BMW X3, broke after 5 months. Dealer says they only give 3 months warranty

sh0597

I don't know why all the hostility towards the OP. Are some people jealous they can't afford a BMW?

BeenThroughItAll

Hyperxr wrote: »

And yes the brand of car is actually very relevant, albeit indirectly. You wanted a 'premium' car where more faults are likely to develop, so expect to pay premium repair costs. Maybe you should have done some prior research into the BMW X3 before purchasing it so you are more informed of its numerous faults.

It's like anti-Darkmatter. Epic.

Hyperxr

motorguy wrote: »

The current Auris gets a fairly average "3" on the Honest John review.


There are much better cars out there, including the BMW 1 series thats gets a 4 / 5.



Also, the new Golf is on the top of the pile, but it depends if you consider it premium.

The 3 series BMW runs rings around pretty much all of its rivals including the Avensis (which is pretty much a lame duck in comparison)

If you move into any sort of performance models, then you've really very little choice of performance variants in either the Auris or Avensis. With BMW, the worlds your lobster really.

Again, if you wanted a sporting coupe, your options are fairly limited with Toyota, not so with BMW.

Engines are usually vastly superior in BMWs and typically offer leading edge performance and economy.

Also, if Toyota is the "perfect" brand, how come they saw fit to "invent" a rival to BMW - Lexus. The first IS model was dimensionally almost identical to the 3 series, and in fact Lexus modelled the IS on the 3 series.

Interestingly, after nigh on 25 years, Lexus still havent been able to offer a car that is "better" than their BMW equivalent, and are still very much a minority player.

And dont forget, BMW and Toyota arent direct rivals anyway - Toyotas rivals would be Ford, Honda, Volkswagen, etc. Most of those manufacturers run rings round Toyota in terms of driver enjoyment and producing excellent cars.

But yes, if your absolute top priority is reliability above everything else - including driver enjoyment, dynamics, functionality, price, etc, then yes, a toyota is the car for you.

I do not only mean the Toyota , which in my opinion is better than the unreliable Mercs/BMW, but other car makes such Fords, Honda's, Vauxhalls (in the good old days Rover), Nissan etc all provide better value for money. VW golf is a bit more questionable but I certainly wouldn't consider one, its parts and maintenance is still higher than other car brands for the sole reason that its a 'German' car and therefore implies a so called 'premium' make.

I think its unfortunate that more and more people are falling victim to the power of consumerism but then we are living in progressively capitalistic society. This is probably the reason why people don't believe that Lexus have come up with a car that's actually better than the BMW (when they really have); because the BMW brand and image in their eyes is superior to Lexus.
Anyway, Lexus in my view, is a marketing ploy to fool people who are after brand status, the same people who also want the Mercs/BMWs for the same reason...the badge. Lexus is nothing more than a Toyota, but with a different badge and a much higher price (and that too for the badge). You may as well just get a Toyota as its exactly the same car.

BMW's are junk cars made to look good. I cannot dispute that they have an amazing marketing techniques, hence the reason they are able to sell cars; its purely their image and status brand. In reality they are sub-par cars that use plastic. If you don't believe me look at this video:

[unfortunately I canot post up web links but type Scotty Kilmer BMW on Google and click on the youtube vide 'replacing bad electric pump' or 'a car you can't check engine oil on']

Scotty Kilmer is a famous youtube mechanic who knows his stuff. What he shows here is proof that BMWs are made cheaply, hence the reason why they always brake down.

BeenThroughItAll

Hyperxr wrote: »

I do not only mean the Toyota , which in my opinion is better than the unreliable Mercs/BMW, but other car makes such Fords, Honda's, Vauxhalls (in the good old days Rover), Nissan etc all provide better value for money. VW golf is a bit more questionable but I certainly wouldn't consider one, its parts and maintenance is still higher than other car brands for the sole reason that its a 'German' car and therefore implies a so called 'premium' make.

I think its unfortunate that more and more people are falling victim to the power of consumerism but then we are living in progressively capitalistic society. This is probably the reason why people don't believe that Lexus have come up with a car that's actually better than the BMW (when they really have); because the BMW brand and image in their eyes is superior to Lexus.
Anyway, Lexus in my view, is a marketing ploy to fool people who are after brand status, the same people who also want the Mercs/BMWs for the same reason...the badge. Lexus is nothing more than a Toyota, but with a different badge and a much higher price (and that too for the badge). You may as well just get a Toyota as its exactly the same car.

BMW's are junk cars made to look good. I cannot dispute that they have an amazing marketing techniques, hence the reason they are able to sell cars; its purely their image and status brand. In reality they are sub-par cars that use plastic. If you don't believe me look at this video:

[unfortunately I canot post up web links but type Scotty Kilmer BMW on Google and click on the youtube vide 'replacing bad electric pump' or 'a car you can't check engine oil on']

Scotty Kilmer is a famous youtube mechanic who knows his stuff. What he shows here is proof that BMWs are made cheaply, hence the reason why they always brake down.

