I disagree that all BMW's are not reliable vehicles.

We've had two 3 series. The first we kept for 7 years and 100k miles. I can count on 1 hand the things that broke beyond normal maintenance on it and those weren't big. 2 window regulators (warranty), water pump (warranty) and then the final stage resister. Otherwise it was just maintenance. The new owners have put about 35,000 miles on it since and it's been nothing but regular oil changes and 1 set of brakes for them.

The 2006 325i we've had has had normal maintenance, a peeling door handle and a cooling leak. Otherwise, 3 1/2 years and 40k later it's still solid and a blast to drive. We were just discussing yesterday how to long keep it and if we needed extended warranty of which we won't buy for it. We plan at least another 3 years if not longer.

Granted I only owned the 2001 X5 for 2 years but it was great; final stage resister, 1 window regulator, brakes and 1 CV boot. The new owners have had 1 thing go wrong on it, sensor of some kind, but not earth shattering. Granted it only has 60,xxx on it now but still good for a nearly 10 year old car.

The 2004 V8 - not as stellar - but I knew going in that there were certain issues after doing my research from this site and bought an extended warranty to deal with that. I've had some major $ repairs (mostly the transmission cost) and had that happened with no warranty I would have driven it off a cliff or sold it. But overall I love this car and I will stay in the BMW family when it's time to replace.

The bottom line here is that choice is a wonderful thing.

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2007 328i Sport, Monaco Blue
2011 X35D - sold -Space Grey
2004 X5 4.4i - sold - Kalahari Beige
2001 X5 3.0i - sold - Pearl Beige
2006 325i Sport, Sonora Beige
2000 323i - sold - Sienna Red