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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
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Does anyone have any problems with the hardtop on these cars? Anyone else heard of this problem? Also, I've never owned a BMW, always Japanese cars that have pretty good reliability...how are the BMWs?
Just wondering, because I think it will be difficult. Very interesting, though..
regards,
kyfdx
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I can respond to this part of your post from my own personal experience with Japanese cars (had many, have 2 currently) and one BMW (a 2006 330i with 33,000 miles). Never had any trouble with a Japanese car. Had the original G35 before the 330i. At that time I asked the same question in this forum as you did. I was leery about getting a German car. Well, based on the responses, I decided to chance it. After 2+ years, my BMW has been at the service center for a total of several weeks (not days). For a variety of issues, one serious (and a potential bank breaker if the problem materialized after the warranty period). I know I can't remember them all and I do not have the patience to review my records. But here's what I do recall:
1. Engine problem. Noise would come and go. Lifters had to be replaced. Other contributors to this forum have reported this particular problem as well.
2. Starter problem. Car would sometimes take a few presses of the starter button before starting. Starter had to be replaced.
3. Headlight problem. Adaptive feature of xenon headlights stopped working. Turned out to be a loose connection, but it took them a week to realize it.
4. Rear cupholder problem. Got stuck in retracted position. Had to be replaced.
5. Rear glass modling problem. Rubber molding was loose. Had to be replaced.
6. Another starting problem. Trouble starting car sometimes due to steering wheel locking. Have yet to have this problem diagnosed and remedied.
7. Door trim quality problem. Driver's door has layer (of plastic?) which is starting to peel. Have yet to have this problem checked and remedied.
Love the car though. Like the way it drives better than Japanese sports sedans I have driven. BMW gives me a BMW loaner car every time, though a lesser BMW than mine and without sat radio, which are annoyances (as is having to drop my car off and pick my car up from problem-related visits to the service center). And, there was no charge for anything. Repairs AND ROUTINE MAINTENANCE (even wipers!) were fully covered under the warranty and included maintenance plan. Although my monthly payment is high, I really like knowing that I will not have to pay anything for repairs and maintenace during the entire term of my 3-year lease. Replacement tires may be the only thing that is not included (I haven't had to replace mine, despite the mileage, because I am doing the snow tire changeover thing).
When my lease expires in Aug 08, I would at least consider getting another BMW but it's not a no-brainer for me. The problems I have had will not ultimately deter me. The car is that good (when everything is working properly, which is the case most of the time). One thing I like about leasing is that I can get something new and fresh every 3 years. To get the same car again, albeit in a different color (already have my first choice, so it would be my second choice) and maybe a twin turbo under the hood (if I'm willing to pay even more for that), would be much less exciting than when I got my first BMW. The 1-Series (coming out soon) seems too small for me, and the 5-Series seems too expensive for me. Don't like a SUV for a daily driver. Covertible or coupe would be nice, but impractical for a father of 3. So it would have to be another same generation 3-Series sedan for me. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but . . .
Well, I've owned four Japanese cars, including a Mazdaspeed 3 that I currently drive as my daily commuter. As for BMWs, I've owned eight since 1983. That number includes a 56K mile X3 2.5 that my wife currently drives and a 110K mile 318ti track rat that I've owned since new. In my experience BMWs are no trouble-prone than any other car. Ditto for maintenance and repair costs; My 318ti has averaged about $400-$500 a year to run, and that figure includes ALL maintenance and repair expenses as well as three sets of 16" Z-rated rubber. I've replaced one set of pads/rotors, the serpentine belts and idlers, the timing chain tensioner(DIY $55 and 10 minutes) and a brake light switch. That's it.
The X3 has had one non-scheduled repair- a defective SRS seat sensor that was replaced under warranty. At around 48K I replaced the OEM Bridgestones with Pirelli P Zero Nero M+S tires for less than $400. I do change the oil at 7.5K rather than 15K, but it's a dead simple DIY procedure that takes all of 30 minutes and @$45.
