Why I'll Never Buy Another BMW...
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 18 มี.ค. 2022
- It's an ugly story, and I'm done.
Where we believe that Life's Too Short To Drive Boring Cars so we just don't and you shouldn't either.
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It is very unfortunate that your suv BMW has taken a couple of turns for the worse. However, that isn't the most troubling part about your story and actually has nothing to do with BMW. It actually has everything to do the the praticular BMW dealership that you do business with. They seem to have very poor business practices and have no loyalty to their customers. I would file several complaints with BBB, BMW USA, and rate them on the several online rate sites, like Google.
The BMW dealership that I have dealt with for over 12 years has always been more than fair with me and has never charged me for diagnostics if I had the work performed with them. And they are always willing to negotiate their prices to keep them as fair and competitive as possible.
Practices that the dealership you deal with has nothing to do with BMW and everything to do with the owner of that dealership and his decision to screw his customers. If your dealership wanted to, they could repair your vehicle at their cost if the sitution merited it.
BMW USA gives their dealerships a lot of flexibility as to what they want to do and don't want to do. Any fair customer oriented business should always favor their clients in hope to either gain their business and/or keep their business as on going.
Also, keep in mind that there are many competant private BMW repair shops as well. I always shop my repairs and parts no matter how small the cost. It's just something I enjoy doing.
Knock on wood, I have had no problems with my 2016 BMW M6 Competition. However, it is impeccably maintained and driven with the upmost respect.
I believe you are right and it’s the experience that can sour as much or more than the car itself. You make an awesome assessment and you bet I will look at becoming more proactive on that front. I know a few short years ago the local dealers would only charge if significant time was logged and if you repaired it there they would waive the costs, but clearly this is an utter douche play and it feels as though this is a further extension to what is going on in the industry in general where car prices are up and dealers are ripping off the little guy. I appreciate your comment and am pinning it so many people can use this as a guideline should they find themselves in a similar place.
With utmost respect I suspect you mean a gentyle warming up , before you start reving the engine , and also keep the fluids on top .
Thats the way to go .
@@ECPP I have a BMW and Mercedes if you look at my profile pic, and the Mercedes has fallen apart and the BMW is still going strong, both 2014's...It's the luck of the draw tbh
@@ECPP I've had similar problems and I'm done with BMW as well. Their business practices are equivalent to that of the mafia.
You'll love your car till you hate it...it will happen if you keep it long enough
I bought a 2021 540i that I totally loved until … at 21k miles I did a hard start into traffic and the coolant pump EXPLODED! They had to pull pieces of it out of the engine and replace all of the hoses. I realized that if that pump had been machined out of aluminum instead of 3D printed out of plastic resin it would have easily survived. I have since sold the car and replaced it with an Acura.
Super rare I would of gave BMW another try just to be 100% it’s not the car but I have never heard of something like that specially for that year and mileage crazy.glad your ok
@@kathyy5903 There is known problem on the coolant pump but at the time BMW didn't know how they wanted to address it.
@HFG Nope. Real AF.
I have a 2018 540i Msport and zero problem I bought is in 2019
I think the E36 were the first generation with plastic water pump + housing. My M3's failed at 30K and the replacement at 60K. This was more spectacular as the fan went into the radiator and I had to get a tow. No doubt there are pieces of plastic embolized throughout the cooling system. In my area there are some good BMW mechanics with their own shops, so I would never set foot in a dealer's.
Wow. You can hear the pain in this man's voice. I was about to buy one, did my research and while I knew I could afford to buy it, I couldn't afford the maintenance and headaches that would come along with it. So sorry you are going through this. Hope you find a brand that makes you happy without burning your pocket.
Thank you so very much. Hope you have a great week.
ahh, being already an owner of 04 330ci conv, I was planning on 15 X5 with M pkg- yes, purely because it looked bold with staggered tires,,, believe it or not I almost closed on a deal but just before signing I looked once again if all my options & pkgs were listed in a contract,,,, I noticed, the slicky dealer removed the staggered tires/rims,, I asked him why ? because, M pkg had to go with 2 additional pkgs totaling over $11k where staggered tires/rims were already included, so on paper it looked like he is just swapping my tires but in reality he is ripping me off about $5-6K on wheels and tires- cause my regular wheels/tires are worth little to nothing where oe staggered goes for $4k just the wheels and another $2k for tires, so him being unable to explain why am I paying for M pkg but him swapping staggered wheel/tires for regular one, I walked away from $72k deal. Very next day his alleged supervisor had called me to come over ' they were excited to announce that new incentives just came up and they are positively sure we will reach consensus",,, what consensus? if I am paying for X while you substitute it with Y it is called stealing,,,, I purchased 15 RR Sport, never had any major problem with it, few minor things only that 4y/50k warranty took care of,,,7 years later sold it and my only unscheduled expense was $65 oxygen sensor and $105 for labor cause I could not unscrew it myself,,,,that is how I avoided a headache on a long run because, only then I started to hear what others had to go through with bmw service,,,, I still have my 04 330cic, love it and contrary to what others say it is relatively easy to work on it,,,, no more bmw 4 me,,,,
I’ll sell you my 2010 528i and you’ll get your love back of them
You perfected stated my thoughts and I went infinity and I am happy 😊
Indeed!
Mark, I know how you feel and I commend you for your honesty and sincerity about the costs of owning a BMW. You did nothing but speak the truth about how the BMW brand has changed for the worse over the years. Contrary to the cars they built 10, 20 years ago, they now build cars using cheap low quality parts not made to last very long with the intention to make more money. When something breaks, since you can’t take these cars for diagnostic and repair to any independent body shop the only option is to take it to an authorized dealership and they rip you off with a high cost bill to fix the problem. A few years ago I leased a brand new X5. I LOVED that car! But in the 3 years I had it I needed to take it to the dealership a dozen times to fix electric issues, AC, and strange on and off noises on the dashboard that appeared to come from somewhere in the engine. Just the inconvenience to have to take a new car these many times to the dealership pissed me off. Thank God everything was under warranty but that’s about the only positive side of the situation. I am on my third Lexus RX 350 F-Sport and never looked back. No more trips to the dealership except for scheduled regular service, and I LOVE that!
Thanks
I was thinking the same thing while he was discussing all his problems with breakdowns. If you want a luxury car and not have to worry about repairs, then buy a Lexus! I really enjoy my 2020 RX350L Luxury.
BMW and Mercedes cars have really become expensive unreliable turds in past decade with no improvements and too many gee wizbang computer gadgets to hypnotize morons for a car that is more of a Playstation computer than a driving machine. Both AMG and M divisions at Mercedes and BMW have lost their way.
and just when i am about to buy a barnd new 2022 X4 M40i
Shame on BMW for not improving the quality of the part and making it cheaper to buy.
I had a faulty starter cable on my 997 Porsche, when I went to the dealership to buy one they only wanted £60 for a new and updated cable. This is the cable that runs the length of the car that has a number of connections on it so the price was very fair considering. Clearly, this was Porsche's way of looking after their customers, they did not just look at the issue as yet another way to extract money out of the customer.
Exactly, that’s what I am talking about. Have a great day
@@ECPP and Porsche still makes great driver focused cars in the mid engined Cayman and GT4. Expensive but amazing sports cars.
Boy, Mark! I have to say, this is the most passionate video that you’ve made in recent years! I can definitely appreciate your story, as I have had some bad experiences with 2 E46s. I think you’ve saved some heartache with the N55 I owned last year too!
Watched the entire video and this is exactly how I feel about the brand. Went from love and thrill to hate. My issues were different but the process and expense were the same add to it that once I had to wait 2 weeks for a part from Germany. BMW have an attitude that is really offensive especially when you think that a loyal customer should have value to them. It doesn’t. They don’t give a shit about the customers.
