[Livfast335]

Just curious if it's normal to be at the dealer every month. I seem to have inherited a lemon, and always something is breaking on my car. (Going back this week)

I've had the car since December 2014 (lease transfer) and I've been to the dealer on 8 separate occasions, no exaggeration. I'm really starting to have doubts at this point, and I'm definitely not buying this car at the end of the lease.

I love the car, the looks, the power, the handling, but reliability is starting to seriously bite away at my patience.

Is this normal for a BMW? It's my first one so I thought you'd get something half reliable at the price your pay.

Anyone else been in a similar situation? What did you do?

[5ilver-5amurai]

What reasons are you visiting the dealer for? I knew that no car is built perfect, but it took me time to swallow the hard pill that my BMW isn't an exception to that rule. Enjoy the car as much as possible, you will probably buy an even better one in a few years

That being said, the Government of Canada has a good lemon law in place to protect consumers. Check it out here: https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/oca-bc...g/ca02324.html

If it really is as bad as you think it is, you might have a case to get a new car. Good luck bud!

[floydarogers]

Were some of them for "normal" service that the CBS/Computer called for?
The CBS is nice, but since there are over a half-dozen intervals, all coming due at different times, CBS means our cars are in the shop more often than the old days where it was Inspection 1 at 15K miles, Inspection 2 at 30K miles, etc.

[zamboni]

Have been back three time for windows and rattle noise on steering column, window is fixed and rattle noise remains. Bring it back next week for MPPK upgrade and perhaps they can fix that mystery noise.

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by Livfast335

Just curious if it's normal to be at the dealer every month. I seem to have inherited a lemon, and always something is breaking on my car. (Going back this week)

I've had the car since December 2014 (lease transfer) and I've been to the dealer on 8 separate occasions, no exaggeration. I'm really starting to have doubts at this point, and I'm definitely not buying this car at the end of the lease.

I love the car, the looks, the power, the handling, but reliability is starting to seriously bite away at my patience.

Is this normal for a BMW? It's my first one so I thought you'd get something half reliable at the price your pay.

Anyone else been in a similar situation? What did you do?

Is it normal? We have no idea since you didn't tell us what you're going in for. Some folks go in at the drop of a hat, others ride things out for a while and let them accumulate. Others only go in when absolutely necessary. What kinds of issues are bringing you in?

[ft1330]

Not very often but I am much more anal with this car than others before. That's because of the 4 year warranty and I want to make sure to fix the small issues before I'm out of that period.

[RoundelM3]

Rarely...only for scheduled maintenance and for a bad auxiliary cooling fan replacement - plus the installation of the software for the MPPK. I think there might have been one TSB-related visit too. I do my own coding and reading/resetting fault codes and I installed the "hardware" pieces for the MPPK. I've been working on cars since 1958 (they were a lot simpler then), but any mechanical/electrical problems go to the dealership.

[G30 B58]

I understand that there is a warranty in effect and we have the included scheduled maintenance but for the little things, squeaks and rattles, I'd much sooner be my own first level of support by using this board.

It takes time to call the dealer, set-up an appt., drop the car off, sign paperwork ..... blah blah blah. I'd much sooner take the time to research the problem on my own and tackle the small stuff.

But hey, I have a well equipped home garage and a shit ton of tools. I may not be the average BMW owner. In 11 months and 10K miles, my car has been to the dealer once for a one year oil change and free state inspection and emissions.

[iconoclast]

first week of ownership i received three faults. TPMS, and two camera faults.
resolved under warranty. while it is a bit disconcerting it is not something i would lose sleep over and i have been given loaners so my daily routine is hardly disrupted.

[fecurtis]

I average once every three months.

Most common issue...needing tires replaced....

[stopbeingabozo]

I got my car in December 2014: Been there twice for the low tire pressure indicator (all was fine, drastic change of weather was responsible for the pressure change warnings, still annoying when you're off to work at 7am).

Then a weird noise (turned out to be a broken or defective oil pump) when changing gears about a month ago led to an engine & turbo replacement (got a loaner for 3 weeks). The oil change was due at the same time and they forgot TWICE to reset the meter so it says that I'm past due on the oil change. A third appointment today for that. Fingers crossed.

I miss my old Honda on days like these, or at least its reliability.

[cardsdoc]

On my 2009 e90 335 xdrive I had numerous minor issues over it's 3 year lease that required service which was a little annoying. On my 2013 f30 335 xdrive (> 2.5 yrs in) all I've had is scheduled maintenance.

[Livfast335]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Is it normal? We have no idea since you didn't tell us what you're going in for. Some folks go in at the drop of a hat, others ride things out for a while and let them accumulate. Others only go in when absolutely necessary. What kinds of issues are bringing you in?

These are just a few...

-2 Defective Tires, I had both give me flats within 1 day
-Front Brakes Replacement (car always pulling to the right)
-Front Left Shock leaking
-Rear Camera replacement + wiring
-Auxiliary Fan replacement (limp mode)
-Brake calliper guide replacement
-Now latest issue...... going in on Wednesday

Car steering is all over the place, wheel is shimming even though I got new tires and rims last week, weird noises coming through the suspension....



This is all since January of this year.....

[Sanjuro1]

Once in 11 months.

[Lightning_Rider]

Sorry to hear that man.

Only been to the dealer once so far to have my transmission values reset when I first got the car.

Got the 12000 km routine maintenance coming up soon though... probably early September.

[snj49er]

Originally Posted by stopbeingabozo

Been there twice for the low tire pressure indicator (all was fine, drastic change of weather was responsible for the pressure change warnings, still annoying when you're off to work at 7am).

Maybe I'm not getting it...would you prefer to get the warnings at a more convenient time or just rather not know that low temperature = low pressure?

[335i_4D]

With my 1st BMW (335i 2007), was in shared custody with the dealer, but still loved the car.
Switched dealer, no more visits.

This one (4th BMW), all seems OK.

Will be my 3rd visit, but dealer to be blamed:
- 1st for defective horn (horn on order, even if I called in advance and it was evident what was to be replaced)
- 2nd to have the defective horn replaced (finally)
- 3rd time, since on both occasion they forgot to change the oil, past due !!!

So, what was supposed to be a single visit ended up as 3.
Missing my SA who's on sick leave...

[Golden Arrow]

I'm not shy about taking my car to the dealership if something is wrong, since I want to get the most out of my warranty coverage.

However, my F30 has only been in for service to replaced the recalled taillight assemblies that liked to pop out, and for the AC hose fix that gets rid of a strange sound that I heard while the aircon was on. All of these issues were taken care of while I drove a loaner around all day.

Other than those, the car has only been back for new oil.

[Livfast335]

WOW, from all the responses, I definitely have had the most issues! I'm at the point where I'm debating getting a new BMW, or jumping ship.

[Chris@codemybimmer]

Originally Posted by stopbeingabozo

I got my car in December 2014: Been there twice for the low tire pressure indicator (all was fine, drastic change of weather was responsible for the pressure change warnings, still annoying when you're off to work at 7am).

Then a weird noise (turned out to be a broken or defective oil pump) when changing gears about a month ago led to an engine & turbo replacement (got a loaner for 3 weeks). The oil change was due at the same time and they forgot TWICE to reset the meter so it says that I'm past due on the oil change. A third appointment today for that. Fingers crossed.

I miss my old Honda on days like these, or at least its reliability.

you can reset the oil change timer yourself

[BavarianFanatic]

Once a year for state inspection and annual oil change. Picked up the car in Munich in 11/12. Just ticked past 31k last week. Only warranty issue so far was a squeaky seat frame. Everything else has been perfect. I love this car so much I jumped from a lease to a loan after the first year.

[rolltidef32]

Originally Posted by fecurtis

I average once every three months.

Most common issue...needing tires replaced....

Well Curtis, as long as you keep doing burn outs, donuts, and drifting during left turns, and aiming square at potholes, you'll continue to need new tires every quarter!

: .