Here is a list of issues I have had with my 2004 BMW 325ci bought on 10/06/07 w/33K odo.

· Driver side mirror painted cover fell off.
· Creaking clutch pedal. Last inch of travel creaks somewhere in the transmission.
· AM idle rpm’s dip low and cause car to stall
· Belts made noise when cold /wet
· Shifter vibration
· E-brake was WAY out of adjustment, did NOT hold the car when pulled all the way
· Fabric on both A-pillars defective, bunched up / peeling
· Leather seat stitching came apart, driver side seat (totally defective material)
· Engine vibration at 1500 rpm and 1800 rpm (not yet mentioned to dealer)
· Noise coming from rear of car when shifting 1-2, 2-3. (Different ional?)
· Car sounds like a MACK TRUCK when it is started??? Never did this before clutch install.

Here is a list of things that dealer has fixed / replaced for free:


New clutch, t/o bearing, P-plate, Flywheel, Master cylinder (was leaking), transmission nose cone
Re-programmed the car for AM idle issue (this is fine now)
New belts / belt tentionior
E-brake was adjusted so it holds the car after few clicks
replaced both A-pillar covers inside
replaced driver back seat cover
shifter vibration was said to be “normal”
Reinstalled driver mirror cover.
Rear end noise was said to be normal unless it gets worse.
Here is where I currently stand with all issues:

The drivers back part of seat cover was installed, and does not appear to fit properly. Also there is a section by the release handle that is EXPOSED. I.e. NO MATERIAL, you can see the foam seat! Additionally it does not match the rest of the car, and looks as if it was obviously replaced. It stands out like a red thumb; making my interior look likes CRAP.

The clutch pedal STILL creaks after the car has been driven around town. The last inch of travel. Noise is 100% coming from under the hood somewhere.

Driver side mirror cover is back on; BUT the bottom section is STILL loose when compared to the passenger side one. I have given up on this because they have ordered clips twice and installed twice with the same result. I will wait and have it get torn off in a car wash, then I guess go back for another one?

Was told that the “Mack Truck” noise was a secondary pump or something that kicks on when it is cold outside? Well, it was the same temp BEFORE my car went in for a new clutch, and it NEVER did this…

Now, NOW I have noticed engine vibration in the 1800rpm range. I am sure this will be another FULL day or MORE in the shop while they TRY and figure out what it MIGHT be…

I literary have only seen my BMW briefly since I have bought it over a month ago. I also just spent over $1,000 on winter tires.. for a car that I am having SO many problems with. I got to say I am SO very tired of bringing my car into the shop and leaving it for the day, and getting rides all around town and taking time from work, to go down and meet with them before 5PM. THIS HAS BEEN A MIGHTMARE! EVERYONE jokes about how much issues there has been with this car. It seems after I leave the dealership I find more problems?? I totally feel like I am always going to have issues with this car. The amount of time I have spent researching some of the issues described and documenting down what has been done is truly disappointing from my perspective. I pay $518/mo to have this driving machine. I expected to not have so many problems this is car. I feel like it is a LEMON.

IF I could have gone back in time, I would HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS CAR. NEVER!!!

If issues keep surfacing I will be contacting BMW of NA and will be working with the state of Vermont, to see what rights I have in a situation like this…I have close contacts through work with the Chamber Of Commerce and the Vermont Business Burro. They perhaps can advise me further… almost 12 days in the shop after a month of owning the car is SLIGHTLY UPSETTING. Car still needs to go in for engine vibration, and shifter vibration… It also needs to have the seat cover “re-worked” so it fits better (another day in the shop) then they said they would try and blend by conditioning the leather (another 5 hrs) The Mack Truck starting noise is ALSO still not right! I don’t care what they say it’s NOT RIGHT. AND THE CLUTCH STILL CREAKS??????

I just wanted to give you folks an idea of where I am at with this car. In case anyone there gets a phone call from BMW NA or any other agency to follow-up, I wanted to give you a brief description of what is going on so you can speak to it, and not be caught off guard.

Half the issues you speak of don't make the car a lemon. I mean, look at the E36. They have more interior/body panel issues than any car I've ever seen. The shifter vibration is fairly common, and that is a tradeoff for good shifter feel due to stiff bushings. It happened to my maxima when I installed polyurethane bushings. The random noises happen in every car. The mack truck thing you should get fixed, and someone messed up your clutch install if it does it after that, but you can't blame that on the car.

No. I think I am done with it. I'm at the point where I care so much about the car, that now I am going to "not care at all" FUC* it.

This pile of bolts has 100% taken over my life since I got it. I love it so much, now I hate it. I want it to BE RIGHT and it's not. To get it right is WAY too much effort / stress apparently.

I know I am to blame for the extent in which I feel, but there is no "off" swich for my preception of a first (AND LAST) BMW.

No. I think I am done with it. I'm at the point where I care so much about the car, that now I am going to "not care at all" FUC* it.

This pile of bolts has 100% taken over my life since I got it. I love it so much, now I hate it. I want it to BE RIGHT and it's not. To get it right is WAY too much effort / stress apparently.

I know I am to blame for the extent in which I feel, but there is no "off" swich for my preception of a first (AND LAST) BMW.
I completely understand the way you're feeling. My maxima has an annoying squeak when going over bumps that I think is the hood latch but I can never reproduce, it creaks whenever I start moving or brake because I stripped a bolt on the suspension member where the LCA connects to, and my shifter is notchy as hell some days and butter smooth on other days.

However, I know that these are just minor issues/annoyances that can be remedied when I have the time/money to do so. The only real issue I see with your BMW are the ones the dealer screwed up. Make them install the clutch right and give you a new driver's seat and you should be fine. If you keep the car you're bound to have more problems, but even if you don't it's very hard to find a perfectly reliable car these days. Get an old nissan or honda if you want reliability, but there's an obvious trade-off in fun factor...

but there's an obvious trade-off in fun factor...

Oh, I know... I am one of thouse DUMMYS that pays more for his car each month, then his rent:rolleyes

So, I get a little intense when things are not cool. The letter went to the dealership where I bought the car, not the one here in VT where I service the car. I want the dealership where I bought the car (another state) to understand whats up.. man, I LOOK at my car, and I think WOW. How could it not be right. HOW THE HELL could a car the LOOKS like this not be right... but it's not. I am almost wanting to wash my hands of it.... oh, wait I CAN"T cause im UPSIDE DOWN for another few years:mad

Take it to a different dealer. If no good results, call up BMW NA.

I've had some issues with my '04, including both mirror covers coming off and me paying tons of money for them; it is disappointing and odd for a car which is almost new to fall apart. Whatever you do, don't let them jerk you around or take their sweet time to respond. Stay on top of it, keep contacting them, and maybe find some legal advice site online for other ?s.
What they may try to do is win themselves some time, so find out as much as you can about your rights, as fast as you can. Good luck!