JD Power Vehicle Dependability results by manufacturer

[BourbonRunner]

I've owned a lot of cars over the years and several BMWs. If you do not stay on top of maintenance-- early-- they will shit the bed every time. If you beat the living hell out of it like it's a VQ powered Infiniti, it will return the favor. Even if not, stupid things will still break. You just wind up accepting it because when it's on, it is one of the most rewarding driver's car out there. I daily a 20 year old e46 with relatively low mileage (141K) and I stay on top of it for fear that if I dont, it will max out my Amex.

@MudderNuker the N52 was a poor successor to the M54. The blocks were a magnesium alloy that required another alloy to line the cylinders... which was prone to even more issues. One would think they'd have learned with the Nikasil issues in the M52... but they didn't. The M54 OTOH might be the best straight naturally aspirated 6 BMW ever made- in its many forms it can regularly see 200K+ without a rebuild. My M50 powered e34 went 246K before I sold it and then went easily another 50k before the guy wrecked it.

The single most underwhelming car I've ever owned was a W204 MB C3004M. I dealer-serviced it because I wanted to unload it at 50-60K miles and wanted a stack of receipts to max my resale. Things changed and I wound up keeping it to 85K. Wish I hadn't- the front subframe cracked from just driving it around 84K (MB design flaw) and it developed a mechanically totaling oil leak from a sensor port in the block... directly on the main engine harness. $8K to replace/repair. I unloaded it and went back to BMWs.

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[MudderNuker]

I've owned a lot of cars over the years and several BMWs. If you do not stay on top of maintenance-- early-- they will shit the bed every time. If you beat the living hell out of it like it's a VQ powered Infiniti, it will return the favor. Even if not, stupid things will still break. You just wind up accepting it because when it's on, it is one of the most rewarding driver's car out there. I daily a 20 year old e46 with relatively low mileage (141K) and I stay on top of it for fear that if I dont, it will max out my Amex.

@MudderNuker the N52 was a poor successor to the M54. The blocks were a magnesium alloy that required another alloy to line the cylinders... which was prone to even more issues. One would think they'd have learned with the Nikasil issues in the M52... but they didn't. The M54 OTOH might be the best straight naturally aspirated 6 BMW ever made- in its many forms it can regularly see 200K+ without a rebuild. My M50 powered e34 went 246K before I sold it and then went easily another 50k before the guy wrecked it.

The single most underwhelming car I've ever owned was a W204 MB C3004M. I dealer-serviced it because I wanted to unload it at 50-60K miles and wanted a stack of receipts to max my resale. Things changed and I wound up keeping it to 85K. Wish I hadn't- the front subframe cracked from just driving it around 84K (MB design flaw) and it developed a mechanically totaling oil leak from a sensor port in the block... directly on the main engine harness. $8K to replace/repair. I unloaded it and went back to BMWs.

My first BMW was 1984 318i. The only issues I ever had were a destroyed driveshaft rubber union (I think that what it was called) and a small electrical fire I fixed for free with 10" of wire. I used to pull a 14" boat with it. Surprisingly that engine was stout but required constant valve adjustment as they were noisy.

 

[BourbonRunner]

My first BMW was 1984 318i. The only issues I ever had were a destroyed driveshaft rubber union (I think that what it was called) and a small electrical fire I fixed for free with 10" of wire. I used to pull a 14" boat with it. Surprisingly that engine was stout but required constant valve adjustment as they were noisy.

Those old 4-bangers M10's were gutless but they could run on swamp water and good intentions. M20s, too.

 

[MudderNuker]

Those old 4-bangers M10's were gutless but they could run on swamp water and good intentions. M20s, too.

Or without water. I was driving on the highway one time and noticed that the temperature went up while waiting to pay at the toll booth. I kept on driving and noticed the temperature went back to normal so I kept on going until I hit another toll and it did the same. I pulled over to see what was going on and there was not water in the radiator. A radiator hose had burst and spilled all the water. I noticed that the previous owner had used a longer than required upper radiator hose so I cut a piece of that one and replaced the burst one. Added water an never had a problem. Engine ran without water for several miles without damage.

 

[Remy_Dog]

Having owned 36 cars in my life (I think I lost count, I'm only 53 YOA), The brand that has been the most reliable for me is Jeep. Owned several BMWs, some used, some new. All had issues from convertible top actuators, to transmission shifting issues to lifter noise that BMW said it was normal on the N52 engine. Had 2 MBs that were solid, a Jaguar XJR that was a suspension nightmare, another older jaguar that ate transmissions, a Merkur XR4 turbo that blew the engine, a Pontiac Fiero that spent most of its days on jackstands, etc. It helps that Jeep is my favorite brand. I just wish they had used a different gas engine on the JT. It would be nice to have something like the GM 2.7L Turbo with 310HP and 430lbs of torque. That engine should pull like a diesel, although I have never driven one.

