[trk06]

I dont hear as much problems from previous 3 series owners as much as we have.
Is Bmw's most popular series quality going downhill?
Reputation of the 3 series was built well, but i think the amout of problems we are experiencing in todays 3 series just out of hand.
i had several problems myself just like anyone else who had them and we wil continue to have them.
if we have warranty great, if not we are doomed. Because a bmw repair bill can buy you a used car sometimes

i love the car, while every other brand improving their line up, bmw seems not.
thanks

[timmahh]

Doomed to fail, IBTL!

FWIW, with each new generation of a car typically it is packed with more technology and computing power than the last, which opens it up for more problems.

[ZoomZoom]

Originally Posted by timmahh

Doomed to fail, IBTL!

subscribed..

[gizmo335i]

I was reading consumer guide the other day and the 1 series was rated the worst for reliability but the 3 series was rated high. All of the mags pretty much refuse to critize the 3 series negatively....there has to be money involved with that...

[timmahh]

Originally Posted by gizmo335i

I was reading consumer guide the other day and the 1 series was rated the worst for reliability but the 3 series was rated high. All of the mags pretty much refuse to critize the 3 series negatively....there has to be money involved with that...

HPFP = Highly Profitable For Publishers

[trk06]

Originally Posted by gizmo335i

I was reading consumer guide the other day and the 1 series was rated the worst for reliability but the 3 series was rated high. All of the mags pretty much refuse to critize the 3 series negatively....there has to be money involved with that...

As we all know, 3 series is the bread and butter of Bmw. Who knows how much money involved when those reviews are done.
As you mentioned, Bmw will protect its golden child; always.

[jt335i]

I've had my 2010 335i for a year and half now and I haven't had any problems whatsoever to report. And no! BMW didn't pay me to say that. LOL!

Who knows if any problems come up in the coming months or years, but I'm not going to think about it and enjoy driving this ultimate driving machine.

On the other hand, I've had more problems with GM (General Malfunction) cars than my BMW.

[Dr. Nate]

Originally Posted by jt335i

On the other hand, I've had more problems with GM (General Malfunction) cars than my BMW.

I agree, in my 2007 Silverado I've had three rear ends put in, one fuel pump, a new AC compressor, and a new AC control panel. All under warranty, but it still sucks.

-Nate

[ragingclue]

The 328 is rated highly in reliability. The 335 is about as low as it gets.

Previous 3 series owners had plastic water pump impeller problems (metal ones too actually), window regulator issues, climate control module issues, headliner issues, subframe mount issues, rear shock mount issues, sunroof issues, RTAB issues, etc....

Previous 3 series cars had issues for sure.

[tony20009]

I've had my car since 2007 and there's not been a single problem.

I can say the same for the other e9x cars in my family (though the other three are 2011 models), as well as for my prior 1993 318i sedan, which I bought new and kept for 158K miles, gave it to a nephew, who in turn passed it on to another family member. It was my daily driver and has, since I gave it away, been a college and high school car. It's got over 300K miles on it and going strong. It got an engine overhaul at around 210K miles, but one can hardly complain about that, and the overhaul was cheaper than buying any comparable new car. Moreover, it's very cheap to insure.

My nephew repainted it (it still has no body rust) and replaced the interior carpeting, but the leatherette seats are looking about as they did when they were new, save for the stuffing not being quite as firm as it once was.

At this point, it's nearly become a family member. As long as it runs well and looks reasonable, I suspect we'll just keep passing it around in the family as the youngsters come into driving age. It's become the rule now that when the holder of the car is ready for a new car, they have to pass my old 3er on to another young person in the family, if one exists, and if the car is still in good shape, before they can sell it to a third party. It may, therefore, end up back in my home again; I have two sons, 11 and 13, and they are next in line behind a nephew who's 19. So, there's no telling how long that car's gonna be on the road.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by jt335i

I've had my 2010 335i for a year and half now and I haven't had any problems whatsoever to report. And no! BMW didn't pay me to say that. LOL!