Totally agree. My 7 Series was the only car I've owned that has stranded me on the side of the road THREE times!
Wow, that would hurt
If there's anything I've taken away from this, it's to stay away from a BMW dealer for any work done not covered by warranty and find a local shop to do it instead.
That will help for sure.
More and more independent shops on my area won’t work in modern BMWs.
@@vintagehaynesflute TBH, I'd feel much more comfortable taking my MBZ/BMW/Porsche/Audi to the dealer before taking it to an independent but that's just me.
@@ECPPI'm curious why you kept going to the dealership after so many poor experiences? Why not go to a local mechanic who has good BMW experience?
For example, the electronic parking brake in my E70 broke, I was quoted €2,000 ($2500cad) from my local BMW dealership to repair. I got it done locally by an independant mechanic for €150 ($175 cad).
Astronomical difference in price!
I've stopped buying them after having 5. Reliability has been poor and costs have been too high. The styling is now gone as well, so I'm out, never to return. German engineering is a myth.
Didn’t use to
True
'German engineering is a myth' probably couldn't have said this any better
BMW is a lot of marketing and hype. Don't get me wrong I love my X5M BUT I know it's a money pit for the average owner. German engineering is a myth, Japanese engineering rules!
Yes, German engineering is a myth for sure. BMW, Mercedes and Audi are a 3 year lease car. Purchase or lease when new, and dump it no more then 3 years later. A couple of years later they’re a massive money pit. There’s a reason many used cars like this have a low price tag, because it will bury you in costs shortly later on.
The B58 inline 6 twin turbo is probably BMW's best engine.
It is what powers my 2020 540i.
Zero issues so far
I do agree, it is their best engine at this point.
I think it's too early to tell with the B58 engine. Also they're not twin turbo, they're twin scroll.
@@Benny-zo3qh the B58 has been around since 2015 I believe, safe to say it's a fantastic engine with no issues unlike previous engine designs from BMW
@@chubbychicken5585 oh ok, I thought it was newer
@@Benny-zo3qh with the timing chain at the back of the engine now if I am correct, I am not sure if the timing chain guide would hold up and how much to change them.
I feel your pain Mark. I had a 2002 3 series, 2009 x5 diesel and 2010 x3. The 3 series was so much fun, the x5 was an absolute nightmare. The x3 was also very expensive to maintain. I now drive a Lexus suv, it may not be as fun the to drive, but it start every time and it’s very low cost to maintain. If your not leasing a bmw your in for a lot of pain.
You are totally right Rick. Thanks for dropping a line. There are. Ow so many great driving alternatives that I do not miss the brand at all.
Everything you said is very true of Mercedes Benz cars as well. I own 6 of them and there's not a time where I left their shop without paying less than $1000 for either service or repair.
That seems to be for a lot of these luxury cars but I know we now own a C300 so we will see how things go with time. Have a great weekend.
Not all Mercedes are bad I own a 03 CLK 320 w208 and is been a great vehicle to the point where I don't have to do much just put fuel and oil changes and also got a 1996 E500 and a 95 SL500 wonderful cars never give up on me maybe cause they all are near and below 100k miles and they all been well taking care off
@@caremotor86 I'm not saying Mercedes are bad. They are great cars and I continue to own them and take good care of them. What is terrible is the cost of repair and the quality of parts that seem to be failing or breaking in short time. Mercedes shops also nickel and dim on repairs. I had a step board replaced on my GL450 recently and they charge me, in addition to the step boards, every bolt and nut, 10 of them, each costing $5 each. This are just nuts and bolts and they should be able to use the old ones. But they said that those are sold separately and they do not reuse bolts (go figure). I just spent $2000 last Friday replacing the turbo lines because they were cracking and another $550 for a leaking coolant reservoir on my 2014 CLS 550. I have 85K miles on the CLS, and 95K miles on the GLS. My other cars, two are below 68K and my CL55 AMG is about 120K. The latter has been prone to leaking here and there. I've fixed them all but the failure rates of the parts are high and the cost just to fix them are 3-5 times more than our Lexus and Toyota vehicles respectively. That's my sentiment and experience.
@@elloryyu yea well maybe for me on the other hand is super easy since I own lots of tools and have the knowledge to work on them my self but yes from ur point of view having to pay is 3 times harder to own one
Trust me, Mercedes isn't that bad. The service and parts prices are robbery but the cars are much better quality. Especially the E-class which is the "bread and butter" of Mercedes. They use them in Europe as luxury taxis and some of the E-class cars have astronomical mileages on them. Like 700.000 to million kilometers. They also use LESS plastic under the hood.
My parents had the E70 X5 and it was a brilliant smooth SUV, for years it was very good, until it started approaching 95k miles, then that's where the failures occur. Air suspension, PCV Valve, timing, oil leaks and smoking like it had a midlife crisis. We sold it, but I do miss it because it was just amazing to drive..
I agree, ours was also amazing for years, and then….
This channel is the reason why I even bought a BMW tbh🔥🔥 that N52 is enough power for the highway going 130mph
Thank you for making this and thank you for commenting on the styling of the current crop of BMWs.We have exchanged similar views recently and I mentioned the 24,000 km oil change interval for my F80 M3 Competition here in Perth Australia where we have days of 40-44c in Summer which I consider extreme. Although I had my oil changed very 6 months, BMW used to commit highway robbery and charge $350 per oil change because it was "outside the service plan". Like you, for various reasons, styling, arrogance and service cost, I will never buy another BMW. I have owned a few BMWs. I bought my first, an E21 in 1982 aged 19. Since then I have owned 3x E30, 1x E36, 1x E46, 1x E34, 2x E70, 1x E71, 2x F80 and 2x R56 minis for my then wife. That's 14 BMW products over 40 years of motoring.
Wow, thanks for sharing Tim. We both enjoyed what the brand delivered for many years, but you are right, there has been a paradigm shift and these cars are nothing like they used to be. Still a few great drivers, but they cut corners in places you do t see until a person is standing at the cash out of the service department when you are throwing weeks of income at a single, relatively minor repair. I just line to put it in these terms and that DeF tank costs as much as a brand new crate engine for a Honda or Toyota. SMH
This is the MOST HONEST and BEST video you have made. I hope BMW goes broke. They are one of the most dishonest companies in the car industry. Their only focus is on ripping up of their clients. To any one thinking of buying a BMW, watch this video. He is 1000‰ correct. EVERY SINGLE BMW has similar problems to the ones he is mentioning. I too now Hate, yes HATE, the brand!!
Thank you very much, and the best way to help others is to share this video link in your social media circles. Thanks for the support and hope you have a great weekend.
Have you dealt with Merc and Porsche? Of Toyota dealers are not much different.
@@EastWood2004 I agree, merc dealers are very good at ripping their customers off too. I now own 4 mercs and although they are better than especially the X series BMWs i owned, they are not without constant faults either. However, the Lexus i own is phenomenal. so far, knock on wood, it has not had any problem whatsoever. i live in Australia and the Toyota dealerships are no where as bad as the BMW and Merc ones.
Man, I can hear the heartbreak in your voice when explaining your side. I can truly understand why BMWs are crap.
Thanks for the watch and comment. Hope you are having a great weekend.
I owned BMW E28, E60 and E39. All classic Beemers. I loved them. I have ZERO interest in new BMW's. They're ugly, bloated, very unreliable and the engine bay is full of plastic. That brand has completely lost its touch. Sorry to say this as a former BMW fan but it's the truth. If I ever buy a BMW again, it'll be a classic like E31. Back in those days they made beautiful cars.
