Why do people stick with BMW?

[keegs111]

I have always been a huge BMW fan. In late teens I lusted after M series cars and a few years later I purchased an AUC e46 M3. 2 days after purchase it spent a month at BMW having a fault diagnosed which eventually resulted in having a new gearbox fitted. Fast forward 5 years and I am sad to say that I really am done with BMW. I've only ever purchased low mileage AUC cars, I've had 2 650ci's, an M6 and a 335. Every single one of those cars, all purchased with under 40k miles has suffered with gearbox issues in addition to failed sat nav controll units, water getting into the car and wrecking the electrics, suspension issues which don't fit with the age/mileage of the car. Poor paintwork, constant electrical faults, annoying bangs/squeaks/rattles from the interior. Whilst the driving experience is great, there has to be a balance and I'm really not sure BMW live up to their perceived image of solid build and reliability.

I visit Germany quite often and today I asked a taxi driver why ALL German taxis, without exception, are Mercedes Benz. The answer was that BMW are rubbish, completely worn out after 300k KM and have poor reliability couples with very expensive maintenance. The car I was in was an S class with 600k km on the clock, never had any gearbox or engine issues and felt as tight as the day it was made. The taxi that took me from my house to Heathrow airport this morning was a newer 7 series with less than half the mileage of the s class which felt like it was falling to pieces. I'm sure the fact that taxi drivers in Germany get a 30% discount with Mercedes is a major factor, but these cast really do seem to be better built.

Maybe I'm just bitter, and perhaps I've been unlucky, but it will be a cold day in hell before I buy another BMW!

[keegs111]

Ahhh, now per circa year 1999 stuff I'd still buy in a heart beat. That for me is the example of the build quality which BMW have been dining out on ever since. Either they've tried to be too clever with the technology, and/or they've cut corners and prioritised margin over product quality. Mercedes went through this period, but I think they've come out the other end and gone back to over engineering their cars. Perhaps BMW are going through this phase now?

[keegs111]

Chris Y said:

Excellent. A thread that may help explode the absurd myth that everything BMW is wonderful.

I guess it's a bit like dating a young beautiful woman who wants to party every night and gives you the best thrills of your life. Fast forward 30 years and the partying has taken its toll and she's a little bit worn out and rough around the edges. BMW seem to compress this ageing process into around 3 with their cars!

[keegs111]

A quick look through eBay, a remarkable amount of 5 series e9x with gearbox issues for sale!

[keegs111]

XJ Flyer said:

To be fair things like electrics and transmissions on BMW's are usually made by the same outside suppliers as Mercedes use.

True, zf boxes send shivers down my spine! However, just picked up a DB9 and the salesman at Stratstone proudly announced that the gearbox was built by zf! Hope I have more luck with this one!

[keegs111]

XJ Flyer said:

If I could afford a DB9 it would be the manual option for me which I think is the same bulletproof Tremec that's used in the VXR8.

I tried the manual, but they are an Italian box that supply Ferrari and Maserati, didn't fancy having an Italian gearbox and was a little heavy. The zf box is better than the smg's I've driven in BMW, not quite a quick to change but much nicer to live with

[keegs111]

Contigo said:

You are comparing M cars with a diesel Merc taxi? Really?

DO a comparison with a B5 RS4 or a C5 RS6 and you will soon see that running a german marque with supercar performance will be an expensive luxury.

I can tell you now that no M car will cost you as much to run as the C5 RS6 which can be ruinous. It was voted least reliable car on the WD survey and it will eat DRC suspension parts for fun.

On my M5 I've had a 4k claim for gearbox and I would not run any AMG, M car or RS car without a proper warranty now.

Contigo said:

You are comparing M cars with a diesel Merc taxi? Really?

DO a comparison with a B5 RS4 or a C5 RS6 and you will soon see that running a german marque with supercar performance will be an expensive luxury.



I can tell you now that no M car will cost you as much to run as the C5 RS6 which can be ruinous. It was voted least reliable car on the WD survey and it will eat DRC suspension parts for fun.

On my M5 I've had a 4k claim for gearbox and I would not run any AMG, M car or RS car without a proper warranty now.

No, I've been in many a diesel 5/7 series which has felt tired after only half miles of the equal car in the MB range. I had an sl55 which I treated with no care or respect, was a higher mileage car and took the abuse with a smile on its face.

However, when it comes to maintenance costs, Audi are not exactly a safe bet either.

[keegs111]

Gazunder said:

keegs111 said:

I visit Germany quite often and today I asked a taxi driver why ALL German taxis, without exception, are Mercedes Benz. The answer was that BMW are rubbish, completely worn out after 300k KM and have poor reliability couples with very expensive maintenance. The car I was in was an S class with 600k km on the clock, never had any gearbox or engine issues and felt as tight as the day it was made.

Out of interest, which era of S-Class was it?

W220 or W221?

W220

[keegs111]

Urban Sports said:

I like the envy factor it gives my neighbours when it's parked on my drive, no other brand comes close.

Err, really? Porsche, Maserati? All available in the AUC for reasonable money? If anything, BMW now seen as a bit of a try hard brand, desperate to drive a 'prestige' car and paying over the odds to do so when under the skin is a sub standard product. This brand recognition is probably what made BMW feel complacent in their own reputation in the first place!