BMW

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BMW • Airbags • "Certified, pre-owned" BMWs • Cooling fan failure • Flaming seats • Flooded trunk • Paint problems • Steering failure • Transmission problems • Warranties • BMW Financial Services • Miscellaneous problems • 740 Series • 740 cell phones --- News • California Class Action Says BMW Software Causes Engine Problems • BMW Owners Suffer Reversal of Fortune • BMW Plans Price Hike • Transmission Failures Plague BMW Owners • New BMW to Burn Hydrogen and Gasoline • Gay Automotive Website Takes on BMW

Big Money Wasted? We think that's going a little far. The BMW is a great car -- if you like high-strung racing cars in street garb. Unfortunately, lots of everyday consumers buy these things thinking that because they're expensive, they must be reliable and trouble-free, which is about as far from the truth as Stuttgart is from Santa Monica.

All cars require maintenance and high-performance cars require lots and lots of very expensive routine maintenance. Also they're notorious for being afflicted with all kinds of exotic problems. If you're really into cars, understand them and are willing to lavish time, money and attention on one, the BMW may be for you. If you're looking to raise your self-esteem by buying something really expensive, we recommend real estate.

A few of the more recent complaints ...

stephanie of montery park, CA March 11, 2010

In Oct. 2008 I went through a lease assumption. There we’re three parties involved in order to make this transfer, BMW Financial services, Mr. Henrie the original owner of the 2007 3 series & myself. I went ahead and continue with the transfer paying BMW financial service 568, it was a paper work fee that is required by BMW to complete the process. During the transfer Mr. H & I completed our paper work, sign, and power of attorney was stamped to finalize the entire process it took about a month for that to be done. Entering Nov. 2008 I finally had Mr. H removed as the owner & I am now the primary vehicle owner of the 2007 335i. The final step for me was to take the vehicle to DMV and pay for registration, conduct a smog check and do a vehicle inspection ect. Once that’s all done I should obtain my 2009 registration being register under my name. It was NO problem. I went through entire process being careful, making sure that everything that needs to be done is DONE.

A year went by and it that time to renew my registration for 2010. I went ahead mailed a 615 check to DMV early, leaving enough time to avoid any late fee. In Dec. 2009 I received a letter from DMV stating they needed the original title to my lease & 38 fee. Being very confused, my first thought was maybe DMV made some kind of mistake? I’m leasing the car I wouldn’t have the title??!

Long story short~ BMW Financial Service messed up on the paper work having me as a buyer vs. a lessee. Causing this mess that became my personal issue! I’ve been to the DMV 3 times already waiting an hour for every visit & being on the phone for several hours with BMW faxing my doc to them seeking for a solution but NOT one person has gotten back to me. Still not able to get my 2010 registration! In order to resolve this: DMV needs BMW to Fedex the original title to them. But BMW won’t do it!

Someone out there please help!! Its Mid March of 2010 and I’m still not able to obtain my 2010 registration. I’ve just been between the DMV & BMW since DEC. 2009. Might I throw this in.. BMW suggested that I’d go to another DMV. Are you serious??? I believe everybody has a life, I don’t think that’s a solution here! There’s only one system, DMV just wants the title, having me going to every DMV in Calif. Will get me my sticker! I don’t see why BMW can’t fix the problem when they created this mess in the first place!? Please any advice would help!

Frederick of Cincinnati, OH March 1, 2010

The reverse in my 2001 BMW 3 series now just stopped working. I now drive forward. Very dissapointed after reading this is a known, common problem.

jerry of Inman, SC February 26, 2010

we baught a 2000 740il in 2009. It has been nothing but money money money. we spent 1000 the firs 3 months we owned it on sensors. then in about the 9th month we had knocking in the engine and the repair guy said it was the venous, and it would be cheaper to put a engine in, that was 4300, the 155 for a heat valve, the 1 month later a water pump for 454.oo.

