My present outlook (archive)

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In Reply to: Hey Ferdinand- posted by rick (frankfurt) on October 16, 2000 at 05:15:10:

I am also a pessimist, though I've eased up a bit over the past year. Like many who actively follow this board, the number and variety of complaints posted caused some distress when I was considering my choices. However, I considered the following factors:

First, when reading the posts here, I filter out issues or comments that are irrelevant for me. I pay attention to issues that are a personal priority. I realize that the board serves to be informative and entertaining, and I visit the board frequently just to see what's going on or get my "fix". However, I tried to be as objective as possible when I considered the 330i, and concentrated on topics I found important.

Second, I took all posts I considered with a grain of salt. Having the feedback from actual owners is terrific, and all consumers, regardless of brand or model choice, should be so lucky. However, these are largely personal experiences, and there is enough variation in manufacturing to explain the issues I've read about thus far. Am I disappointed that BMW, with its prestigious reputation, does not produce consistently perfect cars? Yes, of course. But until you actually see and drive the very unit you will receive, you won't know what you get. Therefore, like all owners, the best I could do was consider the industry quality surveys and hope that my car would be one of the good units. The fact is, if everyone had all the issues listed on this board, they would be genuinely bad cars and nobody would be buying BMWs at these lofty prices.

Many of the issues, including those you listed, can be checked while taking delivery. Almost all will be dismissed. In the three days I've had it, I have not been disappointed, having found NOTHING wrong with it. By my nature, I'm certain I will find some things to nitpick about in the near future, but most will be minor "character" flaws. Major failures should be covered under warranty, as with any marque. I'm a skeptic, and will always be, but I cannot let that deter from the satisfaction and enjoyment the car gives me. I'll just have to deal with an issue when it comes up, but I won't waste my time worrying about one that hasn't.

I must point out that we have unprecedented visiblity to the issues that plague this marque, and have become sensitive to them. It would be naive to think that Lexus, Mercedes, or Acura owners did not have the same complaints, both in number and variety. Yet, despite all the complaints, one the reasons why many folks continue to buy BMWs is quality.

These are all good and legitimate concerns you have, Rick. By all means, feel free to ask further and I will do my best to answer.

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