He forgets, that you can, never take your car to the dealer if you’re sane. You must be able to perform your own repairs if you want to own an older BMW or you’ll end up feeling just like ExoticCar. Stay away from diesels in this current time. Be prepared for turbo problems...
All-in-all,it sure seems that BMW today isn't worth more than a quick look. Far too complicated and outrageously over-priced.
Absolutely right
@@Shadobanned4life like all Germans. Especially Porsche
What is your take on the dual turbos on the new Supra ? I heard it’s about 12k to replace them. How long will they last if oil is changed regularly 3-5k miles minimum and cooled down properly after hot runs.
A good well maintained one owner 2021 or 22 Supra might be an option in 5 years when I retire.
@@stephendibari5010 Supposed to be many issues resolved on that new engine, l agree...Will be looking forward to those things depreciating but probably won’t.
I've had my 6 Series coupe (E63, LCI), bought new, for 12 years now. It's been fairly reliable and, as you said, I was mesmerized by the special design and by the way it drove. I intend to keep it for another decade but I'll never buy another BMW. Why? The design doesn't speak to me like it used to, plus the overall experience (reliability issues, fake exhaust sound) is impaired, additionally the image of the brand took a nosedive because of all the rude guys driving these cars.
Thank you very much for sharing and yes those engines put down great power and when owning a well sorted model, they are a blast for sure. It’s just I feel the brand also needs some serious refreshing….and a stronger focus on the customer experience in the service department as well as quality control. Have a wonderful weekend.
Your story woke me up from my BMW coma - thank you! I was looking at an X1, read some positive things about it, thought about purchasing one. After doing more research, I had second thoughts. There seem to be timing chain issues with many German cars in general, and those plastic parts used in BMWs these days under the hood have compromised quality and longevity. Sad.
we owned a 2005 X5, and a 2013 X5, and they were both great cars. Excellent driving dynamics for a larger SUV or SAV. No issues whatsoever, even if they are a bit expensive too service or maintain. That being said, we have a trustworthy mechanic that specializes in BMWs that tell us the honest truth mechanically, and electronically about these vehicles. Now, we just recently purchased a 2020 G05, and even if it drives a little different, it still seems too be a great well rounded package. I am wondering how the electronics will hold up throughout the years though! We also drove the Lexus RXs, and even if they're very reliable, the drive, and powertrain were vastly unable too beat the BMWs. But, I totally see why people love there Lexus!
Thank you very much for the insightful comment. Some people definitely have great experiences, and even for me, I agree BMW is hard to beat for the driving dynamics.
Sounds like a dealership issue as well, when I took my F150 to my local dealership, they could do nothing right. I ended up going 45min away to another and it was 100 times better
Hey Marc, love your channel, great info. Over the past 30 years in Texas I have made over 43 car deals.I went from being a Nissan Z guy to loving the German brands. Over the years I learned that every brand came with certain traits that were indemic to the platform. Nissan would charge me $120 to plug the car Into Nissan consult in the 90s without popping the hood, tried to double dip on warranty claims, and made bad calls on expensive components b.c they were too lazy to follow their own service guide. Your not along, we all have been there, this is why I only keep the German cars till warranty expires then trade, take the loss and move on. They know it, this is why the labor rate is $199 an hour it helps to keep the pressure on their customers to keep cycling thru cars. Pay me now or pay me later...
Thank you very much Sam for your comment. Yes I hear ya, it really is about moving people through to the next car and try to excite with the next level of performance and tech. At some point I think that back fires
A very excellent in-depth video sir. Thanks for taking the time and making your case very clearly and informatively. As a previous service advisor and now a customer of Honda and Mazda I would have to say that the whole world has seen shifts in priorities at the different companies. Shareholder profits and the profits by the dealers have taken lived of their own. Nobody it seems wants to be your friend anymore unless they are truly scant of customers. That said I definitely agree with the other BMW owner said about your dealer being cruel instead of hospitable. If you are a regular customer with a history with them, they should be bending over backwards to make you happy. The only thing I will add is that having been pinned between the customer who I always tried to help, my techs who needed hours, and my manager who needed profits for the dealership, for employees at a dealership it can be challenging to live up to the task of advocating for their customers. It's too often that the biggest jerks own dealerships. Even the managers that run dealerships are supposed to put on a smile but bend you over. Nice guys like me get pushed out rather quickly for being too nice. I got cynical with customer service in general as well. It only takes one or two rude customers to give you a bad name. I wanted to take charge of my life so I went back to school to become a designer and builder. Less easy money but less stress!👍
Thanks James for sharing. From my experience I was dealing with sharks and when they smoke you also get a sample of their teeth. So much for integrity which these clowns clearly have little to none. I worked in the car biz for awhile too in my past and I have seen what the other side looks like. I have thick skin but even that was a bit much.
@@ECPP Yes indeed but they adjust accordingly and size us up. I usually do my own work so they know me as a clam with my money. Of course simple cars are not as comfortable as complex cars and we all know that along with the fantastic cabin and running gear in BMW, that complexity comes with a cost as times wears on. Just as with women , if we love them we have to pay for taking care of their needs.
The bright side is hopefully the expenses are not continuous. Cars that are paid for tend to have these bigger although irregular expenses. If its any consolation to you, lots of lower end cars are in the scrap pile and dealers do not even sell parts to rebuild them or fix them. That goes for dozens of throwaway vehicles that are total losses. I went through about two like that. I lost 13,000 USD in 2 years. 2 early Mazda 6 wagons with Ford V6 motors.
I have been driving BMWs since 1982 with my first Bimmer, a 1982 320i. It was a good, straight 4 cylinder engine. Next came a 1984 528e, very comfortable but a dog on the road, more of a cruiser. Next came a 1998 525i, underpowered for the weight of the car and always in the shop for repairs. Traded it in for a 2001 540i. This car had loads of power, would respond immediately at any speed but again always in the shop. In 1997 my wife won a 1998 Z3, straight 6 cylinder at the BMWCCA Octoberfest in New Hampshire. This was the best BMW of all , no issues, just ran and ran. In 2010 we moved from California to Florida. I had the cars transported to Naples FL. Upon loading the 540 onto the carrier if fell of the loading ramps due to the driver not locking the ramps. Total cost to repair, over $5000. I filed a claim and the carries paid the damages and did not charge us for transporting the two cars ( Z3). With over $10000 I traded in the BMW for a Acura MDX. That was the last BMW. In 2013 i reached into my Bucket List and decided to buy a Porsche. I ordered a Porsche Boxster S. When it came in it was late October 2013 and arrived as a 2014. I drive all my cars daily, no garage queens. I just passed 82K on the Porsche and no mechanical issues. It has a 6 cylinder Boxer engine, no turbo. The response is immediate, never any hesitation. At 75 mph with 2 people it will always get over 30mph, something’s 34 if I shoot for more mileage. I do most of the maintenances except for changing the plugs. In my opinion Porsche is a step up from BMW. They are made right the first time, good engineering and reliable. I am thinking of purchasing a new Boxster with a slightly bigger engine and naturally aspirated. This will probably be the last Porsche before they force those electrics into the market. My only problem is my current Boxer is such a good runner, very hard to part with. Everyone should have my problem, LOL.
Awesome comments and thanks for sharing. Yes it’s a sad day once everything is electric
@@ECPP the last great car BMW made was the E46 M3 and E90 M3 V8 engine cars.
