Questionable Build Quality of E70

[PhoenixM3]

I have had a series of creaks and rattles in my E70. The dealership has been great about resolving them, but I feel the factory should have put in some preventative measures to save the customer frustration. So far I had the creaky door seals (same as my E60) which was resolved by cleaning them and right now I have a passenger side b pillar creak and a clicky comfort seat. That said, I am still happy with my X5 4.8is (but the tranny software still sucks after multiple updates).

[grey]

Originally Posted by onesixeight

Hi Guys...

After three months with my E70, as much as I hate to say, I'm quite disappointed with the build quality of my 4.8i Sport. BMW continued use of "hard plastics" thoughout the interior including the high flex areas like the center console and seat control areas contribute to a lot of that hard plastic "creaking" sound and a terrible rattle in the steering column that my dealer has been unable to fix.

While I still love to drive the SAV, I'm starting to get pissed at just how poor the build quality is and a vehicle that rattles and creaks down the road. While some may not consider this a major issue, it's quite upsetting to just have layed down $72k for a top of the line BMW product and have to put up with this.

While my experience may be in the minority, I'd like to hear what you guys think about the build quality of the E70. This is certainly something that I didn't figure when I first test drove the car, but at this point, if BMW doesn't fix my car and with all the other problems I've been having, I'm ready to give up on this car.

-Chris

I've had a lot of rattles in my 2009 E70. so many issues. the latest problem is my whole front dash is rattling and rattles are no longer covered by warranty. These rattles are caused by the flexing of the body. The E70 seems to flex more than BMW's claim. This is contributing to squeeks and rattles. I regret buying a BMW. I Would like to publish a shamewall for cars and report all problems and warn other potential buyers.

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by grey

I've had a lot of rattles in my 2009 E70. so many issues. the latest problem is my whole front dash is rattling and rattles are no longer covered by warranty. These rattles are caused by the flexing of the body. The E70 seems to flex more than BMW's claim. This is contributing to squeeks and rattles. I regret buying a BMW. I Would like to publish a shamewall for cars and report all problems and warn other potential buyers.

Why drag up a 3 year old thread?

Also, considering the thousands and thousands of E70's that have been built, and the lack of responses to this thread (under 25!) I don't think the build quality is questionable or we would be seeing thousands of responses instead of a handful. What this thread does show, as Wagner stated, is a buyer who didn't thoroughly check out the vehicle before buying it (if the OP doesn't like the materials that were used, well the OP didn't do their homework prior to buying)

[nyranger74]

OH PLEASE, COME ON. BMW by far has the best quality. I've had Infiniti, Lexus, Nissan, Toyota, GM and my 2008 X5 is by far the best. I don't think the plastics are hard. I just bought a 2011 Toyota Sienna Limited, top of the line and the interior trim is the CHEAPEST piece of junk ever, and that cost over $40K. So stop complaining, and if you don't like BMW, go to Mercedes or by a Chrysler.

[ard]

Originally Posted by grey

.... and rattles are no longer covered by warranty.

Really? Where in the warranty document do they limit rattles to some time period? I recall tires and alignment having a very short period (2k miles)

Plus if you have documented issues under warranty and they continue OUT of warranty, the 'date of occurrence' is the first report on that first service visit.

[hotrod2448]

I know this is old but, I'll say this...

I'll take the hard plastic that may eventually creak (hasn't so far) but always look OK in my E70 over the nice rubbery plastics that would peel regardless of how good you took care of them in my old E90 and E92 any day.

[Xtony]

Originally Posted by hotrod2448

I know this is old but, I'll say this...

I'll take the hard plastic that may eventually creak (hasn't so far) but always look OK in my E70 over the nice rubbery plastics that would peel regardless of how good you took care of them in my old E90 and E92 any day.

News flash! The e70 interior trim peels also. My car is babied and the trim on the steering wheel and on the power window surround is peeling already.

I also have noticed lots of creaking sounds when entering a driveway from a street. The chassis flex makes all the window seals creak at the top, and the center console plastic does the same.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by hotrod2448

I know this is old but, I'll say this...

I'll take the hard plastic that may eventually creak (hasn't so far) but always look OK in my E70 over the nice rubbery plastics that would peel regardless of how good you took care of them in my old E90 and E92 any day.

It is a bit of a trad-off. My 2005 Focus got criticized in magazine reviews due to the hard plastic they used for the door and dash trim. And it was a valid criticism, as it is not as nice as "softer-touch" materials, although appearance-wise it looks fine.

But... my Focus now is five years old with 65,000 miles on it, and those hard surfaces still look as good as the day they were new.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by Xtony

News flash! The e70 interior trim peels also. My car is babied and the trim on the steering wheel and on the power window surround is peeling already.

I also have noticed lots of creaking sounds when entering a driveway from a street. The chassis flex makes all the window seals creak at the top, and the center console plastic does the same.

You might want to check your tire pressure--the ride can be greatly affected by this.

[BGM]

Originally Posted by Penguin

It is a bit of a trad-off. My 2005 Focus got criticized in magazine reviews due to the hard plastic they used for the door and dash trim. And it was a valid criticism, as it is not as nice as "softer-touch" materials, although appearance-wise it looks fine.

But... my Focus now is five years old with 65,000 miles on it, and those hard surfaces still look as good as the day they were new.

I don't think you can really compare a Ford and a BMW on any comparison and make it apples to apples.