The latest edition of "Auto Motor und Sport" reports of serious reliability issues with the new 7. Several of the test 7's at AMS and their sister publication "Sport Auto" have been haunted
by a series of defects and break-downs, including:

- Batteries discharging, in turn leading not only to the obvious problems with starting, but also to problems with re-leasing the electronic parking brake.

- Sudden engine stops

- Occasional slow throttle response w cold engine

- Sudden engine power loss

- Doors can not be closed

- Temporary loss of radio

- Temporary defect PDC

AMS had two different new 7's suffer complete break down (immobility) within a 24 hour period.

Bangle's new design has been debated extensively
on this board, but this raises a different concern: is BMW beginning compromise its quality standards in releasing products that have not been sufficiently tested and engineered?

Initial teething problems with new models is nothing new or sensational, but the AMS report highlights some pretty severe and fundamental problems. One would assume that the cars that go
to the media are at least as well (probably more thoroughly) tested and checked before delivery
as the average production car.

Might it be that the departure of Wolfgang Reitzle did not only release Bangle to disfigure the aesthetics of our future cars, but that the focus on engineering and quality was lost in the
same process?

Let's hope not, but maybe it's time to begin taking a closer look at the alternatives out there...