Mark, I can so relate to your sentiments! For 20yrs I bought only BMW Merc & Porsche. I had enough with my last Merc S350, after dumping so much money - transmission, air suspension, oil leaks etc. Finally the car devoped a vibration & starting problem which the dealer couldn't solve. I sold it to the dealer. That was the end of German cars for me. I have 3 Lexuses now ES350 RX 350 IS350 - I love them - NOT 1 PROBLEM! Hope things work out for you Mark
Thank you very much John, we will get past it for sure. Have a great weekend.
@@ECPP 👍
My wife and I had been loyal to BMW for 20 years. From our 318ic to 330 to first gen X3. Even during 3 years in Europe, a diesel 3 series touring, a 116i 3 door, and on my return to the USA, an X3 M40i and my dream 640i. Today, my X3 is back in the shop. And I sold my 6 after a $2500 oil and service following the merely 2k miles I accumulated during the COVId lockdowns. I sold my dream for a Volvo V60 XC. Now I’m blissfully enjoying the lack of drama.
Thanks for another great video! You help so many people with your honest,informative videos!
Thank you so much and I appreciate your support again. Great to hear from you and hope you are having a great weekend.
I feel very identified with this story. We always had BMW's. They were like a member of our family too. We loved them. Then the 5 series E60 came along. Problem after problem, until it had a critical engine failure and we had to sell it for peanuts. (All our cars were bought new and always serviced at official BMW shops.)
When you take a look at everything going on with BMW after the early 2000's, you can easily realize they just went into "profit margin creep" mode. Nowadays I'm interested in Japanese and American cars. I'm European, but I might get a Mustang instead of a 4 series and be fine with it.
You nailed it. I am seeing the light too and I have really enjoyed my time behind the wheel of a Mustang GT, Shelby GT350/500s and a buddy’s Camaro ZL1 1LE
@@ECPP and the new mid engined Corvette is super awesome can compete with Ferrari and Lamborghini for way less cash now.
What problem did you have on E60? Those are reliable.
@@CaliRepublic77 It started with electrical gremlins, which affected how the car ran, losing power, even leaving us stranded at the highway once. I don't remember which part specifically created the problem.
The fatal failure was due to a turbo part we call "butterfly" in my country. It's a small metal piece known to get loose on these 3.0 bmw diesel engines. It's a widely known problem. So, the metal piece from the turbo gets sucked by the engine and boom... Dead engine. Later we learned that problem can be avoided by removing the piece preemptively, at the cost of losing a few horses.
Had an 530i E61 for 12 years bought it 3 years old.
Over 300000 kilometers very little problems.
Fantastic car!
I love how you stick your motto every now and then you bring it up and keeps the video interesting
Thank you very much
Your a true champion.
From the very first video of yours I saw till the very last. Always telling it like it is.
Decent and honest guys such as yourself inform so many truthfully to be able to make the smartest decisions possible when purchasing a vehicle.
Stay true my friend. Never change.
The world needs more people like you.
Thank you so very much Marty, that is wonderful to hear and I will certainly do my best to keep it real. Have a wonderful week.
Well said!!!
I do agree with what you say. But one key of owning a bmw is to have any repairs done by a good third party shop out of warranty, and also be confident in own ability at self servicing and or repair and diagnostic.
You are absolutely right
@@ECPP I like how you interact with your audience. You let opinions flow freely. Man i feel bad because I know how you enjoy driving bmws but their reliability and dealer experience has turned you away. Am assuming you're getting rid of the x5, what a you getting next if u don't mind me asking?
Sure there are ways to mitigate issues simply by replacing overpriced parts halfway through their useful life.
Your videos and others have cemented my position that I only buy Toyota products (Lexus if you want a luxury vehicle). Maybe not as exciting as German, but you can usually drive them for 10+ years just doing routine maintenance, then sell them easily for a decent amount of money because they have a good reputation.
You are totally right. The only case is if you want a fire breathing race versions, which is fun for a Sunday driver, the M cars are ok but just know what you are getting into. For a daily car, durability is quite important but let’s also remember life’s too short to drive boring cars.
Mark, to be 100% honest you are someone who helped me with my first BMW purchase and let me know a ton of information on the brand as a whole and specific models. I’m sad to hear all the issues you’ve had because I agree, all of those issues are way too much to deal with. I have the infamous 2013 BMW X5 Xdrive50i. I bought it used for $17,900 with 80,000 miles and I am the second owner. My car is one of the very few without the major issues. Oil consumption, battery drain, timing chain, valve guides, oil/coolant leaks….. it now has 104,000 miles and is maintained the way it should be otherwise I’d be in big trouble. Your video of your 2006 M5 where you said “I love driving the most unreliable bmw.” And I feel the same way. I love my n63b44o0 and wouldn’t change a thing. I wish you the best and hope to see what comes next. You really make some great helpful content. Are you aware of “Nathan’s bmw workshop” as well? Very cool guy and channel to check out. Thanks again
Thanks so much James and yes I certainly have heard of that channel and he seems quite down to earth, so he could definitely offer up some pointers. I am glad to hear that things are going well with your vehicle and I really do wish you the best and there are many happy owners who only deal with the typical upkeep items. I know nothing lasts forever, but I remember the old days a person new a cars was done when it burned oil, the transmission slipped and the body was rusting away and never a day before all of the above. Now these cars are scrapped due to overpriced shop rates and substandard parts even though the car can literally look close to new and the engine still runs well. Strange time. Have a great weekend.
You too buddy. I appreciate the personal response. I actually sent you a picture of my car the day I bought it way back in February 2021. I was incredibly proud of my achievement that I wanted to show you because I never had the financial means to do so.. I will continue to watch and see what content comes next
And yes Nathan is an excellent all round knowledgeable mechanic and frankly expert. He also works on and does all the the work himself. So, that right there helps out tremendously with costs. But, he only works on BMWs and Porsches. With the occasional Mercedes product. If you do plan on getting rid of any of your BMW fleet please let me know. I’m always looking to add something possibly especially from someone that knows how to maintain their vehicles
I'll cosign everything you said about bmw's....I know I've said it in your newer vids, but I was never a big fan of them, but didn't Not like em. Now that I bought one for my wife, 2014 X1, very low mileage, fully loaded and timing chain went before we made a second payment! After the fact, found out about the class action in 2017, but they did not have to admit guilt, so no recall, and they now knowingly are screwing ppl. Now I live every day waiting for the next big thing to go wrong!! Thanks for informing everyone that's smart enough to follow you and listen to your advice M!! Best to you and yours ✌️💚
I’ve been following your channel and looking into buying a 335i. It’s seems like if you really want this brand you have to own diagnostics software at home, be willing to do your own work sometimes, and stay ahead of the maintenance schedule. The dealership will always be the most expensive option. Especially out of warranty.
Absolutely. It’s a must to be able to wrench for yourself and have a solid parts supply away from the rip off artists at the stealership.
Far too much plastic in the engine bay now. I owned a 650i with the N63 V8. The design is sound. The engineering is not.
@@Stormin2548 I’m drawn to the body style and twin turbos, but a plastic water pump c’mon.
Most people own basic tools and can do minor diagnostics on their vehicles. Just that if you run into a big problem you can’t fix & take it to the dealership, even if you know EXACTLY what problems you have or part you need they’ll still charge you for them doing a diagnosis of your car. They’ll say it’s a liability on them to just change parts at their customers instructions so they have to ‘confirm’ for themselves that they’re putting the right part in. That’s what they told my sister.
You can’t escape the dreaded ‘diagnostics fee’ which is charged by the hour but in reality takes less than 10 minutes in most cases. Crooks!
@@isaac198428 I’ve seen that as a double edge sword. If you “mis-diagnose” the problem yourself and have the shop fix it, what happens if it doesn’t actually fix the problem. Then youll be back again for diagnosis spending that money. Break My Wallet.
