545i reliablity after the warranty expires
01-08-2006, 06:09 PM
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My Ride: 2005 545I Black/Tan, Step, SP, CW, L7, NAV, Sirius, Aux
I have a 2005 545i. I love the car but it has had quite a few problems. Total 14 days in the shop in 8 months of ownership 8200 total miles. Some of the issues like the trans slipping, active steering off center etc have still not been resolved. I have owned BMW's for the last 7 years and love the cars(00 323I, 01 X5 4.4, 02 330I, 04 M3 and currently own 05 X5 3.0 and 05 545i). Out of all the Bimmers i only kept my 01 X5 4.4 after the warranty expired. I had to pay the price. Steering fluid leak ($2800), front turn signal bulb replacement ($290), condensation in the headlight assembly ($480) and many more just after the car crossed 50k miles. I am wondering how the 545i will be when the warranty expires. I was planning to keep this car for a long time but all these issues are making me uncomfortable. I test drove the M45 and the GS430. I really liked the GS. It is not a 545i but Lexus reliablity is best in the industry. I am not bashing BMW's but just trying to be practical. I would really appriciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Thanks
01-08-2006, 07:11 PM
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Originally Posted by arunp' post='221215' date='Jan 8 2006, 10:09 PM
I have a 2005 545i. I love the car but it has had quite a few problems. Total 14 days in the shop in 8 months of ownership 8200 total miles. Some of the issues like the trans slipping, active steering off center etc have still not been resolved. I have owned BMW's for the last 7 years and love the cars(00 323I, 01 X5 4.4, 02 330I, 04 M3 and currently own 05 X5 3.0 and 05 545i). Out of all the Bimmers i only kept my 01 X5 4.4 after the warranty expired. I had to pay the price. Steering fluid leak ($2800), front turn signal bulb replacement ($290), condensation in the headlight assembly ($480) and many more just after the car crossed 50k miles. I am wondering how the 545i will be when the warranty expires. I was planning to keep this car for a long time but all these issues are making me uncomfortable. I test drove the M45 and the GS430. I really liked the GS. It is not a 545i but Lexus reliablity is best in the industry. I am not bashing BMW's but just trying to be practical. I would really appriciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Thanks
01-08-2006, 07:53 PM
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Originally Posted by arunp' post='221215' date='Jan 8 2006, 07:09 PM
I have a 2005 545i. I love the car but it has had quite a few problems. Total 14 days in the shop in 8 months of ownership 8200 total miles. Some of the issues like the trans slipping, active steering off center etc have still not been resolved. I have owned BMW's for the last 7 years and love the cars(00 323I, 01 X5 4.4, 02 330I, 04 M3 and currently own 05 X5 3.0 and 05 545i). Out of all the Bimmers i only kept my 01 X5 4.4 after the warranty expired. I had to pay the price. Steering fluid leak ($2800), front turn signal bulb replacement ($290), condensation in the headlight assembly ($480) and many more just after the car crossed 50k miles. I am wondering how the 545i will be when the warranty expires. I was planning to keep this car for a long time but all these issues are making me uncomfortable. I test drove the M45 and the GS430. I really liked the GS. It is not a 545i but Lexus reliablity is best in the industry. I am not bashing BMW's but just trying to be practical. I would really appriciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Thanks
That being said, there is a reason BMW provides only a 4 year warranty. Believe you me, BMW has all sorts of engineers, mathematicians, actuaries, scientists, marketing gurus, budget and financial analysts, and mid-level paper pushers calculating the most cost effective warranty period. If BMW has deemed the cost-effective cut-off at 4 years, well that sure says something to me ...
01-08-2006, 09:42 PM
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My Ride: '05 545i - scheduled for ED pickup in Munich on 7/22!
Originally Posted by arunp' post='221215' date='Jan 8 2006, 10:09 PM
I test drove the M45 and the GS430. I really liked the GS. It is not a 545i but Lexus reliablity is best in the industry. I am not bashing BMW's but just trying to be practical. I would really appriciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Thanks
01-09-2006, 07:37 AM
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My Ride: 2005 545i with Sport Pkg, Nav, HUD, Cold Weather Pkg, Rear Shades
What about purchasing extended warranty?? How does that play into your calculation??
