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Comments
Every car I've had has pulled at sometime or another. Usually an alignment and tire rotate/balance fixes the problem.
My dealer recently installed new front struts and did a wheel alignment. The car now pulls to the right and still doesn't handle as well as it did some 20,000 miles ago. Could this be due to the rear end. My dealer is in Brooklyn, NY and charges for even checking my air!
My transmission also shifts roughly or not at all, especially if not fully warm (10 minutes min.). An independent repair shop told me the sticker under the transmission idicates it is sealed and should not be opened. My dealer wants Big $ to check and in the past has said It's normal. No easy way to check fluid level. Any advise would be appreciated.
ds
The question he had is if he should bring the car back to the dealer for check up. Another question is whether the car needs a Inspection 2 service at 30,000. I learned BMW has changed the frequency from 30,000 to 40,000. Your suggestion is much appreciated. As he is an intern in the hospital and hardly gets a day off for auto service, I'll arrange to switch cars with him to bring the car in when service is needed. Thanks in advance for your advice.
THANK YOU.
BTW, reluctantly I am going back to my local dealer (4 week wait)this Mon. to discuss the "pulling" and now have some additional info. to bring up. Thanks again for the advice.
In the case of the brakes the system warning light light only came on the 2nd time. Why all these problems? The Dealer just keeps acting as tho' this is totally normal.. this car has spent more time in the shop than virtually any car I have ever owned..includng the horrible Town & Country mini van I last owned.
So can you shed some light on this? What are some of the inherent problems of BMW 3 series convertibles? thank you.
Brakes- No known E36 quirks. You should get at least 30K out of the pads and 60K from the rotors. Easy. Dont ride the brakes; my 1995 3er sees some track use and at 78K it's still on the original rotors and only the second set of front pads.
Soft Top-sounds like the dealer doesn't keep current with the TSBs.
SRS- The E36 has had a few problems with occupant and belt latch sensors. Nothing serious, and easy to rectify.
Air Dam- If your air dam is messed up, it's because YOU hit something- a curb, speed bump, or other foreign object. OTOH, if the splash shield under the engine keeps coming loose, then the shop needs to fix it right the FIRST time.
Water Pump- 35K is somewhat early; most S50s don't need a water pump until they have over 60K on the clock.
IMHO, you should stay off the brakes and find a competent dealer or independent BMW shop. What shop(s)do the local BMW CCA members use?
I will have the dealer rotate the tires if it wasn't done with the strut replacement.
Thanks, DS
I live in S. Calif, and our traffic here is legendary.. I no longer take my 328i to the local dealer( Irvine BMW) because of integrity issues.. thanks for reinforcing my feeling I was not being dealt w/ appropriately.
I do not "ride" my brakes, preferring to shift to compensate for traffic issues.. also the shield/dam shows no scaring that would indicate I had hit something.. I appreciate your taking the time to answer my questions as I have a great deal of fondness for this car.. I have never had a "relationship" w/ a car before this one.
I drive my bimmer very conservatively and am super easy on the brakes as I hate the brake dust it creates. I have had three!!!!new rotors and sets of pads in 56000 miles. This is not acceptable.I have had numerous other problems, AC control unit, AM radio reception,numerous sensors, a stuck window,a turn signal indicator that dangled and didnt work 3 times.
I could go on but I too am very dissapointed with my first BMW.
I was in the auto business for 35 years have owned 40 to 50 cars and I have had 7 sports cars Jags, Porsches, Triumph, Austin Healy. So by way of background , I am far from being a newcomer to all this, Ten trips to the dealer in two years, not counting service--NOT GOOD.
Strangely enough I love the handling and feel of the car, but the problems are pushing me to consider other options.
http://home.earthlink.net/~millerfj
2002 325Ci steel grey/step/PP/SP/Xenons
When I try to downshift into first going 10-15, it does complain a little bit. So I don't downshift into first unless I'm going under 5 mph. I usually only shift into first at a complete stop.
