XBimmers.com | BMW X6 Forum X5 Forum
 
TireRack





Go Back   XBimmers.com | BMW X6 Forum X5 Forum > BIMMERPOST Universal Forums > General BMW News and Cars Discussion

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      06-15-2015, 04:08 PM   #1
tvo9
Private
37
Rep
86
Posts

Drives: 2012 BMW 128i
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
People trashing the reliability of BMW vehicles

I was in a barbershop last weekend getting a haircut. 3 chairs away, there were 2 customers talking about car.

- Female A has a Miata, and she praised how much better it is comparing to her previously owned Z3. She said the Z3 cost so much money for repairing and maintaining, and mockingly said BMW stands for Break My Wallet.

- Female B added to the conversation by saying how many more broken down BMW she saw on the side of the road vs other brands.

I did not say anything and just smiled, but it gets me thinking.

When I decided to get the BMW 1, and my bother-in-law asking why I get such an unreliable and high maintenance vehicle. I told him I like the car, and that's all matter. I have CPO on the vehicle until December 2017. If it's that bad, I'll trade it in.

I am a big fan of couple with usable back seats. I had a Scion tC, and MINI Cooper, but the BMW give me a lot more power than both, and I like the style of BMW 1 a lot more. I think I have found the perfect couple with the BMW 1. I plan to keep the 1 for a very long time.

My question to the community is: Is BMW that bad of a brand, for the first thing I hear from many people is how unreliably it is, and how expensive it is to maintain?

I obviously haven't owned BMW for that long. For those of you having multiple BMW, and different generations, what are you inputs?
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 04:13 PM   #2
bmwperson
Second Lieutenant
29
Rep
209
Posts

Drives: 4wheels
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Pl

iTrader: (0)

Personal opinion but all my BMWs have been very reliable when maintained properly but I do agree that the newer cars have more parts and thus break more often. My old M5 was quite pricey and I did all the work. My all my E36es were bulletproof and dirt cheap to maintain I still hold my E36M3 as the gold standard when it comes to performance,handling,price...
__________________
--
1997 BMW M3 Single turbo 723whp GT42R
2000 BMW M5 - Daily
2014 BMW 335i xDrive 6spd loaded
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 04:14 PM   #3
gthal
Major General
gthal's Avatar
Canada
1901
Rep
5,678
Posts

Drives: 2018 340i xDrive
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Canada

iTrader: (2)

If you look at reliability stats, BMW is never at the top... other than Porsche, German cars generally aren't. More focus on performance than reliability which is different than Toyota, Honda, Nissan, etc.

However, ALL cars today are pretty reliable so I wouldn't worry about it. Personally, I haven't had any reliability issues (knock on wood) in any of the 5 BMW's I have owned.

Repair bills out of warranty may be more but I can't speak to that as I've never owned a car outside of warranty
__________________
2020 X3 M40i | Black | Current DD
2020 C8 Corvette | Z51 | Torch Red ... built and waiting for delivery
2016 M2 | Long Beach Blue | 6MT
2015 M4 | Austin Yellow | DCT
2012 MB C63AMG | 2011 E92 M3 | 2010 E92 M3
Appreciate 3
      06-15-2015, 04:22 PM   #4
Petros
Banned
62
Rep
1,381
Posts

Drives: M3
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Canada

iTrader: (1)

No smoke without fire. Yes, BMW does have a legitimate reputation for unreliability. obviously it depends on the model, and some models are more reliable than other. But on average a BMW will have more issues than a Toyota or honda. But it's not just that. Failures are also more expensive on a premium german brand. Labor costs more. And parts are insanely overpriced as well. YOu would expect to pay much more for a spare part on a BMW than a Nissan or Chevy, just because of the brand name.
Appreciate 1
      06-15-2015, 04:27 PM   #5
BMW269
Brigadier General
No_Country
431
Rep
3,888
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

LOL

And then the BMW guys trash Alfa Romeo for being unreliable, but I didn't have any problems with my two Alfas. Just got some rattles now at 30K km.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 04:29 PM   #6
Supra2k6
Lieutenant
131
Rep
573
Posts

Drives: 335i
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: The District

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Petros View Post
No smoke without fire. Yes, BMW does have a legitimate reputation for unreliability. obviously it depends on the model, and some models are more reliable than other. But on average a BMW will have more issues than a Toyota or honda. But it's not just that. Failures are also more expensive on a premium german brand. Labor costs more. And parts are insanely overpriced as well. YOu would expect to pay much more for a spare part on a BMW than a Nissan or Chevy, just because of the brand name.
agreed they did cut corners in a lot of things and are late to the party technology wise (bluetooth streaming) until 2011-2012 come BMW.

