What is happening to BMW

[14thbmw]

I've owned several high mileage BMWs going back to a 2002, Bavaria, 7-series and others. Currently I have a 2005 X5 4.8is with almost 160k miles and a 2008 X5 4.8i about to turn 100k miles. For 40 years I've heard that the high series BMWs (7 series, 6 series, X5, M) are super expensive to maintain, and are crap as they approach 100k miles.

In my experience that is just rubbish.

I learned on my first BMW that you have to maintain them by the book, and address problems as they emerge. That was 1974. At the time typical practice with an American car was to run it until it broke or made a really bad noise, then take it in. So maintenance after the fact, not preventative. When I changed to preventative, all problems became easy to manage and costs dropped significantly.

Today most cars are assembled from components made elsewhere, save the body and engine. ZF transmissions, Bosch electronics, Lear or Recaro seats, etc. The design and assembly, and engineered differences set one marque apart from another more than component reliability. There is variability, however, as a conservative engineering approach (wait to adopt new tech) should result in greater reliability (Lexus) but perhaps at the expense of driving dynamics or fun (BMW M). The trade offs BMW makes have always worked for me; I've had Audi, Benz, Porsche and several others but for me (again, FOR ME), BMW has the right formula. I wish they were a bit more reliable, parts were cheaper and the fuel economy was better (see my engine choices above). But I still accept that for they way they drive, etc.

I have the opportunity to have a company vehicle and spent some time shopping recently for another SUV. Dodge Durango R/T? Exploder Sport? GMC Yukon? And several others (can't really do an import other than Toyota for biz reasons). Result: I'll keep my vehicle allowance which gives me the ability to continue to drive what I really like - BMW!