In the lastest issue of Automobile magazine..their long term bmw 323i has 30,000 miles in one year and it was trouble free..and motor trend report that their long term bmw 328i was also trouble free..maybe the 3 series are as reliable as IS300 after all
reliability of IS vs. 3 series
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Uh, so this representative sample is taken from ONE car, for ONE year? I think the long-term tests are more for the purpose of seeing how people like the car after driving it for a while, not for reliability study. The sample of one car is basically meaningless. BMW's are just reliable enough that reliability is not an issue for buyers. Lexus is so reliable that is becomes a positive issue for buyers. The reverse is true for companies like VW, Volvo, or Saab.
Really, at this point we don't know what the IS300's reliability is going to be like. Yeah, it's a Lexus but we'll see. I know BMW has had its problems, but from everything I've heard the 3 series model is ranked pretty high on the initial quality scale.
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to ckolsen
i think everyone in this forum knows bmw's are great driving car no matter if they like their IS better or not..and now that we know the bmw are as reliable as a lexus..it just makes bmw a better car...and i didnt said better than a lexus so dun flame me...=)
i think everyone in this forum knows bmw's are great driving car no matter if they like their IS better or not..and now that we know the bmw are as reliable as a lexus..it just makes bmw a better car...and i didnt said better than a lexus so dun flame me...=)
polobee69: We do know they're great driving cars. But your citation only confirms that 2 still-new-car-smell 3-series out of the 30,000+ that was sold in the US last year has performed flawlessly. That's hardly enough evidence to conclude at anything, much less that they have matched the industry leader for reliability.
mrclam: That's precisely what I've heard too. Maybe BMW needs to chuck Bosch.
mrclam: That's precisely what I've heard too. Maybe BMW needs to chuck Bosch.
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2,628 Posts
I had a 93 525...nice car, but if it were reliable, I'd probably still own it. From electrical probs to transmission probs, that thing was a pain in the butt.
But I suppose they've improved over time. Nevertheless, I recently test drove a 98 (not too old) 7 series at the dealership, with at least 20 conspicous problems. Need I say more?!
black/ivory
17"
But I suppose they've improved over time. Nevertheless, I recently test drove a 98 (not too old) 7 series at the dealership, with at least 20 conspicous problems. Need I say more?!
black/ivory
17"
The 3 series is a great line up, but from what I hear from fellow 3 series owners, it has its share of problems. I know this first hand. I love my car regardless, but Ive had nothing BUT problems. Ive gone through 2 computers, 2 starter motors (one of which died with 100 miles on the odom) and had a lot of electrical "gremlins"; my favorites are the cool way the hazards lights shut on when I drive it hard, and the way the doors lock and unlock whenever they want to
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On the upside, I have at least got to sample my favorite BMWs (the 740 and X5) as loaners
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Justy
99 328i (with 70k miles)
[This message has been edited by ISsoon (edited December 06, 2000).]
On the upside, I have at least got to sample my favorite BMWs (the 740 and X5) as loaners
Justy
99 328i (with 70k miles)
[This message has been edited by ISsoon (edited December 06, 2000).]
Just to nit pick, the long term 3 Series (328i) car in Motor Trend actually had electrical problems. They said one of the tail light bulbs kept constantly blowing. Very minor I guess, but a problem is a problem...
I know a few Bimmer owners, and I think any of them will tell you that a BMW is not cheap to maintain, especially once the free maintainence runs out. I suppose MSN's Carpoint put it best in one of their reviews, it's the price you pay to be in an elite group who like to show their drive.
[This message has been edited by MikeLS (edited December 06, 2000).]
I know a few Bimmer owners, and I think any of them will tell you that a BMW is not cheap to maintain, especially once the free maintainence runs out. I suppose MSN's Carpoint put it best in one of their reviews, it's the price you pay to be in an elite group who like to show their drive.
[This message has been edited by MikeLS (edited December 06, 2000).]
That's true, but after the warranty runs out, every trip to the Bimmer dealer for this and that could be quite painful to the pocketbook, which isn't exactly my description of a pleasing ownership experience.
[This message has been edited by MikeLS (edited December 06, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by MikeLS (edited December 06, 2000).]
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42 Posts
Here's a place that can help you! "Ownership Cost"
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If none of the links below work, please use this one: http://www.intellichoice.com
Links: http://reports.intellichoice.com/reports/sponsors/IC2/frameset.asp?SPON=ic2&DEFSPON=&PROD=1&REPORT=9914011&TRID=13509715&P1=0&YEAR=1999&MAKE=BMW&MODEL=328
http://reports.intellichoice.com/reports/sponsors/IC2/frameset.asp?SPON=ic2&DEFSPON=&PROD=1&REPORT=9910006&TRID=13509708&P1=0&YEAR=1999&MAKE=Acura&MODEL=TL
http://reports.intellichoice.com/reports/sponsors/IC2/frameset.asp?SPON=ic2&DEFSPON=&PROD=1&REPORT=9933004&TRID=13509732&P1=0&YEAR=1999&MAKE=Lexus&MODEL=ES
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If none of the links below work, please use this one: http://www.intellichoice.com
Links: http://reports.intellichoice.com/reports/sponsors/IC2/frameset.asp?SPON=ic2&DEFSPON=&PROD=1&REPORT=9914011&TRID=13509715&P1=0&YEAR=1999&MAKE=BMW&MODEL=328
http://reports.intellichoice.com/reports/sponsors/IC2/frameset.asp?SPON=ic2&DEFSPON=&PROD=1&REPORT=9910006&TRID=13509708&P1=0&YEAR=1999&MAKE=Acura&MODEL=TL
http://reports.intellichoice.com/reports/sponsors/IC2/frameset.asp?SPON=ic2&DEFSPON=&PROD=1&REPORT=9933004&TRID=13509732&P1=0&YEAR=1999&MAKE=Lexus&MODEL=ES
My friend with his 2000 323ci has the problem of the tail lights getting bright red without him pressing on the brakes......i've seen this a lot of times on my BMW's......the dealer cant seem to replicate the problem........but everytime we go somewhere and i get behind him.....within a few minutes it seems like he is braking.......while he is going 80 on the freeway........funny stuff......
Yeah, mine used to do the same thing. I actually fixed that myself. That has to do with the brakelight assembly coming loose. It causes the bulb to burn at its highest intensity, making it look as if the brake is applied.
Maybe its a German thing, since my girl's old POS SLK used to do that.
Justy
99 328i
Maybe its a German thing, since my girl's old POS SLK used to do that.
Justy
99 328i
Check this site. It will give you service recalls information on just about every car out there. Just take a look at the BMW charts against Lexus and found out for yourself. http://www.alldata.com
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polobee, I bought a '95 325i a few months ago, and yes, a brake light burned out, reverse lights work 50% of the time, and brakes started squeeking, but otherwise no problems. I'll never buy an automatic, therefore no Lexus for me(yet), but the price on the 325i was too good to pass up. Minor electrical problems are worth putting up with for the great steering feel, 50/50 weight balance, nice interior etc. BMW mechanicals will run forever, and the real problem cars are 7 series and pre-'93 5 and 3 series cars.
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