I'm planning on buying a BMW in the near future but haven't looked into the "owner experiences" as much. So just curious, are BMW cars good or bad? Please include short run and long run experiences.

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You are going to get answers that are all over the map.

People who have had bad experiences, and mechanics who only see the problems (No one takes a car that's working properly to a shop and tells them about it.) will tell you they are no good.

People who have just read the magazines will tell you a 3-series BMW can scale vertical walls and improve your sex life.

As owner of two E46 (that refers to the previous design, not the one you can buy new now, which is the E90) 3-series BMWs I can tell you that generally, the cars have been reliable.

My wife's Certified Pre-owned 325iT (That's the little station wagon BMW calls a "Sportwagon") has had some seemingly random glitches that BMW couldn't seem to fix.

The transmission has gone into "limp-home" mode maybe three times in 40,000 miles, and the right-side mirror is supposed to tilt down when you put the transmission into reverse, but you have to fiddle with it the right way. If you know the drill it works.

Both her car and my 330iC coupe need premium gas, which right now is running $4.10 a gallon or so here. On the other hand, with the Cruise Control set at a reasonable speed, I have averaged more than 30 mpg on the trip from L.A. to Oakland and back.

But for the first four years or 50,000 miles, they cost you nothing but that gas. No cost for service, no cost for non-accident repairs.

Neither my wife nor myself would trade our cars for anything of comparable cost. They are delightful to drive, and give you confidence like no other car.

Other BMWs, the 5- and 7- series cars, have mixed records of reliability, but if you can get past the hassle of learning to use the i-Drive, they have the same virtually instinctive handling reflexes of the 3-series. No other brand compares.

I do have some issues with the new BMWs.

Since the early 70's, BMW sedans have had drop-down trays under the trunk lid that contain a comprehensive set of tools. Yet BMW is the first manufacturer to eliminate the dipstick completely. What's that tool kit for if they don't trust you to check your own oil?

If you are on US 50, halfway down the 510 miles from Reno to Fillmore, Utah, and your dash tells you "Low Oil," what do you do? The manual says have it towed 255 miles to the nearest BMW dealer, where they will drain the sump, measure the oil, and tell you if it's low or not!

Also, the front fenders are plastic now, and the new coupe's rear windows don't open like mine. In addition, my cars will make a U-turn on our residential street. The new ones won't.

Then there are the a**holes who will assume you bought a BMW because you are an idiot who thinks it will make people think you are cool. I have run into a few of those.

Finally, there's the cost. An Infinity G-series has more bells and whistles, more horsepower, and will probably need fewer repairs in 150,000 miles, and costs less. If you act now, a 328i sedan has a great lease incentive that closes the gap.

You gotta drive them. Then you decide if they are worth the extra bucks.

Good luck. I know you will enjoy it if you buy one.
Source(s):
Automotive Consultant for 20 years, and author of "Car-ma; Why Bad Cars Happen to Good People."

Prefer audi or masseratti...

But if you wanna give BMW me for free, I won't deny it... ;D

bmw is good cars i have one

BMW will always be a top car. If you can afford it and its maintenance - get it. You will never regret it.

For me there are ... German Cars and the rest ...

I own a VW hope one day i can aford A Mercedes or BMW limousine like BMW 7 opr Benz CLS

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