[Frank ZZR]

http://www.wheels.ca/article/asset/793375

[Sara]

First off this articles dont even have the facts right on the specs. FAIL I think my 3 series is a very reliable car. (knock on wood)

[Xwahoo]

This isn't news to anybody on this board. The 3's positives and negatives have all been discussed extensively . . .

[fdriller9]

N54/55 are unreliable. N52s are reliable.

[Frank ZZR]

Originally Posted by Xwahoo

This isn't news to anybody on this board. The 3's positives and negatives have all been discussed extensively . . .

It was just an FYI only. Don't read it if you wish. Others though maybe interested.

[Olagüe]

Originally Posted by *********

N54/55 are unreliable. N52s are reliable.

+10!

[Potty_Pants]

WHAT OWNERS REPORTED

While many drivers are pleased with their 3 Series, an unsettling number of reliability complaints should raise the alarm for used BMW buyers who see the lease returns stacked on dealer lots.

“Rear bearings replaced at 8,000 kms, trunk latch broken, rear suspension unbolted itself out of the frame, right rear brake caliper replaced, added 1 litre oil every month, power window switch defect, interior panels shook loose, wiper motor burned out…” reads one owner’s litany of problems with an ’07 model.

^ disagree

The run-flat tires topped the list of complaints, with many owners grumbling about their replacement cost, as well as their short service life.

^ agree

Drivers also saw numerous warning lamps lighting up to indicate airbag issues, engine problems and more. Faulty sensors are often the culprit.

^ Agree

The 335i’s high-pressure fuel pump is notoriously unreliable and is covered by an extended warranty.

^Agree

Disconcertingly, some owners discovered their engines burn considerable quantities of motor oil between changes. A few have had their engines replaced.

^agree but small to moderate amount imo

Other common maladies include overheated motors, faulty power seats and windows, leaky sunroofs, transmission woes, short-lived batteries and annoying rattles.

^Agreed small ... dont forget the imploding sunroofs too !

No question, the 3 is a coveted driver’s car — but not one for the uninitiated. If you haven’t owned a German car before, don’t start with a used Bimmer.

^ agreed

ppp

[fdriller9]

I wrote a long rant on their website but it has to be approved which means it won't be posted lol.

This paragraph:

"Rear bearings replaced at 8,000 kms, trunk latch broken, rear suspension unbolted itself out of the frame, right rear brake caliper replaced, added 1 litre oil every month, power window switch defect, interior panels shook loose, wiper motor burned out…” reads one owner’s litany of problems with an ’07 model."

Is only what users have reported to that site. I don't think the author used any data from reliable sources to publish his article. He will and has failed in his career.

There's another complaint about adding a liter of oil every month. Obviously something is leaking. Gaskets deteriorate over time. That's normal. I bet the idiot was too cheap to get it diagnosed and properly repaired. That's his fault for making the car unreliable.

I swear some people are just so ignorant! I mean maybe I'm the one being ignorant but anyone that has been on this site for more than 6 months knows the common and un common problems with these cars.

[hipnotic]

+1

[335BBS]

EVERYONE here LOVES TO COMPLAIN. Its brutal really. Same subjects every other day.

[BenTrovato]

Originally Posted by *********

Is only what users have reported to that site. I don't think the author used any data from reliable sources to publish his article. He will and has failed in his career.

Well said. If one person's problems constitute the 3 series being an unreliable car, that would be fantastic journalism wouldn't it?

[Hound Passer]

BMW's I've owned:

1) '96 Z3. Owned 3.5 years. Problem: Bad fuel sensor. Replaced under warranty.

2) '00 Z3 2.8. Owned 4 years. Problem: none.

3) '03 Z4 3.0. Owned 4.5 years. Problem: Bad fuel sensor & line. Replaced sensor and fuel tank under warranty.

4) '07 E93. Owned 3.5 years and counting. Problem: iPod randomly switched to FM. Fixed via s/w update under warranty. <knock on wood nothing major>.

So based on my personal experience my E93 has been more reliable than almost all of my other BMWs. Yes, lots of E9xs had HPFP issues. It is a real problem or BMW would not have extended the warranty and issued a voluntary recall. Just the same I don't lose sleep at night. My E93 has been good to me.

[N54B30A]

BMW claims to have fixed the whole hpfp issue by switching manufacturers. So with HPFP aside what is so unreliable about them?