it is never ending bills. i have a ford explorer and ford ranger that i never spend money on. i will never buy a bmw again. the repair people are so arrogant and say that you should expect to put money in this car, that is rediculious, these cars suck. i have spent too much money and cant sell it. i will talk bad about bmw forever

Tom of Murrysville, PA February 24, 2010

Just pulled off a very busy and fast Parkway on the way to work. Pulling into my workplace parking lot and lost all steering. the steering wheel just spun around freely. AAA to local BMW dealey where they found the bolt that holds the steering rod to the steering rack had come completely out allowing the rod to de-couple from the rack. There were no indicator lights--nothing--suddenly I had no steering. We came withing a few minutes from disaster. I have notified BMW and await news from them.

Phillip of West New York, NJ February 24, 2010

I have a 2005 BMW X5, 3.0. The car has 110,000 miles on it and the transmission just went. I was very surprised. While the mileage is not low, it is a BMW. It's also a truck and I've never towed anything with it. All routine and recommended maintenance has been performed by BMW. No one else has ever touched the car. I called BMW North America and essentially go stonewalled with a very cavalier response, not unlike what others have posted.

Renee of Newark, CA February 23, 2010

I bought a used 2004 545I BMW about 3 years ago....I have had so many problems with this car, its crazy! I WILL NEVER BUY A BMW AGAIN. First it was an oil leak that broke my brake booster, then my temp sensor broke, now my cars shakes and shutters...when driving 30-40mph the car jolts like I've been hit from behind (scared the crap out of me, now i'm used to the jolts), now its in the shop for the mass flow sensor..and I keep getting "increased emissions" light. WORST CAR EVER! I want my Lexus IS 300 back! This car should be recalled.

Kevin of Hampton, VA February 23, 2010

I leased a 2008 335xi that should never been allowed to be sold! BMW knew the engine was a failure and still sold them to the consumer! I have filed a lemon lawsuit. I have had soooo many problems with that car. It started week one with engine noise which i know now was because there was no oil getting to the top of my engine because the VANOS system is a design flaw that doesnt produce enough oil pressure to get the oil up there! and it went down hill from there!

aby of Cochin, India February 19, 2010

BMW cars and SUV tires are equipped with a technology called Run-Flat Tire which allows you to run the tire even if your car tire is puncture (flat) .. This technology was introduced by Michilian tires called PAX technology and forced to discontinue due to several issues in Europe and US.. my problem with BMW is that My newly purchased X5 can only give less than 10K of tire life, around 6 or 7000 KM the steel radial threads of the tires are exposed that make tire to be flat (puncture) frequently and need to depend on the BMW dealer to come and change the tires..

Unfortunately, BMW India don’t supply spare (stepini) tire or the tools like Jack or wrench to open the tire.. in my case BMW said they will not be responsible for any issues related to the tire.. so, please don’t buy BMW in India, they do not care once they sold the vehicles to you.. each tire cost around 15-20 thousand rupees.

Leigh of Nashville, TN February 18, 2010

My 2000 BMW 323i Wagon had a transmission failure. It would shift into reverse, but would only rev when the I pushed the gas pedal.I'm having to have the transmission rebuilt. After searching online, saw that this has been a HUGE problem with these cars and BMW refuses to accept responsibility for it.

methgal of riyadh, Saudi Arabia February 17, 2010

I bought 2 of 2009 BMW 740li. I like the car but some thing is wrong with front wheels tires. In one month I noticed like hums or balloons on the side of front tire which ifects on steering wheel so bad. The tires are good year kind. I took both cars to the dealer & they noticed the defect on tires but said no warranty on this. So I had to by 4 tires for the amount of 4500.

In one month later the same problem arise again. I could not drive the car because of the of the steering wheel shaking dangerously & not comfortable so I took to dealer. The dealer said take to tires company. the company said they are not responsible because the problem is from the rim--now I don't know what to do? Do I have to bye each moth a tire which costs 1000 or what?

No body is solving our problems. Its not just my cars there are hundred now facing the same problem here in Saudi Arabia. Please we need your prompt action on this. very bad car shaking ...very dangerous

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