Wow! Good post. I need to read on this.
Any sources you might have on that Lexus fix
would really be appreciated. Obviously I
will googlize it also.

Thx ahead.

Carbon problems in BMW's is much, much less common than Audi. I have a feeling E61Silver puttered his car around everwhere he went or it was simply a fluke.

I did a monthly trip to Maryland, 500 miles round trip, at well over the speed limit. I also do most of my mileage on the Highway so I don't think that is the issue.

I also don't think it is a fluke if you read other BMW boards they talk about the problem. The fact that it is a turbo seems to be a big factor. The fuel injection system was a big problem and BMW changing my fuel pump twice and injectors, I also recently had a problem with the value timing. The problems with the fuel injection system were so bad that BMW had a formal recall and extend the coverage on that system to 100,000 miles.

The car at 50,000 now runs better than new and shows no signs of age/wear, I have CPO coverage for another 4 years and love the car but it has required lots of repair.

Not sure. I really haven't read of too many carbon issues in modern BMW engines. Not nearly as many as Audi.

Also, cruising on the highway at lower RPM is not the same a revving the engine out, which helps clear out carbon. Speed doesn't matter. High RPM's do.

Audi makes some excellent vehicles. I haven't driven most of them but the A3 is a favourite of mine, although the current outgoing one is dated.

I don't understand the whole carbon build up thing. Drive the cars like they're meant to be driven, all should be well. There's a line between abuse and use, and I think "use" is good for a car. Given my rural location, my X3 sees typical European hwy speeds (120-160km/h @ 2750-4750rpm) for extended periods every week and usually when I need to overtake a vehicle on a backroad, it's redline in a couple gears with some frequency.

over the speed limit lugging in 6 gear doesn't mean you are working out the engine.. you have to run it really hot.. It has nothing to do with the turbos really...

As stated most of driving is on the highway yes at low rpm. The only time I push the car is when I pass a jerk doing 55 in the fast lane. So I guess you and number of others are right that I don't normally rev the car hard. I Saw a post on another forum suggesting that you down shift the car to 4th and drive it at higher rpm once a month fo 30 minutes to help prevent the problem. The post also said quick bursts of rpm do little to help the issue.

With regard to your x3 if I remember right it has a small engine so I guess you have to push it hard to pass.

you mean volkswagen right?

Not audi

There hasnt been a real audi in 30 years.

sharp looking cars, but like everything in the VAG, they look and feel great for about a year, maybe two, then start wearing like shit. I've been in 2 year old A8's that just look worn out.

Care to elaborate?

I have to say that Audi is doing quite well. The A6 is nicer than the 5 which has become a big boat. That said the fact that Audi and BMW has carbon issues is unacceptable. Not sure that I would purchase another German car.