[atr_hugo]

I'm trying to chase down what I can find on BMW quality issues (good, bad and indifferent). I ran across this link to BMW testing. Unfortunately there are annoying popups on this site, but the video on this page is worth a look. It appears to be a few years old, but still valid.

As I stumble across stuff I'll plug it in here. I'll try to do a good job of labeling it so you can avoid the really boring stuff (or more boring than most of my posts ; -).

So (with a 'Red Alert' boring label) here's a decent blurb on iDrive from 2004.

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

I know the Getrag supplied 6 speed automatics in older 3 series were experiencing an unusually high failure rate. I had high hopes for the new generation dual clutch automatics to finally appear in the 1 series, but it does not appear they will be available at launch.

There also seems to be overheating issues with the 335i in extended high output periods such as on a track, the smaller packaging of the 135i certianly can't help matters. I really have to wonder how spark plugs are changed in the back 3 cylinders too....hope you don't have to lower the engine.

There was also an unusually high failure rate of the Siemens supplied high pressure fuel pump for the direct injection system used in the twin turbo motor, but a more robust redesign is now in place.

Then there's all of the design deficiencies to contend with such as mandatory runflats, no oil dipstick on the engine, controversial idrive instead of straightforward touchscreen navigation, general ergonomic issues such as poor placement and positioning of the power window switches and a general lack of instrumemtation that is not appropriate for a performance oriented car. But those are more subjective issues.

[atr_hugo]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgerMitFries

I know the Getrag supplied 6 speed automatics in older 3 series were experiencing an unusually high failure rate.

I suspect - based on what I've read - that the 135, at least, will be getting the ZF six-speed auto and not the Getrag unit. I believe that ZF also supplies the six speed manual for the 135.

That being said - the 128'll probably come with Getrag gearboxes. (Another reason to get a 135. ; -)

[atr_hugo]

Ah - the Chevy Monza had to do some odds and ends to get to the back cylinder spark plugs but that's because the Monza was supposed to get a Wankel engine and GM couldn't pull it off.

[Big Red One]

I was a pimple-faced teenager who fell in LOVE with the Fiero when it first came out. Now there's a car you practically have to disassemble just to change a spark plug!

Sorry ATR, not wanting to hi-jack your thread. I like the idea you've had, as this will be my first BMW and reliability is very high on my normal purchase criteria list.

[Big Red One]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

That being said - the 128'll probably come with Getrag gearboxes. (Another reason to get a 135. ; -)

I thought the "downmarket" models got the GM designed auto? Or are they one and the same?

[bmwzimmer]

Platform sharing saves BMW lots of $. Why do you think they can offer the 135i at such a relatively low price?There's no reason to switch trannie's after all the great reviews the ZF has recieved. The 3er and 5er uses the samy tranny for the N54 so there's no reason the 1 won't have it.

[phrozen06]

The E36 and E46 had subframe issues. Hopefully the 1 series won't have this problem.

[atr_hugo]

Here's another take on iDrive. You have to wander deep into menus to get at functions that are normally represented by buttons. Now I don't care for button proliferation, but the Human Factors Engineers were asleep at the wheel (pun intended) for the first take of iDrive.

Here's a YouTube clip from an owner's video explaining basic iDrive techniques.

[135i_]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgerMitFries

no oil dipstick on the engine

So how am I supposed to check my oil?

[atr_hugo]

Good question - I'll start digging for an answer - and now for more iDrive (double "Red Alert" warning for the BORING factor here, 19 page PDF file complete with structured english and math ; -).

Here's a blurb on checking oil - it doesn't include the steps needed to do a self-check but mentions that it can be done.

Little more info on checking oil levels in this thread @ 'Bimmerfest'.

[atr_hugo]

Here's a blurb from an Australian website, AutoWeb from 2004. A bunch of info relevant to the existing 1er (substitute Leipzig for Regensburg as far as assembly facility is concerned). Give this a 'Yellow Alert' for Boring Factor.

[WolfsburgerMitFries]

Originally Posted by 135i_

So how am I supposed to check my oil?

You check the oil level through the multi-function display in the instrument cluster. There's video of it on the BMW website under the 3 series features. That's nice to be able to check the oil on the MFD, but no reason to eliminate the dipstick to double check accuracy and serve as a back up if the sensor fails in the oil pan. A dipstick is cheap, I'll pay the extra money for it.

[atr_hugo]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgerMitFries

You check the oil level through the multi-function display in the instrument cluster. There's video of it on the BMW website under the 3 series features. That's nice to be able to check the oil on the MFD, but no reason to eliminate the dipstick to double check accuracy and serve as a back up if the sensor fails in the oil pan. A dipstick is cheap, I'll pay the extra money for it.

The other reason for a dipstick is to check the visual aspect of the oil - guess w/o one I'll have to remove the oil filler cap and check that way.