BMWs NO MORE POOR QUALITY CONTROL HASTA LA VISTA BABY!

[ftgambit]

DONE WITH MY X5 TOO!!! JD POWER Rates BMW WORST!
Thankx for posting Craig B/Penguin:

I have a 3.0i and as much as I love a spirited driving dynamics and sitting high up, Im sick of BMW's poor quality control, and Ive racked up 159K miles on mine, so although the engine has been good thats about the only thing I haven't had to pony up for in maintenance, I've had
-window regulators go bad,
-almost every hose already has been replaced,
-CV Boots have cost a fortune almost every other year, it adds up quick,
-been through 3 or 4 batteries, constant battery drain,
Stereo was fried after not driving the car for a couple weeks and turning it on,
-the locking system vacuum locks had to be replaced on two doors,
-tranny makes funny clicking sound already, Im sure any day now it will go
-Alternator went bad fortunately was able to do it myself, dealer wanted $700 HA!! Bastards
-Power Steering Pump line, leaking already
-Control Arms, Ball Joints all worn out thats gonna be pricey if I dont do it myself
-Cup Holder broker, its $400+ just for the part not to mention 2 hours of labor to take apart the center console to replace it
-Valve cover gaskets cracked and leaking
-Cam Sensors went bad,
-O2 sensors goin bad

Other than all that, its been a dream!lol!! This is not a BASH BMW post, they've done that all on their own with their POOR POOR quality control, they spent so much time designing speed and handling performance, they then had to find the cheapest method possible to make the components without cutting into their margins too much, MB hasnt been much better but I think between LEXUS, MB, AUDI and BMW

BMW takes LAST PLACE for sure, JD POWER latest reviews also confirm BMW quality and durability are at the bottom of the barrel of the luxury brands and so did US NEWS.

I really feel for the new buyers here a few will have a perfect ride for the next few years, the rest will be plagued by problems and complaints and lots of bleeps in statements
I will continue to post my repairs to help those here that refuse to overpay for service
best advice find a good indy and become friends hell look out for you, I have one here in Vegas and he always throws little things in at no charge when I can't do certain repairs myself

[z2g]

Are you talking about the 2010 ratings by brand? Because BMW rated three stars (about average) in all categories (overall dependability, powertrain dependability, body/interior, and features/accessories).

Even Acura's overall dependability was only three stars. And Audi was three stars in three categories but only two stars in powertrain reliability. Infiniti, which often ranks very high on Consumer Reports, also rated three stars in 3 categories but 4 stars in powertrain reliability. Lexus was obviously tops in all categories.

[ftgambit]

z2G where did you get your information, the X5 on JD POWER is a MEASLY 2.5 STARS and I own a 2001 model which was the 2nd year it was made, I have followed since 2002 the changes the model has endured, its very disappointing, I hate to even mention that it might have alot to do with being built in the US, as sad as that sounds, either that or the engineers designing the all the cheap plastic parts got the degrees out of gumball machine. Even if by some miracle BMW had a 3 star reliability rating which it DOES NOT, thats mediocre at best for a $50K + vehicle, my only saving grace is that I have done most of the work my self, with the exception of any service related to ECU or Engine lights, but most BMW owners many of whom are women etc.. take the vehicle in for service, for even something as simple as Exhaust Cam position sensor they charge $300, RAPE !!!!
So really thats the problem I have, if they made higher quality parts, they would fail less and the high luxury prices could be more easily digested, you get what you pay for right, WRONG!!!! US NEWS had even worst ratings then JD POWER, please check your facts bmw has lost alot in my eyes, they still make beautiful cars, that DONT LAST!!!

[X5rolls]

Maybe you have a bad vehicle or an earlier year that has problems.

My 06 4.8is with 42k miles is actually one of the most reliable vehicles I've ever owned. I came from an ML430 and know what poor quality is, my list for that vehicle was probably 1.5 times as long as yours.

The only issue I've had is the sun roof leaked and the seal was replaced under warranty.

There are big differences from year to year in these vehicles in terms of reliability so I don't agree that all X 5's have poor quality. For a technically sophisticated vehicle, I'd rank this way up at the top of other vehicles - given Toyota/Lexus issues and Mercedes problems I experienced first hand I think the X5 is better than those from my perspective for sure, by a very long way.

FWIW, you list hoses as a BMW quality issue. After 159k miles don't ya think hoses should have been replaced anyway? That isn't a quality issue, that is a normal maintenance procedure. The delta between a more (pedestrian) mainstream vehicle with far less performance and driving enjoyment and the cost of properly maintaining a BMW (of any model) is worth it in my opinion. Although you have a long looking list of items you are incorrect to throw all BMWs or X5's under the bus IMO. You might want to try a Hyundai, they are cheap and do very well in the cost of ownership department, the tradeoff is obviously a big step down in performance. Good luck.

