Most people I know love their BMWs. After six years, I have failed to have a beautiful relationship with mine. It started in the summer of 1999, the year when BMW changed the body style for their popular 3 series. I pre-ordered my car to be built to my specfications in Germany. Four months later, my car finally arrived as one of the very first 2000 models to make it to North America. For the first few months the car performed beautifully, just like the advertisement, “a dream driving machine”. Well, then came the problems. First the airbag sensor light started turning on every other month, and I kept taking the car back to the dealer to get it fixed. Then problems occurred with the sunroof, the starter, the driverside window, the rear passenger window got stuck in the down position when I was on a trip to the mountains, the check engine light turned on - the list goes on and on. I soon got tired of taking time off work to get my car fixed. Now I just wait until at least three problems occur before I bother to go the BMW dealer.
Yesterday, I dropped my car off at the BMW services department, and here is the list of my current problems: Check engine light on due to broken sensor, a broken window regulator, both front and back brakes need to replaced, a broken rear end light bulb and an oil change. The entire tab is $1700. Thanks to my extended warranty, I only have to pay 2/3 the cost.
At the end of the day, I am feeling poor, but happy to have my car all fixed up - at least for a few weeks. With my extended warranty due to expire soon, I need to start looking for another mechanic. I have a feeling that it will be a beautiful relationship, at least for the mechanic.