BMW Long-Term Quality

I've been spamming here for a few days because of my interest in BMW supplying a replacement for my current vehicle (it's 14 years old, time for a new car, heh). At first I became interested in the 335i last August, and being in Denver I patiently awaited the release of the xi versions. After reviewing the options available, I'm considering a 535i/xi as well, and perhaps a 6 series if I get lucky.

What has concerned me more than anything else is the frequent comment I see on this board that "we didn't buy these cars for their [quality, relaibility, dependability], we bought them because they [are fun to drive, drive well, are fast,etc.]"

I'm not a rich person who trades cars when the warranty runs out. I buy a car and run it until the wheels fall off, so to speak. I started this thread to ask for folks who have BMW cars that are relatively trouble free and have over 100,000 miles on them. Obviously we can't say how the current series of cars is going to fare, long term, but it would be nice to hear that at least some folks out there have reliable, dependable, fairly inexpensive BMW transportation that isn't in the garage every few months with some problem.

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Well, my '01 330i just rolled over 100,000 miles a couple of weeks ago. Since I bought it with 82,000 miles the only failures it's had are a window regulator which was replaced under CPO warranty along with the other 3 because I mentioned they occasionally made clicking sounds. It also got the sunroof shade fixed because it was crooked, and the A/C expansion valve replaced because it hissed. The complete service records I got with the car indicated 1 previous window regulator, 1 A/C hose, and 1 cam position sensor.

It still looks and drives like a brand new car and the only work I've got planned for it is regular or preventative maintenance. When the 88 325iS I used to drive broke it's timing belt (yes, I love the fact that they now use chains!) the cylinders still had crosshatching and absolutely no ridges or other signs of wear at 183,000 miles.

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My old man just sold his 2001 330i with 100,000 kilometers.

Other than oil changes and brakes, he had an oxygen sensor replaced at 50,000km and had the cam position sensor replaced at 96,000 km (BMW updated this part on the E46 as it was a common failure). Oh yeah, there was a recall on the A-arms on the earlier E46s and he had that done. Otherwise no problems except for the ones associated to his car getting rear-ended.

Before that he had a 1985 325 and it had literally no problems with 275,000km and required only scheduled maintenance.

I currently drive a 2006 E90 323i now with 33,500km and I have had zero problems.

My dad is awaiting delivery of a brand new 535xi Touring this month.

Reply » BMW Long-Term Quality

Quote:

On this board, we tend to be brutally honest. So we won't cover up our disagreements over the 15k service intervals, the break-in period, and our opinions on run-flat tires.

Yes, a BMW is a car you can keep for a long time. In fact, if a BMW is reliable to begin with, it'll stay that way. (The inverse is also true). However, if you want a BMW to run forever, you need to be willing to stay on top of the maintenance, perform preventative maintenance, and pay the price for the parts. Now, price of the parts usually is a worry point, but thesedays it isnt. Lexus parts & service is just as expensive as BMW parts & service, and trust me I had a '96 Lexus ES and stuff is NOT cheap.

BMW owners tend to be willing to trade a bit of reliability for a lot more driving fun. With the complexity of electronics thesedays in BMWs (the automatic transmission has 5 different shift programs alone), there's the occasional hiccup or idiosyncracies that pop up. For example, once in a blue moon, the passenger doors will not unlock via remote on my X3. But you know what, I just lock and unlock it again, and all is fine. Not worth fussing over it. With 42,500 miles on our '04 X3, I'm NOT bored of driving it, ever........plus we have had only one warranty-related problem. The "new car" novelty wears off on a lot of other cars, but the driving experience in a BMW never grows old.

Reply » BMW Long-Term Quality

My seven year old E46 is on the verge of cracking 80,000 miles.
There have only been two major (i.e. potentially dangerous/crippling) problems with it during that time. The more serious of the two was a bad rear wheel bearing at right around 45,000 miles. The other was a premature clutch failure (self-adjusting mechanism failed) at 38,000 miles. In reality, the clutch issue was more serious due to cost than safety - I actually drove it without issue for over a year with the "bad" clutch (it wouldn't engage properly; the disc itself had plenty of life left).

The rest of the problems I've had largely amount to nuisance issues: blower motor resistor failed (twice), several window regulators (approx. 6 - though none since the summer of 2005), and the sunroof shade (three times). A handful of sensors here and there. Minor power steering leak at the clamps (very common - and so minor that I haven't bothered to fix it - it's cheaper/easier just to add a bit of fluid now and then; takes about two years to use up just one $5 quart of the stuff). The engine burns no oil whatsoever, and no coolant, and I've just recently started on my third battery (which will probably last as long as the first two OEM batteries combined

). Starts with no hesitation, either. Basically, nothing that has stranded or crippled the car. It has never been towed.

I should note that my car is a relatively simple machine with a minimum number of options. I don't have power seats and the like (which is how I prefer it). The fewer things there are to break, the fewer things there are that will break.

With proper preventative maintenance, an older model BMW should last well into the six figure mileage. The newer models are a question mark, since none are quite old enough to use as a frame of reference yet. Personally, however, I've seen a lot of things about the N54 powered cars (335/535) that would make me very wary of owning one long term. It seems the fuel pump issue is destined to be a chronic problem for many of these cars - and losing a fuel pump is a much great problem than losing a window regulator. Knowing BMW's track record (and that of their suppliers), I wouldn't expect a significant redesign for some time to come (unless, of course, that it begins costing them so much in warranty losses that they can no longer ignore it).

In fact, I'm so comfortable with the behavior and reliability of this car, and so disappointed in the driving dynamics of the newer ones, that I'm unlikely to trade into an E90 or otherwise any time soon. It's hard going from something that DOES start every time I turn the key, and DOES run without problems after seven years of regular use, and DOES have a great driving feel, and jumping into an unknown quantity - even if it has a warranty. A warranty and free roadside assistance/towing isn't going to ease the frustration and inconvenience when the fuel pump quits and I'm stranded on the side of the road.

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e36 going on 187,000 and bought w/ 18k...nothing major and mostly just regular "maintenance" items you'd expect to change such as regular oil / fluid changes, air cleaner, cabin filters, full suspension at 105k, O2 sensor, cam sensor (since I got caught in 2.5' of water 20k ago), thermostat, belts, etc. Only thing that failed was HVAC control maybe 30k ago. Still runs very strong and still pretty much my daily driver.

Still have e36 and also have e46 M3 (and 2 330xi's before M3) and haven't had anything major go on any of them or ever been stranded.

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