Oh the cope is massive for sure, people loose their minds when you say Toyota somehow screwed up an engine layout Audi came up with before the year 2000. Heck they go rabid when you say they can fix their trucks reliability problems by using the BMW engines!

 

It's incredibly ironic that the other Japanese company that Toyota partnered with to make their sports car are the ones with the engine problems, and not BMW.

 

Since I spend some time in the X3 forums, I'd say the only thing I've come across that seems to be unreliable has been BMW's decision to use plastic coolant hoses. Over time and heat cycles, the plastic will get brittle and break. This is not specific to the B58, as it effects the B48 cars as well.

 

A customers Toyota van just blew it's heater line "T" connections, they all do it from the vans to the full size SUVs because of a cheap plastic bit. At least the BMW will warn you coolant is low, a Toyota will not

 

My brother has two BMW's (used) and one Mercedes (used). He had a GLK but the engine went bad. He loves his BMW's. That said, his 3 series has nickel and dime him and his replacement parts costs are far too high. DEF issues, bushings, struts, CEL, noisy. the car is 10 years old he bought it used. The 3 series has never left him stranded, but maintenance is an issue. His used X5d he has had it for 3 months now. The word of mouth is to stay away, My sister had a 3 series lease, nice car but I thought it was overrated compared to a IS Lexus of the same era, she didn't go back to BMW when the lease was up

 

It's surprising that your brother has slayed with the brand. Does he have an indy mechanic he goes to for the repairs?

Since I first tried the BMW brand with a 2014 3 Series. I've had a total of 5 and no major problems with any of them. Just a couple of service bulletins, one recall and routine maintenance. All were purchased. Currently I have an X3 and a 5 Series and have been satisfied. Not necessarily a fan of some of BMW's current styling direction though.

 

Yup just goes to show all manufacturers have some weak spots. With that said, I'm thinking of just treating this as maintenance and replacing the plastic lines before they break.

Otherwise, my experience with BMW's in the past 15 years has been nothing less than stellar. I've had a 2007 328i E92 coupe that I owned for 13 years, and never even had an oil leak, the only thing I did to it was replace fluids, tires and brakes. Then I had a daily commuter G30 530e PHEV, which was flawless for the 4 years I had it, and my current X3 has also been great the past 2 years (fingers crossed). Despite some of the coping from members of this forum, the data that shows BMW has increasingly improved reliability doesn't lie. Is it perfect? No, but is it as bad as the coping on this forum indicates? No, not even close either.

 

The IS hasn't been competitive with the 3 series in a long time. The 3 series is about to get it's 3rd generation in the same time as the current IS has been on the market.

 

Oh, this goes way back. I personally don't get it. BMWs are notorious for overheating/cooling problems and this is a big reason why.

Plastic cooling parts? Seriously?

My friend had an old 328i that he went through 3 cooling systems on, at least all the plastic junk replaced.

 

Your LX has plastic cooling Ts that will shatter and vent everything and the car won't even warn you it's low....

 

or john hennessey 😂

 

I've never once seen or even heard of an LX overheating, though. Lol.

Radiators going bad, yes, and I think that's overblown honestly. But J200 is not known for cooling problems.

 

..……..

 

Radiators are just about the only thing “known to go” on 200s, though like I said it’s overblown. I’m at 142k going strong, never any trouble. Radiator looks fine at the part where it screws up on some trucks.

 

How old are these stories? GLK was last made in 2015? For sure we’ve heard about German reliability issues. But these are no longer accurate. I remember being reluctant getting my first BMW five years ago. Thanks to Steve and others here. It has been more reliable than some of my Lexus. Modern BMWs are very reliable. In fact their some models rank highest.