RWebb

get a Saab

I've had two.
I had a '79 900, awesome car but just completely rusted out by the time I sold it, and it was only about 10 years old. Easiest clutch change I ever did.
I also had a 2002, the last GM Saab before they became Opels. I had that car 8 years, loved it, but when I sold it the electronics were starting to do weird things and it was time to go.

I don't know, if I could find a pre-GM Saab in showroom condition for not a boat-load of money, I might buy it.

And before you mention it, a couple cars before the 79 Saab I owned a 72 Volvo 142. My dad had a 68 144, then a 71 142, and while he had the 71 he also bought a 73 145 which he eventually let me take to college, and a late 60's 144 that he bought and parked under a tree. I don't know if he planned on using it for parts or exactly why he bought it, but he never drove it. After he died my mom sold it. The people who bought it put some oil in the carbs and some fresh gas. They fired it up and drove it home.

[matthewb0051]

I had the following BMWs

'84 635Csi - loved it but the AC sucked

'90 Euro E34 M5 w 5 speed. Sold it when I brought it back to the US. Having a manual box on that big a car ain't too fun in the US. But on the Autobahn it was incredible.

'88 US Spec M3 that I converted to Euro dog-leg gear box and diff. Made that car come alive, in US form it wasn't too good with the OD box

e32 735 iL - great solid car

Then things went sour for us with a 2000 X5. Our first year/winter in Northern NY we put thousands into it due to a leaking sunroof cassette, leaking door vapor barriers, AOS, and a bunch of other crap I can't recall. One time when it was at the dealer to fix one of the leaks they left a window open and it snowed in the car and got the carpet all wet.

The early cars we had were simply awesome! They had soul that I'm not sure the new ones have. I just don't know how I could go back now. Not too keen on the looks and really not too sure I want a mouse pad in the car.

[Jrboulder]

I have a 2013 328i, it has been a great car. It's currently at 130k miles and certainly has had some minor problems but they were easy 1-2 hour fixes with basic tools.

The electronic wastegate actuator went out at about 90k. Something like 2 screws, a connector and reusing the old linkage per BMW instructions.

The upstream O2 sensor went out not long after, but that's a typical failure on any turbo car of that age.

I changed the motor mounts at about 120k because the hot side one was sagging a little.

The radiator had a small leak that would lose about a pint every 3 months, changed it for $125 and was the easiest radiator I’ve ever replaced. It has a self bleed procedure that took no special tools to fill or bleed.

The floor mats were starting to show a little wear so I got some new ones this summer...

The yearly cost of leasing/owning a brand new BMW is absolutely absurd. The delta between new and used BMW more than pays for my airplane.

[pmax]

What's special about these engines ?



BMW spokesman Hector Arellano-Belloc said in an e-mailed statement. “BMW vehicles have long intervals between oil changes (10,000 miles). BMW engines (excluding the BMW M) may consume up to one quart of engine oil per 750 miles under certain driving conditions.” He added that BMW’s M performance models may consume even more oil than that.

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2015/06/excessive-oil-consumption/index.htm