Reliability: V8 vs I6

[wallieX5]

The lesser powered BMWs appears to be more reliable than higher powered counterparts. Is this due to the fact that on average, the V8s have more options, thus more complicated/taxing electronics or it’s somehow related to power?

If it's the options/complicated electronics, does that mean than on average a fully option I6 is less reliable than a stripped I6? And a stripped V8 on average will be more reliable than an optioned V8?

[acitydweller]

Based on my experience with the 4.4, It seems to me that the 3.0 equipped x5's do have less problems because they arent as fully equipped. Part of the failing may be due to the abusive driving habits of owners who dont plan on keeping their vehicles longer than 2-3 years (Typically leased) while part blame falls upon BMW who have not cured these problems in the components. Add on the fact of having incompetent service staff which include so-called master tech's who are either over paid and lazy or just plain proud and ignorant and you have a great formula for lackluster customer satisfaction.

the ultimate driving machine has time and time again proven to be the repeated reasone for dealer visits... I never have any of these problems on my Acura TL and to be honest, i drive that car harder than i do my x5 with half the miles on the odometer. This is my 3rd german car over $30k and im sorry to say the japanese are slowly creeping up in performance and bang for buck over bmw.

The more i talk to bmw owners at the bmw service area, the more i see folks who like the name and looks and know nothing about driving and are the furthest thing from resembling an enthusiast, both young and old.

Had my bmw's been more reliable, the tone of my post would be far lighter. I must admit my 06 Mini Cooper S was a joy to drive but it requried several dealer visits under 1000 miles NEW.

My sister's had better luck with her 08 Merc and the service has been impeccable.

[BobbFtL]

I would think it depends on the types of problems that are occuring, meaning engine problems vs. accessory problems. The BMW inline 6 is bulletproof. You will find this with most I6's vs. V6's or V8's. If your problems are not engine related, then engine model can have nothing to do with it. If your power windows stop working, is it the fault of the engine?

[supersteve]

Six in one, half dozen in the other. Both engines are very reliable as are the parts surrounding them. The key to longevity with these or any other machine is take care of them before there is a problem. Not to say there won't be issues like window regulators, ect.

[The Cleaner]

I think the M50-M56 6 cylinder engines are probably the most reliable BMW has every built.

[StanF18]

Originally Posted by acitydweller

Based on my experience with the 4.4, It seems to me that the 3.0 equipped x5's do have less problems because they arent as fully equipped. Part of the failing may be due to the abusive driving habits of owners who dont plan on keeping their vehicles longer than 2-3 years (Typically leased) while part blame falls upon BMW who have not cured these problems in the components. Add on the fact of having incompetent service staff which include so-called master tech's who are either over paid and lazy or just plain proud and ignorant and you have a great formula for lackluster customer satisfaction.

the ultimate driving machine has time and time again proven to be the repeated reasone for dealer visits... I never have any of these problems on my Acura TL and to be honest, i drive that car harder than i do my x5 with half the miles on the odometer. This is my 3rd german car over $30k and im sorry to say the japanese are slowly creeping up in performance and bang for buck over bmw.

The more i talk to bmw owners at the bmw service area, the more i see folks who like the name and looks and know nothing about driving and are the furthest thing from resembling an enthusiast, both young and old.

Had my bmw's been more reliable, the tone of my post would be far lighter. I must admit my 06 Mini Cooper S was a joy to drive but it requried several dealer visits under 1000 miles NEW.

My sister's had better luck with her 08 Merc and the service has been impeccable.

[FSETH]

As far as engines are concerned, the inline-six cylinder has been BMW's bread and butter for a long time now. I would say the 6's have a better track record than the 8's. There seems to be more that can go wrong with the 8's. Plus there are more parts to pay for, 2 valve cover gaskets to leak, 2 more spark plugs, 2 more ignition coils, etc. Some BMW 8's have been known for oil leaks.

As far as other items are concerned the V8's are typically associated with BMW's bigger, more luxurious, more techno-complicated vehicles, which can also have something to do with why the 8's seem less reliable. With the exception of the 7 series BMW's are fairly reliable overall. BMW is ranked pretty well in consumer reports and other publications.

Short answer to all of this IMO is that yes, a 1 or 3 series with manual trans and limited options will be more reliable overall than the bigger luxurious models. There is just less to go wrong and if it does it will probably not cost as much to fix.

I agree with acitydweller on the type of people that drive BMW's these days. Many people buy mainly for status and really don't know much about BMW as a brand. I actually appreciate the way BMW's drive (old or new) and I have a lot of respect for other BMW owners that are enthusiests who feel the same way I do. I have been given the stink-eye by more than one BMW owner when I am driving my e36 and they pull up next to me in a 550i or something. I can remember when my dad bought his first BMW a 85 325e. It was 5 years old at the time and everytime we saw another BMW on the road the driver would most likely give you a wave. Not the case anymore.

As far as MB and reliabilty are concerned, consider your sister lucky acitydweller. MB has tragic reliability ratings right now and the number of their models on the Consumer Reports cars to avoid list is astranomical.

[E61Silver]

CR rates the 6 higher.

I must say that other than a problem with variable value timing and rear tail gate rattle my 2004 X5 4.4 has been good. Those two issues were addressed when it was in for oil changes. The rattle seems to come every year when its cold. But no issue were not a big deal. I love my X5, just wish BMW did not drive-up price and increase lease cost.

[wallieX5]

Mine X has been very reliable also, although I just changed both side mirrors and two door actuators (driver and passenger side).

I asked the original question because I'm trying to decide whether my next car(s) should have minimal options (Nav and sport package). My next car will probably be a V8 but maybe by choosing my options wisely I can reduce my trips to the dealership after my warranty expires. I usually keep my cars for about 5 years but I also drive about 20k miles per year which means my warranty will be long gone.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by wallieX5

Mine X has been very reliable also, although I just changed both side mirrors and two door actuators (driver and passenger side).

I asked the original question because I'm trying to decide whether my next car(s) should have minimal options (Nav and sport package). My next car will probably be a V8 but maybe by choosing my options wisely I can reduce my trips to the dealership after my warranty expires. I usually keep my cars for about 5 years but I also drive about 20k miles per year which means my warranty will be long gone.

Navigation typically means the I-Drive package, right. I would stay away from that if possible. Buy a nice window mounted unit. I think you would be making a wise choice financially and for reliability if you stuck to just the options you couldn't live without.