Who knows if any problems comes up in the coming months or years, but I'm not going to think about it and enjoy driving this ultimate driving machine.

On the other hand, I've had more problems with GM (General Malfunction) cars than my BMW.

I bet most people don't have any/many problems. This place is where people with problems congregate to commiserate. My pump was replaced while in for oil change and I've had a couple of other little things. I think its luck of the draw..same as any manufacturer.

[JuppiOne]

the fuel pump issue in 335 dragged the whole thing to hell, other than that, its little occasional miscellaneous thing here and there, no worst than any other auto maker.

[wrickem]

If you hang around this forum long enough, you'll think EVERY 3 series is a bad car.

When people aren't worrying, then they're complaining about some *big* problem. Their floormat slides because BMW doesn't put strong enough anchors to hold them in place, or their trunk doesn't go up by itself, or their mirror doesn't go down when they put it in reverse. Stick around and you'll think they are all a POS.

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by wrickem

...or their mirror doesn't go down when they put it in reverse....

If it doesn't go down in reverse, and the switch is in the proper position, that isn't acceptable at all. Now, if it's user error involving not then that's something else altogether.

[wrickem]

Originally Posted by ragingclue

If it doesn't go down in reverse, and the switch is in the proper position, that isn't acceptable at all. Now, if it's user error involving not then that's something else altogether.

It's just about always user error, ragingclue, you know that. As well as the other big problem of the trunk not opening with the fob

[ragingclue]

Originally Posted by wrickem

It's just about always user error, ragingclue, you know that. As well as the other big problem of the trunk not opening with the fob

Haha well.... not always.

There have been mirror assembly gremlins floating around. I have some myself but they're not very common. My car has been an electrical nightmare but I think that my car is anomalous.

[Bobble]

My 335 has had a few minor issues adn the HPFP recall but the service center has been way more of a problem than the car. Neither of my E36's had any problems I would not call maintenance, my E46 had a couple of issues relared to vanos, but the water pump and such really are maintenance items on those cars. My E30 had a lot of issues but I bought it used well beyond it "best if used by" date so I can;t fault it. IMO it does seem like the problems are present all models it's just that the service level and hassle to get serviced it getting worse to me over the last 19 years. As far as electronics and such, what's new to this model E9x was generally available in the prvious 5's so I sort of discount that as an issue. I personally think they rush models to market so early versions of new models are not as good choice to me.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by wrickem

If you hang around this forum long enough, you'll think EVERY 3 series is a bad car.

When people aren't worrying, then they're complaining about some *big* problem. Their floormat slides because BMW doesn't put strong enough anchors to hold them in place, or their trunk doesn't go up by itself, or their mirror doesn't go down when they put it in reverse. Stick around and you'll think they are all a POS.

Agreed 100%.

[username604]

Bmw needs to make a simpler car that still drives great.
Things i love about my bmw
--steering feel
--handling
--suspension
--interior
--composure
--looks
These are things i think bmw can do without while maintaining what's great about the 3 series
-$100+ oil changes ---- ford's new v6 engine in the mustang puts out the same power/mpg if not better than the n54 and they're hella cheap to run
--the complicated computers under the hood
--premium gas
--terrible reliability
--run flats
--i understand the brakes are expensive cause they're good but i'll sacrafice 5 feet in braking power from 60mph if it means brake jobs are half the price
--$500 dollar batteries including programing.. what kind of car needs to be reprogrammed? its not like our batteries last any longer than a Kia's

All in all, there's a lot of excess on our cars. I feel like i picked out the wrong car to keep for a decade. Maybe i should have gotten a civic si

[yoandry]

This freaking just about name. "BMW" thats it, and i have to admit that i like the look of our e9x.

[RaceBlood]

BMW's are over engineered, period. Most areas it pays off, but the Battery, Oil change, and RFT's, are the debbie downers. They need to think "Honda" in those areas.

[username604]

Ok I take back that civic si comment, what was I thinking...