Ridiculous

[Stealth01]

Well, we're done. We're trading this POS as soon as we can do so without significant financial loss.

You've seen our list of issues that we've sent the car in for:

1. A/C Fan comes on when car is shut off
2. Rear brake squeal/groan
3. Spline Clicking
4. Brake heat shields warping and causing God-awful noise
5. Weather stripping coming off in two places
6. Liftgate not lifting all the way
7. Front window not closing (seals were blocking it)

All that's been in the last year. We're 10 months from our warranty expiring, and now the window, brake groan, and fan control issues are popping up again.

I'd buy the "keeping the engine cool" thing if it had been driven enough to be hot, but it happened today after a 5 minute drive. Plus, the first time we took it in for that, they change out a relay that was apparently bad and the problem went away for awhile. And when you research the issue, other owners are having it as well, with some people finding their fan comes on when they turn on lights, open windows, or do other electrical stuff.

None of this is major, except the fan, but we simply cannot afford these little issues once the warranty is up. We've had dealers offer to get us a quote on an extended warranty, but why should we have to pay for what is getting close to lemon status? So this thing will be GONE at that point. We will pay it down as much as possible, then trade it on something else. Maybe we can get the cash-for-clunkers program or something.

Ugh.

Oh yeah...and now we're told that after 17K miles of not-hard driving, no curb-hits, no off-roading, etc, our alignment is off. Great. That should NOT happen this early.

 

[SeCX-9]

Well, we're done. We're trading this POS as soon as we can do so without significant financial loss.

You've seen our list of issues that we've sent the car in for:

1. A/C Fan comes on when car is shut off
2. Rear brake squeal/groan
3. Spline Clicking
4. Brake heat shields warping and causing God-awful noise
5. Weather stripping coming off in two places
6. Liftgate not lifting all the way
7. Front window not closing (seals were blocking it)

All that's been in the last year. We're 10 months from our warranty expiring, and now the window, brake groan, and fan control issues are popping up again.

I'd buy the "keeping the engine cool" thing if it had been driven enough to be hot, but it happened today after a 5 minute drive. Plus, the first time we took it in for that, they change out a relay that was apparently bad and the problem went away for awhile. And when you research the issue, other owners are having it as well, with some people finding their fan comes on when they turn on lights, open windows, or do other electrical stuff.

None of this is major, except the fan, but we simply cannot afford these little issues once the warranty is up. We've had dealers offer to get us a quote on an extended warranty, but why should we have to pay for what is getting close to lemon status? So this thing will be GONE at that point. We will pay it down as much as possible, then trade it on something else. Maybe we can get the cash-for-clunkers program or something.

Ugh.

Oh yeah...and now we're told that after 17K miles of not-hard driving, no curb-hits, no off-roading, etc, our alignment is off. Great. That should NOT happen this early.

Dude....you got a lemon. That really sucks....

 

[Force-1]

I feel your pain. I bought my wife a new BMW 528i (E39) in Sep 06, and it was a serious POS. My wife so so disappointed, as she always wanted a Bimmer, and this one really let us down. It went back to the dealer about 14 times in 10 months, all for different issues.

As I recall: warped wood on console; sunroof failed in open position; ashtray door jammed shut; power seat failure; nasty squeak in brakes; audio system failed; hazard lights would come on, and I couldn't shut off; key remotes wouldn't work; alarm would go off for no reason, like when sitting in my closed garage; etc.

The only saving grace was that BMWNA wanted to make it right, so at about month 12 they gave us a brand new car, with more options, simple key swap and paper sign.

 

[ceric]

Talk about lemon. Here is what I had with my '98 E39 BMW 540iA (1998-2007)
- Moonroof - tilt-up failed TWICE!! Service manager told me "you use it a lot, don't you?"
- Thermostat failed - *towed to dealer
- Camposition sensor failed TWICE (same bank)
- Wiper relay failed on a raining Christmas eve. Thanks BMW.
- Trunk latch actuator failed
- Power seat side trim cracked
- Inside door handle broke
- Odometer LCD display pixel missing (anyone who owns BMW knows what I am saying)
- Radiator hose neck broke - *towed to dealer
- Water pump failed
- Coolant hose broke (steamed out on highway) - *tow to dealer
- Engine gasket leaked - gasoline smell under hood/into cabin also
- Muffler rattling (sounded like metals hit each other)
- Power window failed (window regulator)
- etc. (sorry, those are what I remember now - painful memory)

 

[Stealth01]

Well, you guys have successfully talked me out of that M3 I was lusting after.

