No one is. The days of bullet proof german cars is done. The days of bullet proof ANY car is done. Part of the business plan for these manufacturers is lowest cost manufacturing of highest cost engineering.

And I think you're reading the negative Nancy's who come here to b!tch and bemoan that they bought an 11 year old car with more than a few miles on it of unknown maintenance history and with little experience in the marque. Many of these folks were under some personal impression of what a 'BMW' means to reliability. They infer through some silly (total lack of) logic that a car that was expensive when new should cost LESS to maintain than a car cheaper when new. In the end, they were wholly unprepared to maintain, and PAY to repair the car they chose. It's easier to blame everyone else for our bad decisions and false understanding these days, so that is what many come here to do.

Now, if you take some time to weed through crybabies, you'll see some folks who understand that they're getting the most capable automobile for their needs- and most importantly their WANTS. You'll also see that they're willing to pay if they can just play a little longer.

You might even read about folks like me- on my second E53 in eight years. The family's third since a 2001 that's still in service and still on the original transmission. A few small problems out of my first one in 100K miles. No problems in the 2nd one for over a year. Maintenance? About $3K on the first one across 7 years and $3200 in the second so far (all planned).

Happy to play. Happy to pay. But I'm like many who came in with my eyes wide open. It sounds like your eyes are too. Don't forget to save up for the unexpected. You'll only have yourself to blame if you buy thinking otherwise!

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