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      11-04-2018, 05:33 PM   #1
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G01 loses Consumer Reports recommendation

CR has removed the G01 from its recommended list. That's no surprise to me (I own two of them and have lots of issues).

Also no surprise is BMW's head-in-the-sand response. See attached screen snippet from cr.org.
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      11-04-2018, 06:08 PM   #2
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They can’t be much worse than my 335d has been! But what other option do we have, buying an Audi or Mercedes? No thanks!
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      11-04-2018, 06:15 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pheerIx View Post
I have never given any consideration to CR reviews on anything I buy (lease). Otherwise I'd have a Prius and Odyssey in my garage
I'm not surprised at this response. This is, after all, an enthusiast's forum.

But what's news here is that a) G01 _was_ recommended and b) CR has a database going back years and claims data on 500K subscribers' vehicles, making it a statistical force in reliability data.

Just because we like BMW's doesn't mean that CR's data doesn't apply to our cars. On the contrary, we should be demanding that BMW produce reliable as well as fun cars.
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      11-04-2018, 06:34 PM   #4
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CR is a joke. The G01 blows the previous X3 out of the water in all aspects......,
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      11-04-2018, 06:45 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghostdog1108 View Post
CR is a joke. The G01 blows the previous X3 out of the water in all aspects......,
Including, apparently, letting some of that blown water into the car.
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      11-04-2018, 08:08 PM   #6
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The segments #2, the Porsche Macan, also has some pretty serious issues, needing rear diffs replaces at 3-5K miles. All over the Macan boards - Difference being Porsche knows about and is addressing the issue. To be fair, they are mid-cycle, unlike the X3. For those interested:

https://www.macanforum.com/forum/com...ferential.html

What as #3 in the segment? A 235hp Lexus NX? No thanks.
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      11-04-2018, 08:09 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MoeLuvsMoney View Post
The segments #2, the Porsche Macan, also has some pretty serious issues, needing rear diffs replaces at 3-5K miles. All over the Macan boards - Difference being Porsche knows about and is addressing the issue. To be fair, they are mid-cycle, unlike the X3. For those interested:

https://www.macanforum.com/forum/com...ferential.html

What as #3 in the segment? A 235hp Lexus NX? No thanks.
Not sure if you have been following the steering wheel vibration thread but most have between 4-8k miles solution so far has been repurchase or rear output drive shafts.
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      11-04-2018, 08:19 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by freitz View Post
Not sure if you have been following the steering wheel vibration thread but most have between 4-8k miles solution so far has been repurchase or rear output drive shafts.
Yes, anxiously following as I approach that mileage range. A repurchase is not great (or profitable) way forward for BMW indicating the problem is very severe or they don't yet know the root cause (most likely). Conversely, Porsche has identified the vibrations root (part and plant), offered a (relatively) easy solution, and is moving along.
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      11-04-2018, 08:28 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yobyot View Post
CR has removed the G01 from its recommended list. That's no surprise to me (I own two of them and have lots of issues).

Also no surprise is BMW's head-in-the-sand response. See attached screen snippet from cr.org.
Why do you own two of them, if you place so much value on CR concerns/recommendations?
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      11-04-2018, 08:37 PM   #10
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It sucks that you've been having issues with your G01s as well as others here on the forum. I'm 7k miles in and the car has given me zero issues and I'm still very much in love with it. Wish that were the case for everyone :/
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      11-04-2018, 08:45 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MoeLuvsMoney View Post
Yes, anxiously following as I approach that mileage range. A repurchase is not great (or profitable) way forward for BMW indicating the problem is very severe or they don't yet know the root cause (most likely). Conversely, Porsche has identified the vibrations root (part and plant), offered a (relatively) easy solution, and is moving along.
So Macan Had steering wheel vibration issues and already fixed it?
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      11-04-2018, 08:49 PM   #12
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Guys, I don’t think there is anything wrong with a person sharing information that is relevant to the g01. Good or bad, these forums should be an exchange of information. You don’t have to attack someone else just to make your opinion prevalent. In regards to this specific post, I love BMW’s and have had quite a few, but I will say this is the first one I’ve had that has had to be replaced. Also, the Idrive software is buggy as hell and the includes my new one as well.
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      11-04-2018, 08:52 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by freitz View Post
So Macan Had steering wheel vibration issues and already fixed it?
That's my understanding from their forums. Vibrations = Diff issues =Issues stem from MX plant = Corporate aware = Service bulletin issued = Dealers aware = Fixes not as stressful

Reading the X3 vibration threads, no one has a clue what the root is and given the buybacks, BMW corporate does not have a near-term solution in the works. IMO.
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      11-04-2018, 10:58 PM   #14
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I think the only car Consumers Reports likes is the Prius.
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      11-05-2018, 12:11 AM   #15
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So a corollary to this is that if you have an X3 and don't have the odd issues they mentioned, you otherwise have a best in class vehicle, according to CR.

