New to Bmw

2UZ-FE · 08-27-2012, 09:01 AM

Hello,

I am a new member to this forum and completely new to BMW's.
I currently drive a 1999 100 Series Toyota Land Cruiser which has proven to be the most reliable vehicle i have driven but it is time to move on into something smaller and more exciting to drive as i work in the city now and don't need a 4wd anymore.

I am thinking of getting the new 3 series, but i am really worried about reliability.
Will it give me the same reliability my Toyota gave me ? and please do not be biased .

How does it drive compared to older 3 series ? I have heard complaints about the new 5 series feeling numb compared to its predecessor. Does this also apply to the all new 3 series or does it continue to be one of the best if not the best driving Sedan on the market ?

Thank for your time .

The X Men · 08-27-2012, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2UZ-FE

Will it give me the same reliability my Toyota gave me ? and please do not be biased .

How does it drive compared to older 3 series ? .

One word regarding your question on relaibility, " NO "

BMW is not toyota, its like asking the question will your old Toyota handle as well as the new 3 series

The new 3 series is still one of the best handling small sedan in the market, the steering have gone electric and it take some people a while to get use to that. If handling is a big concerned, get the sport line.

batislav · 08-27-2012, 09:29 AM

never had any mechanical issues through the 3 bmws my wife and I have driven. had to go in on some electrical stuff, but it was all under warranty.

2UZ-FE · 08-27-2012, 09:32 AM

I will get a test drive soon and provide you with my feedback.

I was planning to get a Lexus GS but its too pricey for me, i might wait for the new IS .

JoeyO · 08-27-2012, 10:19 PM

In my opinion, none of the German companies are as reliable as the Japanese companies. But that's the price you pay to play. In return for their quirks and higher maintenence costs, they have lots of character which is something most Japanese cars don't have. If you're under mfr warranty, then costs shouldn't be a concern. It's only when you're out warranty that costs become a concern.

JUSKIDN · 08-28-2012, 01:04 AM

go test drive a BMW and you will then see why its called "the ultimate driving machine"

rayusaFL · 08-30-2012, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUSKIDN

go test drive a BMW and you will then see why its called "the ultimate driving machine"

+1

emtrey · 08-31-2012, 07:22 AM

I bought my wife an Infiniti because I di not want the repair bills on 3 German cars.
BMWs are great cars but they do require a bit more (expensive) service. However, they drive alot better. Character, feel, connection with the road, etc.

This is my 9th BMW. No Japaneese car will give you the German car driving dynamics IMHO. More luxurious in some models--yes. They are nice cars but not BMWs.

I refer to the Infinti as 90% of a BMW at 80% of the price. BUT, its NOT a BMW behind the wheel.

You have to decide if its "worth it".

ChiefBroady · 08-31-2012, 08:07 AM

My First BMW E36 had some minor electrical issues, but nothing serious in 6 Years.
My second, the E90 hadn't had a thing in 6 Years.
For the F30 it's to early to tell.

jtuds · 08-31-2012, 08:10 AM

Just to comment on reliability...I am driving a 2002 Lexus and it's had issues. Nothing that prevents me from driving the car, but annoying stuff that will be expensive to fix. And yes, it is 10 years old but some of these things have been there since like 2008. So as for Toyota reliability....I dont think all vehicles are created equal.

ChiefBroady · 08-31-2012, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtuds

I dont think all vehicles are created equal.

In Germany we call them Montagsauto (monday-car) - it's some not so bad as a Lemmon, but still a car that has issues.

mdsbuc · 08-31-2012, 08:32 AM

In 100,000 miles of driving on my E60 I had one issue out of warranty that cost me some serious change, roughly two grand. I actually had more issues with my Honda Accord.

.

mocohead · 08-31-2012, 08:43 AM

I have had some Toyota products that were awful, unreliable cars. I have had some BMW's that were also unreliable. The converse is true - I have also had plenty of problem-free BMW's. It is the luck of the draw. Any manufacturer can produce a lemon. Plus Toyota reliability today is not what it once was.

In the rest of the world people drive German cars because they last longer than Japanese cars. Just look at what brands are used for taxis and police cars in the rest of the world. We are talking about major mechanical systems, not fiddly electronics.

I still don't get why people refer to BMW maintenance costs as high. Today you are paying nothing for maintenance for four years. It doesn't get cheaper than free. After that, do modern BMW's really cost more to maintain than other brands? Historically it was true. But is it really so today?

Finally the best way to get a reliable BMW experience is to get as few high tech options as possible. The fewer things with wires sticking out of them the better.

Good luck and happy shopping!