[ftgambit]

oh ok Rolls,
Im not trying to score any brownie points with my post, you have an 06 with 42k miles thats the problem, get back to me when your closer to 100K and well see if you feel the same way, and yes the hoses were replaced at 138K FYI, so dont even think for one second they could 159K miles before being changed, lol that would be miraculous, When you have to get your CV Boots done and at 42K they should just be starting to crack if not already lets how that warranty works out for you...
They point being for a high end luxury vehicle two major rating firms both have bmw's dropping in Quality control in a big way, not just on the X5 but models across the board, Any car is great the first few years, mine was to, never had to get the engine replaced or tranny rebuilt, but Im just giving you a heads up if you plan on keeping it for more than say 5yrs, you will feel the burn in our wallet, hey but if you can get a new one every few years then more power to you, you wont ever have to worry about reliability, thats why BMW leases so many vehicles, because people dont want to deal with maintenance bud, but please dont try and convince anyone they are the most reliable vehicles JD POWER 2.5 stars probably knows a thing or two and as an owner I can definitely second that 2.5 rating.
But the one area I do give it 5 stars is safety, you feel safe sourrounded by 6000lbs of steel and airbags in every corner

[Dannyell]

the 01 ML430 has been a great car for my mom...135k on board and besides a $500 transfer case which I replaced myself it has been a dream. But i still prefer my 'problematic' X5.

From experience with these cars I have to say the BMW 4.4 engine is great...but having to replace hoses and radiators and expansion tanks is something that in other cars is unheard of...not to mention the 'cold weather' worries that we get when we leave our cars outside and do some short distance driving. I can live with maintaining that...but things like dead pixels, window regulators, door latches etc little things that you would expect not to break in a BMW...

[1stE53]

Originally Posted by z2g

Are you talking about the 2010 ratings by brand? Because BMW rated three stars (about average) in all categories (overall dependability, powertrain dependability, body/interior, and features/accessories).

Even Acura's overall dependability was only three stars. And Audi was three stars in three categories but only two stars in powertrain reliability. Infiniti, which often ranks very high on Consumer Reports, also rated three stars in 3 categories but 4 stars in powertrain reliability. Lexus was obviously tops in all categories.

Except the cheap feel of all other cars' interiors next the the Big 3 German makers. Once you feel the fit and finish quality of MB, BMW, or Audi; everything else has a cheap plastic feel (reminds me of made in china).
Every car maker has issues, the more regulations the government puts on them, the heavier and more advanced the car needs to become. This makes them force stuff to production. If the government would just let the manufacturers duke it out, we would have better more reliable cars due to competition not regulation.

[1stE53]

Sorry to pile on...
I purchased my 2003 3.0 on 30 December 2009 with 64400. As part of the deal, they replaced the thermostat and one vacuum hose. Thermostats, they go in EVERY car. I have since then changed the oil (how dare they demand oil changes!) changed brakes pads and rotors and both the cabin and engine air filters (again, they should last for ever in a $50k+ car). I also replaced the spark plugs just for good feeling. The most any plug will last in 100K, even then why would you want to wait that long for something so simple to change. I now have 75100 on it already and nothing . I'm going to order oil and a filter after it stops raining just to give me something to do on the car .
O, and I had to buy new tires .
Before this BMW I thought I was a through and through Mercedes guy, I have grown to LOVE this BMW; for no other reason than I can do all this stuff myself. Good luck even touching an E class. Everything must be done at dealership (build quality and attention to detail is amazing though).

[motordavid]

To the OP:
Sorry you have had such bad luck...fwiw, our '01 3.0, with 77,000 miles has
been a pleasure to drive, and own. I can count the repairs under warranty
on one hand. I can count the repairs, (non-maintenance), on less than one
hand after warranty expired. You have considerably more mileage, but there
are several very high mileage posters here, with better results.

The "ratings" of any survey version, seldom give BMW high marks, and especially
over time, as repairs on these are not cheap/easy for the general consumer.

Good advice on the Good Indie...I hope your car puts a smile on your face,
on occasion.
GL, mD

[ALOVERR69]

I guess i have to join the ndwagon on this..As a first time owner of an x5 i was expecting more mine is the 2005 x5 3.0i with 59,000 i had the car two yrs and i put only14,000 in those two yrs...Man oh Man what a disappointment..If it wasnt for exteneded warranty i would of burned it...first day i bought it was making funny noises under the car took it back fixed no problem..a month later hit one of new york cities major pot holes car shuts off fixed no problem...two months later going to close my sunroof guess what doesnt want to close havent fixed that yet its a been over 7 months..1 month after that new york cities great snow storm getting out of a little snow hill guess what engine making niose my extened warranty company kept the truck for two weeks with no luck of finding the problem...Change water pump,thermotat,belts,pulley,alternator..point f my story for a car thats rarely driven i got the x5 flu...I guess i was waiting for a post like this..OOh and forgot to mention window regulator going already....