BMW's Poor Quality Discussion w/ Pictures

[rcooled]

Contrary to all the haters here, I still like my 15 year old, 190K mile, 328CI. Other than a radiator replacement and new control arm bushings, this car had been extremely reliable and is way more enjoyable to drive than most similar American, Japanese or Korean cars. I don't DIY anything but routine maintenance items on this car. If I feel like turning wrenches, I'll play around with my old VWs and leave the BMW to my indie mechanic.

[slow&rusty]

Originally Posted by willtel

I had look at my A pillars this morning on the drive to work and they are a little floppy at the bottom. I blame you slow&rusty.

Laughing!

[willtel]

Originally Posted by ckelly78z

I just replaced both rear springs (bottom coil broken off), shocks, and bump stops over the weekend on my wife's 2003 BMW 325Ci convertible. It was fairly easy to do, but the rear tires were worn to the cords on the inside edges, so now it's time for new Michelins (ouch).

I believe that means you need new set of rear control arm bushings, search e46 RCAB online. Just the springs being broken shouldn't wear the tires unevenly so it is the bushings.

[jcunning]

I have a 2003 Z4 and I have seen numerous plastic bits break in the interior. BMW charges ridiculous money for cheap plastic bits, so I usually just use a little double sided tape to hold things together.

Other than problems with cheap plastic bits, the car is fantastic and so far very reliable. I just do the routine maintenance that all old cars require.

[david914]

My extended warranty has forked over close to $20k in repairs to my 2005 X5 in the past four years. Fluid leaks of every kind, sunroof rebuild, new valve stem seals, sensors, etc. This is third BMW after an E30 325is, and E39 528i wagon. The X5 Is luxurious and a great performer, but not worth the hassle. Its replacement will not be another BMW unless it's an E39 or older.

[911dean]

I loved my E46 sport wagon. I did do a lot of cooling and suspension work on it at 100k. If I come across the right e46 M3 I'd buy it. My wife's E90 convert has been very good so far as well but it only has 80k. Most likely I'll have it gone through at 100k.

[911SauCy]

Originally Posted by david914

Its replacement will not be another BMW unless it's an E39 or older.

Interesting as I simply bought my car thinking it was a great clean platform, good power and fun for a DD. Couple ASE BMW tech buddies of mine have stressed to me that I got a "good one" or "one of the last great BMW's".

Here I am..."Dudes, it does 5s to 60 and carries 2 car-seats!"

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by rcooled

Contrary to all the haters here, I still like my 15 year old, 190K mile, 328CI. Other than a radiator replacement and new control arm bushings, this car had been extremely reliable and is way more enjoyable to drive than most similar American, Japanese or Korean cars. I don't DIY anything but routine maintenance items on this car. If I feel like turning wrenches, I'll play around with my old VWs and leave the BMW to my indie mechanic.

agreed. THere's also enough spare and broken out parts out there that you can keep it like new indefinitely.

My 180K 540I still uses ZERO oil. Just don't ask (axe) me about leaking intake manifolds or trans rebuilds- BTDT.

You will never appreciate what a BMW is good for (vs. a transportation appliance) until you hit triple digits...

rjp

[RANDY P]

PS there is a difference between E39 and E46 interiors- my E39s have been great- the E46 the leather cracks out and becomes brittle.

rjp

[911 Rod]

Always fun to do some Bimmer bashing. Go on their sites and see what they think of Porsche water cooled engines.

I've had a few and overall they are very nice cars. Unfortunately most cars start to fall apart after a while.

Try chasing a vacuum leak on an E46 if you really want to have some fun.

[david914]

My X5 is the most problematic vehicle I've ever owned, including a 1997 Land Rover Discovery...

[imcarthur]

'00 323i e46

Latex paint coming off interior plastic. Check.
Multiple seatbelt/airbag sensors dying but one at a time over 12 months. Check.
Broken sunroof that my independent gave up on. Check.
Clogged sunroof drains. Check.
Window regulators. Check.
Fun to drive. Check.
Glad that it went away You bet.

Ian

[greglepore]

What is it with German window regulators-guess they all source them from the same folks, but its another problem endemic with MB/BMW/Audi.

[ZOO]

The thing to remember about older BMWs is that often people CHOOSE to fix them, instead of replacing them. That's not what happens with appliance cars. Thankfully, parts, both new and used, are plentiful, and I find BMWs are straightforward to work on.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by greglepore

What is it with German window regulators-guess they all source them from the same folks, but its another problem endemic with MB/BMW/Audi.

My drivers side pops farts and hisses like no other. I carry a T27 and a panel popper in case I need to remedy it from being stuck.

I can have it apart in less than 2 minutes.


rjp

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by ZOO

The thing to remember about older BMWs is that often people CHOOSE to fix them, instead of replacing them. That's not what happens with appliance cars. Thankfully, parts, both new and used, are plentiful, and I find BMWs are straightforward to work on.

Drive a BMW at high speed and you see why they are unique. All the flaws are superficial, the drivetrains are pretty damn solid.

They are pretty easy to work on once you get them...

rjp

[creaturecat]

Our experience: we found the dealerships to be worse than the cars.
Our friend was a service writer in Vancouver.
She quit, she could not stand the amount of outright stealing (from customers) that was taking place.
The BMW dealer on Burrard ave.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by creaturecat

Our experience: we found the dealerships to be worse than the cars.
Our friend was a service writer in Vancouver.
She quit, she could not stand the amount of outright stealing (from customers) that was taking place.
The BMW dealer on Burrard ave.

In the past year or so I have found the sales people at a local BMW dealer arrogant and pompous. I like to think that companies that are honest, have decent products and reliable products will do well. Little wonder that we have a Camry and an RX 350 in our garage.

[95avblm3]

Originally Posted by greglepore

What is it with German window regulators-guess they all source them from the same folks, but its another problem endemic with MB/BMW/Audi.

Domestic window regulators (Ford) aren't immune either... but you do have a point. I replaced all 4 regulators in my '01 740iL over the course of a year. I've owned 3 BMWs. My '95 M3 was an absolute dream. It suffered from the E36 interior delamination in the door panels and headliners, so I replaced them. My 740iL was an awesome highway cruiser but I bought it 2nd or 3rd hand around 70k miles, so it needed a little love quite often. My last one was an '06 M-roadster, which I had zero problems with but then again, I sold it as the CPO was ending.

I would do it over again at the age I did it. I didn't mind DIYing on the 7, which I'm sure was amusing to our neighbors seeing the big luxo-barge dismantled in the driveway. The driving experience of each of them was uniquely different but equally gratifying. In the end, though, I got intrigued by rapid improvement in the design and quality coming out of Korea, so I tried it and have stayed for the past three years. My Hyundai is an appliance, but it is an appliance with lots of buttons to push, reliability that exceeds pretty much anything else I have owned in recent history, and a warranty to back it up. I use it to make sure I don't have to hitchhike to work and I save my shadetree skills for the fun cars which are presently all from Stuttgart (not counting the 1987 Honda Spree that I am resurrecting from a neighbors trash.

[RedBaron]

I just bought an M235i. I have broken it in properly, changed all the oils at 1500 miles and chose the sunroof delete and Manual Transmission. I am anxious to see how reliable it is...The N55 seems to be reliable.

You guys are describing my experience with an Audi B5 A4. Worthless pile of junk. My friend has two C5s and they constantly need attention as well. I think most lower/mid tier german cars during the mid 2000s were junk.