08-27-2012, 09:01 AM	#1
2UZ-FE Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Toyota Land Cruiser Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ... iTrader: (0)	New to Bmw Hello, I am a new member to this forum and completely new to BMW's. I currently drive a 1999 100 Series Toyota Land Cruiser which has proven to be the most reliable vehicle i have driven but it is time to move on into something smaller and more exciting to drive as i work in the city now and don't need a 4wd anymore. I am thinking of getting the new 3 series, but i am really worried about reliability. Will it give me the same reliability my Toyota gave me ? and please do not be biased . How does it drive compared to older 3 series ? I have heard complaints about the new 5 series feeling numb compared to its predecessor. Does this also apply to the all new 3 series or does it continue to be one of the best if not the best driving Sedan on the market ? Thank for your time .
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08-27-2012, 09:29 AM	#3
batislav Private First Class 3 Rep 193 Posts Drives: 2012 335i Sportline Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	never had any mechanical issues through the 3 bmws my wife and I have driven. had to go in on some electrical stuff, but it was all under warranty.
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08-27-2012, 09:32 AM	#4
2UZ-FE Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: Toyota Land Cruiser Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: ... iTrader: (0)	I will get a test drive soon and provide you with my feedback. I was planning to get a Lexus GS but its too pricey for me, i might wait for the new IS .
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08-27-2012, 10:19 PM	#5
JoeyO Captain 208 Rep 814 Posts Drives: silver car Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	In my opinion, none of the German companies are as reliable as the Japanese companies. But that's the price you pay to play. In return for their quirks and higher maintenence costs, they have lots of character which is something most Japanese cars don't have. If you're under mfr warranty, then costs shouldn't be a concern. It's only when you're out warranty that costs become a concern.
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08-28-2012, 01:04 AM	#6
JUSKIDN Captain 67 Rep 601 Posts Drives: 2013 EBII 328i M Sport Join Date: May 2012 Location: Baton Rouge, LA iTrader: (0)	go test drive a BMW and you will then see why its called "the ultimate driving machine" __________________ It's not illegal. It's frowned upon, like masturbating on an airplane.
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08-31-2012, 07:22 AM	#8
emtrey Captain 92 Rep 857 Posts Drives: 16 M235IX, 06 Carrera S, 335i Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0)	I bought my wife an Infiniti because I di not want the repair bills on 3 German cars. BMWs are great cars but they do require a bit more (expensive) service. However, they drive alot better. Character, feel, connection with the road, etc. This is my 9th BMW. No Japaneese car will give you the German car driving dynamics IMHO. More luxurious in some models--yes. They are nice cars but not BMWs. I refer to the Infinti as 90% of a BMW at 80% of the price. BUT, its NOT a BMW behind the wheel. You have to decide if its "worth it".
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2012, 08:07 AM	#9
ChiefBroady Private 2 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2013 328i M sport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	My First BMW E36 had some minor electrical issues, but nothing serious in 6 Years. My second, the E90 hadn't had a thing in 6 Years. For the F30 it's to early to tell.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2012, 08:10 AM	#10
jtuds Major 71 Rep 1,111 Posts Drives: 335rwd Dinan S2 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: London, ON iTrader: (0)	Just to comment on reliability...I am driving a 2002 Lexus and it's had issues. Nothing that prevents me from driving the car, but annoying stuff that will be expensive to fix. And yes, it is 10 years old but some of these things have been there since like 2008. So as for Toyota reliability....I dont think all vehicles are created equal.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

08-31-2012, 08:32 AM	#12
mdsbuc Second Lieutenant 4 Rep 219 Posts Drives: '13 335i M Sport-'12MustGT 5.0 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Lutz, FL iTrader: (0)	In 100,000 miles of driving on my E60 I had one issue out of warranty that cost me some serious change, roughly two grand. I actually had more issues with my Honda Accord. . __________________ 2013 335i M Sport- EBII / BLACK / Dk Walnut /Packages- Prem / DHP / Tech / Driver Assist / DA Plus Options- 8 Sprt AT / Htd FS / HK / Hi Bm Asst /403 19" w/perf tyres Ordered: 12/15/12, ED Delivery Date: 04/23/13
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08-31-2012, 08:43 AM	#13
mocohead Lieutenant 54 Rep 453 Posts Drives: '16 M235i 6MT & 12 128i Msport Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	I have had some Toyota products that were awful, unreliable cars. I have had some BMW's that were also unreliable. The converse is true - I have also had plenty of problem-free BMW's. It is the luck of the draw. Any manufacturer can produce a lemon. Plus Toyota reliability today is not what it once was. In the rest of the world people drive German cars because they last longer than Japanese cars. Just look at what brands are used for taxis and police cars in the rest of the world. We are talking about major mechanical systems, not fiddly electronics. I still don't get why people refer to BMW maintenance costs as high. Today you are paying nothing for maintenance for four years. It doesn't get cheaper than free. After that, do modern BMW's really cost more to maintain than other brands? Historically it was true. But is it really so today? Finally the best way to get a reliable BMW experience is to get as few high tech options as possible. The fewer things with wires sticking out of them the better. Good luck and happy shopping!
	Appreciate 0 Quote