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 • 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 ...

Elizabeth of Seattle, WA June 10, 2008

Elizabeth of Seattle WA (06/10/08)
I purchased a 2000 323i in the fall of 2000. At 25,000 miles, and just over 5 years, I had to have the brakes repaired. Warranty had just expired. In January,2007, I had to have the window regulator replaced. I just read that this is also a recurring problem on this model. And, here's the BIG problem. My car now has 33,350 miles and suddenly the transmission blew the reverse gear. Like so many other people are claiming. The BMW dealer denies there is a problem with this model, even though there are many consumer complaints to the contrary. Neither the dealership in Seattle or North American office has been of any help. Essentially, because the warranty has expired, it is just too bad. So what is one to do, put in another transmission that is likely to do the same thing? 33,350 miles on a luxury car and no support from BMW.

Edward of Alexandria, VA June 2, 2008

Edward of Alexandria VA (06/02/08)
I am suprised at how so many people complain about all the bad things about BMWs and about the dealership yet no one seems to take any action. I know that some European cars like Fiat and Renault are not sold here anymore because of how bad the products were why can't we do the same to BMW?

John of Fairfield, CA May 27, 2008

John of Fairfield CA (05/27/08)
I own three (3) BMW's I have owned five (5) altogether. I have a 2000 BMW 740i with the M package. In August of 2007 I purchased a new battery for the car, you can only use a BMW battery because they are the only kind that fit in the battery compartment. I payed over 200 for the new battery, eight (8) months later the battery is dead, so I get it jumped, take it to Roseville BMW and they charge it up. I bring it home after spending over 2000 for the 100,000 mile maintenance. The battery went dead again, I called BMW Roseville and was told the reason it went dead was because I didn't drive the car enough and that I would need to put it on a trickle charger at night to keep it powered up, I thought that was a load of hogwash so I called BMW North America and the cheerful young man on the other end told me yes they were right I didn't drive it enough and would need a trickle charger, this made me laugh, I was not just born yesterday, so I took the battery down to my local Firestone dealer to have it charged,( the battery didn't have to be charged by BMW only), they put it on their charger for 18 hours and it still registered dead, they say it is a bad battery and won't hold a charge.I am trying to get BMW to cover their faulty battery and replace it but so far no luck. I have been a loyal BMW owner for many years now but I am considering going elswhere for my next car, Audi's are looking pretty good right now.

Charleen of Alexandria, LA May 22, 2008

Charleen of Alexandria LA (05/22/08)
The door system on the passenger door has failed completely. There is no way to open the door. There isn't a manual key hole to unlock the door and none of the provided systems work. This is a safety issue. And there needs to be a national recall and investigation. BMW denies any known problems, however, there are internet postings relating to doors being jammed, etc..

Regina of Hilliard, OH May 14, 2008

Regina of Hilliard OH (05/14/08)
i have a 2004 bmw x3 i leased new and have had considerable although non-harmful problems with the car since i've had it. six months into the lease i started having trouble with the sun roof and today 5-14-08 picked it up from the shop after 9 different attempts to fix it. Other problems have been broken cup holders to battery trouble. I expressed how unhappy i am to the service manager and was told legally theres nothing i can do and deal with it. although it may be an pain for me to bring it in to the shop i have no legal grounds to do anything and bmw has no obligation to do anything other than to try and fix whatever problems i may have.

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