 

[Force-1]

Talk about lemon. Here is what I had with my '98 E39 BMW 540iA (1998-2007)
- Moonroof - tilt-up failed TWICE!! Service manager told me "you use it a lot, don't you?"
- Thermostat failed - *towed to dealer
- Camposition sensor failed TWICE (same bank)
- Wiper relay failed on a raining Christmas eve. Thanks BMW.
- Trunk latch actuator failed
- Power seat side trim cracked
- Inside door handle broke
- Odometer LCD display pixel missing (anyone who owns BMW knows what I am saying)
- Radiator hose neck broke - *towed to dealer
- Water pump failed
- Coolant hose broke (steamed out on highway) - *tow to dealer
- Engine gasket leaked - gasoline smell under hood/into cabin also
- Muffler rattling (sounded like metals hit each other)
- Power window failed (window regulator)
- etc. (sorry, those are what I remember now - painful memory)

I forgot about the pixel failure--I had that same problem. I think they had to replace the instrument cluster.

I traded the 528i for a '99 E38 740iL, and it was virtually trouble free for 3 years until lease end. My wife then got a CPO '00 740i Sport. Had that for about 2 1/2 years, again very few issues. That was an awesome car. Didn't even consider the E65 cuz it's damn ugly!

 

[ceric]

Stealth01,
If you must have a taste of the German vehicles, lease one, don't buy one.
At the end of lease, return it and say "goodbye!"
BMWs are like high-maintenance girl friends. It is fun while it lasts.
Not having long-term commitment is wise.

 

[broomco]

1. A/C Fan comes on when car is shut off

I had this problem too (but none of your other problems). Took it to the dealership 6 months ago and they fixed it without issue...hasn't been a problem since.

 

[vikefan7]

Wow, you guys have scared me off of the M3 too. That has been my dream car for a long time. I think I might see about just leasing one now...when I can afford it that is.

 

[ceric]

If I want a sports car today, I would go get me an used NA2 (97+) NSX with low mileage ($35-40K)
The engine sound of VTEC @ 8-9K rpm is intoxicating.
All-alu body lasts a long time. Very low maintenance.
It lasts 200K if you treat it properly (maintenance).
If you want more power, add CTSC (computec supercharger),
and you can get up to 390whp pulling 3200lb body weight.
That is my dream when my kids all go to college.

BMW put the most advanced engine technology on M3 engine.
Blown engines have been reported frequently. It is fun but not reliable.
I will refer you to roadfly.com, a very active BMW forum (now expanded to multi-brands).
Very knowledge Bimmer fans there. I got lots of helps there back in those days
when I own my 540iA.

 

[jabba]

Talk about lemon. Here is what I had with my '98 E39 BMW 540iA (1998-2007).......

Oh yeah, well here are the issues I had with my 2001 Audi S4 (and many are similar to your BMW):

1. Leaking upper oil pan
2. Leaking lower oil pan
3. Leaking upper oil pan (yes, again, this time out of warranty...$ka-ching!)
4. Leaking coolant pump for turbos
5. Dead alternator
6. Broken interior door handle
7. Deal pixels in main display (just likes yours, Audis get them too)
8. Bad wheel bearings
9. Torn boot (twice)
10. Bad thermostat sensor
11. Cruise control relay issue
12. Wipers relay issue (wouldn't shut off)
13. Coolant reservoir cracked--bye bye coolant
14. Sunroof drainage tubes plugged up: water backed up into C-pillar
15. Bad tie rods (twice)
16. Driver side power window failed
17. Multiple misfires due to faulty valve = engine pull out of warranty = $$!

I still loved the car, though, but had to sell it last year after fixing item 17, due to various threats from my wife concerning the multiple of thousands this last item cost (I bought a Mazdaspeed 3 instead!)

 

[memasterac]

I wonder if your made in USA 2007 CX-9 played a roll... sorry about your loss.

 

[rckt]

Well, you guys have successfully talked me out of that M3 I was lusting after.

LOL, I was going to trade my C6 for a e46 M3. After reading the BMW forums, I changed my mind. I am waiting for the C7.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2009/08/report-c7-corvette-due-out-in-2012.html

 

[Balve]

Hmm, maybe I won't pick up a 2007 used GT.

 

[vikefan7]

That's what I said in your other post.

 

[mihalis]

Let me play a little defense here on the BMW's...they are amazing cars, maybe not the most reliable, but I would love to own one again. If you trully enjoy driving, and love what I call "fun to drive" or "driver's cars" then a BMW is one of the very few cars left to own. I had a 2002 330ci (E46), and loved it! I had minor problems with it, similar to the ones mentioned above, but nothing major that I ever had to tow it. I took it to many DE, autoX, & driving schools, just (what most people call) "beat" on it constantly, and all it did was just ask for more! PS, I call it driving, not "beat."
Any car (European, American, Asian, etc) will have problems. I have owned 2 toyotas, both with problems (most recent being engine problem Toyota was never able to fix), switched to Honda (engine problem again and no one at 2 dealers can tell me what it is, even though I have repeated it for them several times). I guess what I'm saying is that unless a car leaves you stranded, you should not complain. There will be problems with every car, some people just choose to ignore them. Problem is, new cars have all these computers, and electronic componants to them. The more gadgets, the more problems, it's simple. That's why even though I never buy an extended warranty, I purchased one for the new Cx-9 we just got for my wife.