Interior build quality and finish of new BMWs (rant)

[rassi]

I had the misfortune of having my E39 M5 serviced this morning at BMW (and they managed to strip the sump plug that now needs to be heli coiled, but that is another matter) and therefore spent some time sitting in various new BMWs.

Came away impressed by the new 7 series (but at 90.000 euro for a fully loaded 730d it should impress!) but with a feeling ranging from disappointed (3 series), to pretty bad (1 series) to simply not acceptable (X1).

The plastic used around the gearlever (automatic) was thin, shiny stuff that would be more appropriate on something Korean or an entry level Fiat, and the instrument cowling was horrible thin plastic that LEGO would not even consider!

Overall feeling of being in a cheap car (though this particular X1 2.0D was certainly not at 45.000 euro) where everything that could be touched or moved had a nasty feel and finish.

What has gone wrong? How come Audi (yes, I said it), Volvo or even a Skoda (!!) can make interiors that has much superior fit and finish?

All this said without doubting that they all drive well and do a fantastic MPG, but if it means sitting in plastic hell, I would rather stick with my old heavy drinker!

[Escort2dr]

Agree, and I am due to take delivery of my new 3-series this month (couldn't get an Audi on our lease). Even the demo car, which was registered the morning I took it out for a couple of days, rattled. Not good.

[Magnus Barelegs]

I'm on my second E90 3-series (Alpina D3 and now 320ED)
Only problem I've had with trim has been creaky driver's door seals (fixed).
No problems with rattles at all, in either of them.
I also like the way the interior trim cleans up like new every time, even after kids have been in the car.
Very high quality and very hard wearing.
My previous car, an Audi A3 sportback, had numerous rattles.
The Audi's aluminium trim also scratched easily.

Edited by Magnus Barelegs on Friday 10th December 15:13

Edited by Magnus Barelegs on Friday 10th December 15:14

[Escort2dr]

Good for you. I've had lots of high mileage Audis and driven a few BMWs with much lower mileage. The Audi interiors were rock solid even after 180K miles. The BMW I owned rattled like mad at 80K and felt cheap.

As I say, I'm getting one, but it's my second choice.

[Magnus Barelegs]

Escort2dr said:

As I say, I'm getting one, but it's my second choice.

Shame you've got such a restrictive lease choice.
If the 3-series was your second choice, you're always going to hate it.
I've had an A4 and an A3.
I regularly drive a new A4 (143bhp tdi SE-Executive spec).
As far as I'm concerned, anyone wanting an A4 instead of a 3-series is mental.
Confusing dash layout, a terrible drive and more in tax.
Even if my 3-series rattled (which it doesn't), I'd rather have that than a rattle-free A4.

Edited by Magnus Barelegs on Friday 10th December 15:25

[Escort2dr]

There's no need to start insulting people.

I could have had an A4, just didn't want to top up the lease and then pay loads more tax on top.

The 3-series is smaller, older looking, and crap in winter - as well as a poorer interior. However, to ease the burden of having one, I've gone for leather (which people on PH seem to think doesn't last) rather than the naff seat fabric in the cloth cars.

Each to their own. I won't hate it, it's just not my first choice.

[Pickled Piper]

rassi said:

E39 !

This here is your problem. After having an E39 nothing else quite compares in terms of solidity and the feeling that it has been hewn from solid granite.

pp

[E21_Ross]

Pickled Piper said:

rassi said:

E39 !

This here is your problem. After having an E39 nothing else quite compares in terms of solidity and the feeling that it has been hewn from solid granite.

pp

the E34 is even better built than the E39, interior and general mechanicals. but to drive, i suspect not anywhere near as sharp! agree modern BMW interiors aren't what they used to be. in terms of layout the E46/E39/E38 era was the best IMO. however, i really like the new F10 interior. a lot!

Edited by E21_Ross on Friday 10th December 18:34

[Patrick Bateman]

E21_Ross said:

Pickled Piper said:

rassi said:

E39 !

This here is your problem. After having an E39 nothing else quite compares in terms of solidity and the feeling that it has been hewn from solid granite.

pp

the E34 is even better built than the E34, interior and general mechanicals. but to drive, i suspect not anywhere near as sharp! agree modern BMW interiors aren't what they used to be. in terms of layout the E46/E39/E38 era was the best IMO. however, i really like the new F10 interior. a lot!

I haven't sat in any of the e90s or e60s but I do prefer the shape of the e46 and e39 interiors.

[E21_Ross]

Patrick Bateman said:

E21_Ross said:

Pickled Piper said:

rassi said:

E39 !

This here is your problem. After having an E39 nothing else quite compares in terms of solidity and the feeling that it has been hewn from solid granite.

pp

the E34 is even better built than the E34, interior and general mechanicals. but to drive, i suspect not anywhere near as sharp! agree modern BMW interiors aren't what they used to be. in terms of layout the E46/E39/E38 era was the best IMO. however, i really like the new F10 interior. a lot!

I haven't sat in any of the e90s or e60s but I do prefer the shape of the e46 and e39 interiors.

edited my first post after i read mine back again

yes, those interiors are much better IMO.

[richterswil]

We have an E70 and the interior is a nice place to be. However, the sun visor is made from material so cheap it is untrue - try it - go to a dealer and look at it - scratchy and cheap. The only letdown in an otherwise very nice interior.

(Miss my old E46 interior but not as much as I miss its exterior - simply perfect).

