Recommendations on 2010+ BMW 550i

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:19 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Knew my "memory" (if you can call it that anymore) wasn't clicking on all cylinders, so I hunted back through my file on the M5 last night, hunting for non-maintenance stuff, and it comes down to this since warranty expired: thermostat, alternator, and one headlight (internal plastic piece failed preventing self-leveling). Now of course this is only over about 35k miles since then (car is up to 64k miles now), but Vincent will be glad to know the alternator was $700+, and the headlight was $700ish too (both discounted). It's definitely (E39) not as reliable of a platform as the E90s imo.

64K shouldn't be a benchmark for reliability. My wife's Fusion has 150K now and to date I've replaced the thermostat, battery, idler pulley, and one inside door handle. The total for those parts was less than 1/3rd of your alternator cost alone.

Vincent, Chuck only has BMWs so reliability comparisons are relative.

I can already tell based on the maintenance log in my e46 I'm in for a rude awakening compared with my s2000, integra, and every other honda or ford I've owned.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 11:33 am

Michael Westerfield wrote:

I can already tell based on the maintenance log in my e46 I'm in for a rude awakening compared with my s2000, integra, and every other honda or ford I've owned.

Maybe you tell Chuck the story of Crystal's Dad's old E30. That one still blows my mind.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 12:47 pm

Vincent Keene wrote:

Michael Westerfield wrote:

I can already tell based on the maintenance log in my e46 I'm in for a rude awakening compared with my s2000, integra, and every other honda or ford I've owned.

Maybe you tell Chuck the story of Crystal's Dad's old E30. That one still blows my mind.

Probably can't beat some stories that owners of E60 M5 (V10) could tell. That turned out to be the most towed BMW in BMWNA's history as a percent of cars sold. :lol:

Michael, from my experience the E90 is multiples more reliable than the E46. For example, things like thrust bushings and rear trailing arm bushings which die an early death on any E46 last ages on an E90 (my wife's 330i with 125k+ miles and no issues with them yet). E46 = window regulators, those bushings, VANOS seals, expansion tank/radiator/water pump, DISA valve, etc, usually needed by 100k if not a lot sooner.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 12:50 pm

Michael Westerfield wrote:

Vincent, Chuck only has BMWs so reliability comparisons are relative.

Would you like to see the file folder holding records for my Volvo?

It's not exactly been problem free these last 19 years. I have a B5 S4 too which has 192k miles on it now...not exactly a cheap car to maintain. :wink:

Of course unlike GM products, none of these have killed people and resulted in millions and millions of recalls with management covering up the problems for years...

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 1:48 pm

If I remember correctly the E39 has a liquid cooled alternator.... for some reason. The added expense is probably for the little radiator, water pump and thermostat

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:41 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

If I remember correctly the E39 has a liquid cooled alternator.... for some reason. The added expense is probably for the little radiator, water pump and thermostat

Not on the M5, maybe on the 540i? I still have the original one in the garage.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 2:43 pm

Jordan Normark wrote:

If I remember correctly the E39 has a liquid cooled alternator.... for some reason. The added expense is probably for the little radiator, water pump and thermostat

...and those added *cooling system parts are likely plastic and doomed to fail.

*Yes, some of my cars have those same plastic cooling system parts, and they suck.

Jordan Normark · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 4:02 pm

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Jordan Normark wrote:

If I remember correctly the E39 has a liquid cooled alternator.... for some reason. The added expense is probably for the little radiator, water pump and thermostat

Not on the M5, maybe on the 540i? I still have the original one in the garage.

Yes, the 540i has it not sure about others.

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Thu Oct 23, 2014 5:15 pm

Chuck Branscomb wrote:

Michael, from my experience the E90 is multiples more reliable than the E46. For example, things like thrust bushings and rear trailing arm bushings which die an early death on any E46 last ages on an E90 (my wife's 330i with 125k+ miles and no issues with them yet). E46 = window regulators, those bushings, VANOS seals, expansion tank/radiator/water pump, DISA valve, etc, usually needed by 100k if not a lot sooner.

Luckily, my e46 has had all of those things done.

Biggest problem with my FIL's e30 was having it serviced at the dealer. It had a few oddball failures, but most of the cost was related to who fixed it. I would have purchased it from him years ago had it not been an auto.

Vincent Keene · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:15 am

Michael Westerfield wrote:

Biggest problem with my FIL's e30 was having it serviced at the dealer. It had a few oddball failures, but most of the cost was related to who fixed it.

That's not the story I meant. I mean the one about him having a stack of receipts for repairs that totalled MORE THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CAR WHEN NEW! That begs the question of should you pay to maintain a BMW or just go buy another one?

Michael Westerfield · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2014 8:19 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

Michael Westerfield wrote:

Biggest problem with my FIL's e30 was having it serviced at the dealer. It had a few oddball failures, but most of the cost was related to who fixed it.

That's not the story I meant. I mean the one about him having a stack of receipts for repairs that totalled MORE THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CAR WHEN NEW! That begs the question of should you pay to maintain a BMW or just go buy another one?

Well, there was that. Had he done the work himself I'm sure it would have been a fraction of the cost. Of course any car that needs a timing belt and water pump every 30k-40k miles is dumb too.

Chuck Branscomb · **Posted:** Fri Oct 24, 2014 9:15 am

Vincent Keene wrote:

That's not the story I meant. I mean the one about him having a stack of receipts for repairs that totalled MORE THAN THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE CAR WHEN NEW!

Dang, that should only ever happen on an appreciating classic like an early 70s 911 or something (given they're selling for 20 to 25x their MSRP now and appreciating vertically).

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Recommendations on 2010+ BMW 550i

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