ultimate driving machine...in all respects??

[John]

Hi all, wanted to get people's opinion on something I have been wondering for awhile...

I have owned an '87 325is for over 5 years now and put about 80k miles on it for almost 200k total. I am very happy with the car and very pleased to report no engine related problems - no head gasket leak, broken anything, and compression is still pretty good, but...

I have a good deal of electrical/ minor mechanical related issues that are really getting to me... like the rear defroser does not work, doors locks don't work too well, windshield wiper container has a leak somewhere, ac system doesn't work, have a leaky trunk, etc. I realize the age of the car and things go wrong, but..

My question is BMW builds, has built, very solidly good cars so far as the major components like the engine are concerned, but how 'ultimate' are other components like stereos, a/c systems, and general electronics and minor mechancial parts relative to other cars? I feel these components too are good on my bimmer, not complaining, but seems like most other decent car manufacturers can have the same level of quality here, aren't most of these components all third party sourced anyway? This makes a difference to me as the engine can last forever, but if a lot of other things go wrong, people get rid of cars for all these small problems that add up.

[Father Otto T itsling]

The problem is that the car is outlasting minor components. If it was a ford, jag, Mercedes, or whatever, by 200k you would have most of the same problems. Even Honda & Toyota have some issues at that mileage.






"The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced."
- Frank Zappa

Member ABAA #00014

[John]

Should car manufacturers be pressured to make other, minor components made to better match the life of the major engine components? Is this a reasonable argument?

Car manufacturers always advertise engine/ powertrain warrranties which seem to get better over the years, but what about other component warranties which would require them to build more durable components?

[of business? - KurtAZ]

[JMH]

We have a 91 E30 BMW, and my wife had a 94 integra. The integra had more nagging issues than the BMW. However, my E30 had a profile and head gasket issue. THe integra had none.

The Honda product had everty piece of rubber get rotten and need replacement. Not so in the BMW.

Performance-wise, they were well matched in power, etc. Acceleration was about the same, though we never really measured.

So on the usual metrics, the acura was likely a better deal new in 94 than the bmw was new in 91. However, over the lifecycle, I think it all works out - the integra actually had more nagging troubles.

JMH

[Tonto]

yes

[johnnyhammers]

Most of the time the powertrain is the last thing to go. All of the manufacturers have the motor and even automotic transmissions worked out such that they are not what dies on the car. now it's all the rubber and electronics. Frankly, they could do better with these too, but after 12 yaers or so (never mind my 25 year old 352e) they want you to buy another car. So why would they build a reputation of logevity and reliability, when they could build a reputation for good sales instead. Just another good e30
1985 325e