BMW named Best-of-The-Best in Total Quality Exp. for overall brand and X5

[bmwestcoast]

It amazes me, upon reading this forum, how many people focus on the trivial things. In all honesty I could care less about the electronics. I buy BMW (we own a 530i) for one, simple reason...the driving experience. I love the ride, the sound, the feel of these cars. I'm not too concerned on if the tailgate doesn't close (use your hand), the gas milage sucks (it's a V8...), iDrive (iDontCare), back-up camera (look over shoulder), etc. but ultimately I'm buying it for the ride.

Also, the X3 isn't technically built by BMW at the moment. It was outsourced but will be brought back to BMW and eventually built in the Spartanburg, SC plant when they complete plant expansion. So quality assurance may not be comparable to the X5 in terms in production quality...

Originally Posted by deutsch100

My 2007 3.0si was so bad (from day 1 of ownership), it was returned to BMW (details are not to be discussed, per our legal agreement).

While the 2008 4.8i is better, it is not what I expect from a BMW, espeically a $70,000 model.

i-Drive failures, battery warnings, poor A/C, multiple, various and very frequent warning lights, absurdly poor gas mileage, door locks malfunctioning, auto tailgate randomly stops working, reverse camera is a total joke, no heat reflecting glass, radio/satellite pre-set buttons erase themselves, or re-set to random stations I have never used, date/time erases itself.....

I have spoken with A LOT of new X5 owners, and I know that I am not alone in believing that BMW and the X5 should not score top honors. Sorry.