Statement of the Obvious: Having owned 6 BMWs thus far, I just can't see all the problems folks seem to be having and/or bitching about these cars. I'm thinking loud-mouth isolated incidents for most. WHAA, my radiator broke. WHAA, my engine broke. WHAA, I can't read the owners manual. WHAA, I don't know how to drive a BMW. My experience shows my cars to be more reliable than any other car I have had the chance to drive, own, or work on. The ease of access and replacement of parts, basic maintenance, and driveability of the cars kept me coming back.
I have, in all fairness, culled quite a few stories and repair procedures from the internet. I have attempted to help others fix their problems or give them access to what I have found to help. I've even sent CDs for free to those who asked. BMW repairs found on the internet are some of the most extensive I've found for any car. If one were to catalog and use most of it, they could become a BMW mechanic fairly easily. I guess it could be trolls on this board, but I'm more inclined to believe it's silly folks who keep rehashing the same "WHAA" every few weeks. The ONLY common sense here is from the regular posters and they know who they are. I also see a lot of folks who buy crappy, cheap BMWs, a.k.a. someone else's problem, and whine because they didn't get a like-new, something-for-nothing car. Forget about simple maintenance. BMWs run forever with original fluids. Oh yeah, my car runs like s**te and I haven't changed the air filter or plugs since new and it has 100,000 miles on it. BTW, where's the filter? I don't know the model or year of the car.
So as you read this, get pissed. Flame me. Call me names or whatever. You all want to say what I've said, if even to say it quietly. I haven't owned a Chevy, but I have towed one with my 535i. BMW is not a yuppie car, it's a driver's car. It breaks. Fix it or sell it to someone who will. Don't pay some smart-assed mechanic way too much to fix a car that ain't broke. Hint: You're being suckered, STOOPID! How about buying the Bentley and some tools, look over the internet, and get your hands dirty once in a while. The pride of DIY will only be behind having a child and a trophy wife. Wise up, it'll payoff big time.
End of the Obvious Stuff - Heh!
Bill in Omaha '86 535i - present daily driver ('81 323i, '85 528e, '87 325es, '88 325is, '98 528i - wife's)