Sounds like you're ready for a Porsche with a manual transmission. Best driving experience and manuals in the industry. PDKs are great also 👍
VW
I had 996, it is my nightmare car, broken all the time
You’re so passionate when you talk about cars… i can literally feel that’s what you love! Amazing videos.
Thank you very much. I really am indeed.
I own two E36. Two weeks ago I fixed the leaking thermostat housing of one of them, last week I fixed the other ones leaking cylinderhead cover seal ;) It never stops.
It really does not stop. It stops once we kick them to the curb
I think it’s partially the dealer that has left you so bitter with the brand. I know the dealer you deal with and I have had similar issues with them not being honest and trying to take advantage of me. My 2011 335 n55 was there for a water pump replacement, they recommended that I replace the thermostat and I agreed, after all it’s attached to the water pump so I figured why not while it’s apart, When I went to pick up the vehicle I was charged double the labour, Labour to replace the water pump and then charged again to remove the water pump to replace the thermostat. After a lengthy discussion they realized that I knew that both components were attached and that they were trying to take advantage of me, the service manager apologized for the “ miscommunication and oversight” and offered a 20% discount on parts with my next visit………. I never returned.
Wow, that is next level shady. They smile while while they are sticking it to you. Also, they used the phrase” we are here to help you”. I knew right away I was on for a treat.
What truly makes a car quality? The fact that the parts are reliable or that the performance delivered to you as the driver is top notch ?
To me it’s all about the way a vehicle holds up with time and hard use. If it survives it’s a solid machine. Same can be said for the older Porsche 911s you could autocross them all day and then drive them home will little I’ll effect, but few cars could hold up to the same rigor.
@@ECPP I'm on the same page
Reliability over performance for me. I don't want to spend hundreds on repairs on my vehicle every few weeks. No matter how good the driving experience is.
Quick question regarding a SUV but of the other german brand...I am looking at a 2014 mercedes ML63 AMG...the 5.5litre v8 monster, only heard positive things about it and it has low mileage...what are your guys thoughts on it and how reliable is it?
Obviously, planned obsolescence is part of BMWs business model. There is no incentive for BMW to make a long term reliable product. They know their typical customer wants the latest styling and technology and isn’t interested in repairing old models. They know most of their customers when faced with high repair bills and replacement parts will just trade in for new
That is true but unfortunately that leaves 2nd and 3rd owners in a world of hurt at times.
You are right on target. I've owned two Bmw's, the first one 1984 320i
My current one is 2007 328xi.
The 320i was a great car virtually trouble free.
I just took the 328 xi on because it had the noise under the hood.
Turns out it was the pvc valve typically a cheep fix.
But BMW incorporates the pvc valve into the valve cover ( how stupid).
Cost to fix $2,000.00.
,
PCV on my Corolla, $3. Right on the outside of the valve cover. 5 minutes to replace
They built great machines, earned a reputation for it then when they became profitable, the shareholders took over and they started changing to a volume producer and did everything they could to reduce their overhead costs, which is why it took BMW so long to incorporate android auto into their cars and get into the electric market. They may have had an ethos when the company first started but sadly they've gone the way of every company eventually, in the end the only thing that matters is $
I appreciate your honest thought and sharing your experience of owning problematic BMWs. A few years ago, a lot of BMWs caught fire and burned down in Korea. Can you do a video on BMW's sister company, Mini, in the near future?
That is very true indeed
After bad experiences with two BMWs, a 1997 540i six speed and a 2007 335i, AND several local dealerships, I took my business elsewhere. BMW business model revolves around leasing where a customer assumes they should not be exposed to repair costs while under warranty. However, even when leased a new 335i, I experienced problems under warranty such as bad navigation software which took four visits to the dealer to fix. Then, the well-known Bosch high pressure fuel pump issue was starting to occur about 1 year into my lease. My dealer tried to blame it on bad gas and charged me to clean the injectors which did not fix the defective fuel pump, which was later recalled. The car always ran hot in traffic and the run flat tires were a disaster, needing replacement by 20k miles.
My 540 developed warped head gaskets after the dealer mechanic changed the water pump at about 35k mileage and cracked the radiator inlet which is plastic and caused the engine to overheat. They told me it would be $20k to put new heads on but in reality, the engine was defective at that point and needed replacement, which i declined. I had a problem with a bad starter that two dealerships failed to diagnose properly, replacing things such as ignition switches which did not fix the problem. Overall, too many issues with these both BMWs from a build quality and (multiple) bad dealer service experiences.
I've moved on to an Audi S4 and S6 and have had overall a much better experience with these cars and the sales and servicing dealership. The BMW approach is the customer is always wrong and they do everything to put repair costs on you, even when the defects are clearly with the part or how the car was serviced.
Buyer beware!
Thank you for sharing. Sounds like you have also had your share of issues too. No looking back.
I had a 2014 X3 xDrive35i. I was one and done with the brand after the number of issues with this car. Multiple issues with the Coolant Fluid leaks with the first one occurring within warranty period at which point the stealership claimed they couldn't find the issue. I guess they were waiting for it to recur which it did bit after the warranty went up. Within months after that when I took it in for the 10k service after 70k miles on its clock, the stealership (a different one than before) claimed I should get this list of maintenance and repairs done which would set me back $3k. That was it for me! I went and got an E300 in the end of 2019 and haven't had issues with it thus far that the dealership wouldn't repair or replace yet.
BMW.....either
Bring
More
Wrenches
OR
Bad
Manufacturing and
Workmanship
Story resonates. We have a straight 6 F11 petrol - love it. Same story, 6 years without issue, then the rear airbags go, high pressure fuel pump and engine rocker cover perished, causing an oil leak. Lexus is calling.
I bought a 2008 black E60 M5 after watching some of your videos (and the Jeremy Clarkson one, and the Sabine Schmitz ring taxi videos). It's been a great car, and very reliable. I'm glad I watched some of your videos and decided to do it. It came with the remainder of a warranty that's expiring this year, and I think I'm going to do the rod bearings before the warranty is up.
Nice. These are the last of an era and will never see another NA car with big power in the euro world again.
Oh dear, I have just got a E70 diesel and your enthusiasm and love for the brand contributed to my decision to go forward despite the known gremlins of plastics and cooling systems etc. The thing is so much better to drive than my mercs and almost anything else. I had 2 mercs and they were no were near as engaging to drive and still had many problems including the black death on the inlet manifolds. That said Life is too short to drive ugly cars....
Just keep up on your preventative maintenance, unlike this guy and be sure to do an emissions delete and tune. These are amazing vehicles and there really isn't anything that compares, except the Cayenne diesel, and those are less powerful, especially with the tune you'll want.
BMW took planned obsolescence to highest level. Now the cars barely last past the warranty.
Not just BMW you are out of your mind if you think BMW is the only company excersizing planned obsolescence with a tight fist
@@ivanrochagonzalez3589
I know, they all are. The only car I have that wasn't designed to fall apart is my 2007 chevy trailblazer. After 165K miles I just replaced the the front axle disconnect, ball joints and axles on both sides. The parts cost $500, my labor is my labor. If it was a European car the parts would have cost $3K and it probably be impossible to do it in the driveway.
@@groosbro1 that job in a Gwagon is 22k and u need special tools.
Not true at all, maintenance is key and stay away from diesels and v8 bmws. Inline six late n55 or b58 best motors to get.
@@Areku06
Correct, but when the cost of the maintenance becomes excessive what then?
