Questionable Build Quality of E70

[onesixeight]

Originally Posted by motordavid

...pretty damn funny line; it got near RackIt! territory!

Classic... I feel the same way. My dealer has had 3 stabs at fixing my rattle and they give it back to me sounding even louder. Go figure...

I'm gonna record a sound clip of my rattle and put it up...

Chris

[Shumdit]

If you want to see cheesy hard (and mismatched) plastics, look at an XC90. The only issue I see (so far) with the plastics on the E70 are the B-pillar trim. The seatbelt buckle hits it, and over time, it's going to look like someone pelted it with a sand blaster from the contact everytime you take off your seatbelt. This should have been a soft touch covering like the center tunnel and door panels.

[AzNMpower32]

I have to admit, it's obvious that BMW is cutting costs somewhere. This is a concern not on the E70 but all the newer generation of BMWs. They look very nice and photograph pretty well, but they just seem more hollow and more superficial than before. It's a lot more flash and less 'substance'.

Now I know my X3 is hardly the benchmark, but at least there's a lack of stuff that'll scratch. It's durable, tough, and kinda waterproof! . I spilled some water out of a bottle on the topside of the dash.....and thought "it doesn't look all that bad.............reminiscent of the Nissan Xterra"

[MD11F]

I looked at EVERY SUV on the market.. I am one of the most anal people when it comes to build quality, and interior appointments. I am also (or at least was) a loyal Mercedes Benz owner for said reasons.

I vetod the GL and ML because I found their interior build qualities, and choices of materials to be sub standard for Mercedes. I think those cars are designed for US consumption where the average American is dumbed down by the likes of Cadillac and Toyota.

The BMW was the ONLY car I've been able to live with in terms of interior build that also didn't cost north of $100,000.. There are "some" areas where I would have used a better plastic, but for the most part, even the hard plastics are of a better grade than found in most cars for under $100K..

For plastic heaven, see this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5GlDagXfy4

[onesixeight]

MD11F...Like you, I'm a current Benz owner S550, and former W211 E class (E55) owner. As much as people hate on the W211 about its poor build quality, I found my E55 to be solid over my 3 year lease. Lots of soft plastics that help to dampen any rattles or squeeks. My S550 has been a dream and probably the best car I've owned to date in terms of build quality.

After driving 3 E70s, I'm quite sure my rattles are an exception and like you, I test drove pretty much all the SUV's on the market and concluded the X5 was one of the, if not the best. But as I've driven it more and more, the center console, the cupholder area "creaks" when I go up steep driveways and there is that horrible rattle in the driver side dash somewhere that my dealer hasn't been able to isolate.

I know you have the rear entertainment, and on mines, the TV area that attaches to the center console creaks too when going over large bumps. Any noises from yours?

-Chris

[MD11F]

Christ, have you expressed this to the dealer, or BMW USA? I would. It could be an issue they need to work on, or it could (hoping it's this) be more narrow to a few cars that used a bad part to attach the consoles. But I've always made it a point to be very critical when I buy something (especially something pricey). If a few people call one the same issue, they'll take note.

btw.. love that S550, it's everything a luxury car should be. It's tempting to trade my CDI in for one, but absolutely love owning a diesel, it's so different.

Sam

[atl_lex77]

my rattle is in the front undercarriage. took it in 2 times now and it's not all the way gone. first they replaced the end links on the sway bar, no help. then they gave more clearance to some aluminum shield and its a little better.. i dont hear anything when i roll over an uneven elevation change, but still get the rattle when i hit on straight.

uhhhhhh..... i guess i'll ask them to "fix it" again when i take it back for the steering wheel issue.

Originally Posted by onesixeight

MD11F...Like you, I'm a current Benz owner S550, and former W211 E class (E55) owner. As much as people hate on the W211 about its poor build quality, I found my E55 to be solid over my 3 year lease. Lots of soft plastics that help to dampen any rattles or squeeks. My S550 has been a dream and probably the best car I've owned to date in terms of build quality.

After driving 3 E70s, I'm quite sure my rattles are an exception and like you, I test drove pretty much all the SUV's on the market and concluded the X5 was one of the, if not the best. But as I've driven it more and more, the center console, the cupholder area "creaks" when I go up steep driveways and there is that horrible rattle in the driver side dash somewhere that my dealer hasn't been able to isolate.

I know you have the rear entertainment, and on mines, the TV area that attaches to the center console creaks too when going over large bumps. Any noises from yours?

-Chris

[onesixeight]

Update on my rattle: I took it back to the dealer and took a drive with the shop forman. He hear the rattle loud and clear and agreed it wasn't something normal and nothing he had heard on other E70s. They are going to take the steering column apart again and see if they can see what's causing that hard ticking noise.

We drove another 4.8i Sport and this one seemed a lot tighter than mine. I'm not sure why, but I guess who ever put my car together had a bad day or something. But I'm happy to report that it seems like my issue is an isolated problem and not something across the board.

So...any future E70 owners on the board can rest assured that poor build quality is isolated to a few cars.

I also spoke to them about my creaking sports seats and the other car I drove didn't have even a squeek. But they're gonna try and adjust it and see if it goes away.

Chris

[MD11F]

Its odd how that can happen with ONE car every once in a while. I recall on the MB message board a guy saying his W211 was falling apart.. meanwhile, I and many others were marveling at how amazingly well built it was.. I think that some cars are maybe "Training" cars. I say if you have too many other problems with interior build quality, you insist on a major interior overhaul.

[onesixeight]

MD11F...

I hinted to them today that if they don't fix it this time, I'm going to seriously push for a new X5. It's been in 3x now, and actually gets worse everytime. I'm guessing from taking off and putting back the same pieces over and over again.

It was really amazing to me how much more sturdy the other 4.8 felt compared to mine. Mine only has approx. 1200 miles and is driven really carefully. I certainly don't go knockin around potholes or any off roading.

Chris