As the above statement would apply to me and probably a few others, not many, on this forum, I would have to say that although this is the first BMW vehicle I ever owned I've been lucky so far not to have any issues as of yet at only 3800 miles. Nonetheless, I understand where you're coming from, as I owned 3 different year Dodge Grand Caravans and had nothing but problems, bad dealer service, and continuos visits to the service department for one thing or another. I then decided to go for an Infinity QX56, first model year 2004, needless to say, that didn't go very well; I was away in Iraq during that year and my wife was bombarded with the amount of troubles this particular vehicle had, the 2 worst being not being able to put the vehicle into park, therefore not able to remove key, and the second being that when she removed the key on a separate ocassion the vehicle remained running!!!!
That's probably one of the biggest reasons why I then decided to go for a BMW, besides the "marque" as you mention. I only hope that I don't go through the same ordeal you have gone through, and I wish you the best with whatever vehicle(s) you decide to go with!!!!
P.S.- My wife loves the QX56 nonetheless and regardless of the problems she change it for a 2006 model year and it has been fine so far, so maybe it is just as other members pointed out, first model year is the worst!!!!

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