If the new 3 series has better reliability on the electronics (news to me, but then lots of things are), great. I would put that down to most models being simpler, with fewer things to go wrong.

Check out the E60 reliability in terms of electronics. Sharing that pain with the E70 doesn't bode well, if in fact they are sharing components and systems.

And while I agree that BMWs are designed to be driven, too many warranty dollars are spent on components that don't get driven, but which are along for the ride. How would one drive (ride?) a window regulator or I-drive screen, anyway?

There was once a saying that the definition of a sports car is one that doesn't have anything on it that doesn't make it go faster. We have collectively moved a long ways away from that mentality. There was recently a discussion on this board about the ultimate driving machine, and what the BMW brand represented. A lot of posters used the word luxury. When did luxury get mixed up with sports and driving? Not necessarily a bad thing, but not a part of the BMW brand IMO. Time to get back to simpler, lighter, faster. Damn, now I sound like Colin Chapman. He didn't have much to do with reliability either....

Jeff

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue