JJB236

My family's 08 BMW 750i (only 25k miles) lease is coming up due shortly, and I was researching whether to purchase the 750i or "buy" a 08 MB S550 since MB's last longer. I know b/c I have a 91 MB 300E that just hit 206k miles. I have had 740, 745iL, 750i, two X5's, but never had any problems. Now I found out it's because they were all leases with under 40k miles.

Now how do Porsche measure up after warranty? Being a true sports car, I imagine the upkeep would be more than the BMW. I purchased my 997. How many 997 owners are purchase vs lease? How does P car perform after warranty? Being #1 in customer satisfaction for years in a row, I take it that P cars are built to last just like th MB's?

Fahrer

We have a 2003 MB E320. It had some electrical problems and isses with the sensotronic brakes in the beginnig but has been trouble free for years We also have a 2008 C2S but it has only 7500 miles on it. We alkso have a 2008 BMW 535. It was quite good until 40K miles. It now has 64K miles. During the last 23K miles, the BMW has needed a new HPFP, injectors, Vanos solenoids, fuel pressure sensor, fuel pump control module, turbo/wastegate assembly. I would say that the MB is definitely more reliable than the BMW. I can only go by what I read regarding Porsches as mine has few miles on it. It appears that these cars are relativley reliable even though they are high performance cars. Take a look at Consumer Reports and you will find that the 911 is pretty good. My car does not use oil but many 911s do. Many folks find that the 911 eats tires as well but that is about it.

Mspeedster

My '02 MB E55 AMG, bought new in 2001, has been a tank and still looks good. It had almost zero problems while under warranty. Out of warranty the only major thing has been the intake manifold, which needed replacement. Minor things include a burnt out display to where I can no longer read the clock and engine mount bushings. In contrast, my in-law's BMW 540i, bought a few months after my E55, has been in the shop far more often. I haven't owned a BMW since 2004, but have owned two 5 series and an M3 in the past. My BMWs were all fine under warranty, but in the 6th year they all seemed to need one thing or another.

My 06 Porsche C2S (knock on wood) has needed nothing, but it's still relatively young compared to the E55. My ranking: Porsche > MB = BMW (this decade). But it also depends on the specific model.

yemenmocha

06 M3, original owner, problem free.

Ynot

06' SLK, no problems at all, gas and go. 1995 M3, no problems, with a car that age, things needs to be replace. So far my 06' Porsche had RMS leak fixed under warranty. I don't expect any problems.

vexed

I have owned a number of BMWs. My E36, E46 and E 39 were reliable in the period I owned them. I was scared to own my E60 M5 out of warranty. Mike Miller who writes Tech Talk in the BMW magazine Roundel often rants about no one wanting to own a current generation BMW out of warranty.

My wife has a 2007 MB E350, the a/c evaporator just went. We were under the one year MB CPO period and I was glad we bought two more years.

I also own a 1995 MB E320 cab and they don't build them like that any more.

Matt(inMA)

I have an '01 325i and an '06 997 - both bought new.... BMW, while I love the car (did Euro delivery), it has had a ton of problems. Everything from cooling fans, sensors, suspension, interior failures (I'll be fixing the rear window regulator this coming weekend).... my 997 has needed new strut towers.... okay so the BMW has ~165K and the 997 ~ 50k

Best,

Matt

Quadcammer

asking this question is silly because its all personal anecdotes, which tend not to be supported by fact.

Macster

Mike Miller (who writes for Bimmer Magazine) believes one of the biggest problems with modern BMW reliability and longevity is the horrible servicing schedule BMW recommends for its modern cars. Mike refers to it as "BMW's global war on maintenance."

My impression I get from reading his comments is if one gives his modern BMW sensible servicing: changing the oil/filter and other vital fluids at reasonable intervals; the car has as good a chance of lasting a long time and being about as trouble free as a car can be.

The above is true though for many cars, including M-B and Porsche. Give them reasonable servicing (and with a bit of luck) the car will last you a long long time.

BTW, IIRC if you send Mike Miller an email request he will respond with what he considers a good servicing schedule.

Sincerely,

Macster.

Quadcammer

meh, the mechanics of most of these cars are very solid.

All the maintenance in the world won't fix wonky electronics.

JLHendrix

Agree with Mr. Quadcammer. I have owed about a dozen german cars, some into 150k milage range. Most (except the '66 mercedes) plagued with electrical problems some major some not. As the cars have become more dependent on sophisticated computer systems to provide not only creature comforts but throttle response, steering weight, and suspension performance, the likelihood of problems has increased. BMW is the worst in this regard though I love their engines and the exhaust note.

JohnAMG

My 2002 MB E55 bought in November 2001 has been rock solid until I had to replace both rear window regulators last month. It was an easy DIY job to replace the regulators. It has about 60K miles and we are pleased with the reliability of the E55. My Porsche has been problem free since the dealer replaced the defective O2 sensor in April 2010.

John

sclemmons

BMW E28 M5. Bought new Jan. 1989, with extended warranty. Only claim I had under the extended warranty was an a/c compressor. Problem free otherwise. Have replaced battery, radiator, alternator, wheel bearings, shocks, wear items after 175,000 miles. But still pretty solid after 22 1/2 years. Everything works on the car, and the a/c is cold. And it is just as much fun to drive as my Porsche.