01-09-2006, 08:02 AM
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My Ride: '04 545iS 6 spd, bought new via eBay, 11/05; Blk/Gry, Cold, L7, PDC, BMW Rear seatcover for pets.
First "Bumwa" was a new 1971 2002. High performance 5s since 1987. Beamer motorcycles too, currently on an 07 BMW K1200 GT; also a Moto Guzzi 1000 SP III.
Considering your experience and apparent level of investigation/assumption, I would strongly suggest that you pose your questions on a LEXUS site. 
Good luck,
Ray Hull
Good luck,
Ray Hull
01-09-2006, 09:17 AM
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Come on guys. Don't say go to Lexus if you want reliability. Poor reliability is not acceptable. There is no excuse, especially for premium cars. Period.
I think BMW should feel embrassed by some simple reliability issues and work on them at highest priority otherwise they will be ass kicked by Lexus (like GM has been kicked by Toyota)
BMW and BMW fans, NO ARROGANCE please.
I think BMW should feel embrassed by some simple reliability issues and work on them at highest priority otherwise they will be ass kicked by Lexus (like GM has been kicked by Toyota)
BMW and BMW fans, NO ARROGANCE please.
01-09-2006, 09:21 AM
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My Ride: 2010 M5 alpine white, black full leather, etc.
Originally Posted by arunp' post='221215' date='Jan 8 2006, 10:09 PM
I have a 2005 545i. I love the car but it has had quite a few problems. Total 14 days in the shop in 8 months of ownership 8200 total miles. Some of the issues like the trans slipping, active steering off center etc have still not been resolved. I have owned BMW's for the last 7 years and love the cars(00 323I, 01 X5 4.4, 02 330I, 04 M3 and currently own 05 X5 3.0 and 05 545i). Out of all the Bimmers i only kept my 01 X5 4.4 after the warranty expired. I had to pay the price. Steering fluid leak ($2800), front turn signal bulb replacement ($290), condensation in the headlight assembly ($480) and many more just after the car crossed 50k miles. I am wondering how the 545i will be when the warranty expires. I was planning to keep this car for a long time but all these issues are making me uncomfortable. I test drove the M45 and the GS430. I really liked the GS. It is not a 545i but Lexus reliablity is best in the industry. I am not bashing BMW's but just trying to be practical. I would really appriciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Thanks
01-09-2006, 09:31 AM
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I have a 2005 545i. I love the car but it has had quite a few problems. Total 14 days in the shop in 8 months of ownership 8200 total miles. Some of the issues like the trans slipping, active steering off center etc have still not been resolved. I have owned BMW's for the last 7 years and love the cars(00 323I, 01 X5 4.4, 02 330I, 04 M3 and currently own 05 X5 3.0 and 05 545i). Out of all the Bimmers i only kept my 01 X5 4.4 after the warranty expired. I had to pay the price. Steering fluid leak ($2800), front turn signal bulb replacement ($290), condensation in the headlight assembly ($480) and many more just after the car crossed 50k miles. I am wondering how the 545i will be when the warranty expires. I was planning to keep this car for a long time but all these issues are making me uncomfortable. I test drove the M45 and the GS430. I really liked the GS. It is not a 545i but Lexus reliablity is best in the industry. I am not bashing BMW's but just trying to be practical. I would really appriciate any suggestions.
Thanks
Thanks
[/quote]
I have owned several Lexus vehicles and BMWs and I can tell you Lexus is number one in reliability for a reason. The service they give you blows the BMW dealerships away. I say if you want reliability definitely go Lexus for long term ownership. The problem with Lexus is they are so reliable and sure that they become boring to own. Kind of like a Camry or Accord, both cars will take you to 200000miles with very little problems but become boring. I treat several BMW mechanics as patients and they all tell me never buy a BMW only lease them.
01-09-2006, 11:17 AM
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My Ride: Alpine White/Biege 545i, CWP, Nav, Active Steering, Auto Step ordered 2/1/05
Originally Posted by JStraw' post='221497' date='Jan 9 2006, 11:37 AM
What about purchasing extended warranty?? How does that play into your calculation??