Poor Reliability

[mariopino]

I have a 2006 325i with sport package and manual transmission. I like the car and the way it drives, however, in the past 3 years I've had to go back to the dealer for a variety of problems. The BMW roundel on the steering wheel keeps delaminating. The weatherstripping had to be replaced twice around the rear window, the steering lock mechanism had to be replaced, the differential had to be replaced, an electric motor in the driver's seat had to be replaced, the left control panel on the door's arm rest had to be replaced, weatherstripping around the passenger door had to be replaced, and just last week, the radio had to be replaced. I would like to know if this is normal or not. Do other owners of 3 series cars experience the same problems? According to Consumer Reports the 3 series is suppost to have average to better than average reliability. I only have 1200 miles of warranty left, yes, I could get an extended warranty, but I don't want to have to spend so much time driving to the dealer and back. I am very frustrated. I like the car but it does not seem to be reliable. Am I alone? Any suggestions?

[KentW]

I'm honestly not sure if any of that stuff factors into "reliability" as far as CR reports ratings are concerned. Most of that is cosmetic stuff.

Still, CR ratings are pretty much crap, IMO. If you believe them, you should be driving a Honda.

[mryakan]

I think you are experiencing slightly more than the average # of troubles for these cars. They are by no means trouble free, but you can count yourself a bit unlucky. Happens.

That being said though, my measure of reliability is the % of the time the car gets you from point A to point B without leaving you stranded or looking for public transportation. Cosmetics to me are not a reliability issue, maybe a build quality issue, but not reliability.

[mariopino]

You're right that some of the problems have been cosmetic, but the differential and the steering column do not seem like cosmetic problems. I would like to know what I should expect in the future. Should I expect more problems of a serious mechanical nature? True, some of the problems I have experienced are build issues, but why can't BMW make roundels that do not delaminate? Why would the radio display decay after 3 years? What have other people experienced with their 3 series as far as mechanical or build quality issues in the first 3 years of their car ownership?

[KentW]

I've only had my E90 for a few weeks, so I'm not in any position to comment firsthand about reliability. Nothing's happened so far, FWIW.

Maybe some of the 2006 owners will chime in. Keep in mind, however, that some of the issues on the older cars (such as the peeling paint on some of the interior plastic pieces) have been rectified in later models.

I've always suspected that some of the "troubles" attributed to higher-end cars are the result of owner expectations. You certainly see it here on these forums. People notice the least little thing, and they're taking it back to the dealer to have it fixed. Not that there's anything wrong with wanting your car to be "perfect," but your average Toyota or Kia buyer is probably less demanding.

[mryakan]

You're right that some of the problems have been cosmetic, but the differential and the steering column do not seem like cosmetic problems. I would like to know what I should expect in the future. Should I expect more problems of a serious mechanical nature? True, some of the problems I have experienced are build issues, but why can't BMW make roundels that do not delaminate? Why would the radio display decay after 3 years? What have other people experienced with their 3 series as far as mechanical or build quality issues in the first 3 years of their car ownership?
I've had the roundel replaced once on the steering wheel, but I am certain it was due to me using some cleaning agent on it that it did not like.
What was the problem with the differential? I had mine taken off and lubed because of some clicking noise, but it was harmless noise really. As for the steering column, that seems to be a genuine reliability issue which is probably a reason they got rid of it starting with MY07 models. The HFPF on the 335 is another reliability issue. Those are the 2 most common ones that come to mind. I am sure there are others, but they don't seem to be as uncommon. Statistically speaking, it is very hard to find a car that suffers from all the issues that a lineup suffers, so unless you are a very unlucky person or ended up with a lemon, chances are you will not have many issues down the line. However I am not a man who puts much faith into statistics, so who knows.
So far my car has been relatively trouble free, except for that diff noise, a window that got stuck when opened all the way and faulty brake sensor readings which was a software issue. Not bad in 2 1/2 years compared to the # of issues I had on my brand new e36 back in 97.