Are you actually Darkmatter just recycling other people's replies to your previous posts, or just the exact opposite of him but with a similar (low) level of expertise?

sh0597

I've got a Toyota Yaris as my first car and will probably look to get an Auris next. Most car reviews are useless.

colino

"BMW's are junk cars made to look good" and then embellished by, "Scotty Kilmer is a famous youtube mechanic who knows his stuff". That will be the same Scotty Kilmer, once a mechanic, now a dubious purveyor of any snake oil that manufacturers pay him to sell? You really are darkmatter, the muppet who's only knowledge of cars is reading TopGear and understanding of mechanics comes from google.

motorguy

Hyperxr wrote: »

I think its unfortunate that more and more people are falling victim to the power of consumerism but then we are living in progressively capitalistic society.

As opposed to they happen to like the cars? They have to be consumer driven capitalists? Thats the only explaination?

Hyperxr wrote: »

This is probably the reason why people don't believe that Lexus have come up with a car that's actually better than the BMW (when they really have); because the BMW brand and image in their eyes is superior to Lexus.

And again, it couldnt actually be because the BMW is the better car? It has to be that people cant really tell that Lexus actually make a better car, but are driven like sheep to buy BMWs?

Hyperxr wrote: »

Anyway, Lexus in my view, is a marketing ploy to fool people who are after brand status, the same people who also want the Mercs/BMWs for the same reason...the badge. Lexus is nothing more than a Toyota, but with a different badge and a much higher price (and that too for the badge). You may as well just get a Toyota as its exactly the same car.

Its a marketing ploy in that even Toyota realise that people will pay a premium for a premium product.

Hyperxr wrote: »

BMW's are junk cars made to look good. I cannot dispute that they have an amazing marketing techniques, hence the reason they are able to sell cars; its purely their image and status brand. In reality they are sub-par cars that use plastic. If you don't believe me look at this video:

[unfortunately I canot post up web links but type Scotty Kilmer BMW on Google and click on the youtube vide 'replacing bad electric pump' or 'a car you can't check engine oil on']

Scotty Kilmer is a famous youtube mechanic who knows his stuff. What he shows here is proof that BMWs are made cheaply, hence the reason why they always brake down.

They dont always break down. They have faults just like any other car but they dont "always break down". Wifie has a z4 and son has a 120d. Neither have given ANY problems other than normal maintenance. I've had various BMWs in the past and they're no worse than any other car for reliability. Bills can be higher on the top end and 4x4 models, but most of the parts you need can be got from your local motor factors. I've had some beautiful older BMWs too - several 330Cis and wings can be got from 3rd party suppliers for £38.

If i was in the market for a banger, i'd have no issues driving a 1998 Corolla. No doubt a great little car for you. I certainly wouldnt be spending extra on a 1998 BMW.

If i was in the market for a newish hatch - which i was last year - i'd be looking again at the top cars in that class - the golf, focus, maybe an astra, maybe a civic. I wouldnt be looking at either a 1 series (they dont suit low specs) or an Auris (dull as dishwater).

If i was looking a newish family saloon, i'd probably go for a Passat or Mondeo - i wouldnt go for a 3 series, because again, they dont suit low spec / smallish diesel engines and i wouldnt go for an Avensis because they're quite crap.

If i was looking a big straight six new car, it'd be a 530i or an X5. Wouldnt "save" money and buy a Toyota.

motorguy

sh0597 wrote: »

I've got a Toyota Yaris as my first car and will probably look to get an Auris next. Most car reviews are useless.

Thats why i reference the honest john site. Independent reviews that arent sponsored by manufacturers.

Tilt

I'll probably get some stick from this, but I don't care because i actually speak from the experience of owning a similar aged Alfa 159 3.2 Q4 JTS as the OP's BMW.

For those of you in the know, the 159 was pitched in direct competition to the BMW 3 series but was significantly cheaper.

Mine was purchased with full service history just over a year ago from an independent dealer with just shy of 80k on the clock. It is the fully loaded version (built in sat nav, colour screen and phone system) and would of cost around £28k new. I paid £7,300 for it which I think is an absolute bargain for what spec it has. The big downside (apart from it being thirsty) is the tax. £500 for 12 months! which I must admit to not researching before buying it. But i've always wanted one and trying to find the right one wasn't easy. Most on sale appear to be diesels and some how that dosn't seem to be the real Alfa deal to me.

It too came with a 3 month warranty BUT after 12 months of ownership (and about 4k more miles), it hasn't missed a beat. Only thing that dosn't work is the driver's heated seat function which is down to a faulty switch. At £125, I can live with it for now!

Point is that it drives like it just rolled off the production line... even the engine looks new. Why oh why Alfa stopped making it is beyond me.

Oh, and Honest John seems to like them as well when compared to a BMW!

Ok, let the ridicule commence! :rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

JustinR1979

Diesel doesn't seem to be the real Alfa, so you go and buy a 4wd??
Can't compare it to a rwd 3 series.
Sure it's a nice car though