[The X Men]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

I think the reliabity reports from Consumer reports are very accurate. If you subscribe to the magazine or on line they send you a questionaire about your cars every year which I usually fill out. I don't follow their overall reviews on cars because they are biased away from sports oriented vehicles. I would contend they are much more accurate about reliability than this forum because this forum is geared towards BMW enthusiasts or people that have an issue that went on line and were directed to the site because it matched an issue they have.

What a CR reader who bought a Toyota might consider a reliable car might be different from what a CR reader who bought a BMW might consider a reliable car. The problem with CR is that they only survey their subscribers and not the general population. A good example of CR's inaccuracy is when I had my 08 Lexus GS350 AWD. CR rated the GS350 AWD below average while they rate the GS350 RWD above average. One would assume it’s the AWD components that is unreliable, but Lexus AWD is pretty much bullet proof. CR later on release an article about how the GS350 AWD is unreliable due to its interior components and fit and finish. The funny thing is that the GS350 RWD had the exact same interior components and it is highly rated by CR.

[tony20009]

Originally Posted by Tremolo

Not tryin' to argue but I disagree a little. I don't think having issues with windshield wipers, ASS, having the car go limp, steering vibration, brake squeal are only things that only enthusiasts notice. Come to think of it, I actually think enthusiasts are more forgiving of little problems. In my experience, it's the nonenthusiasts that point out all the creaks and noises of my BMW.. as they're more inclined to use Lexus as the bar of smoothness and reliability. (Although I rather take creaks over a stuck accelerator pedal any day).

Personally, I think the CR reliability thing is funny because a car's reliability score shouldn't be measured in less than a year of it's new generation. However, my wife thinks it's funny because our brakes squeal like a banshee, our exhaust flap screeches louder than Gilbert Gotftried, and ASS just decided to put the car in Park at a stoplight yesterday. Most nonethusiasts say the same thing... "If you pay $50k+ for a LUXURY Sedan, it should be damn perfect." Whereas I tend to think, "It's a $50k+ SPORTS Sedan. For little problems I can just take it in to the dealer for a fix. Not that big of a deal."

Like you, I'm somewhat forgiving of minor things. If a fault doesn't compromise my car's utility as a transportation device, it won't bother me too much and I'll just have it addressed when I take the car in for its next regular servicing. That said, when asked by CR if I had a problem with this or that, I'd still say, "yes." That something that failed didn't bother me doesn't mean it didn't fail.

Also, regardless of whether you think of your 3er as a sport or luxury car, it's hardly unreasonable to expect that the for the 6K to 25K premium one pays for a 3er vs. an Accord or Camry, that it should have certainly no more faults, major or minor, than do those less expensive cars. (FWIW, I've never thought the price of a car made it anything other than more or less expensive than other cars, and the price definitely doesn't make it luxurious)

[ATX78703]

Originally Posted by 宝马.e90

While I don't doubt that a different set of tires would benefit the F30, the ATS' handling abilities over the 3-Series is more than just tires and by reading some reviews, it's just a better handling car. While the F30 is still a great car overall, it has gone soft to some degree.

appropriate tires would neutralize about 90% of the advantages (slalom, skidpad, braking) in that C&D comparo. Steering "feel" would be the only one that maybe the caddy still has an advantage.

[Lucky13]

I can only judge CR based on personal history, we bought a Toyota 4 runner and an FJ Cruiser and CR said they were pretty much bullet proof. 95,000 miles on the FJCruiser with 0 issues and 55,000 on the 4 Runner with 0 issues. I'm saying in general they pretty much get it right because there ratings matched my personal experience on these and our Clubman S.

[georgere]

really? how can it be the most reliable when it was on the marker for what, 6 months?

[The X Men]

I think CR's minimum sample size is like 100 or somewhere around there, compare that to the sample size of all the CR's Toyota surveys, the results for the more expensive brands are pretty useless.

[JUSKIDN]

i didn't hear reliability mentioned once in the ad

[BlueBimmer]

Damn it - not subcribed to CR so I can't read the article.

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by BlueBimmer

Damn it - not subcribed to CR so I can't read the article.

And you cannot participate in their survey, even though you own a BMW, this is one of the root cause of the problems with the CR's reliability report.

