quality issues - what year?

[scalz]

I'm considering a pre-owned 3 series - 2003 325i, automatic. But I keep reading about BMW's recent "lapses in quality" and I wanted to know what models have been affected - or what years? Anyone have any insight on this?

 

[codex57]

Judging from the two boards I frequent a lot, avoid a 2004. That year seems to have had a unproportionately large number of complaints. Granted this is all anecdotal evidence from people who decide to post on an internet board... meaning it may be an aberration compared to the real world.

Still, I dunno if you could say BMW had any recent "lapse" in quality. Mercedes had that prob IMO, but I dunno if you can say BMW did.

 

[deutsch100]

I agree with codex. It does seem that the 2004 3 Series had more than it's fair share of electrical gremlins and that whole nasty "sliptronic issue" whick affected late 2003 and 2004 models. My 2004 330cic was so bad, that I negotiated a deal with BMW to buy it back. Luckily the 2nd one was almost perfect.

My cousin has a 2003 325i and has had no problems at all.