Design Defects
Thread Starter
Contributors
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,554
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From: Austin TX
My Ride: 2014 X5 xDrive 5.0 M Package Carbon Black Metallic/2008 M Roadster Imola Red
Hi All:
Check this thread out. Then, let's list the things we see to be design defects here. Here is what J.D. Powers says about design defects:
"JD Power had to modify their survey this year; incorporating questions about vehicle design into their questionnaire. As a result, they discovered something consumers have known for years: the way in which technology is integrated into new-vehicle design, particularly interior features and controls, is considered by consumers to be as important to quality as are defects and malfunctions."
Here are my "initial" items:
Steptronic:
Downshift to 1st when in M mode.
Do not shift automatically in M mode unless potential damage to the auto is sensed.
Let the car hit the rev limiter, rather than shifting automatically, when the driver goes beyond redline.
Allow manual shifting across the full RPM range when under full throttle.
Check this thread out. Then, let's list the things we see to be design defects here. Here is what J.D. Powers says about design defects:
"JD Power had to modify their survey this year; incorporating questions about vehicle design into their questionnaire. As a result, they discovered something consumers have known for years: the way in which technology is integrated into new-vehicle design, particularly interior features and controls, is considered by consumers to be as important to quality as are defects and malfunctions."
Here are my "initial" items:
Steptronic:
Downshift to 1st when in M mode.
Do not shift automatically in M mode unless potential damage to the auto is sensed.
Let the car hit the rev limiter, rather than shifting automatically, when the driver goes beyond redline.
Allow manual shifting across the full RPM range when under full throttle.
Members
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ, USA
My Ride: 2006 530i - Sport - 6spd - Orient Blue with Auburn/Anthracite
My son thinks the cup holders are a design flaw - not because they don't hold things (I think that problem is well solved) - but because they block the heating/cooling vents when they are open. It messes up the air distribution and possibly the temperature of your drink...
I know a lot of people might consider aspects of the I-drive to be a design flaw, but I love the ease of control and the clean dashboard that results (I hate cars that look like jet aeroplane cockpits!)...
Cheers, Jon.
I know a lot of people might consider aspects of the I-drive to be a design flaw, but I love the ease of control and the clean dashboard that results (I hate cars that look like jet aeroplane cockpits!)...
Cheers, Jon.
Contributors
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,626
Likes: 0
From: So. Cal 626
My Ride: 2007 550i White/Black, SMG, Sports Pkg, Comfort Access, Nav, HUD, Satellite Radio, Anthracite Maple Trim
2006 X5 3.0, Black/Black, Sports Pkg, Premium Pkg, Xenon Adaptive Headlight, NAV, Rear Climate Pkg, Anthracite Trim
Originally Posted by jmdhuse' post='298780' date='Jun 16 2006, 10:31 PM
My son thinks the cup holders are a design flaw - not because they don't hold things (I think that problem is well solved) - but because they block the heating/cooling vents when they are open. It messes up the air distribution and possibly the temperature of your drink...
I know a lot of people might consider aspects of the I-drive to be a design flaw, but I love the ease of control and the clean dashboard that results (I hate cars that look like jet aeroplane cockpits!)...
Cheers, Jon.
I know a lot of people might consider aspects of the I-drive to be a design flaw, but I love the ease of control and the clean dashboard that results (I hate cars that look like jet aeroplane cockpits!)...
Cheers, Jon.
Senior Members
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: NC, USA
Cup holders are a design flaw. Everytime I get in a car with a solid fixed holder - I appreciate it. Some others are -
Trunk button is way out of site and a ridiculous reach - you'd think I was opening the hood.
Inability to see turn signal indicators.
Radio volume control not working while Idrive is booting.
Really - the whole idrive booting - wouldn't be so bad if the stereo worked while it was booting.
I could go on but those are my nearly daily peeves - and as such design flaws IMO.
Trunk button is way out of site and a ridiculous reach - you'd think I was opening the hood.
Inability to see turn signal indicators.
Radio volume control not working while Idrive is booting.
Really - the whole idrive booting - wouldn't be so bad if the stereo worked while it was booting.
I could go on but those are my nearly daily peeves - and as such design flaws IMO.
Senior Members
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 890
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From: Hong Kong
Originally Posted by iceman316' post='298799' date='Jun 17 2006, 12:39 AM
I would agree on the cup holders blocking the air vents.
Contributors
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 3
From: London, UK
My Ride: BMW E60 520d SE Saloon M47 2.0dTitanium Grey II, Grey−Dakota Leather, Visibility Package, Media Package, Through Load System, Lumbar support − fr seats, Automatic Air Conditioning−Advanced, High beam assistant, Hi−Fi Loudspeak
Model Year: 2006
Heated Steering wheel button placement.
Sliding arm rest is pushed back everytime you use the parking brake.
Sliding arm rest height cannot be adjusted in reference to seat.
Coat hanger design is rubbish.
Wiper sweep in RHD cars.
Headlight auto sensor.
Sliding arm rest is pushed back everytime you use the parking brake.
Sliding arm rest height cannot be adjusted in reference to seat.
Coat hanger design is rubbish.
Wiper sweep in RHD cars.
Headlight auto sensor.
Contributors
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,008
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles. CA
My Ride: 2004 545i 6 spd Sports Package | NAV | PDC | Logic 7 | BT retrofit | SW V13.3
I sit in the car the way BMW wants me to.
Backrest upright, chair as high as possible, leaving a fist between my head and roof liner. Leg slightly bent at knee when clutch is fully depressed and steering wheel at wrists when hands extended.
I cannot see the directional indicators on the dash without moving my head. Nor can I see the green LED on the light switch.
Major design flaw IMO
Backrest upright, chair as high as possible, leaving a fist between my head and roof liner. Leg slightly bent at knee when clutch is fully depressed and steering wheel at wrists when hands extended.
I cannot see the directional indicators on the dash without moving my head. Nor can I see the green LED on the light switch.
Major design flaw IMO