[andyscole]

3 years ago I was driving an A4 v6 tdi quattro avant, doing 200 miles per day. My best mate had a 330d of the same age, he was going on hols so we swapped as he needed the space. First thoughts was his car was a bit of a banger, his car felt much older, rattles an all even though his had considerable less miles (40k).

But after 2 weeks I was a bm convert. Now on my second E9x after having a E46 and think the interior quality has been great with my last 2, no rattles but think the Audi has the interior edge.

[E21_Ross]

andyscole said:

3 years ago I was driving an A4 v6 tdi quattro avant, doing 200 miles per day. My best mate had a 330d of the same age, he was going on hols so we swapped as he needed the space. First thoughts was his car was a bit of a banger, his car felt much older, rattles an all even though his had considerable less miles (40k).

But after 2 weeks I was a bm convert. Now on my second E9x after having a E46 and think the interior quality has been great with my last 2, no rattles but think the Audi has the interior edge.

thing i find, although audi may have the edge on interior quality. i don't think the design layout is anywhere near as good. people slate the idrive but to be honest, it's so fking simple to use and has many more functions than most cars, and saves having 1,000 buttons. one thing i feel the audi has. i'm talking from a '57 plate RS4 here btw. the interior is a very nice place to be, it really is. however, lots and lots of buttons, the E92 M3 i've been in plenty of times just has a more clear layout IMO.

[gizlaroc]

Escort2dr said:

There's no need to start insulting people.

I could have had an A4, just didn't want to top up the lease and then pay loads more tax on top.

The 3-series is smaller, older looking, and crap in winter - as well as a poorer interior. However, to ease the burden of having one, I've gone for leather (which people on PH seem to think doesn't last) rather than the naff seat fabric in the cloth cars.

Each to their own. I won't hate it, it's just not my first choice.

I will be interested to know your thoughts on the 3 series after you have lived with it for a while, I have had the 320d and 335i in the E91 range. I also had a C6 3.2fsi Quattro A6 estate after the 335i for a year, when I first got it the rear light warning came on and they lent me a 200 mile 2.0tdi S-Line A4 avant with everything on it including the MMI High. Compared with the BMW that I had been in for the last 3 years the A4 was no where near as well put together, and nothing like the B6 A4 that it replaced, all looked nice and to be honest the bits that felt really cheap you never hardly touched anyway, but there was a vibration under the steering column, the door trim rattled slightly when you played music loud and the drive of it was terrible, it was a manual and the pedals were not only seriously offset but the foot rest got in the way too and the pedal heights were all really different which meant your seating position was always compromised.

I have had 14 Audis over the last 15 years and the latest B7 is a big a let down as any marques, while the manufacturers have to use so much recycled materials to keep green we are all compromising on materials and feel, look at the new Mercs, they are the same, even the E Class which was always made from rock previously!

I bet you have this BMW, go back to Audi one more time and then realise the Audi drive is just plain boring and come back to BMW again.

I'm sure you will really enjoy it, and be nicely surprised.

[Sticks.]

I had an E46 for 2 years which was very good and have had the Z4 6 years with very few issues, build quality or otherwise.

I replaced the E46 with an ex demo 120d. The main reason I got rid was numerous trim issues, each of which took the previously excellent dealer several attempts to fix. I gave up when the door rubber was refitted for the third time, despite me asking for a replacement, and when I queried paint flaking off I was given an estimate for the repair (one year old car).

So I replaced it with the TT, also ex demo. Despite getting fobbed off by one dealer, I had the filler cap and air con compressor replaced. Also the door handles (which are sticking again since the cold weather started), window regulator, Bose amp, and the mats, which were very worn at 12k miles. I'm hoping the DGS box's noises don't mean it'll fail before I trade it in, but apparently it being rubbish in town traffic is normal. The interior feels more solid but there are rattles, now at 20k miles, but the worn and sagging seat leather is apparently common.

So I expect I'll go back to a 3 Series again, but if a good E46 330i came up, I might just go for that.

In the greater scheme of things, it's not important, other than you've paid a lot of money and they could do better imho.

[roofer]

After spending 130k in an E90, nothing rattles, nothings broken and daily function is simple. Seat wear was terrible after 30k miles, but thay are after all mass produced cars. As long as the mechanical side remains fairly well engineered, i shall remain in BMW's far better weight distribution.

[theboss]

I'm in an LCI E90 (18 months old) with 25k and the quality of the interior isn't a patch on my former '02 E39 which had 172k on the clock when I sold it. It's just dull, switches and surfaces feel much 'cheaper', passenger seat rattles like mad, I really miss the old girl, in fact considering jumping back into an E39 it was that good.

[andy665]

I have an E36 coupe as a fun weekend car and even at 120k its absolutely rock solid.

Looked at a 1 series last week as I need a daily driver and found the interior quality truly shocking, hard, brittle plastic everywhere. Popped the bonnet and was shocked at the finish, for goodness sake not even any underbonnet soundproofing - never have I seen a supposed "premium" car built down to a price as obviously

Needless to say, that even as a BMW fan I'm not buying a 1 series

[pattyg]

My 5 year old E90 is rock solid and the leather interior wipes down as good as new...I don't know where people get the feeling the interior is cheap from. 1 series however was a different story....great drive but cheaper plastics.

[Matt UK]

Pickled Piper said:

rassi said:

E39 !

This here is your problem. After having an E39 nothing else quite compares in terms of solidity and the feeling that it has been hewn from solid granite.

pp

Agree. When you've had a good e39 it's easy to get stuck in them.