[ceb]

The German magazine AutoMotorSport released the DEKRA annual reliability survey in the December 16 issue.

The reliability statistics come from the periodic "Hauptuntersuchung" (safety inspection) that is conducted every two years (the first inspection on a new car is due three years after registration and then two years thereafter. In addition, breakdown statistics are also factored in.

This inspection in Germany is significantly different from the periodic inspection in other countries since it is much more comprehensive.

The ratings are split by category (mini/small cars [Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris etc,] lower midclass [Prius, Golf, Civic, PT Cruiser, Fit,] midclass [A4, 3 series, Passat, Camry,] upper [A6, 5 series, MB S series, BMW 7 series] and so forth) and by mileage (under 50k km, 50-100k km, 100-150k km.)

In the middleclass category, the ratings are as follows:

0-50k km

1. Opel Insignia (the new Buick)
2. Audi A4
3. MB C series/Ford Mondeo
4. BMW 3 series
5. Passat
worst - Renault Laguna

50-100k km

1. MB C series
2. BMW 3 series
3. Passat
4. Mondeo/ Volvo V50/S40
5. A4
worst - Alfa 156

100-150k km

1. BMW 3 series
2. Passat
3. Volvo V50/S40
4. Toyota Camry
5. A4
worst Alfa 156

Overall ratings put the A6 in first place and the BMW 3 series in second, followed by the Passat, Golf Plus (not sold in the states,) Volvo S40/V50, BMW X3, Toyota Corolla, BMW 7 series, Ford Galagy/ S-Max (also not sold in the US) and the BMW 5 series. Dead last is the Ford Ka.

Funny that the cars we consider "reliable" (Civic, Camry) don't have great placement (Civic comes in #3 on the 50-100k category under "lower middleclass and the Camry comes in 7 overall) while the cars we consider unreliable do pretty well.

[Legion5]

Actually the BMW 3 series in 328i configuration is one of the most reliable cars in America. It's at 97% in it's class. It's the 335i that is unreliable, in fact thje 335i is one of the most unreliable cars in it's class, partly due to the HPFP issue.

I'm not at all suprised that in Germany where almost all the 3 series are diesels or have the small engine that the 3 series is considered one of the most reliable cars overall.

[jocamryn]

Link Please!

[ceb]

Originally Posted by jocamryn

Link Please!

I actually got it from the print version, but here is the link to the same data but in a different format

http://www.auto-motor-und-sport.de/a...d-3256191.html

[dre_2ooo]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Actually the BMW 3 series in 328i configuration is one of the most reliable cars in America. It's at 97% in it's class. It's the 335i that is unreliable, in fact thje 335i is one of the most unreliable cars in it's class, partly due to the HPFP issue.

This is one of the many reasons why I got a 330

[pantherfan69]

that is why i went 335d instead

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by pantherfan69

that is why i went 335d instead

+1

[ceb]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Actually the BMW 3 series in 328i configuration is one of the most reliable cars in America. It's at 97% in it's class. It's the 335i that is unreliable, in fact thje 335i is one of the most unreliable cars in it's class, partly due to the HPFP issue.

I'm not at all suprised that in Germany where almost all the 3 series are diesels or have the small engine that the 3 series is considered one of the most reliable cars overall.

Where are those (97%) stats? I'd be interested in seeing the whole list.

What I found interesting wasn't that the 3 series was so high up, but how it compared with cars like the Camry and Corolla that we consider "reliable" here in the US.

[10beers]

Its all about the numbers. Here in Germany you'd be hard pressed to see a camry or older model civic. The only civic I've seen are the new body style coupes. You just dont see that many japanese cars here. Hyundai has a good showing though.

[Psukhe]

Originally Posted by Legion5

Actually the BMW 3 series in 328i configuration is one of the most reliable cars in America. It's at 97% in it's class. It's the 335i that is unreliable, in fact thje 335i is one of the most unreliable cars in it's class, partly due to the HPFP issue.

I would think the 335 is also more likely to be loaded up with finicky features and gimmicks than the 328 -- resulting in less reliability.

[BayMoWe335]

335i is so much more fun than a 328i and it's not that big of a deal to replace the HPFP.

[ABerry]

smells like justification compensation for missing a pair of turbos

still on original HPFP *continues to knock*

[otisore]

Originally Posted by ABerry

smells like justification compensation for missing a pair of turbos

still on original HPFP *continues to knock*

+1

[IancoleTX]

Makes me feel pretty good about my out-of-warranty 328.. hopefully regular maintenance will keep this baby on the road for some time to come

[ninesixtwo]

not surprising given what anecdotally seem to be a high number of complaints about initial quality.

but long-term like I have said elsewhere the BMWs are solid at their basic core design and that has not changed for decades.

thanks for the post!