[Reznick]

I know I put TON of faith in CR's opinion . Especially when I'm buying a car.

[DarkTrigger]

Nice, got an overall score of 86 out of 100 with the category lowest being 73 and the highest 95. Actually it got a perfect "better than average" in every reliability category!

"Overall the redesigned BMW 3 Series sedan is an excellent car. The turbocharged four-cylinder in the 328i makes the car quick yet frugal, achieving 28 mpg overall. A turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder is also available. Ride comfort, noise isolation, and interior fit and finish are all impressive. Handling is very capable, but steering feel is less tactile than before. The rear seats are snug. Our main qualms are about the rough engine idle and the new stop/start system that is too abrupt when restarting the engine. The coupe, convertible, and M3 continue on the old platform. A hybrid sedan based on the six-cylinder turbo is new for 2013. A new wagon arrives next spring. First year reliability of the 328i sedan has been much above average."

[RPM90]

Originally Posted by e92_m3

It may be reliable, but the new F30 3 series became a softer animal. Can't believe that the Cadillac ATS beat it in the handling department. .

Your comment is coming very late to the party.

Kudo's to Cadillac. Doesn't diminish the F30.
Hopefully it'll show BMW that they don't/didn't have to soften the suspension as they did. Competition is good.

[gc1969]

Given the inconsistent reported reliability of BMW vehicles over the last few years, I was pleasantly surprised to see the MY12 F30 was rated as "much better than average" in all of the Consumer Reports categories (eg engine, electrical, brakes, paint, etc).

I must admit that having owned an E21, followed by a series of Honda products, the purchase of an F30 was a little bit of "desire overriding get reason" but I am so happy with my F30 and get a little extra comfort from this predicted overall build quality

Any other thoughts on the topic of overall design intelligence and build quality?

[soolman32]

I did think about reliability on the F30/32 since I will be coming from an Infiniti. I've had this car for 5 years with no issues whatsover. But what's comforting to me is the fact that my parents and siblings all drive various models in the BMW line-up. Just waiting to see the full model line from the 3 and 4 series before deciding which to get.

[hans007]

Originally Posted by soolman32

I did think about reliability on the F30/32 since I will be coming from an Infiniti. I've had this car for 5 years with no issues whatsover. But what's comforting to me is the fact that my parents and siblings all drive various models in the BMW line-up. Just waiting to see the full model line from the 3 and 4 series before deciding which to get.

e90s were pretty reliable, other than the n54. i knew a lot of people with e9x with nothing major happening. glad to see they are predicting good reliability. i wonder how they determine this on a new engine like the n20. at least the n55 has a history.

[DerekS]

The improved predicted reliability suggested by Consumer Reports was supported today when I met my dealer's service manager. He stated that warranty claims for F30 are thus far substantially less per car than for E90 series.

[jrob]

Hard to talk about reliability when the car hasn't even been out a year...just sayin.

[KORALLROT]

Originally Posted by jrob

Hard to talk about reliability when the car hasn't even been out a year...just sayin.

Exactly. I guess they have a responsibility to issue an assessment of some sort. After all, that IS what they do.


Interesting though.

[claykin]

My 2010 E90 MSport was nearly trouble free during the 3 years I had it. Two failed LED tail lamps, a replaced steering wheel due to peeling, and new front brake rotors due to warping. That's it.

Lets hope the F30 I just got yesterday has the same lucky horseshoe.

[shivaswrath]

Well it's been reliable, for sure, just buggey.

Which is annoying coming from a Japanese performance sedans, which never gave me any issues.

With that said, the BMW offers the following that I never had in previous cars:
1. Uncanny performance.
2. Sexy looks.
3. Amazing integration of driving tools with technology.

And for THAT, I am more than happy to tolerate the 3 visits to the dealership (2 of which were for to voluntarily install below performance parts).

[vern]

[quote=shivaswrath;13155452 (2 of which were for to voluntarily install below performance parts).[/QUOTE]
And what were they? As you can see I also have a 2012 335i. TIA
cheers
vern

[shivaswrath]

Originally Posted by vern

And what were they? As you can see I also have a 2012 335i. TIA
cheers
vern

M sport Exhaust | M Performance Suspension Kit | Black Kidney Grilles