I’m glad I stumbled upon this video, after watching so many of your videos on BMW I finally decided I would get a 440 grand coupe. I can’t afford a new one but I was willing to buy a 2020, But after seeing this video I no longer want to take the risk and end up in the same situation. I guess I’ll be going back to the beginning where I was undecided on what to get next and start looking for something more reliable,, I appreciate your honesty and always enjoy watching your videos.
40i series is generally very reliable, if still under motorplan go for it
What did you get eventually?
Yikes! I love your channel by the way. I’ve been trying to decide what my next vehicle will be and your videos are always engaging & informative. Thank yu.
Thank you so much for the support and it is really refreshing to hear that I am helping people make better decisions
I was literally just about to buy a 2013 320i at around 110k kms this week, but now I definitely won't. Looking at higher end Toyotas, Hondas, Mazdas, and Hyundais now (I live in the Netherlands and Lexus, Acura, Genesis, and Infiniti are virtually nonexistent here, unfortunately). I have absolutely no intention of making my life more complicated. Thank you so much for your honesty and courage. We need more videos like this 👍🏽
Yip never buy a BMW with high mileage..I would never buy one over 30kmt..ever.
My 2009 X6 4.4L Twin Turbo with 225K km. Love the car but understand that repairs were painful at time but the new X6 still gets my attention and the brand is still appealing. BUT Unlike before, I would consider another brand as BMW are not as special as before.
Definitely and if a person only keeps it a couple or few years, then you are fine. It’s just that over 5 years tread carefully.
Totally agree with comments about finding a good independent. I still have my e90 for over 10 years and after warranty period found a good Indy who keeps on top of car for not much more than a Ford. I'm in UK so possibly we have more aftermarket parts that are not so expensive
You are right. A trustworthy mechanic is really a big part of this experience. Part of the issue I found too is the dealer charges their neck snapping parts prices and when I fix my own BMW cars I use another part source that can be as little as 1/2 or 1/4 the price in some cases. So it’s getting it on both ends really.
Hi I also have a X5 diesel. I’m from Montreal, mine is a 2012 I’ve had to change the glow plugs, the Nox sensors , and the active Diesel fuel particulate tank. The later were done on the extended warranty. Just wondering did you have the passive tank or the active tank changed? I’m up to 215,000 km it runs well but seriously thinking about getting rid of it. Thanks
Hi Nelson I would say count yourself lucky but my def tank is the active tank that has gone now a couple of times. I would not remove it at this time and really the only thing to do is if it fails is to replace it for big bucks or to leave it and have your vehicle coded to ignore it but that also costs a bunch of cash but won’t be a problem anymore
I’m surprised you stuck with them this long. I had two late model 3 series BMW’s in the early 2000’s but got rid of them before the warranties ran out. I’m now 75 years old & am a Honda man. I got a big bill last week for a replacement front end part and service on my rear brakes. A total bill of $200 including 15% sales tax at a good independent garage. The car has only had from pads replaced for $200 last year. It’s a 2012 with 140,000 km.
My last new BMW was a 2013 135i cabriolet. I loved it. 7-speed SMG which 7th was 1:1 no overdrives and 3:45 axle ratio. Every gear barely 500-600 rpm drop keeping the sweet I6 right in the meat of the power band. The last BMW model to have the hydraulic power steering. Mine was space gray the brake calipers were space gray on all 135 ‘s. It was a prem, M sport, and $1450for leather interior. Sticker was $51K for 135i in 2013…. Shouldn’t, the seats have been leather @$50K for lowest priced model. Leather is standard on almost every car over the $30k except BMW, M-B, Audi. Anyway, got a decent lease payment and it was such a fantastically fun car and fast and such a perfect size and a real trunk as opposed to the folding hardtop of 3 which had no trunk. It was love. So, one day I’m getting on the interstate about a mile from my house and it’s a hard left/ off camber turn but a wide entrance with an emergency lane so lots of runoff room. Since I was in the ultimate driving machine I decided not to stop for oncoming vehicle and just dart into my turn. I was braking and just took my foot off the brake, no throttle, and steered into the turn next thing I knew I was about to run out of runoff space and had the wheels hard over and it was pushing like a snow plow so I floored the accelerator and it dropped enough gears to kick the tail out and I saved it. One thing I can do is drive a car. I may not be Michael Shumacher but if you’re chasing me you better hope you have a much faster car. I rethought my turn and I did it right . I got off the brake and let the weight settle back on the rear tires and eased into my turn maybe 10 mph to fast ( what should have been well within the 135’s handling margin). It just plowed almost no turn. So I talked to the dealership(I didn’t think would do anything about but I wanted to see if anybody else had noticed this) of course they looked at me like I had a third eye growing out of my forehead. Well, it snapped at me again but I once again recovered and added a few more gray hairs to my head. Lo and behold I am reading one of the monthly car rags and right there in black and white in a global publication was the very issue. 135 m-sport was a fun fast car but it had dark side that would test your skill. M sports had staggered wheels and dunslops run flats. Well the magazine staff felt it the combo of the wider grippier rear tires and the really, really, stiff sidewall of the run flats at slower speed was not flexing enough and the big rears just shoved them ahead. Only would do it in slower turns and they surmised at higher speeds the fronts flexed enough to bite. After patting myself on the back, I saved the article for the skeptics at the BMW dealership. I forgot what smoke they blew up my ass but I didn’t care I just loved that I got to have my Shelly Winters moment. When she was up for the part in the “Poseidon Adventure” some director studio head wanted her to do a screen test. So she reach’s down into this large bag she is carrying and sets an Oscar on the desk, reaches down again and sets another on the desk reaches down again comes up with 2 or 3
Golden Globes. So she looks at the tool behind the desk, who is sitting there with a very perplexed look on his face, and says “ you know… there’s a few people in this town that think I can ACT”. So as I handed them the R/T article and said I guess it’s just people who know how to drive that notice since the road test staff at “ Road & Track “ magazine just wrote this article about the same issue I had with the Ultimate Driving Machine. Need any sauce for that plate of crow.
After owning two BMW's from new, a 1999 328i and a 2003 Z4, while they were fun to drive, I will never own another one. Too many problems taking far too much of my time and money to fix. I don't want to drive cars where I'm constantly thinking about what is going to break next on it...
You are totally right
I am glad you guys have the same problems like we here in tropical Malaysia. Especially with the imported ones. The mechanics (people) are ok but it’s the car. I had one E46 and another one series a few years back. I can’t understand the mechanical, but it broke down every so often.
The same with VW GTi, also German, problem with so much electronics giving alarm every so often. They could do with less electronics.
Now I am happy with a Honda HRV, it’s been 7 yrs. Except it’s less snobbish.
Thanks a lot for sharing
I just purchased a 2012 BMW X5 I really like it but now I’m scared 😱 so far it is running like a champ and the kids love it. God willing it keeps running great. I love your videos bro keep it going.
If it's a diesel, fix the cowl pieces, tune it and delete it and you'll be happy.
I had a very similar experience started out in 2000 with a series 3 and ended two years ago when I sold my 2011 X5 diesel thinking I will never buy a BMW again!!
Nice video Mark. I wholeheartedly agree with you. I bought my 2017 X5 because it gave me hopes of enjoying owning a BMW and it was a family car. Other than that I made the used purchase and with low miles with the intent is selling it while it still was in good condition AND knowing all of the European headaches and high maintenance costs associated with BMW. I must admit it is a fun car, but the cost is not worth it for me. As a design engineer, I can see technical design flaws with the naked eye that leave me in disappointment. Especially the material used in respect to the location. In contrast, the Japanese cars are impressive from a design perspective. Unfortunately, the performance does not compare to the European cars, but reliability is much better. I’m sure this will get people upset, but this is my opinion and best on my experience owning a X5 2017 BMW. And that is why I won’t buy another BMW.
