Quote:
Originally Posted by ard
I had a 1990 Q45 with 245k when I sold it.
Computerized. ECU, ABS, bus-linked modules, all the bells and whistles that the BMW has (no nav)... I still see it around, it is still on the road- now 20 years later.
I have a 2001 MDX. Computer. All the above plus more. 207lk, kids beater- but every single module works.
I have every expectation these car will indeed last. I do not expect software updates, but why would you want/need any??? After 5-10 years the software is stable, no need for new code. If you lose a module, head to ebay or a junk yard for a replacement. Indeed, given the numbers of units made, I really don't expect cars being junked due to 'lack of electronic gizmos'
....Dunno if I'll be owing and driving the X in 10 years when it hits 200,000 miles- but I am figuring I will 'pay it forward' for them with my maintenance. SOMEBODY will benefit from it.
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Similar to my '92, '95, '97, and '98 Fords. They also had ECUs, ABS, etc. No communications bus that I ever came across, but they were simpler vehicles. I think a 2010 X5 is exponentially more complex, and that results in exponentially more failure modes.
I wasn't referring to software improvements as much as service diagnostics. No need for new features to be programmed in, but perhaps a need to use a computer to figure out why a transmission is jerking. Oh yeah, that's now, no need to wait 20 years.
I think there are parallels between BMW today and Jaguar in the '60s. Beautiful vehicles, but perhaps not the most reliable. Incredible engineering, but silly stuff broke, and that frustrated owners. People loved them regardless. After 20 years, people were taking mid sixties Jaguars and putting Chevy 350 engines in them, so they could have the looks and handling, but better mechanical reliability. This was even though the Jag straight six engine was an engineering marvel, and had no trouble going high mileages. You just had to stop it overheating, fix the electrical issues, fix the fuel system issues, fix the instrumentation issues, rebuild the suspension, etc. Damn, but there were a lot of parts in a Jag IRS. And all Jag parts were expensive, and you had to find a good independent mechanic to be able to afford to keep it running. Owners formed clubs to support that goal, helping each other solve problems with their cars. So what did we see recently on this site? A thread about putting a Chevy V8 in a BMW to build a more reliable vehicle. I found the parallels striking.