I have been amazed at the reliability of my 550i, given all the electronic gadgetry it is loaded with. Yet I noticed many threads on other models, and the JD Powers ranking of BMW generally, that makes me wonder if I'm just lucky.

 

My car just turned 5,000 miles and I have had 1 issue. It had to do with the Tire Pressure Monitoring system. When I would turn the car on, the iDrive screen would say "TPM Malfunction!". I looked at the TPM screen on the iDrive and it wasn't measuring the pressure for any of my tires so it was a full system malfunction. I tried to reset it but it wouldn't work. It went on every time I turned my car on without fail but then after a few days it went on only about half of the time. So of course when I take it into the dealer the light doesn't go on and they just reset it for me. That afternoon the TPM light comes back on. A few days later I received an e-mail asking for a review of the service I received and I say that while I had a good experience with the people my issue wasn't fixed. The service person and the general manager both email me and tell me to come back in so they can fix the issue. So I go back in and the light is on this time and they replace one of the TPM sensors. Go for a test drive and the light comes back on. So they tell me that they're going to replace the entire TPM module which I believe is in the trunk area and it also involved about 5 hours of programming. After all that everything's been fine! *knock on wood*

 

problem with one doors soft close function. rest is all good

 

My problems so far (with 12K miles on the car and 6 months in). Car was lease in March 2009 as brand new.

1. Dead/defective starter (replaced after 2 visits to the dealer).

2. Creaking windows (dealer implement service bulletin but within 2 months, windows started creaking again and the dealer redid the work in the service bulletin).

3. Misaligned M Tech front bumper (passenger side was not flush to the body -- fixed by the dealer at 12K miles).

4. Metallic rattling sound coming from the area of the drivers' side B pillar (dealer claimed that it could not duplicate the sound so no fix so far :thumbsdown.

5. Some rattling from the seatback of the front passenger seat when going over rough roads (delaer claimed that it could not duplicate the sound so no fix so far :thumbsdown.


Other than the above mechanical problems, I've had some excess wear and tear due to my driving habits and NYC potholes:

1. Added 2 quarts of oil within first 12K miles and was about to need a third.

2. Rear OEM summer Conti tires worn out at 12K miles (fronts down to 4/32).

3. 15K miles service implemented at 12K miles.

All in all, not a perfect car mechanically (my 2006 Infiniti M45 Sport has zero mechanical problems during the 60K I drove it) but such a pleasure to drive.

 

2008 550 acquired in late Oct 2007. No issues to date and have only been to dealer for regular service such as oil changes...

 

My car has been extremely reliable in the just under three years that I've owned the car. The only issue I had was with the TPM and that was due to water getting into the wheel well because of a bad seal and shorting out the control unit.

The car has been much more reliable than the two Lexus models I've had (GS400 and LS430) and don't even mention the pos Audi A6 4.2. In fact, not only have I had fewer problems but it had no rattles or squeaks.

 

I've had some of the usual, minor bugs:

1) Squeaky and rattling rear parcel shelf

2) Power steering pump howls/groans sometimes when making sharp turns...dealer could not replicate (of course)

3) Had oil sensor replaced 1 month after buying car

4) Rotors are slightly warped, but not enough to require replacement (and I am sure dealer will say they can't replicate)

Aside from those minor issues, I am good to go.

 

My 2008 550i has 20k miles. The first problem was minor, a service light everytime I filled up. The fuel filler purge valve was bad. The second problem was major, a dying battery caused by a bad alternator. Both problems occurred by 10k miles. No issues since.

 

for a 545 but same difference... Few minor problems that went to the dealer for but I was mostly being picky... the car was still driveable... nothing that ever left the car un-useable.

 

I voted no problems but I'm not sure how exactly to define "problems"...

To me, a problem is something that forces you to schedule an appointment for service. In my case, I've never had to schedule an appointment outside of scheduled maintenance, yearly state inspections, tire repairs, etc. so that's why I voted "no problems."

Having said that, when the car is in for service, I have reported some issues that were fixed by either software reprogramming and/or minor parts replacement. For example, I've had about three sport automatic shift levers (including electronics module) installed. My SAT was one of the first and the original shifter was preventing the car from sleeping properly and it sometimes didn't automatically snap back from the manual gate into Park when the 'P' button was pressed.

Overall, this car is one of the most reliable cars I've ever owned. I had more problems with a Honda in the past few years than I've had with the BMW!