I fully agree with exotic play… I have owned my 1990 BMW 525I for now 30 years…mainly dealer serviced..with the exception of a few repairs elsewhere . After 13-15 years, most of the major equipment will need replacing (as I have had to do)..my main point is…learn to do the Maintenance yourself if you keep a BMW or any other car when over 8 rears old…like changing oil and filters/tires..I have been fortunate to have service guys over the many years to keep my cost down and even get me non BMW part over the years . But my last point is…per exotic car says “know when to let la car go and not keep throwing money at it”
Thank you very much.
Most have swore off BMW for many years already. Welcome to the club. I worked with a guy (aircraft mechanics) who used to be a BMW dealer technician. He said he had to quit because the business model made him sick. They were told to rip people off. My ex girlfriend took hers to the dealer once for an oil change, got charged $400 for it and an inspection, and came home with a laundry list of problems and thousands in estimates...all of which was exaggerated crap that didn't need to be done. A lot of dealers do this, but BMW takes the crown in this area.
Thanks and I am gladly moving on
The same thing happened to me!
I had a 2002 e46 325i silver, perfect car in every way.. except for REPAIR.
Sold it when it was still nice, saw it a year later looking sorta sad.
If they are neglected they do start to look rough.
I could not agree with you more. Setting aside your dealership issues, I too am done with BMW. For most of my life I always wanted a BMW. It's styling and cache just captivated me.
Then I bought a 535ix and was in love. It truly was, "The Ultimate Driving Machine ". Although meticulously maintained, I started putting a lot of money into it, the valve cover gaskets, a water pump and thermostat among other things. Okay, things happen. But then at just over 100,000 the device BMW uses instead of a throttle body blew up. Absolutely no warning. Sudden limp mode and then no restart. Dead on the side of road many miles from home. Towed home and then re-towed to my mechanic. After weeks of figuring out what happened, and parts, and $3,000 to fix it by a well respected mechanic who specializes in BMWs, he told me it still wasn't quite right and may never be. On his trusted advice, I sold it.
So after a total of about $11k in repairs for that car I will never own another BMW.
Sadly the new car I bought to replace it is considered a sports luxury car, but alas it definitely feels like a step down from my BMW. But never again will I buy a BMW.
As it goes, a BMW is a car you lease and move on after the lease is up.
Sounds like you made a great move shifting away even with a little compromise to the driving dynamics
You’re absolutely true, I had almost same experience with E46 M3.
I had a 1972 2002tii and that was a great machine for all the time and history and never came back again
Good old days…
Sadly times have changed and now the next generation is at our doorstep with the electrical car tech
Welcome to the club. I ended by adventure with BMW with an X5 as well. I was repairing them over and over for years, eventually got tired and will never buy BMW again. I have the E24 635CSI in my garage, I will never sell it but that’s it, no more BMW ever. Maybe another classic one day but not the modern one for sure, no way.
Thanks Luke, that’s where I am at too and the e60 m5 will be my last
@@ECPP the worst thing about BMW to me is that you buy it, then something brakes and you’re like oh well, it happens. So you buy a brand new OEM part, pay big premium for it, pay big premium for the job or spend a lot of time to replace it yourself and then after a year or so the same part brakes again. And in a meantime another 50 things brake. Eventually you spend more time fixing than driving it, connect diagnostic interface daily and replace parts weekly. This is ridiculous. Since early 2000’s BMW quality is super low and it only gets worse and worse. I was a huge BMW enthusiast, dumped a lot of money and time into them but eventually I opened my eyes and said - no more. The good thing is now they screwed the design so bad, and they are so ugly that I don’t even want them anymore lol. I hope you’re gonna be happy with your next car Mark!
I own an E46 M3 and I love it!!! I agree with you that bmw has stopped building the best driving machine. They cater to everyone now. They chose quantity over quality. The newer M3&4 models are great driving machine but I can’t look post that buck teeth grill. I will buy another BMW. The only bmw I would buy, is the new M5 CS. That’s s bmw that holds true to the best driving machine title!
Absolutely and the CS is a beast. As long as the issues and servicing do not surpass the enjoyment, then life is good. That’s how the m5 is for me as well as the F Type.
Buck teeth grill ? Hahahaha. I thought I was seeing spider face grill.
I was not allowed a coupe (says my wife), but the E46 Coupe was probably the best proportioned BMW I ever saw, after the BMW 635 CSi
Couldn't agree more with you about the front grills looking lame on the newer models. That used to be a staple in BMW's asthetic.
This should have been titled “Why I’ll Never Service My BMW At A Dealership Again”. If you own a BMW, you must have an honest independent BMW mechanic or you’ll lose your shirt.
That does help a lot for sure
Finding a independent BMW mechanic is easy, it's the damn parts that's hard. I have had some luck however.
@Alfred Weber Reliable and durable is what I mean by "good". If they don't tick off those boxes I wouldn't refer to them as good.
@Alfred Weber We're talking about two different things it seems. I'm talking about the mechanic being reliable (good) you're talking about the car.
@Alfred Weber in any case, if the parts were cheaper, many people would still keep them and just fix them
Thank you for sharing. I own a 2018 X5 and the warranty is about to expire. So I have no choice but to sell it. I’m terrified of something breaking before June.
Lmao....
I'm not sure what you do for your day job but you're an excellent writer.
Currently I'm waiting on parts for all 3 of my BMWs and will be stranded until they get here.
As an enthusiast and fairly competent tuner I know how to fix these cars almost as well if not better than the engineers who designed them.
... but when I see two 3ers and a 6er break down on me in under 48 hours I have to ask myself whether my efforts would be more fruitful if channeled toward another brand.
Oh man! I FULLY can relate to your journey. I left the brand for the same reasons. I LOVED my 335 Diesel back in the day and I LOVED my E39 549i (what a beast that was) both exciting wonderful cars that got the heart racing. However the repair bills killed me in the end. BUT the cars did have soul and passion. These days I find the new models DULL and made for the mass market. The final death blow for me were the BIG GRILLS in the new models... blehhhhhhh sadly the glory days are gone for the brand.
Thank you very much Sam, and you are right, if there are reliability challenges, then there should at least be some excitement and there just is not enough to justify poor customer service, big repair bills, and substandard parts.
You describe love affairs/relationships so spot on, even with a brand. There is a thin line between love and hate, and boy did you ever cross that line! And the thing is, you justify this in so many ways...mortal sin on top of mortal sin! A vehicle costing an arm and a leg in repairs and to add insult to injury, would not start and just suddenly shuts down! That would be the last straw for me! I feel your pain! So what brand are you now passionate about?
I don't know about brands, but Mark is definitely passionate about his gorgeous Jaguar F-type. It's a gem of a car.
100 percent. And a Porsche 911 is always up there for me. More mainstream could be a Lexus IS350 or 500 and LC500
Would adding an intercooler from after market and a hood with hood vents help with cooling the turbos of a 4.4 TT v8? I’m looking at a 190k M6 from 2014 and 650i xdrive of the same year with 120k?
I must have been lucky in my choice of a '15 Z4 6-speed. No problems, and had the timing chain kit put in, thus preemptively correcting that problem in their 4-cylinder engines. I still worry, however, about it having so many plastic parts, especially when it gets to 115°F/46°C here in Arizona.
I was always of the opinion that if maintenance and repairs seemed in line with expectations then I could tolerate some of it. If it crosses the line, you will know.