Also you may want to check this sticky thread:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=955481

[Takashi]

I won't put any faith in consumer report statistics. Most of them are biased and based on people who reports them. There are lots of variables that consumer reports do not take into account. Keep in mind that the people who publish the reports might know less than what you know. I am sure the authors of the articles do not drive a BMW on a day to day basis.

[Beer Goggles]

I won't put any faith in consumer report statistics. Most of them are biased and based on people who reports them. There are lots of variables that consumer reports do not take into account. Keep in mind that the people who publish the reports might know less than what you know. I am sure the authors of the articles do not drive a BMW on a day to day basis.


The reports are not far off, they don't tell you what people call "problems" it shows how many trips to the dealer per 1,000 cars.

I'd say from my personal ownership experience that BMW is sort lower than expected. Peeling paint and other fit and finish problems (those stupid seat belt extenders) have shown that they aren't the best built cars out there.

Hell I was watching an old Top Gear and they said they felt the Golf R32 was built better than the 130 (before the 135 came here).

[mariopino]

I've had the roundel replaced once on the steering wheel, but I am certain it was due to me using some cleaning agent on it that it did not like.
What was the problem with the differential? I had mine taken off and lubed because of some clicking noise, but it was harmless noise really. As for the steering column, that seems to be a genuine reliability issue which is probably a reason they got rid of it starting with MY07 models. The HFPF on the 335 is another reliability issue. Those are the 2 most common ones that come to mind. I am sure there are others, but they don't seem to be as uncommon. Statistically speaking, it is very hard to find a car that suffers from all the issues that a lineup suffers, so unless you are a very unlucky person or ended up with a lemon, chances are you will not have many issues down the line. However I am not a man who puts much faith into statistics, so who knows.
So far my car has been relatively trouble free, except for that diff noise, a window that got stuck when opened all the way and faulty brake sensor readings which was a software issue. Not bad in 2 1/2 years compared to the # of issues I had on my brand new e36 back in 97.


Also you may want to check this sticky thread:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=955481
Thank you for your input. About a year after I bought my car the roundel on the steering wheel bagan to delaminate. They said that it could not be replaced, so they replaced the whole airbag assembly. I thought that maybe I had caused or precipitated the delamination by using caustic cleaners, so I have been very careful not to use any cleaners on the new one, but now, about a year and a half later, the new roundel has started to delaminate also. It is true that this is a cosmetic issue, but it is an irritating one. Why can't BMW manufacture a roundel that does not degrade after a year or two? The first time I took my car in for the differential (I would hear clicking noises coming from the back every time I shifted) they said that a part had been installed wrongly, so they cleaned it and reinstalled it, however the problem persisted, so they replaced it. One of the electric motors that inflates the left bolster on the driver's seat failed after two years. The steering lock mechanism failed after 6 months from date of purchase, my radio had to be replaced a couple of weeks ago. It is very frusrating. Last week I went to an Infiniti dealership and test drove a G37 sedan. It is a very nice car, with 100 more horses than my 325. I like it, but there is one major problem with it, it is not a BMW. When I got back to my car and sat behind that fat steering wheel and looked at my delaminating BMW roundel, I felt like I had returned home.

[greenohawk69]

I've always suspected that some of the "troubles" attributed to higher-end cars are the result of owner expectations. You certainly see it here on these forums. People notice the least little thing, and they're taking it back to the dealer to have it fixed. Not that there's anything wrong with wanting your car to be "perfect," but your average Toyota or Kia buyer is probably less demanding.

I disagree with your statement. I never had a problem with my '93 Honda Civic when I had it. My '99 328i (E46) had problems it should not have had. The '06 325i is ok for now and doesn't appear to have problems. What the OP was stating are quality issues and should not happen with a BMW, nor a Toyota, Honda, etc.

[KentW]

My '99 328i (E46) had problems it should not have had.

Like what?