X3 may not be perfect, but it isn't like there are obviously better alternatives for the class and performance.
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      11-05-2018, 06:52 AM   #16
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I spend a lot of time reading car reviews from various sources and browsing various car forums but never look at CR - it's like reading comments that your mother would make about cars - useless. My X3 has been flawless, it's an incredible car.
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      11-05-2018, 08:11 AM   #17
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We bought our 2019 3 weeks ago and prior to purchase I got a hold of a CR. They recapped how they do their ratings etc. They bought an X3 and like it based on their Road Test etc. The Reliability info comes from their Owners Survey. I guess it's good to be aware of issues being reported. Obviously not a deal breaker for us but good to know.
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      11-05-2018, 08:32 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SamS View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Yobyot View Post
CR has removed the G01 from its recommended list. That's no surprise to me (I own two of them and have lots of issues).

Also no surprise is BMW's head-in-the-sand response. See attached screen snippet from cr.org.
Why do you own two of them, if you place so much value on CR concerns/recommendations?
Good question. Answer: they were on the recommended list when I bought them.
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      11-05-2018, 08:36 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 383vett View Post
I think the only car Consumers Reports likes is the Prius.
They also recommend the M240i.

While I sometimes disagree with CR, there's little doubt their statical projections hold, ahem, water.

Some of us will have no issues. Some of us (me) will have more than average. But if you read CR's definition of reliability carefully, you'll see it's based on hard numbers. Even fanboys like me can't run from the numbers.
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      11-05-2018, 08:40 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob in IL View Post
We bought our 2019 3 weeks ago and prior to purchase I got a hold of a CR. They recapped how they do their ratings etc. They bought an X3 and like it based on their Road Test etc. The Reliability info comes from their Owners Survey. I guess it's good to be aware of issues being reported. Obviously not a deal breaker for us but good to know.
Exactly. It's a projection based on owners' experiences collected in a standardized way.

My approach is to address all concerns with the dealer immediately (no waiting for the next scheduled service) as a way of catching issues early.

Having responded in the past to CR's survey, the question reads something like, "In the past year, have you had an issue you consider major..." Phrased that way means the car could be perfect now but still end up being rated unreliable.
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      11-05-2018, 09:08 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yobyot View Post
Good question. Answer: they were on the recommended list when I bought them.
Not only were they on the recommended list, they were #1 in the category.

That was based on estimated reliability data based on other BMW models.

Sadly, the actual reliability numbers were well below that as we have discussed.

As a result, the X3 has dropped from #1 to #5.

I was on the cusp of buy-in an X3 last Summer, but first the CA I was working with left for another opportunity, I got busy with iife, and then ran into the DAP+ unavailability and then the model year changeover. In that time many members began reporting more and more issues... so I'm rethinking things.

There is more to a car purchase than reliability, and I still may buy an X3, but not without a lot of thought.
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      11-05-2018, 09:18 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hendoo View Post
Not only were they on the recommended list, they were #1 in the category.

That was based on estimated reliability data based on other BMW models.

Sadly, the actual reliability numbers were well below that as we have discussed.

As a result, the X3 has dropped from #1 to #5.

I was on the cusp of buy-in an X3 last Summer, but first the CA I was working with left for another opportunity, I got busy with iife, and then ran into the DAP+ unavailability and then the model year changeover. In that time many members began reporting more and more issues... so I'm rethinking things.

There is more to a car purchase than reliability, and I still may buy an X3, but not without a lot of thought.
A very thoughtful response.

You might be surprised to hear that even with my issues, I'd buy the car again (another famous CR question).

My reasons include the way both cars drive (the 30i is a sweetheart, perfect as my wife's daily driver; the M40i is a beast), both have truly lovely interiors, I like the way they look (both are 300 and we never get tired of the joke, "Let's take the white one"), the tech is fantastic and, now that I've coded ASS to remember the last setting in Comfort, there's nothing like them in traffic jams. Not to mention that the older 30i still has 3.5 years of warranty left. With possible BMW "goodwill repairs", I think I can get five years of reliable, safe, enjoyable transportation out of the pair of them. Plus, at five years, I'll bet they'll be worth 45-50% of MSRP in the used market.

In short, as you point out, reliability is a statistical measure. It's a way of knowing your odds, not your destiny.
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