Sorta makes me wonder if I'm doing the right thing replacing my 200,000 mile 1992 Ford Explorer with a new X5 diesel -- my Explorer is still working fine with it's original blower and blower resistor (though I must say it is not unusual for the blower resistors to go bad in almost any vehicle... it's a not uncommon failure on Ford Focuses, and my Toyota had one go bad).

But four resistors in ten years sounds more like a maintenance item than a repair. Maybe BMW needs to add "Replace Final Stage Resistor" to it's 15,000 mile oil change service!

no... smart money is on a used acura mdx or a lexus rx 400h... living with bmw over engineered solutions that end up breaking is sorta the cost of doing business with bmw ;)

You're right, but I must admit my 2004 Z4 hasn't had too many problems. Just a new CD player, new windshield to fix bubbling rain sensor, new set of coils as a service action, and another thing or two... all under warranty. Oh, and a cracked and leaking air filter to Throttle body hose, which I replaced myself for $50. Of course, it only has 30,000 miles on it.

My Ford Focus has 57,000 miles on it and had one problem -- a notchy throttle body replaced under warranty.

Overall my luck has been pretty good except for one notable exception:

1984 325- nothing
1992 325i- only had to replace a window lift motor
2000 M Roadster- nothing
2002 X5 4.4- nothing
2006 650i convert.- entire top assembly replaced; entire CPU replaced
2008 X5 4.8- two AC vent tabs replaced; torn leather as result of fixing vent tabs; end stage resistor; blower

Can anyone point me to final stage replacement instructions? I see the E53 instructions and videos all over, but I can't find anything for the E70. Thanks!