Concerned but optimistic

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by 2002Silver4.6is

Amazing how thrilled you are to to own vehicles that all seem to have quality issues.

You don't think someone "with a ton of money" who buys a BMW should not complain about reliability if it has issues?? You are kidding right? A friend of mine bought a $80,000 BMW 650 and he had an issue with water in his headlights. He had to go back to the dealer repeatedly to take care of the issue. There is no way on a vehicle of that caliber and price that he should have problems like that. So in a few years when things start to need to be replaced or break he should sit there and smile because his car looks good and is fun to drive?

Damn right buyers should expect to get a high quality vehicle that does not have anything go wrong with it, anything. Why should owners have to pay exorbitant BMW prices for simple things to break that should last more than 50,000 miles (E53 Transmissions, CV Joints, Boots, Window Regulators, etc....)?? Not only have these issues but sit there and smile and say "I don't care about all of the costly things that have broken on my BMW because I can afford it and my BMW looks good!!"

These are expensive luxury cars that should be designed and built to a high standard. I bet BMW would agree with me on that. Or they could start a new ad campaign:

"Drive a BMW for the fun and the style and suck it up on the repairs!"

The point is, be aware of what you're getting going in. I don't see how one day of my life taking a car to have work done to it someone rights off the model, apparently I'm not in the minority as BMW sales are doing fine.

Owners don't have to pay for a BMW, they choose to. Don't cry a river when you knew the model might have issues going in. You're making it sound as though I said BMW can do it and you need to deal with it, what I said was these are known problems with the vehicle. Take a pill.

BTW, they did start your campaign..where do you think the 4yr/50K free service came from.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by X5FX

All of the issues I have experienced w/ my E70 are minor...and they would not prevent me from buying another E70. I love mine and would not own the equaivalent Lexus if you paid me extra.

BTW- this is a forum where owners usually show up to discuss problems, it does not represent the majority of E70's made. Go to the Lexus and Acura forums and read their troubles...its no different.

BINGO.

[golfer4life]

Originally Posted by genew

You know it doesn't have to be that way. Maybe that is the reason the 07 X5 sales for August this year are trailing last year August. I would think they are in the business to sell cars and all these quality issues sure don't help sales. Just my opinion and I have put a lot of miles on Bimmers and I am hesitating also.

I don't know where you got that info.

Please see Lemans' posting:

BMW SAV sales for August 2007
Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles increased by 6.9 percent in August to 5,737 vehicles over the 5,368 sold last August. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles are up 6.7 percent, to 42,132 vehicles compared to the 39,474 sold in the first eight months of 2006.
Attached Imageshttp://www.xoutpost.com/attachments/x...g?d=1188937946

[jamesboags]

Originally Posted by woody77

My wife has the Lexus and has had zero issues on her '03 first model year GX470. They (BWW) would do well to study the Lexus quality model. BMW has the design and has the performance, but quality is defficient. Increased quality goes a long way when justifying higher pricing. Why should it be "acceptable" to you or any other potential BMW customer to wait 2 or 3 model years for bugs to be worked out? I'm itching to buy this vehicle, but I want proof they can work it out. With all that said, looking at the latest sales data, it doesn't seem to be hurting the bottom line too much.

My recommendation .. buy another Lexus. Love my BMW warts and all...

[2002Silver4.6is]

I will agree that I do love my X5. Even though I have replaced a transmission, CV boot, CV joint/axle and had pixels replaced in the last year I am happy that I own an X5. I still think my X5 with 60,000 miles should not have these issues. I think it is rediculous for a transmission to go at under 100,000 miles. I am also thrilled that I started going to an indy European shop where they do not feed me lies like my dealership service department did.

[MD11F]

Spend some time reading a Lexus/Toyota or Nissan/inifinti forum and you'll see a lot of the same complaints. Forums are NOT representative of the market at large. Anecdote makes not a statistic.. with that said, I've had 0 trouble outside a bad DVD drive on my 2 month old 3000 mile X5.. I've had more problems with my '05 Volvo XC90 by that point.

Also this is worth noting: http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com...ndableCar.aspx


While not as reliable as Lexus, it's still better than 80% of the rest..

[JBHorner]

Though it may be true that forums amplify problems, it is hardly a means by which someone can say that they understate the quality. BMW's performance in quality surveys/rankings is hardly commensurate with the premium price. They're not alone in that, however, it still doesn't make it right.

Someone made a reference about taking a vehicle in one day for a problem isn't a big deal. I can agree with that. Unfortunately, it generally isn't one day. There is the inevitable call that says the software must be updated, which then turns into a two day affair. Then, if that doesn't solve a problem, there's the part that must be ordered. "It should be here the day after tomorrow." Then, there's the great experience of getting the vehicle back, and then having the same problem two days later. Yep, time to go back.

While we're on the subject of repairs, the arrogance and lack of follow through from dealer service shops is terrible. It would be unfair to say they're all the same. What I can say, however, is that THREE of them in my locale have had the same performance. Dismal.

I like my E70, but I do wish it had far fewer problems. I've learned to let many problems batch up before taking it in. That way, they have plenty to do during the idle time that a part is "on its way." It is also a better bang for my "time buck." Instead of making repeated trips, I get it done in one. So, my steering wheel that doesn't always go down, the door panels that are making noise, the headliner that is making noise, the seat heaters/coolers that decide to turn off on their own after three minutes, etc. will all be fixed in the next visit to my all-so-professional dealership service area.

Joel

[rufusdedog]

Originally Posted by JBHorner

While we're on the subject of repairs, the arrogance and lack of follow through from dealer service shops is terrible. It would be unfair to say they're all the same. What I can say, however, is that THREE of them in my locale have had the same performance. Dismal.
Joel

Your sentiments are echoed by many. BMW built the E70 with technology that would fit the space shuttle, and the dealer service personnel are nowhere near qualified to do more than change oil. At my dealer, there seems to be one master mechanic, the rest look like high school students. This is unacceptable when you consider its well over $100 an hour for service. You can get therapy for the same price, and after a dealer visit, I feel I need therapy.

[Wagner]

Originally Posted by rufusdedog

Your sentiments are echoed by many. BMW built the E70 with technology that would fit the space shuttle, and the dealer service personnel are nowhere near qualified to do more than change oil. At my dealer, there seems to be one master mechanic, the rest look like high school students. This is unacceptable when you consider its well over $100 an hour for service. You can get therapy for the same price, and after a dealer visit, I feel I need therapy.

What dealer do you use?

[rufusdedog]

Dealer in Annapolis, MD