First Jeep was an 80's Comanche forgot the year. The rest listed by when I acquired them.
1994 GC
1999GC
2012 JK
2013 GC WK2
'92 YJ
'21 JTW
'21 JTR

Agreed, I’ve owned GM’s, Ford’s, Nissan but now exclusively Chrysler brand vehicles since 2006, including 4 Jeeps. I have zero complaints about any of the 11 CDJR vehicles I’ve owned. We have excellent CDJR sales and service dealerships in our area which certainly factors in as well. I do love my Jeeps.

 

[LostWoods]

Having owned 36 cars in my life (I think I lost count, I'm only 53 YOA), The brand that has been the most reliable for me is Jeep.

I wrenched for a few years at a Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealership in an area that loved their Jeeps and the point Jeep reliability went down was the point they merged unified (probably the better term here, in the sense they started sharing things) with the other two; which coincidentally aligned with CANBus integration that they still haven't managed to sort out. It started with the Liberty and the WK Grand Cherokee and the brand hasn't been the same since.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I wrenched for a few years at a Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealership in an area that loved their Jeeps and the point Jeep reliability went down was the point they merged with the other two; which coincidentally aligned with CANBus integration that they still haven't managed to sort out. It started with the Liberty and the WK Grand Cherokee and the brand hasn't been the same since.

Correct me if I'm wrong here but didn't CANBUS come over as a result of the MB merger? I'm fairly certain they were the first to put it in production cars.

 

[FloridaMan655321]

I call absolute bullshit on BMW being even in the top 10 unless they're only surveying people before their "free" maintenance and factory warranty run out.

BMW seems to be doing a better job with reliability. I bought a 2015 M235i and it was very nice and reliable for 70k miles over the 8 years I had it. Obviously not 200k as I ended up selling it, but it ran very smooth and didn't show any signs of concern ( I only sold it because the market was stupid and it was a 2nd vehicle for me ). They kind of used this same engine across a lot of platforms, so that certainly helps. I don't think I'd ever consider a 7 series or one of their 4-bangers.

 

[Remy_Dog]

I wrenched for a few years at a Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealership in an area that loved their Jeeps and the point Jeep reliability went down was the point they merged with the other two; which coincidentally aligned with CANBus integration that they still haven't managed to sort out. It started with the Liberty and the WK Grand Cherokee and the brand hasn't been the same since.

I’ve no idea about your area but I restate my local DCJR sales/service dealership is next to none (Goss DCJR, S. Burlington, VT). I’ve owned many DCJR vehicles and I have zero complaints. In fact, nothing but praise for Goss and the brands.

 

[Samsons Wig]

And the JT tied for #1 in initial quality last year. But nobody really believes in these JD rankings anymore. Supposedly, its now a marketing expense.

It always was. It’s never been legit.

 

[LostWoods]

Correct me if I'm wrong here but didn't CANBUS come over as a result of the MB merger? I'm fairly certain they were the first to put it in production cars.

Yeah pretty much everyone made that switch around that time because it saved literal miles of copper in the vehicles. Communication gremlins wasted so much of my time in those days as I was the primary electronics guy.

 

[LostWoods]

I’ve no idea about your area but I restate my local DCJR sales/service dealership is next to none (Goss DCJR, S. Burlington, VT). I’ve owned many DCJR vehicles and I have zero complaints. In fact, nothing but praise for Goss and the brands.

Wish I could say the same. Service was generally good until I started having issues that presented in the worst way... it only acted up on extended steep grades at 60-65 and in Phoenix, the only way to test that is an hour outside of town. Not a single dealership was willing to properly verify the complaint under the standard warranty and the two I went to again after 36k required me to pay the diagnostic time before they would go.

Someone else's problem now.

 

[Remy_Dog]

Wish I could say the same. Service was generally good until I started having issues that presented in the worst way... it only acted up on extended steep grades at 60-65 and in Phoenix, the only way to test that is an hour outside of town. Not a single dealership was willing to properly verify the complaint under the standard warranty and the two I went to again after 36k required me to pay the diagnostic time before they would go.

Someone else's problem now.

That’s just not right, seems it would have taken little for them to do right by you. I wish we all had sales/servicing dealerships like I have with Goss.

 

[saintpauljeff]

the N52 was a poor successor to the M54. The blocks were a magnesium alloy that required another alloy to line the cylinders... which was prone to even more issues. One would think they'd have learned with the Nikasil issues in the M52... but they didn't. The M54 OTOH might be the best straight naturally aspirated 6 BMW ever made- in its many forms it can regularly see 200K+ without a rebuild. My M50 powered e34 went 246K before I sold it and then went easily another 50k before the guy wrecked it.

the M54 in my 21 yr old E85 has been nothing short of fantastic, I continue to hang on to this since most of the modern sports cars offered by BMW (MB & Lexus too) create zero interest for me

 

[BourbonRunner]

the M54 in my 21 yr old E85 has been nothing short of fantastic, I continue to hang on to this since most of the modern sports cars offered by BMW (MB & Lexus too) create zero interest for me

Right there with you. The M54 is a versatile, reliable engine. Sure, it loves to leak everything but that's all BMWs and an easy fix- You just buy extra fluids each time you go to Autozone.

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