Reason why i see bmw's broken down on the side of the road specially when it's snows because of the Run flats. Only reason i picked a 335i is because of the engine, car looks good and it's newer and didn't find anything else under that price range appealing. i would pick a gtr in a heartbeat if i could afford it.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 04:34 PM   #7
csu87
Banned
2134
Rep
3,555
Posts

Drives: 09 335xi
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: Northern Colorado

iTrader: (0)

its the same situation to how some people view fords or chevys or jeeps. There have been periods in time where a certain brand has terrible reliability and gets that reputation. Fords now a days have pretty good reliability, but in the 90s, all you ever heard was how much they break down and now some people, thats all the associate Ford with.

I think the reliability issues are associated with most German cars, BMW, Audi, Mercedes..., but, at least in my area, you see more BMWs on the road, so naturally you will see more with issues.

As far as costing a lot to maintain, well duh. This isnt a Miata where the car brand new is half the price of a new 3 series. If something breaks, it is going to cost more. You can get a Water Pump for a 2010 Miata for ~ $50. A water pump for a 2010 335 is ~ $350.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 04:44 PM   #8
M3Bimmer77
Captain
M3Bimmer77's Avatar
340
Rep
947
Posts

Drives: 2011.5 M3 E90 Jet Black
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: West Palm Beach

iTrader: (2)

More expensive than a Prius? Of course. Than an Altima? Yes. Than a Ford Explorer, yes. Than a MB, about the same. When you compare " how expensive a car is over a year" there are many things to take into consideration. If you go with an X5 your tires, oil changes, alignment, etc are going to be more or less the same price as for a Ford Explorer or a Nissan Parhfinder. But if you go into an M3 or M5 probably the yearly maintanance will be a little more. BMW are consider "luxury" cars, some more than others. At the end the car will be more expensive than a regular car and less expensive than a high end luxury car. Also, I have heard than hourly rates at German and Italian dealerships are higher than American and Japaneese cars. One thing is that spare parts are more expensive than American or Japaneese cars. Do you want to drive just a car or an ultimate driving machine?
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 04:47 PM   #9
tjlees
Major
England
349
Rep
1,437
Posts

Drives: F30 Chav Mobile
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: United Kingdom

iTrader: (0)

BMW have average reliability according various UK surveys I've seen - not really in the same league as some Japanese brands. The two Mitsubishi evos I had never missed a beat regardless of how much abuse and tuning I threw at them.

Porsche maybe reliable in the US but have had IMS, RMS and bore scoring problems as well as catching fire (991 GT3) in the UK.

Personally I've had rear springs break, smg problems and big end bearing replaced on E46 m3, water pump and timing chain on my r56 mini but nothing on my e46 330i, other e46 m3 nor my e63 m6. So far the f30 is ok (touch wood) but it's early days.

Most unreliable cars I've had are either French (Citroen XM, Renault Clio, peugoet) or Italian based (fiat uno, Alpha sud)
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 04:48 PM   #10
Killramos
Captain
Killramos's Avatar
Canada
312
Rep
862
Posts

Drives: '19 M2 '21 X5
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Calgary

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuidoK View Post
....females shouldn't be allowed to drive at all
I was wondering why they were in a barbershop

I have never had a problem with my nor have i ever known anyone who's BMW has broken down or required serious out of warranty repairs.

Maybe I am lucky but i see a ton of old (20+ years) BMW's on the road on a daily basis as well so how much of time bombs can these cars be?
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 06:09 PM   #11
fecurtis
Banned
United_States
3260
Rep
6,299
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i M-Sport
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Arlington, VA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Levi View Post
LOL

And then the BMW guys trash Alfa Romeo for being unreliable, but I didn't have any problems with my two Alfas. Just got some rattles now at 30K km.
False. Everyone on the planet bashes Alfa Romeo.
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 06:30 PM   #12
Ali Shiralian
Lieutenant Colonel
Ali Shiralian's Avatar
Canada
813
Rep
1,986
Posts

Drives: 2014 335i xdrive, 2014 X5 3.5d
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Owen sound, Ontario, canada

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by GuidoK View Post
....females shouldn't be allowed to drive at all
Or at least comment on them
Appreciate 1
      06-15-2015, 06:34 PM   #13
Peter_R
Air Vice Marshall
Peter_R's Avatar
United Kingdom
256
Rep
1,639
Posts

Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK)

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by fecurtis View Post
False. Everyone on the planet bashes Alfa Romeo.
Agreed. It is Italian and the electrics are really cr@p.
__________________
2007 BMW 325d M Sport remapped (E91).
2012 BMW 320d Sport (F31).
2013 BMW X3 xDrive 30d M Sport (F25).
2020 BMW X1 xDrive 2.0i MSport (F48).
2022 MB EQB 300 4MATIC AMG Line Premium
Appreciate 0
      06-15-2015, 07:21 PM   #14
gap
First Lieutenant
105
Rep
376
Posts

Drives: 2008 135i
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: MS

iTrader: (1)

