5 Series JD Power: 2011 BMW 5-Series ratings

[GTA45E]

Most Appealing Midsize Premium Car

-->> JDPower.com | 5 Series

 

[Merc1]

I can see that, it would be my choice in this class.


M

 

[GTA45E]

I like the 5er as well as the E-Class just about equally. You really can`t go wrong with either.

BMW has stepped it up in quality for sure. The new 5er is right up there with the E.
Now if it can get the quality-stamp from Consumer-Reports it will be a real hit.

 

[Mr Robert]

I don't know, I'm usually baffled by JDP and their findings...

 

[Zafiro]

Nah, I dont have much trust in JD Power. I always take their results with a pinch of salt.

 

[GTA45E]

^
You know how the system works right?
Owners of these cars fill out the registeration papers then fill in the 1-5 bubbles in the perspective catagories, (interior quality, overall build quality exc.) depending on how good, or how bad.
It`s not rocket science.

 

[Zafiro]

^
You know how the system works right?
Owners of these cars fill out the registeration papers then fill in the 1-5 bubbles in the perspective catagories, (interior quality, overall build quality exc.) depending on how good, or how bad.
It`s not rocket science.

Mm, but american view often differs from european view. Its all subjective and not a scientistic fact. I lay my faith in european view and in my personal view. Besides , I've heard some horror stories about JD in the past.

 

[klier]

Scientistic is a fantastful word

It`s not rocket science.

Nor is it science. It's crap with the most absurd questions. Do YOU even know how it works? Like JD Power checking Facebook and Twitter for it's results, for one?

 

[Merc1]

Its all across the board actually, it isn't all science nor is it all objective. If you have a mechanical problem with a car, there is no way to get around that. No excuse will cover that. The JDP dependability study is the no nonsense one that takes a hard look at 3 year old cars, and they're not asking you how you "feel" about them either they wanna what problems you've had and how things function. This dependability ratings stuff is minor and really not the standard. Its the 3 year study folks.

What kind of "horror" story can you hear about JDP?

BMW fans can say what they want, but when Mercedes problems were well known the JDP data reflected that. Now that it is know that BMW has many problems now, engines, fuel pumps etc, the JDP data reflects this.


It can't all be bs, nor is it all a true representation either. The truth always seems to be somewhere in the middle.


M

 

[GTA45E]

BMW fans can say what they want, but when Mercedes problems were well known the JDP data reflected that. Now that it is know that BMW has many problems now, engines, fuel pumps etc, the JDP data reflects this.

It can't all be bs, nor is it all a true representation either. The truth always seems to be somewhere in the middle.

M

Thats very true... the new 5er does reflect a small amount of mechanical issues.
Your also right about the Quality issues in past Mercedes being reflected in the reports!

Now, I also want to see some of these horror stories..

 

[K-A]

Whenever I get sent these things, I never fill them out. They're waaaaayy too long. I feel that the Owners who will take the time to do so, will either have remarkably good or bad experiences with their cars.

As far as problems go, the F10's problems have been well documented, not just by CR Reports and the like (there was an Article recently that stated the 550i was BMW's worst-quality/most problematic car), but by browsing their Message Boards. The F10 is a more complex car than the more simple-approached E-Class, and that shows in two ways, owner enthusiasm, and troublesome "never again" experiences. The common problems with the F10 far surpass and are far more involved than common issues reported with the E (which are pretty few and far between).

 

[martinbo]

The F10 is a more complex car than the more simple-approached E-Class...

It is? What about the F10 is more complex than the W212, car for car? Is it because the 535i for example is turbocharged vs the E350? Or is it because the 5er has an 8 speed gearbox compared to the 7G-Tronic in the E-Class?

Very curious as to why you've made this assertion.

 

[Human]

BMW did the F10 5er perfect in so many ways and the cherry on-top is the M5, the car (model series) deserves all the attention and accolades internationally (also being one of SA's car-of -the-year 2011) no reason whatsoever why not!

 

[Mr Robert]

The problem with surveys like this, is the selection. Who answers the survey? What are their expectations? People can't be trusted because people are stupid

 

[K-A]

It is? What about the F10 is more complex than the W212, car for car? Is it because the 535i for example is turbocharged vs the E350? Or is it because the 5er has an 8 speed gearbox compared to the 7G-Tronic in the E-Class?

Very curious as to why you've made this assertion.

535 engine VS E350 engine (especially non D/I, now-previous 3.5L) more tech, electronic steering, etc. Just more electronics and more to go wrong on a 5-Series I think.

 

[martinbo]

Ok granted, it's not an exact science but I get where you're coming from. Electronic and mechanical complexity is a helluva difficult thing to assess without getting into some serious nitty-gritties.

Engine mechanicals and management electronics aside, I believe that the E-Class and 5er are on a direct par when it comes to technical complexity and sophistication in every other area.

 

[K-A]

Yeah I agree that they're on par in terms of sophistication and engineering, etc. I just feel, when reading about 5-Series owners experiences, there there's more "stuff" on the 5, and it's not like the E really lacks the "stuff", but it offers more simplified, if even sometimes stripped down versions. IMO it's a purposeful and calculated situation by M-B, as they really needed the W212 to be bulletproof.

Then again, when you're used to one thing, and you read about the "other guys", you pay attention to lots of stuff that's different or more complex from yours.

A couple examples I can actually think of, are from an owner on the F10 Board that had an E-Class before. A couple complaints he had (on a car he's otherwise very happy with.... Despite it completely going dead on him in middle of traffic, forcing him to drive it to the Dealer in limp mode, no power steering, all lights flashing and sounds buzzing, etc.) were that the F10's "Brake Hold" feature is unnecessarily complex compared to his old E, which offered a much simpler and less involved way to engage and disengage, also, apparently something about the Keyless entry and/or exit was something he pointed out was more involved in terms of having to do more/being more complex than the E's simple system.