reliability of IS vs. 3 series

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.

Originally posted by polobee69:
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

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The taillights on my 325i don't work, so I don't have that problem.
I think JD Power's reliability survey is pretty accurate, and it ranks BMW 12th, Lexus 1st, and Volvo, Saab, and VW as "below average".

Originally posted by GOTTURBO:
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......

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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.

Originally posted by polobee69:
hey ckolsen..is that the 2001 325i u got?how u like it?why u get a bmw knowing lexus is more reliable?

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