Love this brand, but I was totally disgusted by poor customer service and too many visits at dealership (turbo, oil leak, electronics issues, troubleshooting diagnostics... 😱🤮)
It’s a sad state of affairs in many casrs
Design flaws, cheap parts and expensive maintenance costs are part of the “driving experience”, which means you shouldn’t hold a car beyond its warranty period, unless you like working on your own vehicle or knows of a reliable mechanic. Exacerbated by poor dealership experience and funky new designs, BMW seems to have lost its way.
That really is a great summary
I am sorry for your pain. I would share mine here as well.
I have an 318d with B47 engine from 2016, with just about 100k km on the clock. I got it about a year ago, it was regularly serviced. A few days ago it just stopped dead on the highway at 130 kph, with no indication anything was wrong with the car earlier :) The reason for the failure, a plastic swirl flap that came loose and was digested by the engine! It appears the engine itself was not damaged, at least for now. Only way to 'repair' the car is to buy a complete new plastic inlet manifold for a small price of 700 $ !
BMW issued a campaign recently to replace some of the emission components (egr valves and coolers) for their newer cars, and luckily my car is applicable for that upgrade. A valid effort at least to try to compensate their customers.
Hey mark I bought my first BMW ever this year M8 competition great stylings lots of power and full warranty I don’t plan to keep it for 5 years but it’s nice to know the warranty will cover any problems if they arise… I think maybe you should lease the new models and move onto the latest offerings then move into the next as your Leases expire-that way you can have the latest offerings and have any repairs covered by warranty
It maybe a trade off you can live with if your maintenance costs shrink to near zero… food for thought
Looking at a failing rear axle rotational speed sensor - it's less than$1oo for the sensor - BUT BMW recommend replacing both rear drive shafts - BMW recommend this between 75-90k miles and mine just went 59k - fixing it up and dumping later in the year - it still looks great but at less than 6ok miles it's starting to need more maintenance than the car is likely worth
Damn only 60k miles. I want a Bmw also an X6 but I’m horrified of the maintenance. I decided to get a 2018 Rx350. . I think I will just lease one for 2 years. It sucks you you can’t just enjoy the driving experience without worrying about something to fix.
Axles bad at 75 k miles. Typical BMW service department robbery
Yeah - it's a 2011 car but since miles mean more than years and it's only 6ok and this is the second sensor to go in 12 months (the last one in the engine bay cost me 55o) it's looking like something new for Christmas
That’s where things start getting pricey
@@ECPP yeah - is interesting equation working out the cost in cash, time and head ache to keep an older car on the road vrs finance for a much younger (and in theory more reliable) car - the thing I love most about my car is that it's fully paid off!
I appreciated your thought and sharing your experience of owning BMW. As for the part that dealers charge $200 for diagnosis for something obvious and you already knew, I in fact hate it also. Is there any brand in your opinion worth considering?
It’s hard to say because the safe way is to buy new or lease and only keep for a few years, but the flip side is a person gets hit with one of the hardest depreciating brands in the luxury car segment. If buying older and used, you have to have cash in bank and ability to perform some complex tasks at home. Good thing is TH-cam is a great resource.
Just go to Midas for a diagnostic. They only charge $100
Thank you for keeping us "the commons" informed and educated, Mark!
If I may ask you directly because I’m passionate driver of BMW, and planning to buy a certified pre-owned 520i ( that what I can afford), of 2020/2021 model year, so should I or should I opt for something else? Just fyi, I reside in the Middle East ( Jeddah to be exact) and other than the dealer I can’t get quality and reliable specialty shops to take care of my "future" investment …. I’m not a handy guy myself too!
Thanks again for keeping up this channel …. Happy spring. :)
Having the excact same feeling as you have there! Spot on !
Love my BMW N47 2l Diesel and it has been an "workhorse" allmost never let me down... With few exemptions
Like all other car manufactures they thrive to find the cheapest suppkier an later on customers just have to pay the bill.
Same thing with my MB 320.. no differ there.. it is about to get out too as it´s an piece of .. No good at all ..
Leasing is waht i aim for as i don´t want any car of mine anymore.. it´s doomed to break as quality is so poor now adays..
I'm pleased to see a guy with your viewership, stick it to BMW publicly. My family has owned two BMW's and they have both been colossal disappointments.
Thank you very much
Both Mercedes and beemer Parts are not affordable. ABS plastic is not a fatigue enduring material to be used in high temperatures and pressure conditions.
Poorly made indeed
What do you think of the new 430’s? We have an E90 and my wife wants the 430. Thank you
Thank you for this video. I will be in the market for a new car and this really helps me narrow down my choices.
Thanks for watching.
Actually I can understand the difficult pain that of the bmws you owned, especially the X5. I have been through situations like you . I live in a hot city but every time temp goes only a few degrees lower than 15 degrees Celsius many noises Start whistling and the performance( despite the temperature) drops a little in terms of automatic transmission efficiency. So Canada is for sure alot worse. I mean the cold, the rain and slush and also crazy temperature drops.I believe some problems in this performance range is normal as far as my experience goes.but thank you for your help.
Thank you for sharing and yes I believe the weather certainly plays a role in the reliability.
This video is just what I needed to see. I've owned my 2013 BMW X5 35i prem since 2018. Bought it 77k miles on the clock at $16k. That was a steal. You can't find one now with the same mileage for less than $22k. In the beginning, I put $2-4k in it with suspension and tires. Now at 106k miles, I need a water pump, thermostat, expansion tank/cap and lower oil pan gasket replacement all for $4,600 and that's half the cost of what the stealership would charge. Just like you, I got sucked in to all the things you liked about the BMW. I'm obviously seriously upside down financially with this vehicle. Its time to sell and move on. The warning/writing is on the wall. Only way it would ever make sense to own a BMW is either have deep pockets to lease and make 400-600 payments each month without the headaches or have the patience and garage space to work on the car yourself. I have neither, so there you have it. Refuse to have those kind of payments for a car. Thank you for your advocacy and time committed to keep us all aware of the truth!
Thank you very much and I appreciate you sharing your story. Yes it’s a serious financial commitment and can run people to ruin with the wrong model for sure.
Thank you for this! I like that you are honest about everything! I have e60 right now... and i doubt that im going to buy any another bmw ever.... ive been lucky with this one... and loving it.... but those newer cars.... gives another thaughts...
First of all I want to say I absolutely love all your you tube videos, I'm on my 3rd bmw, my 1st was a 2014 328D I loved the fantastic gas mileage, the only thing I didn't like was the wear on the leather seats after a couple years, then I ordered my first car ever directly from the factory , a 2017 m240i convertible, I loved this car, I leased it, then bought the lease out I loved the car so much, zero issues with that car in 5.5 years , I loved the b58 engine, I just bought a 2022 x3 xdrive 30i, and I hope to get many years of driving enjoyment with it , without any serious problems, I only put about 6000 miles a year on a car, I hope I have good luck with the latest vehicle
I have a 2013 3 series, and it has been the best car I’ve ever owned …. It’s the 2 liter turbocharged engine. That’s the only experience I’ve had with the brand, nothing but maintenance for 9 years
I can second that a 2013, its a garage queen and is a maintance and maintance ,the problem is with light on it doesn t run well ,have to fix it yes or yes
I am also looking into a 2013-2015 3 series, some of these TH-cam videos are starting to scare me though 😩
@@nakia716 if you have money or a good job you be good as long as you ready to throw money every once in a while
BMW has immense brand cachet, so they use that keep the brand afloat, despite shoddy engineering, awkward design choices, etc. That’s exactly how Land Rovers, Maseratis, etc. is still in business.
Absolutely. Maybe I can be the voice of reason for some.
You are so right. Im 57 and I owned 7 BMW's and 2 BMW's motorcycles. Last year I changed my X3 for a Japanese car. Tired of maintenance.
Great plan