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 ...

Marc of Mesquite, TX April 23, 2008

Marc of Mesquite TX (04/23/08)
Bought the vehicle used. Since purchase have had back power windows fail,power steering unit fail.expansion tank fail,idler pulleys shatter,water pump pulley shatter, roof leak,air conditioner blows hot and cold at same time. I have had vehicle fail to go into reverse 2 times, and one coil pack has failed.I have had this car 2 years.

Barbara of Cheshire, CT April 16, 2008

Barbara of Cheshire CT (04/16/08)
I bought a certified 2004 325XI 12/15/07. Within 2 weeks 2 different front headlights went out and had to be replaced. Within a week of purchase I put brand new snow tires with rims on this car. The tire dealer told me the car was out of alignment even though the dealer had assured me it had been totally gone over and everything repaired before I bought it.

On April 15, 2008 I had the 3 month old snow tires removed and the street tires put back on. The garage that did the tire change showed me the abnormal wear on the two rear tires. These two rear 3 month old snow tires that had about 3500 miles on them were now ruined. There was significant wear on the inside of both tires; the tread gone. The front two are in pristine condition.

I called the dealership and was told to bring the car back there (not the closer dealship where it was scheduled for routine service within 7 days). I would have to bring it in on a Saturday morning and leave it (this is half a tank of gas away from my home, and then be given a loaner for a few days. I asked about being reimburrsed for the cost of two ruined tires...and they will look into it and let me know. I have to bring the tires with me...I think I will keep one at home just in case.

There is no way tires can be ruined driving (not even on a highway) 15 miles round trip to work a day. I am an adult driver and do not speed or abuse this car. I am not pleased with the quality of this car so far....

The two new snow tires are ruined.

Andrew of Oakville, OTHER April 8, 2008

Andrew of Oakville, Canada (04/08/08)
My 2002 5 series BMW heated front drivers seat appears to have shorted and burned through the leatherette, my wool coat and a blazer that I was wearing at the time. I contacted BMW Canada with the information. They took the mileage reading (approx 104000kms)and then suggested that I take the car to a BMW dealer for inspection. The dealer told me that heated car seats often burn through and gave me a quote for a new seat pad. He would not make a report of the damage unless I booked the car in for an inspection and paid for the inspection. I then wrote to BMW Canada detailing my concern. About a month later I emailed BMW Germany and they asked for a copy of the letter. A few weeks later I got a call from the BMW dealer where I had taken the car. I am not a customer of theirs as I use an independent to service the car. They basically indicated that they were not interested. (This is reasonable as the issue is with BMW Canada) Another week or so passed and BMW Canada got back to me to ask again about mileage. I provided this to them and then thy told me that the car is out of warranty and that the burnt seat is my problem. I have asked them to put this in writing. Subsequent to the burn appearing in the seat I have asked a number of car dealers if they have ever experienced this. Not one (apart from the BMW service person) have ever heard of it happening. My concern is the neglect by BMW of what I do not think is an expected fault in the heated seat. I would have thought that they would want to investigate the cause to rectify any underlying fault in design to prevent this happening again. The lack of concern from BMW and the lack of interest in investigating a potentially dangerous fault is staggering.

Raul of Tracy, CA April 3, 2008

Raul of Tracy CA (04/03/08)
Why does BMW not recall regarding the window regulator problem. There are so many people who has this problem. I wish I can do something.

Wendy of Corona, CA March 25, 2008

Wendy of Corona CA (03/25/08)
I purchased a Certified Pre Owned 2004 BMW in April of 2007. When I purchased the car I was super excited because BMW always sells the fact they pride themselves on service. I also opted for the extended warranty. Since my purchase of the car it's been in the shop for Keys not working, A/C spitting water out when running, alarm activating unexpectidly, tire sensor activating since date of purchase even with new tires, side rocker pannels falling off, sunroof rattle, SRS restraint system malfunction, blue tooth not operating, oil warning sensor going off. and these are just the begining of my probelms. I first had the vehicle serviced at BMW in Bakersfield, of course the service department was unable to duplicate any problems with the vehicle and returned it to me promptly and said bring it back when it's having a problem, which turned out to be the following day. Only to find out I would be without a vehicle for 3 days and NO LOANER because I had to make a reservation 3 weeks in advance for a loaner vehicle. Then I took the vehicle to Savage BMW in Ontario expecting better service. on the first visit I waited 3 after my scheduled appointment time to get my car in for service and when they were taking it in I was told they would not get to the car that day and I would be without a vehicle for 3-4 days. It was not until I started getting upset on the sales room floor that the found a loaner car for me to take while they worked on my car. 3 days later they called and my car was finally being looked at. Upon receiving my car back they damaged the side plastic pannels around the window which took 3 weeks for them to get replaced. now that my vehicle finally went over the original 50,000 miles my extended warranty is supposed to kick in only to find out no one told me the extended warranty does not cover the vehicle like promised and I have to pay 50 deductible per item I'm having a problem with. Now all the items I am having problems with have still not been resolved. I called the dealership where I purchased the car and their exact words what do you want me to do? is all they say. I love the style of the car and how it handles but I will never buy BMW and I will tell everyone I know not to buy BMW due to the lack of service and disreguard for customer satisfaction.

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