Comments on: Brits vote BMW 3-Series most reliable

By: Lorenzo

Lorenzo — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 19:26:03 +0000

I have owned a 2001 330ci and it was very realiable. Also my latest was a 2002 m3 U.S model. A little more reliable but still not by much, expensive to repair. I have put on both cars over 40k miles. My wife has a 95 old Honda accord with 147miles and my father an Acura legend 1992 with 239k miles. All I can say I love BMW and German cars, but in quality Japan is best. No European car would dream of going pas 150k miles with out putting a huge hole in your wallet. lets all face the truth.

By: MisterTwo

MisterTwo — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:59:21 +0000

K, just look at the Ford range in England compared to the Ford range in Australia. There are many different models available and England does not have the Falcon dragging it down.

By: Bavarian Missile

Bavarian Missile — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:33:39 +0000

Seeing my last comment is about to be deleted {no idea why} Ill make this statement.

“Another day another award for BMW………take that Japan Poow !!!!!!!!!”

Regarding the South Africa stuff Australia gets the poverty pac 3 series from South Africa, all sixes and M stuff Germany .

By: K

Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:56:44 +0000

Ford is 4th? All English must be gone crazy…

By: Cupid Stunt aka No Name

Cupid Stunt aka No Name — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:15:23 +0000

Not surpised to see Vauxhall in tenth place, Cannot say i’m impressed with the build quality of my Vectra, reliability has been good so far up to 100,000Km and with it now doing 56,000p.a.
Good on you BMW, problem is if they do go wrong they might cost you.
Much better comparo than the useless JD powers surveys which are largely down to what owners think about their cars. Utter crap

By: RoFlmaTiC

RoFlmaTiC — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:32:08 +0000

Interesting, wouldn’t the best method be at looking at the total breakdowns per 100 of each brand? Instead of breaking each brand down to different models, then working out the breakdowns per 100 of each model, then ranking the brands based on model performance.

I say this because individual model volumes could distort the results. Also different brands have different numbers of models.

Odd that Lexus scored less than toyota.

Not surprising that BMW tops the list, but I would have thought audi would have been up their as well, with all the good reviews of the new b8 model cars and whatnot.

By: Golfschwein

Golfschwein — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 12:05:17 +0000

SamR, I must be a sucker for punishment. I’ve had two Astras and I’m now into my 33rd month with the Golf. I haven’t kept any of the cars longer than the warranty, but you know well before that expires whether you have a good car or not.

By: jon

jon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:38:45 +0000

I agree Andrew but I`d still take more notice of one at least conducted in Australia

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:35:08 +0000

Jon,
surveys dont prove much whether its in this country or O/S.

survey results are based on opinions which reflect the emotions of the person being surveyed.

even though this survey isnt just your typical phone poll, and even though its formulated with real stats, i still wouldnt adhere to it as if it were the automobile bible.

By: Drie

Drie — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:09:20 +0000

GMAN: ‘what a load of hogs wash!’

I agree with you. I think the 3 series we get here are from South Africa, not Germany (except for some models), so hence, would affect the results. If these were built in South Africa, it would be a different story altogether and a win for Japan.

However, German design is definately really good – with Mazda being the only Japanese car company taking it up to the Germans in this area.

In general, Japanese cars are more reliable and there are many surveys out there to prove it (1 survey doesn’t really amount to anything IMO). Because of this, I ended up getting a Mazda3 rather than a 1 series, A3 or a 307 and Golf which are all really desireable. And after nearly 20,000 km, no troubles at all (so far) and couldn’t be happier.

Will buy Japanese (non whitegood or plain ugly variety) until the Germans have proven reliablity, like the 1980’s, then maybe…..

By: jon

jon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:48:48 +0000

Irrelevant to Australians really, considering this survey was done in Britain. Survey owners here and then you will have a relevant survey. Aussie conditions, Aussie roads and Aussie buyers

By: Dlr1

Dlr1 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 09:44:19 +0000

Wheelnut, of course its a shot at Toyota, everyone knows you just cant help yourself. As for the argument re VWs ranking being lower than Fords despite the Golf ranking higher than Focus, remember its only a ranking, the article doesnt say how much better it is than the Focus, there might be stuff all between cars 4 through 10, and maybe heaps of faults separating other rankings. Just a it could be BMW first by a mile or first by a single defect. Either way BMW has obviously done well.

By: SamR

SamR — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:59:50 +0000

They are probably comparing British assembled Hondas and Toyotas with German made BMWs.

We all know the Ford Focus, Golf and Astra fall to bits after a few years. They are sell after warranty ends jobs to me.

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 08:21:10 +0000

Reckless,
I know what you said, but it wasnt the same as what i was getting at.

Every other ford would not have to be 100% reliable. The focus as per this list is the most reliable ford, and it is not 100% reliable.
In that case a 100% reliable ford does not exist and hence what you were implying is that the results shown are impossible, they are not.
They are easily achievable

the table shows fords highest volume seller as their most reliable.
for the others (at a guess) they have their highest selling models as their least reliable

it doesnt take much to swing it around really…….

Thanks for not comprehending……..

By: Mitch

Mitch — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:29:10 +0000

dont see land rover or jeep in there :)

By: Reckless1

Reckless1 — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:08:16 +0000

Andrew M, here is what I said

“That means every other Ford model would have to be 100% reliable, and every other VW model would have to be 0.01%, to account for that shift in the rankings.”

Thanks for echoing it back, but it wasn’t really necessary :)

By: G MAN

G MAN — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:05:24 +0000

what a load of hogs wash! my mum bought one and she has had nothing but trouble with it. she said she would never buy another! The first thing to go was the tv monitor, than the sunroof, than i wheel bearing at 5000 km, then the passenger side window would not open and close, than the starter motor and this is all before 20,000 km

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:51:33 +0000

^^^
thats because hyundai and mitsubishi have a point to prove, or at least feel they do

By: Adam (aka Mada)

Adam (aka Mada) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:36:02 +0000

How much is a 3 series again??

Relevance escapes some.

Hyundai and Mitsubishi have the longest warranties of them all.

By: Jerome

Jerome — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 06:30:12 +0000

BMW service is amazing. Even if the car wasnt reliable you have a 3 yr unlimited km warranty and usually and extended warranty from the dealer you bought the car from.
They cover all faults and include free servicing of the car.

So +1 for BMW