My wife had an 528iA prior to the X3 and she drove it to over 130K before we sold it(I wish we'd kept it instead of my Jeep, but that's another story). Maintenance/repair costs averaged around $800-$900 a year. Non-scheduled repair items included a couple of idler pullies, a water pump, two tie rod ends, and front struts.
I'd advise you to buy what you like.
And as for what we'll buy next? Well, my wife will probably end up with a Mini Clubman while I'm leaning toward a new M3 sedan.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
I have an '07 335 but see these on all BMW's.
After 2+ years, my BMW has been at the service center for a total of several weeks (not days).
Sorry that your BMW hasn't been reliable, but in all honesty, I typically recommend avoiding the purchase of any vehicle during its initial model year introduction. 2006 was the first model year for the E90 platform.
Even the Japanese manufacturers who typically have exceptional reliability will produce some problematic vehicles during their first model year. As an example, I read somewhere that Consumer Reports is not recommending the 2007 Camry V6 due to reliability concerns. I think Lexus also had some issues when it redesigned the GS.
By the way, just to provide a different unique perspective to the original question, I usually don't like to lease my cars. Therefore, our past 3 BMW purchases have all been CPO (Certified Pre-Owned) cars from a BMW dealership. My experience with all three purchases is that you can find a very good deal if you are patient, and if you are willing to shop more than just one dealership. Of course, it also helps if you are flexible with the specific options and color choices!
Thus far, out of 5 BMWs we have owned, we've never had a problematic car. In fact, we had more problems with our 2001 Acura MDX and our 2004 Lexus RX330 than with any BMW we've owned. Note both this MDX and RX330 were purchased during their first model year -- providing further ammunition for that recommendation I provided in my first paragraph above!
Fair point. That's a risk I took. I couldn't resist. Impulse was too strong. And I couldn't wait. My lease was expiring.
Even the Japanese manufacturers who typically have exceptional reliability will produce some problematic vehicles during their first model year.
True. However, I was also one of the first people to have the G35 when it first came out and that was a problem free car. As for my BMW, it's going back to the service center in 3 weeks to troubleshoot its latest problems. Not an ideal first experience with BMW. Makes me less eager to have a second experience. But testimonials like yours and other contributors to these forums do help to give me courage and think that perhaps I was just unlucky.
So.. last April, the warranty was about to run out, and my friend called me.. said they had a few weeks and about 900 miles left on the warranty, and wanted to know what they should do.. Following Shifty's advice, I told them to call and make a service appointment, and ask them to check the front end. Shifty suggested saying, "It feels funny.. I hear a clunk". They followed my/Shifty's advice and, sure enough... "It is really lucky you brought it in.. It needs control arms, bushings, yada, yada, yada.." The total bill would have been around $1000, but was all covered by the maintenance plan. Nice! (thanks, Shifty).
Last night, at our local eatery/watering hole, I ran into them. (Not unusual.. ). They are having a problem with the A/C.. Mechanically, everything works, but no cold air.. It still defogs (and it's chilly here), but no cold. Typically, you could hang meat in the car with the A/C on.
The car now has about 54K miles, and the warranty expired about six months ago.. Even though they love our local dealer's service department, they wondered if they should take it to an independent BMW shop. This is the first car they haven't paid cash for, and they are having a hard time reconciling payments+repairs.
I suggested they call the service department, and tell them their problem, and stress how disappointed they are, that a major component like the A/C should fail, just a few months out of warranty. Then, I finished my beer, and I left..
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Now.. I give advice like this all the time.. Mostly, because members here on CarSpace.com post messages about doing this.. and say it works! Personally, it never works for me, and I have to pull out the checkbook.
Anyway, today, I get an e-mail from our friends, and they did just what I suggested.. and the service advisor said, "Bring it in, and we'll take care of whatever the problem is, no charge."
To quote my friend's e-mail, "I love this company!".
