Now it's my turn.. (archive)

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: By details I'm referring to are engineering in nature not the features you mention,(most of which I like.) Electrical wiring routing and neatness, connector quality, windshield glass (ie, pitting), HVAC unnecessary complication, dashboard circuit board issues, front susp bushings, power seat mechanics - all stuff that has been done by others correctly in the past.

I'm sure you agree with me BMW is overly protective about their products. They display all sort of warnings about aftermarket mods, they use seldom-used elsewhere components (audio systems are the best example) and they lay the electricals to fit the form, to keep the quietness and to be out of the reach should a curious customer look underneath the dash.
Granted, better things have happened in the industry, but (and that's me) I wouldn't go as far as to say BMW excels only in mechanics. The concern for details I think can be found at every level and in every domain in such a car.
To get to examples, the seats in my car (93 535i) started to have a bit of a play. The dealer said it's very difficult to fix it and this may seem to prove your point. And then I'm judging the abuse that seat took over its lifespan : big friends simply throwing themselves in the seat, leaning on it and such. I've seen older car with tighter seats, but they were mere 1 way adjustable bolted on-to-the-floor chairs. I think some play is acceptable.

: On the nikasil problem, I'm saying that when the problem was actually discovered ('96-ish) they should have replaced all defective parts in the field, not hide it under a special warranty.

that is true. However, should they have issued a recall everybody would have jumped to benefit from a new engine upgrade. They only did it for those affected and this, to me, seems appropriate. It was a design flaw but it didn't surface in most of the cases. They still offer that warranty 5 years after. It's free and should you need it - you will get the fix, free of charge. I do not see abominable business practices in this case.
While on the recall issue, (i may be wrong on this) I do believe all of the recalls originated from security/safety reasons. For instance, the A class MB HAD to be recalled. The TT Audi may needed to be recalled. The BMW nikasil blocks were deteriorated to the effect of having sub-optimal performance.

(The magnitude of cost is not the customer's concern) The comment "easily understandable why the failure" is a great excuse but I paid for a reputable, well-designed car, not a laboratory error.

You are absolutely right and your point is clear. However, unlike many around me, I am on this board because I am a simple enthusiast and I am not here to seek out solutions for the problems of my car. Therefore my altered perception of this issue. You are right, but I still do not see anything wrong with the way BMW chose to treat this case.

: This is serious stuff, Dragos, and there is a lot more to engine design than using (or mentioning) a Berzelius glass!

I am sorry for my intentions of ridiculing your comments, I seem to do that too often. Yes, indeed, there's more to engine design than chemistry analysis and I am sure the BMW engineers master all of the aspects involved in designing an engine. I am also sure there is much more to the history of this issue than is published at 530i.org or on Brett Anderson's web site. If you know more, I would be happy if you would let me in those details. I would also love to hear what Paul Rosche has to say about this saga.

: Rattles?, yes, my E34 is rattle-free also but this is not high-technology - I expect it in any car.

I didn't mean to imply the lack of rattles are equivalent to high technology. Actually I don't even know how was this brought up. We were discussing reliability and building quality and I think this is among the first signs of such characteristics. I would not expect not to hear rattles in any car, but as you may have seen by now, I am a very easy to please customer.

: Ref, autobahn, I'm actually refering to the cruising and passing speed ranges typically seen (say 80-125 mph,) which explains why the handling, gearing, and power band are better suited for the autobahn than US freeways and cities (which is the market in which I purchased the car). (I did live in Germany and UK for four years, so I am familier w/ conditions there)

BMW sells vehicles all over the world. Of all the 100+ (i don't know, guesstimation) countries that import BMWs, I know of only one which does not have enforced speed limits. And only 2 that have autobahns. In my opinion, it's farfetched to say BMWs are made specifically for the higher speeds of Germany. I do not think BMW should have especially prepped their cars for the US market, but they did. Partly to comply with the legislation, partly to comply with the conditions (roads - bushings, gas - blocks) and finally to satisfy the demand (automatic M3s, leather as a standard etc).
BMWs are vehicles meant for higher speed driving and they will perform beautifully under normal circumstances. Driving one on cracked concrete 80-year old highways, crawling for hours in traffic moving at parking lot speeds and using low-octane grade gas was probably not at the top of the spec list. Which is why I would not demand too much from it. I lived in Europe for the most of my life and I feel I can appreciate the difference myself.

Best regards and once again, please accept my apologies for my intentions of attacking your opinions.

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