Roof operation extremely noisy.
Temperamental "Automatic" windshield wipers.
Rain gushes through open window at soft roof juncture.
Lots of new gadgets, such as parking radar, swivel rear view side mirror etc, but the quality construction and the craftsmanship have gone down. Still a safe car with good, if expensive, performance, but not as reliable as in the past.
A recent discussion with a BMW headquarters manager revealed a little known secret, i.e. reportedly the fact that many US bound cars are now made in South Africa, in a plant where Quality Control may not be as rigorous as in Germany.
At a time when Mercedes has undergone massive quality and image problems, but has addressed them successfully (says the NY Times on July 10, 2005), BMW might be inspired to take note before its image is really tarnished.
Mercedes Benz cars are also made in South Africa for export and it is BMW that has gained the better reputation for quality (in South Africa) in recent times.
First I was reluctant to talk against the brand for self-prestige matters. But after driving it for a few years under hard northeast road condition, I realize why f150 are no 1 in america and last on autobhan. Rattles came sooon and so-called stiff structure is not for the long run.
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