They also love the car.. '03 325i in Steel Blue with Sport package and xenons.. With a nice set of style 42 wheels for summer.. I'm jealous, every time I see it.
regards,
kyfdx
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Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Does anyone know any reliable and reasonable independent garage in SF-BayArea, specifically East Bay, can fix and maintain BMW instead of going to the dealer? Greatly appreciate your post. Thx. Meg
I must come to the defense of the Accord. My family has one - a 2006 LE V6. There is some, dare I say it, fun to drive factor there. V6 + pretty good handling. Although Accord and Camry are often lumped together as the being the two most popular reliable mainstream family sedans, they have remarkably different personalities. Accord is nimble and fun to drive. Camry is quiet but not fun to drive. The Accord is certainly not a 3-Series, but it's far from "achingly boring." Maybe that description fits the Camry though.
Not in the East Bay, although I am sure there is one (East Bay has the best mechanics IMO) but there's Bill Arnold Automotive in San Rafael (just a hop over the Richmond Bridge from Berkeley) at 68 Woodland Ave. 415 459 2697. Great shop if you have a job you can wait around for, otherwise you're stranded in Marin with regards to public transport. If it were a 1938 BMW I could help you!
I am in San Leandro, CA. There is one on Washington Ave. but I have no knowledge about their work. Talking to a friend, he advises that if i want to go independent garage I need to know well because, he said, there were cases that the machanics don't know how to, they opened up the engine and made a mess.
Many thanks.
Also, there's a place in Danville but the name escapes me right now. Maybe try googling...?
Or, check bimrs.org which lists independent shops that are certified for bmw's.
there are no oil spots on the floor of my garage, and the mechanic took a look under the car last time I had it in the shop and didn't notice anything.
i just changed the oil at the end of August (it took 5.5 quarts).
it's a 2001 330i m/t with 82K miles.
That could be your problem. Your engine takes 6.9 quarts.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
plus, when I checked the level on the dipstick two weeks ago it looked fine (right in the middle of the high and low).
Best Regards,
Shipo
just a quick follow-on question though... if i checked the dipstick and it showed the level to be in the middle, what would happen over two weeks that would cause it drop?
I also checked the dipstick when after changing the oil, and it looked okay then as well.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Are you parking in the same place every time you check your oil? The floor of my basement garage is sloped toward the door. If I back my 3er into its space the oil level reads @.25" below the "Full" mark. If I pull the car in it reads @.25" above "Full".
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
roadburner-- yep, i check the level in my garage (level floor).
It is me again. I also have the feeling that when my car is more than 4 years old, the service at the dealer is not great anymore. They were slow to serve me, it took longer time after I paid the bill to get my car back, one time they lost the key, had to look for it more than 30 min, one time they park my car at the front and gave me the key to go look for it. I wonder how stupid they are because they now cut my arm and leg for repair and maintenance.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
It all depends on the individual dealer. In my case the local dealer(Swope BMW) provides excellent service on my 1995 3er as well as my wife's 2004 X3. I've even found Swope to be cheaper than my indie BMW shop for some maintenance and repairs.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Here's the link:
http://www.edmunds.com/dealerships/drr/jump.html
MrShiftright
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The other day I heard that engine ticking noise again, the same noise which led to a lifters replacement and 3 weeks at the service center over the summer. First time I heard that noise since the "fix." Now I'm worried it may be a recurring and unfixable problem. It happens that I have a service appointment next week for several other issues (been waiting almost a month - that's how long it took to get an appointment with a loaner car). I'll mention this to them and ask them to check it out. I never felt so sick just from a sound before. I never want to hear that sound again!
I've asked you this before, but isn't this a leased car? So why are you making youself so upset over these issues?
i looked in the manual, and it says to wait 5 minutes. i've checked at (roughly) that interval and also at about an hour afterwards. The oil level was noticeably higher after an hour.
Also, I'm at ~ 82K miles... should I be planning to replace my radiator? (I've already done the water pump [proactive] and expansion tank [reactive])
Thanks!
Pull it, look at it, push it back in. You don't even need a rag to wipe it off, which you would if the car were recently run.
Best Regards,
Shipo