Brendan Hughes

Just been speaking to a friend of mine who has a MY01 320d. He says the engine is fantastic, but he's getting sick of the amount of times he has to send it back for stuck sunroof, stuck windows, door only opening from the inside, etc.

Anyone else know of similar experiences? Are BMWs becoming the new French cars?

MY00PPP

hi.

I have a my01 318 ci coupe. have had (touch wood) zero problems with it electrics or otherwise.

www.peachorlemon.co.uk normally gives a good spread of owner expericence. did check it out b4 purchasing and dont think it showed anything 'common'

RM

Cocker

iTrader: (3)

have a 2000 530i Sport and its fab - no problems whatsoever!!

Flatcapdriver

Nope. Other half has a Z4 with some complex electrics in the lid which hasn't self destructed yet despite me 'making it' go up and down on the move.

carl

Wife has a 2004 320Cd -- no electrical problems so far. Although the fuel pump did give up.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

Yeah, all the problems are from when Rover bought them out and then just cast them adrift, In fact Rover did so well they saw no point in continuing trading as they no longer had a point to proove.

DavidChief

We've got a few 320d's at work and they've been totally faultless... 100k up, still going strong.

Alas

On my previous car - BMW 328i touring
Windows stuck due to faulty switches(known problem but BMW replace the window motor usually as well) Can be fixed by repeatedly jabbing at the switch after which it usually works.
Rear window micro switch in tailgate never worked
Wiper failed(switchgear) and replaced. Then after a year the intermittent setting stopped working.
As mentioned before the engine was superb and never a problem. I did however have lots of probs with the brakes. Still would'nt stop me getting another BMW.

Shark Man

Our 2002 325 blew an alternator, that's about it. Think it was my fault though, as the car had been standing for 4 weeks unused (you try doing that with a new-age scoob or any other car for that ). It started no probs, but the battery was a bit down on charge, and the engine was slow to turn over, obviously. I then proceeded to do a long journey and it packed in about half an hour in to it with headlamps on and wipers going (bad weather).

Turns out it was just the regulator @ £22, so no big deal (car had breakdown cover so no recovery cost ). So I guess the extra drain from the electrics and drained battery just finished it off. If the battery hadn't of been drained, it probably would have carried on like that for years.

Other than that nothing, nada, zilch. For the past 4 years and 40,000 miles. Except a tapping top end on start-up caused by the garage accidentally putting in 10w-40 oil (along with incorrect tyre pressures making it handle like a ballerina in clogs). Now back on 0w-30 SLX (or whatever castrol call it these days) and correct pressure and all is quiet and handles lovely (although still skittish at high speed, but that's 3-series Beamers for you )

Only electronic glitch is if you turn off the radio, it shows the clock - fine. Turn off the ignition, and turn it back on, radio is still off, but there is no clock either. Have to turn the radio on and back off to get the clock back on. Not the end of the world, just a bit annoying if I glance over and can't see what time it is.

Previous car was a 5 series. The only things that broke on that were plastic trim (typical of many late 90's 5-series and early 90's 3-series). Heater blower resistor/power transistor unit burnt out (£60) and traction control went on the blink the day after it was purchased (fixed on warrantee). Only other things were suspension tie rod bushes (common problem) and the shocks getting tired.

csl

Sounds like your mate has been unlucky. In my experience BMW electronics are as bullet proof as they have always been... moreso in fact.

Their software (SMG etc) on the other hand leaves a bit to be desired.... but they automate the upgrades with services etc so shouldn't complain!

billythekid

We have an X3 3.0i and a 130i and both have been faultless.

Brendan Hughes

Thanks all Bit relieved now, it's hell choosing a car and I didn't want to start again just after I'd finally picked one.

chiark

Rear wiper stopped working - just as the touring did above... Other than that, faultless.