[cotmfk]

07 335 e92. 91k plus miles. Two injectors replaced under warranty around 30k miles. HPFP/Injectors recall performed around 88k miles, was on original fuel pump prior to that. I didn't feel the need to replace the HPFP, but free parts are free parts. Otherwise, no problems.

I'd say that's pretty reliable.

[Php]

Originally Posted by cotmfk

07 335 e92. 91k plus miles. Two injectors replaced under warranty around 30k miles. HPFP/Injectors recall performed around 88k miles, was on original fuel pump prior to that. I didn't feel the need to replace the HPFP, but free parts are free parts. Otherwise, no problems.

I'd say that's pretty reliable.

I'd say you're pretty LUCKY. The 3 series' reliability isn't terrible, but it could be improved. I'm taking hpfp out of the question here. It's better than a Mercedes, but still quite some electronic problems (big or small) here and there, and this is comparing to japanese or recent (08+) american cars. I would say the 328 and M3s should pretty reliable.

[issabmw]

Originally Posted by Sara504

First off this articles dont even have the facts right on the specs. FAIL I think my 3 series is a very reliable car. (knock on wood)

Which facts are wrong?

I dont agree with the article's basis of one consumers' experience and I think the author is mentally insufficient, but they have their facts straight.

[issabmw]

Originally Posted by Hound Passer

BMW's I've owned:

1) '96 Z3. Owned 3.5 years. Problem: Bad fuel sensor. Replaced under warranty.

2) '00 Z3 2.8. Owned 4 years. Problem: none.

3) '03 Z4 3.0. Owned 4.5 years. Problem: Bad fuel sensor & line. Replaced sensor and fuel tank under warranty.

4) '07 E93. Owned 3.5 years and counting. Problem: iPod randomly switched to FM. Fixed via s/w update under warranty. <knock on wood nothing major>.

So based on my personal experience my E93 has been more reliable than almost all of my other BMWs. Yes, lots of E9xs had HPFP issues. It is a real problem or BMW would not have extended the warranty and issued a voluntary recall. Just the same I don't lose sleep at night. My E93 has been good to me.

Exactly.

Had numerous Bimmers than ran like horses through thick and thin. Its the ones with defects that get publicized; those expecting BMWs to be absolutely flawless.

Like the iPhone issue. The antenna issues were subjective and apple even gave out free cases to compensate, yet the negative publicity was quite high.

One of the handsets on the Droid line has a case of widespread speaker failure, a problem much more severe, yet little know of this.

[slavke]

I know a lot of people might argue this but you never by a bmw for its reliability. End of story.

[BmwFanFL]

I'd like to award the "Best post in the thread award!" Mine's been decent, but when I wanted reliability, I bought a high end Lexus. Zero road feel, not much fun to drive, but even the light bulbs didn't wear out ;-)

Originally Posted by slavke

I know a lot of people might argue this but you never by a bmw for its reliability. End of story.

[LuxAngelEyes]

70,000 miles on mine and still running strong!

[luckyu]

Originally Posted by Hound Passer

BMW's I've owned:

1) '96 Z3. Owned 3.5 years. Problem: Bad fuel sensor. Replaced under warranty.

2) '00 Z3 2.8. Owned 4 years. Problem: none.

3) '03 Z4 3.0. Owned 4.5 years. Problem: Bad fuel sensor & line. Replaced sensor and fuel tank under warranty.

4) '07 E93. Owned 3.5 years and counting. Problem: iPod randomly switched to FM. Fixed via s/w update under warranty. <knock on wood nothing major>.

Very nice! A little too nice... :-)

1) 98 328i, owned 11 years, about 100K. Bump stop missing in left rear as delivered (warranty). Rear window trim fell off (warranty). Clutch had some oil or muck on it causing difficulty removing stick from gear, dealer never solved the problem. Was later solved at my expense. Battery died at four years, radiator failed at 60K, O2 sensor replaced under warranty, a couple thermostats, 5th gear return spring problem, minor coolant leak, minor power steering leak, aging fuel pump caused hard start. Hood struts failed at 98K.

2) 2007 328i, 12K. TPMS fails to reset after being triggered. Slight groan or vibration from steering when parking.

[Frank ZZR]

Unfortunately I had a front main seal replaced under warranty last month. Other than that my 07 328 had been bullet proof. Fun to drive in winter and summer, fantastic fuel economy. What more could you want!