Quote:
Originally Posted by bmwperson View Post
Personal opinion but all my BMWs have been very reliable when maintained properly but I do agree that the newer cars have more parts and thus break more often. My old M5 was quite pricey and I did all the work. My all my E36es were bulletproof and dirt cheap to maintain I still hold my E36M3 as the gold standard when it comes to performance,handling,price...
My indy mechanic tells me stories about customers bringing their BMW in complaining about how unreliable it is but no scheduled maintenance was being done. Higher performance cars are more complicated and need regular maintenance.
__________________
ER CP, Forge DV, Wagner FMIC, PE, Maddad Mid, ER Sports OC, BMS OCC, RB Check Valve, AFE intake, Cobb AP3- Stage 1+ drive, BMW SS, PS Springs, Yellow Koni external, M3 Control Arms F & R, M3 Strut Brace, M3 Sub Bushing, Rouge Toe, Dinan Camber Plate and Rear Shock Mts., E93 M3 front sway bar, Mfactory Diff, Arc 8 PSS 235/40/18-265/35/18
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 12:43 AM   #15
BMW269
Brigadier General
No_Country
431
Rep
3,888
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by fecurtis View Post
False. Everyone on the planet bashes Alfa Romeo.
And yet Ferrari and Range Rover are just as bad if not worse.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 01:31 AM   #16
John_01
Colonel
John_01's Avatar
Australia
232
Rep
2,643
Posts

Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, Australia

iTrader: (0)

BMW cars have water pumps made completely of plastic and powered by electric motor. They will fail within 100,000km of use and leave the driver totally stranded.

If you ask me, the cars should all be recalled and fitted with better quality metal-bladed water pumps all-metal radiators as well.
There are probably other examples but that I think the water pump is the most shameful one because it is really fundamental to the cars reliability.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 01:39 AM   #17
PopsnBurbles
Captain
PopsnBurbles's Avatar
United_States
192
Rep
893
Posts

Drives: 135is :) 192/586
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: LA, CA

iTrader: (4)

Garage List
Although we don't have them here in the States, I don't think BMW owners/drivers should complain about people bashing BMW's reliability when compared to an Alfa Romeo or TVRs. But really, I would kill to have a TVR Tuscan Speed Six or a Cerbera 4.5 LW.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 02:08 AM   #18
DUI Elite
///M at Heart
DUI Elite's Avatar
89
Rep
1,954
Posts

Drives: 06 SGM E90, 15 BSM E84
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Chicago, IL

iTrader: (4)

I'll venture to guess the people who claim the BMWs aren't reliable - don't maintain their cars lol.
__________________

| 3-IM | AA Headers | Eurocharged Stage-3 | BMW PI |
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 09:14 AM   #19
Jamesons Viggen
Brigadier General
United_States
193
Rep
3,780
Posts

Drives: '98 M Roadster stg 2+ S/C
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Rochester Hills MI

iTrader: (3)

Anyone can have a bad experience with a brand. I can give examples of my sister's terrible Sienna or a terrible Accord.

To counter, my Z3M has been ridiculously reliable and at 86k still has its original clutch, pads and rotors. The stock headgasket even held 13psi without going pop.
__________________

'98 Dinan/RMS stage 2+(VAC cams, CES Cutring etc)
'15 Buick Regal "T"(wife)
'06 Saab 9-5 Combi 5mt (full suspension, LSD, clipped turbo etc)
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 09:17 AM   #20
Vitalität
Captain
Vitalität's Avatar
United_States
111
Rep
807
Posts

Drives: BMW i3 & X5
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Denver, CO

iTrader: (2)

Garage List
2015 BMW i3 BEV  [0.00]
2007 BMW X5 48i  [0.00]
2006 BMW 330i  [0.00]
2004 BMW 330i  [0.00]
Even on the best car brand, there is always a hater. And all makes are not perfect. It has its own weaknesses too. You like it and that's what matters like you said.
__________________


Garage: BMW i3 Giga World BEV | BMW E70 X5
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 09:55 AM   #21
Meeni
Gateropode
Meeni's Avatar
329
Rep
2,848
Posts

Drives: BMW 330i 06
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: TN

iTrader: (0)

Even when they don't break they cost more to maintain. I was in shock when I helped a friend change all his coils and plugs on a Mazda: the parts where 45$, total. That;s not enough money to buy ONE of the SIX coils on a BMW.
Appreciate 0
      06-16-2015, 10:02 AM   #22
Cattivo
FDNY Engine 55
Cattivo's Avatar
United_States
678
Rep
2,115
Posts

Drives: X5M, X5 50i Msport, EscaHoe
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: The Concrete Jungle

iTrader: (1)

I've owned over 30 BMW's and out of those 30, 2 were pieces of shit, the rest have all been very reliable besides your normal wear and tear. I currently own 2- X5/M that have been trouble free and I drive ALL my cars like I stole them! As long as you don't follow BMW's silly maintenance schedule and do your own preventive maintenance such as changing your oil every 5k miles, your Bimmer will run for ever!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:48 AM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST