BIG LETDOWN

[1+2=3]

Originally posted by ALBundy@Jun 29 2006, 12:26 PM
The most common problem with the e46 318i 2.0 with valvetronic is the ignition coils. Other than that, the rest are mainly wear and tear items minus a few loose items.

I believe the disgruntled owners should write to AB and cc it to BMW Malaysia for all their problems.

Few years back, a friend bought the last batch of e39s for sale from AB, a 525i. Upon taking delivery of the car, there was a loud ticking noise from the engine bay, AB offered to repair it and this guy being a lawyer himself refused the offer, and insisted the entire engine be replaced instead. To cut a long story short, after many legal letters and so forth, he got what he demanded. So, its not impossible to right the wrongs provided you have the "endurance" to fight the battle.

Yup, consumer rights in Malaysia is not where its supposed to be and hence we are always taken for granted.

i almost guess everyone here more or less agrees that the cost of ownership is well worth the "experience" of ownership. Not everyone, but the majority.

 

[Daniel]

yeah, the 'experience' of how to keep dumping money away.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Erm... dunno if this helps. There was one year I spent more than RM6K on repairs etc and so far this year only about RM1.5K (touch wood!). Jeffrey of M1 jokingly told me that BMWs typically break down a lot in 4th to 5th year. If parts are replaced and maintenance adhered, your 6th to 8th year should be OK. After that, sell the blardy car!

 

[chairoger]

I thought my E36 was giving me problems,it seems like the newer E46 even worse in some cases. All I can say is I feel with the bros here regarding their car problems.

I believe most(not all) of the cases is due to owners(previous or otherwise) who drove around without any preventive replacement measures.We all know the saying "if it aint broke,dont fix it",but this DOES NOT APPLY TO BIMMERS! If its broken,its gonna be more expensive to fix and will bring a whole lot of other hosts of problems too. :beaten:

Sigh.Might wanna buy a Merc next time. Cabutz!!

 

[Daniel]

you have a point with the 'preventive measures', but how can you predict what will fail?

follow BMW's recommended list?

money do not grow on trees!, besides BMW is not going to publically inform that their expansions tanks will only last 3 years? nor will they admit their control arm bushings will require replacement every 6 months.

i could go on but you know what i mean.

 

[funfer_fahrer]

Originally posted by chairoger@Jun 30 2006, 08:36 AM

Sigh.Might wanna buy a Merc next time. Cabutz!!

That is why in Germany there is a saying that "BMW is a Mercedes Benz wannabe". No matter what!

 

[ersalle]

Too bad u got ur self the suckest model hahahhahaa. Been through all those b4 on my dad's ride. They are a common faults on e46's. Rather get an e39 than a e46 (just my preference).

 

[scin]

Originally posted by BlueMixWhite@Jun 29 2006, 02:10 PM
Ironically, a lot of people mention when looking for a pre-owned BMW, look for one with service history and maintained AB. So now, does this mean it's not reliable even the car is fully maintain by AB?

It should be....

" when looking for a pre-owned BMW, look for one with service history and maintained AB." and avoid it like the plague! especially if it's a CKD

It already started out on the wrong foot, and they added more to it along the way

 

[okow]

Radiator water level started to register low at every 3-4 days. I changed my expansion tank 3 months ago (preventive - as advised by workshop and a known fact of the e46 flaw) After looking and checking what gave, discovered a hairline crack on the radiator. Repair was out of the question and had to change it. Total bill for the whole job, just over $1k.
Another flaw as stated by my mechanic...e46 radiator normally last 4-5 years. Reliability? Quality?

 

[ratchet]

IMHO, bimmers were never known to be durable. Toyotas yes, BMW no. I would think that is because when they started out designing the car, the focus was always the 'drive experience'. Making the car last 20 years on the same parts was never on the table. After all, wouldn't UDM stand for Ultimate Durability Machine if it were?

You WILL pay more owning a BMW. There is no argument about that. If you want a car that will last a generation, go for a JDM. A Toyota maybe. If you want a car for the driving experience and don't mind the cost attached to it, then go UDM.

Just be careful when buying. Like any other marque, there are bound to be a few lemons around for each model. Make sure you aren't one of the parking those in front of your house.

 

[initialM]

Originally posted by Jules@Jun 27 2006, 08:51 PM
I have to concur with Albundy.....preventive maintenance best-lor to avoid heart ache.......

another alternative is play with older cars-loh! and I think most will agree that the older design BMW are less fussy.......but equally enjoyable!

Btw, sad to lose u anyhow!

Sorry for yr prob bro. That's why I dun prefer newer model although the they look nicer but older bimmer look more solid. Heard many E46 car got problem and many of them change to JDM or older model eg E39. I can bet to maintain bmw is not cheap but driving experience is priceless.

P/S: plan to get E30 in future if condition permits. hehehe :nyehehe:

 

[daan]

TO me, BMW drivers are a bit on the eccentric side. We all know the pain and suffering of owning a BMW but we still do it. MW called them self UDM, they never clai to be more relaible than Japenese car, so if you want a reliable car, go and get a Japanese car.

 

[Kaiza635CSI]

My family both own BMW's and Mercedes Benz's, from experience the maintenence on our Mercs are very low, cheap as well.

Yes i agree BMW parts maintenence can be expensive and annoying to have all these problems.

My dad once sued AB back in the day, when AB was more co-operative and more effecient in a way. The reason they were sued was because they put on a wrong engine part, and a day later when it came out of AB the engine was on FIRE!! Cut a long story short we sued them they agreed to our terms gave us a brand new BMW. (84 E23 735I)

So everyone was happy.. Seriously AB has really gone down the shit hole. If only they more effencient, orgainse and co-operative and they did things right, i would send my car there. But even Lawyers and consultant tell our family never send to AB anymore they really dont care after the cars have their showroom.

Just telling my dads experience.

Cheers,

kaiza.

 

[Daniel]

Originally posted by daan@Jul 9 2006, 06:52 PM
TO me, BMW drivers are a bit on the eccentric side. We all know the pain and suffering of owning a BMW but we still do it. MW called them self UDM, they never clai to be more relaible than Japenese car, so if you want a reliable car, go and get a Japanese car.

Daan,
I didn't know BMW wasn't realiable.

If i knew it wasn't reliable, i won't had gotten one!

Trying to imagine what would the situation be like if i had gone for a C-Class instead....... mmmmm BETTER, it would still be a current model!

 

[3er]

Originally posted by okow@Jul 9 2006, 01:23 PM

Another flaw as stated by my mechanic...e46 radiator normally last 4-5 years. Reliability? Quality?

Er, "buatan malaysia"?

 

[PERNGY]

I BOUGHT A JAPANESE MADE CAR. IT WILL BE OUT LATE THIS WEEK. GOOD RIDDANCE!! SOMEHOW I FEEL REALLY RELIEVE THAT I AM STILL ABLE TO SELL OFF MY BMW!!! How do I post pictures of my BBS 17" rims which I wanna sell? And in which thread should I put it?

 

[daan]

Originally posted by Daniel+Jul 10 2006, 09:51 AM-->QUOTE (Daniel @ Jul 10 2006, 09:51 AM)

 

[daan]

Daniel,

Read this.

http://www.dvatp.com/bmw/e36/articles/review/

 

[initialM]

Originally posted by PERNGY@Jul 10 2006, 11:37 AM
I BOUGHT A JAPANESE MADE CAR. IT WILL BE OUT LATE THIS WEEK. GOOD RIDDANCE!! SOMEHOW I FEEL REALLY RELIEVE THAT I AM STILL ABLE TO SELL OFF MY BMW!!! How do I post pictures of my BBS 17" rims which I wanna sell? And in which thread should I put it?

Bro, so sad that u hv to let go yr udm. BTW what car r u getting?
My car already 9 yrs old. 185,000km. Bought it 2nd hand. 3rd owner.
Still goin strong. Daily drive. 5000km oil service. Wear n tear maintainance.
preventive maintenance :getyourfactsright: . a lot of accessories mods. daily self wash. a lot of TLC.

 

[okow]

Originally posted by 3er+Jul 10 2006, 02:05 AM-->QUOTE (3er @ Jul 10 2006, 02:05 AM)