What is going on with BMW build quality lately?

[michaeljr6]

just got my fuel pump replaced.....seriously quality needs to be stepped up. i'm scared of what's next.

[stef]

This week, the dealer changed my pano-roof... ('08)

[davahad]

Originally Posted by HHR

Yess and no.
Only said that some parts will be replaced or added.
Interesting to see if that helps.

Would appreciate you posting what they do to yours and if it fixes the problem.

[HHR]

Does anyone have cracs in headlamp plastic cover? I have!!
And water inside taillight.

[genew]

I have driven X-5's since 2001 and have over 230,000 miles on them. I have been extremely satisfied. I started buying and driving because they were such good driving cars and I was satisfied with the reliabilty issues. I have been extremely lucky in that I have had no problems to speak of. It really bothers me to see the latest consumers reports numbers that BMW is at or near the bottom of reliability reporting. I for one live over 200 miles from a dealership. Most of the posters on here say " no problem it's a warranty fix ". Well I got news for you, a car of this price range should not have the reliability issues BMW has. BMW has sold their soul to electronics and lower cost materials ( in my opinion ) which wouldn't be a bad case senario (sp?) if it works but it doesn't seem like it is. A quality drivers car shouldn't have to be taken in to the dealer time after time for warranty issues! ( especially if they are miles from the dealer ). Somebody in Germany doesn't quite get it!!

Like I said I have been extremely lucky but am getting to the point that I am scared to keep pushing my luck. I am thinking next time reliability might be a bigger item in my purchase plans.

[RTC]

Problems are usually caused by third party part suppliers. BMW outsourced a lot and if the quality isn't right, well...
One reason why BMW outsourced the whole X5 production was the fluctuating USD exchange rate. They also needed to outsource parts production to the US because in the end, the cost of the parts also has a serious impact on the whole production cost. Some US part manufacturers were used to sloppy quality manufacturing for US car manufacturers, others were completely new to this game. It takes time for BMW to sort out the "black sheeps" and to try to improve the quality of these parts or even outsource the part production to a new company for quality reasons.

My kids actually love it that their new family car is Made in the USA. We are at least twice a year in the US, they know the US better than Germany where we live. I just hope that our soon to arrive X5 M will have a good build quality.

[davahad]

14,500 miles and 1 year later and my 2009 X5 Diesel has more creaks and rattles coming from all over the cabin (dash, front doors, front passenger seat) than my old 10 year Fold Explorer that we still use as a work delivery vehicle.

For the first 11 months there were no creaks or rattles coming from the dash of the BMW and now it is just getting worse every time I drive it with more creaks and pops coming from the dash. And after 10 years and 200,000 plus miles the old Ford still doesn't have any creaks or rattles coming from the dash.

I'm going to let my dealer's shop foreman drive the car for several days and then have them address all of the cabin noise problems.

On a side note my buddy has a 335i Turbo and his cabin has no squeaks or rattles at all with over 45,000 miles on it....Maybe because his car was made in Germany?

I love the way the car drives but after this experience I would not buy another X5.

[mtech8]

Another Update:

So I've been contacting my service advisor trying to get my issue solve (the light switch peel). Initally he said he'd take care of it. He supposedly took a picture of it and showed the BMW rep who again denied the claim. I called BMW customer relations who pretty much just told me (not exact wording, but to this extent) "Work it out with your dealer (service manager) as they are the only ones that can really do anything about it. Since the advisor has shown the BMW rep and he refused it, there is nothing we can do about it".

Gonna talk to the service manager tomorrow (off today). Don't know where that will get me. But I want to know what options are available to me now? Who does one complain to if a car manufacturer and car dealership is unwilling to fix a problem that should be covered under warranty?

I'm just so irate because I know I didn't cause the peel. I take very good care of my car. I don't even take the car out to be washed by others. I have a 2004 3 series where the leather is starting to peel by the inside door handle. I don't ask them to fix that. That's normal wear and tear. Something that is touched everytime someone gets in their car and over a few years period, peeling is normal. But a switch (that is not touched going in and out of the car, or even used to turn on/off light cuz of automatic) peeling at a little over a year is just ridiculous.

[davahad]

Give the service manager a deadline for making the warranty repair and if they won't tell them that you are taking them to Small Claims Court to let a judge decide if it should be covered under warranty. You might also want to name BMW North America in the small claims suit. After doing this I'm sure you will get their attention and they will take care of it under warranty.

[mtech8]

Thanks. Davahad.

I've never done the Small Claims thing. But I'm seriously going to go that route if BMW does not take care of this matter.

It might cost me more time (and money) to do this. But it's really just the principal of the entire matter. I truly feel very wronged and helpless.