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Originally Posted by AzNMpower32
One reason I'm about ready to ditch a 335i sedan in favor of a 328i sedan next summer for ED is cuz of the potential first year bugs. This being the first turbo gasoline engine in a while, plus the fact its new, makes it a bit sketchier than usual. While I'm sure the majority of the engines are fine, I've read enough threads on Bimmerfest to worry about first MY reliability.
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I fully understand the concerns over first year reliability. I break it down into the turbo, engine, and vehicle issues. The turbo part doesn't particularly worry me, apart from any software issues related to the specific power output of this model (and they will get those issues worked out). The Mitsubishi turbos themselves are proven technology. The new engine would worry me more with the N53 and the new alloy block, than with the N54 which has gone back to aluminum for the block. The vehicle being all new is what would worry me the most. The biggest set of problems will be assembly-related, not design-related, IMO. I would not buy the first run of an all-new design (E60, E90) but the E92 is based largely on the E90 chassis.
BMW is using the E90 and E92 to ramp up the twin turbo 3.0 engine. By March of 2007, that engine will be in the 5 series, and likely soon after in other models (X, etc) I figure that they will be watching the early issues with the E90 and E92 335 closely.
Also, and this is not a slam on US assembly workers in any way, I take more comfort in the E92 being built in Europe. That is simply because the manufacturing plant is closer to the design centre. The design and production teams will be able to work more closely. With early problems on the E53 X5 years back, BMW was dealing with a new product, in a new factory, many time zones from the design teams. As the factory was in the US, it is likely that many suppliers of pieces were as well. Those are the factors that make it all more painful.
So, my conclusion was that 6-9 months of production would be fine, just long enough for the early-adopters to pay full list. And I could be completely wrong.
Jeff