Not that anyone does full stops in California anyway.
All this said, I still LOVE the car. But BMW better address the quality issues. I normally keep my vehicles for 7 or 8 years. I'm not sure what to do with this one after the next year, when my warranty expires. It will be a difficult decision. I have no patience for reliability issues in cars.
Overall, the BMW is truly a magnificent vehicle. It's handling is tremendous. But it's not going to be as reliable as a Toyota or Honda.
2002 Orient Blue 325i/Prem Pkg/Cold W. Pkg/Step
20k miles.
This is a "car", all cars have some issues/problems including those from Honda, Toyota and Infiniti. Relax and enjoy it.
Thanks,
ajl1000
My car goes back to the dealer on Monday to find out what the mild thumping noise is coming from the engine bay.
Volvo is regarded as having poor quality by CR, much worse than BMW. We have had our share of problems with the car, but they have all been minor "inconveniences".
I believe a "poor" reliability car of today is far ahead of any car from 20 years ago. These ratings should be taken in with all of the other factors, but I don't believe reliability should be the primary factor.
Regarding the BMW, it's coming up on it's first birthday and I haven't even thought of taking it to the dealer for a thing. The car has been perfect!
-murray
Jim Cox
Hopefully, your problems will be resolved.
-murray
Thanks.
Howard
I think I kind of figured out what the buzzing from the vent was. I was going over some bumps and heard it, so I think it might just be something loose. However, almost everytime I come to a complete stop, I hear this mild thump coming from the left rear. Just the other day, however, I got into the car and I guess with enough force. I heard something similar clunk in the left rear wheel area. Could it be something loose in the suspension or something? I am taking the car to the dealer on Friday, but I do find these sounds disconcerting, as I've only had the vehicle for two weeks exactly. I would like to find out more about CR and taking away its recommendation of BMW cars. Was this in one of the magazines? If so, what issue?
Thanks,
ajl1000
BTW- Do BMW's really consume a lot of engine oil? It was just something I read in one of the other forums, and I had never heard about it.
You may want to buy the April issue of Consumer Reports which will be on the stands sometime in early March. It is their auto issue and will give you reliability reports on the 3 series frequency of repair for your car. I have also suscribed to their on-line service in which one can pull up the reliability data. I found that the 2000 323, which by the way I also own, has less than good stats on brakes, power equipment and body hardware. You will find that most German cars have more reliability issues than Japanese cars. I think you have to take all of this with a grain of salt. I have had no problems with my car which I purchased new except for a leather wear problem which was quickly remedied by the dealer.
Drive your car and enjoy it. I love mine and can live with some of problems that may crop up in the future. The fun of driving a car like this far exceeds any worry I might have about reliability!
Jimbo
8/21/00 - 67,480 miles, inspection 2 $425 Parts/labor, replaced fuse #26 1.5 labor $128
1/4/01 - 74,600 , Brake fluid and coolant flushed, $196, Replaced front rotors $315, Replaced front ball joints $200 (to pass inspection)
5/15/01 - 80,434 , window guide and regulator $310
8/16/01 - 88,037 , oil pan replaced, transmission oil cooler replaced due to leaks in both areas, two trips to shop for parts, $1190.
11/9/01 - 94,230 , Inspect breaks (N/C this time with oil change for $55)
(Receipts not on file for next year)
10/01/02 - 110,642 , Replaced battery $120.
10/22/02 - 111,312 , Traction control light on, throttle actuator replaced $495
12/11/02 - 113,827 , Replaced front struts, alignment $950.
2/07/03 - 115,560 , Replaced cracked drivers seat frame, replaced front brake pads, check and top off trans. fluid, $500.
2/27/03 - 116,116 , Replaced thermostat w housing, $275 (plus misc. inspections on previous repairs as car still pulls and brakes feel lousy, NC).
Found out today rotors are scored and will need replacing soon (not noticed in last visits).
I included some "normal" main. to give a feel as to frequency to dealer (all done at BMW). Left out numerous oil changes and tune ups.
As you can see, not the most reliable car and lousy dealer service (at least I now get a 10% parts and labor discount, it seems I've earned it:)
Sorry for the long post, DS
<8/21/00 - 67,480 miles, inspection 2 $425 Parts/labor, replaced fuse #26 1.5 labor $128>
The Insp II cost is reasonable, but $128 to replace a fuse? You do know that the owners manual tells where the fuses are located, right?
<1/4/01 - 74,600 , Brake fluid and coolant flushed, $196, Replaced front rotors $315, Replaced front ball joints $200 (to pass inspection)>
The brake and coolant flush sounds about right. You can get OEM ATE or Balo rotors for less than $34 each. OEM Lemforder ball joints are $23 each.
<5/15/01 - 80,434 , window guide and regulator $310>
A regulator with new sliding clips, and guides runs @$100. And it's a simple DIY job:
http://www.understeer.com/window.shtml
<8/16/01 - 88,037 , oil pan replaced, transmission oil cooler replaced due to leaks in both areas, two trips to shop for parts, $1190.>
WHY would you need to replace the oil pan? I know one friend who cracked one when his M5 "caught some air" at a RR crossing during a rally, but still... Anyway, the AT cooler is only $203.
<11/9/01 - 94,230 , Inspect breaks(sic) (N/C this time with oil change for $55)>
OK, this was a problem because???
<(Receipts not on file for next year)
10/01/02 - 110,642 , Replaced battery $120.>
You could have bought an OEM Douglas or Interstate for under $100.
<10/22/02 - 111,312 , Traction control light on, throttle actuator replaced $495>
Sounds a little high.
<12/11/02 - 113,827 , Replaced front struts, alignment $950.>
Did that quote include vaseline? A pair of Bilstein HDs cost $360. And are you complaining that the struts wore out after "only" 114000 miles?
<2/07/03 - 115,560 , Replaced cracked drivers seat frame, replaced front brake pads, check and top off trans. fluid, $500.>
Well, the cracked seat frame was a a first for me. ATE or Pagid pads sell for under $50 all day long.
<2/27/03 - 116,116 , Replaced thermostat w housing, $275 (plus misc. inspections on previous repairs as car still pulls and brakes feel lousy, NC).>
The housing runs @$30, and it's a 1.5 hour job at most.
Some final observations:
Does your dealer offer a CCA discount? There's a 10%-30% savings right there.
Even my wife got over 65000 miles out of the front pads on her 1998 318tiA, and she brakes for EVERYTHING.
ANY car with over 100000 on the clock is going to need a bit of extra maintenance. How long do you expect struts, rotors, or t-stats to last?
Face it; any six year old car is expensive to fix if have to you run to the dealer for every little repair.
Frankly, you don't sound like the type of driver that needs to keep ANY car over @60000 miles.
So I'll tell you what, since your ti is such an obvious piece of junk, I'll take it off your hands for $2000. Deal?
As for expectations on longevity of parts, I was just listing in response to your post on reliability. I agree the struts lasted a long time (3x longer than my previous front driver). I just never paid so much for replacements. Considering the mileage I accumulated in the first 2.5 yrs. of ownership, I was the first to support the durability of the car. Reflecting back, w/o all the receipts handy, I see that I got hosed and reliability is not that clear. I still love driving this car and now seem to let it sit for fear of the next $500 repair. BTW, I picked the car up yesterday night, drove 2 miles this morning and the traction control light stuck on. It looks like the throttle actuator is broken again (I still have the used part from the last repair in my garage, just 4 months ago, should at least be under warentee). Back to BMW I go, with some attitude and $1.50 for the bus ride home.....
One last note, the oil pan was replaced due to the plug threads being stripped (both indep. and BMW did oil changes and both diagnosed the repair before I had BMW do the work).