New car in my garage

[KILLERGS4]

my co-worker picked up one of these Saturns as well over the Accord... must be half decent car...

[I8ABMR]

sounds like you got a great car for a great price. congrats

[IS-SV]

Threxx - How many miles have you put on the 335 and what are your observations about reliability/durability based on your experience?

[Threxx]

Originally Posted by IS-SV

Threxx - How many miles have you put on the 335 and what are your observations about reliability/durability based on your experience?

I've had it for just under 2 years and 30k miles.

Reliability has been very poor. I was hit very early on in the ownership experience, which at least a couple of the problems could possibly be attributed to, but most of the stuff is obviously unrelated to the area of the car that was repaired.

Rather than typing it all up again... just read the first post here:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1090892
and then here
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...4&postcount=46

And since I last updated that thread I've also had a tire pressure sensor go bad and one front cup holder replaced due to breaking (very flimsy cup holders in this car).

Aside from all those problems the quality of this car, if you just go pushing and prodding various pieces of the interior or exterior, is no better... arguably even worse than my Saturn Aura. And while the Aura's quality is overall pretty good for what it is, I'd say that's more of a knock on the BMW than it is a testament to the Aura.

BMW quality and reliability is the worst I've ever experienced in any car by a long shot.

HOWEVER with all that said, I'm not one of those people who's going to walk around telling everyone BMW is junk. Yes mine was but I believe JD power when they say BMW only has ~50% more problems than Lexus. Obviously I just got unlucky and for every guy like me there's somebody who has had a BMW with absolutely zero issues in 100k miles of driving. My single case is not proof of the entire brand's quality. However with all of that said, I still will probably never consider one again unless things really change with them.

Oh... BTW... my 06 Audi A4 2.0t I had before my 335i? Perfect car. Only problem was a single burnt out $1 map light bulb in 30k miles of driving. Build and material quality was also much better than the 335i.

[1SICKLEX]

Originally Posted by Threxx

I've had it for just under 2 years and 30k miles.

Reliability has been very poor. I was hit very early on in the ownership experience, which at least a couple of the problems could possibly be attributed to, but most of the stuff is obviously unrelated to the area of the car that was repaired.

Rather than typing it all up again... just read the first post here:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1090892
and then here
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum...4&postcount=46

And since I last updated that thread I've also had a tire pressure sensor go bad and one front cup holder replaced due to breaking (very flimsy cup holders in this car).

Aside from all those problems the quality of this car, if you just go pushing and prodding various pieces of the interior or exterior, is no better... arguably even worse than my Saturn Aura. And while the Aura's quality is overall pretty good for what it is, I'd say that's more of a knock on the BMW than it is a testament to the Aura.

BMW quality and reliability is the worst I've ever experienced in any car by a long shot.

HOWEVER with all that said, I'm not one of those people who's going to walk around telling everyone BMW is junk. Yes mine was but I believe JD power when they say BMW only has ~50% more problems than Lexus. Obviously I just got unlucky and for every guy like me there's somebody who has had a BMW with absolutely zero issues in 100k miles of driving. My single case is not proof of the entire brand's quality. However with all of that said, I still will probably never consider one again unless things really change with them.

Oh... BTW... my 06 Audi A4 2.0t I had before my 335i? Perfect car. Only problem was a single burnt out $1 map light bulb in 30k miles of driving. Build and material quality was also much better than the 335i.

Dude sorry to read that. I'm browsing around and wow. You are taking a good attitude with it.

[IS-SV]

Originally Posted by Threxx

I've had it for just under 2 years and 30k miles.

Reliability has been very poor. I was hit very early on in the ownership experience, which at least a couple of the problems could possibly be attributed to, but most of the stuff is obviously unrelated to the area of the car that was repaired.


BMW quality and reliability is the worst I've ever experienced in any car by a long shot.

HOWEVER with all that said, I'm not one of those people who's going to walk around telling everyone BMW is junk. Yes mine was but I believe JD power when they say BMW only has ~50% more problems than Lexus. Obviously I just got unlucky and for every guy like me there's somebody who has had a BMW with absolutely zero issues in 100k miles of driving. My single case is not proof of the entire brand's quality. However with all of that said, I still will probably never consider one again unless things really change with them.

.

Thanks for the feedback on the BMW, it was my second choice when I shopped sport sedans. Yes I am aware that we are discussing a single case of car ownership, but there is value in your observations especially since you are an enthusiast with good hands-on experience with premium cars.

btw - My experience with 08 Mercedes C-class at 22 months/31K miles is nearly as good as Lexus from a reliablilty standpoint. Only 1 minor defect (rear door lock pin mechanisms replaced under warranty and they actually replaced with redesigned/improved parts), otherwise flawless.

[1SICKLEX]

Hows your observed MPG?

[Threxx]

Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX

Hows your observed MPG?

25.5-26 mpg in the city with me driving w/ AC on. More like 23 with my wife driving (she's one of those "almost always either on the gas or the brake, never coasting" drivers). I might be able to do better than that once the car gets broken in (still well under 1000 miles, still non synthetic oil, etc).

Based on what I've been reading and what I've seen from the info center on very short stretches of highway, I'm expecting somewhere in the mid to high 3x mpg range at 75mph with the AC on and a solid 40mpg at 65 with the AC off. I'll update the thread when I actually confirm that with a road trip, though.

[CLNSC3]

I have heard those Auras are pretty responsive cars! I wonder if they are going to come out with a redline edition..

[Threxx]

Originally Posted by CLNSC3

I have heard those Auras are pretty responsive cars! I wonder if they are going to come out with a redline edition..

The 3.6L 6-speed auto puts up some pretty nice acceleration numbers, but my 2.4 is sloooooow.

I'm fine with it like that, though.

The 3.6L also has a sportier suspension and 18" wheels. I like my 17s and smoother ride.

[DASHOCKER]

The upcoming Insignia (possible replacement for this car) looks promising.. From a 335 to an Aura.. That is like hitting skid row

[IS-SV]

Originally Posted by DASHOCKER

The upcoming Insignia (possible replacement for this car) looks promising.. From a 335 to an Aura.. That is like hitting skid row

Good one,, but he knows it's not even close to a direct replacement.

Based on the reliability of his 335, he won't be missing the frequent trips to the shop.

[lamar411]

I like the Aura its a very nice car. any pictures of all 3 cars?

[Threxx]

Dashocker... yeah they're not at all comparable but the Aura does have some dramatic benefits... much smoother, quieter, better MPG and best of all, I could afford to write a check for it. I could never do that for a 335i... nor would I want to own one with as many problems as I had with mine... leasing is the way to go with BMW but just not a good financial move for me over the long term.

Originally Posted by lamar411

I like the Aura its a very nice car. any pictures of all 3 cars?

Thanks man.

No pics of all 3 lined up but you can probably see the 335i in the background. I've got some other pics dedicated to the 335i but I think the thread I link to in my sig is broken since facebook changed their image server addressing scheme.