OT: Reliability of Lexus, Audi, BMW and Infiniti

Chris · 08-22-01, 12:54

After spending (and worse, being stranded) over $2,500 in unscheduled repairs on my 1997 BMW 740iL with 60,000 miles, I am looking at trading it in. I was wondering if you own one of the above automobiles if you could comment on your ownership experience and how reliable it has been.

Mike · 08-22-01, 01:07

As you can see below, I own three BMW's and I am very partial to the total driving experience I get with them. However, I believe that you have to be somewhat selective as to which BMW you choose. I have been a member of BMWCCA for over 10 years and 750iL's have been notorious for taking their owners to the poor house in maintenance costs. This is primarily due to their complexity as they have always been on the cutting edge in terms of technology. Not all of this hi-tech equipment has been perfected.

Nevertheless, I have had excellent reliability from my cars as I do nearly all of the maintenance myself. I am just as fanatical about the mechanics of the car as I am about their appearance and consequently, they have served me quite well with very little unscheduled maintenance. I do feel, however, that Lexus is a more reliable vehicle for the average owner.

jjzzo · 08-22-01, 01:13

Chris, I just bought a '95 Infiniti J30t. It runs looks and runs great. My brother had one and had nothing but great things to say about it.
Below is a link to MSN Carpoint. Copy and paste and go to the make and model drop down box. Check out the user reports for the model and year car you are thinking about. These are real people who have experiance with the model and year of car you are thinking about. I spent a good deal of time there researching the cars I was interested in. I can tell you for sure that people that own Lexus and Infiniti's are extremely satisfied people.
For the record, I had an 5series BMW and my cousin has a 7series. They hold up real well but do have certain problems.
My experiance is that they are definately prone to electrical
problems. Recurring ones.

http://carpoint.msn.com/home/used_re...=Home&pos=Res2

Yell00ITR · 08-22-01, 01:46

Lexus ALWAYS wins when it comes to reliability versus pretty much any other car manufacturer. Infiniti's and Acura's are very reliable as well. Unfortunately, while the European cars always have great styling and a good "driving experience", they have not been able to match up to the japanese when it comes to reliability. BMW is the most reliable make of the european manufacturers. I believe Audi/VW are among the most unreliable. Does not make them bad cars....just hits you with quick depreciation and requires to watch things more closely. Also, I believe that just about every car is reliable as long as it is maintained properly.

jjzzo · 08-22-01, 05:51

Every car reliable if maintained well?
Obiviously, you never owned a 1986 Chevy Cavalier Z24.
LOL
Count your blessings.
If so you would never make that comment.
Then theres the good ol' Pontiac 6000. My father had one of those lemons. One and half years old and the clear coat pealed right off. And that was the least of the problems.

By the way you know what BMW stands for don't you.

BRING MY WALLET

DavidB · 08-22-01, 05:54

You should have included Porsche. They kicked Lexus' butt last year in reliability ratings.

Clean Dean · 08-25-01, 03:20

Even though I am not crazy about my 2000 model. I previously owned a 1995 C280, and have not had one problem with either car. My in-laws have had (2) E-classes 1996 and 1998, and they never had a problem to date either.

I had a 1997 Infiniti I30, and I only experienced very minor sensor type problems.

hook · 08-27-01, 09:14

Quote:

Originally posted by DavidB
You should have included Porsche. They kicked Lexus' butt last year in reliability ratings.

hey davidB, can you provide a link or site for more info? I remember a Lexus guy telling me they'd won JD Power's award every year since they've been made. I'd like to know the opposite side of the story....

best regards,
Andy

James A · 09-08-01, 11:01

I am on my forth BMW and they all have too many problems. My wife wanted a new X5 but reliablity was her number one concern, I took her to Lexus !!!! BMW has a long way to go in terms of having trouble free cars and achieving the level of customer satisfaction that Lexus has, take it from someone who bought a Lexus and BMW at the same time.

Hypersion · 09-11-01, 02:33

http://www.auto.com/autonews/cwirh17_20000517.htm
http://www.jdpower.com/

It looks like the lexus ls4xx was the best reliable car for 2000 and 2001.

http://cartalk.cars.com/Tools/survey...-rc-top-bot.pl

If price is your main consideration than a toyota Tacoma looks like the cheapest car to maintain

carguy · 11-27-01, 06:08

Lexus is the most reliable.

But they're no fun to drive. even the Sc400 or SC430, which really perform quite well, lack "feel."

In luxury cars, BMW is my choice, hands down - because performance as a "driver's car" is extremely important to me. BMW's - particularly the 3 and 5-series, 7 series with sport option and any M models - have the best car-driver communication of anything of these cars, by a wide margin (and I HAVE driven them all. ) Their quality/reliability is good enough for me - so that's what I choose.

FLONI · 11-27-01, 08:52

that much....always wanted a Bimmer...i dont know if its a muth or what but everybody who hasnt had one says that if you break anything on a Bimmer...and it has to be replaced....your screwed because nothing but another Bimmer part will fit so to speak....thats the urban legend in NY anyway.....im just going by what kind of car....of the ones listed ...do i see the most 'old" ones still out on the road and looking farily good....that would be Lexus....i do see old benzes...even the old Diesel ones...but not that many....mostly 95 or newer....same with BMW...mostly new ones...Infiniti....i considered it instaed of my Max....but thought if im going to spend $ near the mid 30k...then id get a BMW.....how come nobody voted for the new 2002 FIAT's that are coming out....rememeber that car....F.I.A.T.=Fix it Again Tony......