Just read through the thread on what makes BMW a safe car. Yeah we've got one. Well designed and engineered, swiftly performing, impeccable handling, robustly constructed, reliable, dependable etc.BORING.
Lets instead talk about the modestly performing, dodgy constructed and totally unreliable. Top of my list the HILLMAN IMP. It needed a full engine replacement at 50,000 miles. a Mini could drag it off, girls called it cute (death of love life) bits fell of it all the time and it broke down with monotonous regularity but I LOVED it (when it was going) one saving grace. It could HANDLE. I remember getting dragged off by a Mk 3 Zephyr just before the Manawatu Gorge then catching up to him easily in the Gorge. He was all over the road and nearly crashed a couple of times trying to stay ahead of me.
tamarillo,
Nov 21, 7:33am
Mate had a ginetta G15, an imp engined tiny sports car. Brilliant little thing. Back to topic. Lemons. Most trouble I've ever had is with beetle based VWs. Borrowed beetle was gutless, handled terribly, and threw a spark plug out to often. First kombi constantly broke down and needed lots of care and money, second one was better but still constant break downs. My rear engined skodas were perfectly reliable and performed much better than those beetle things.
But worst lemon, a bond equipe. Useless, pointless, ugly, nasty handling, weak diff. Rubbish.
moby,
Nov 21, 7:36am
I had an early 1950s diesel Mercedes (180D). It had NO virtues. It had the handling and acceleration of the Arahura, It required daily water due to a head fault (from new). It was loud and smelly - I called it "Hitler's Revenge". (I was given it - I should have given it back).
hawat,
Nov 21, 7:42am
hahahaha lmao. This is why I read these threads. Classic comments. Take a bow
rsr72,
Nov 21, 7:49am
#1- Yep, and the same here. Had one of the very first in NZ and it attracted crowds wherever it was parked when new.
totalimp,
Nov 21, 7:55am
Post of the year. Well done. I'll come to you for inspiration on my next cars name
budgel,
Nov 21, 8:00am
I can honestly say I've never had a lemon. I did feel that I was doing well when I got a car that was expensive and reliable enough that I stopped carrying my tools on a trip. I dont know what model BMW the OP has, but my old E38 still gives me pleasure every time I drive it, definitely not boring!
intrade,
Nov 21, 8:01am
well for save cars if i would want one it be one of the renaults , thing is i dont need a save car the only danger is when some moron crashes head on in to me and i cant avoid the crash, this is the only scenario i would need a save car for my self .And no i am not a renault afficionado, all cars are crap you just have to find ones that are less crap then others to choose from or, pick one you like something from and put up with what ever crapps out on it . like my tdi volkswagen i only got that for the engine and transmission if that engine was in a kia id be owning a kia or what ever , its not based on manufacturer its based on what i recon whom made the best diesel and its unit injected vw , there is reasons why vw had to cheat emissions and how they went about it , because the unit injectors where getting to hot with all the crap emission addons = discontinueing of the engine and quickly engeneer a commonrail, no time to cleverly hide emission cheating just whack in a progy for lab and start producing ,,, that is pritty much what would have happened in a nutshell.
hawat,
Nov 21, 8:09am
Ummm I didn't word that well. I didn't mean that the BMW is boring I meant that lauding the praises was getting boring. We have an e39 and I can't find anything newer that I would like more (or could afford)
budgel,
Nov 21, 8:31am
That sounds more like it!
rsr72,
Nov 21, 8:39am
2007 BMW E92, . 48,000 kms, ABS/Traction control breaks down. Control module repair $1,200- warranty. 58,000 kms, Electric/electronic water pump breaks down. New pump, replace thermostat, $1,800 plus Replace lower front suspension bushes same time $500.
elect70,
Nov 21, 8:41am
As in the jeep thread the 2 new cars ive ever had were lemons & always had to carry tool box & bits around . But my E36 328 S BMw with 18' wheels & biggest tyres always gives me a thrill & after 285000 K its never missed a beat .
djrandomguy,
Nov 21, 9:29am
The Imp was a victim of being made in too many pieces in too many places, a well sorted IMP [now all the problems are sussed] is a great wee car.
tgray,
Nov 21, 9:32am
15 years ago, I bought a 1980 pre HE Jaguar V12. A complete and total disaster! The only good news was I bought it for $2,000 and sold it for $4750 six months later. Still lost money on it.
dingo011,
Nov 21, 9:56am
Hmmm your E38 must have some very special options fitted that I haven't seen before, vibrating seat maybe? Anyway glad your beemer gives you pleasure personally I prefer my wife LOL
sw20,
Nov 21, 10:03am
The only lemon I had was a very tidy looking Subaru Legacy RS. 100% stock. Did a little panel and paint and had the wheels restored. Looked like a million bucks. It cost nearly a million bucks to keep the thing on the road though. Never again.
nzjay,
Nov 21, 10:32am
Yum! With a 1500 Ford engine even yummier.
bigfatmat1,
Nov 21, 10:35am
had a gt wagon of same era broken into 4 times stolen twice used in a armed robbery. Made it on to police ten seven. The thieves were getting chased by police when it broke down . I was repairing that thing on a weekly basis total lemon
poppy62,
Nov 21, 10:41am
1966 Prince Gloria, engine smoked all the time, the panels looked like Lace with rust, the paint had faded beyond matt finish and I couldn't give it away even with the promise of money with it. Ended up wrecking it, the Chassis (massive unit) stood up vertically against the wall was a constant reminder to never deal in lemons again. Worst part was that even the parts were like big bags of lemons never sold anything that I can recall. Then came my (many motor/box exchanged) factory Mini ute.
bjmh,
Nov 21, 11:42am
i brought a brand new Isuzu Wizard. yes the 4j rubbish . it handled like a spoon in soft butter,so I put aftermarket shocks on it and rode like it had no suspension,then it wouldn't start,then it wouldn't idle . it was a nice vehicle seats ,interior etc . but the mechanicals were shite. traded it back real quick.
marmar1,
Nov 21, 1:45pm
Not all Subarus are bad,I have the dreaded TT B4 it had 75k when I bought it and just click over 176k and in that time 1 tow job for an alternater failure.
socram,
Nov 21, 2:46pm
All my early cars were Mini's (and most later ones owed their heritage to the Mini for that matter!) and I can't say that any were lemons. Two eventually rusted out, but transferring the good bits to a replacement shell was easy enough. Sure, as with any older car, you learned to deal with the various maladies, but most of us would put it down to maintenance.
We never dreamed of 20,000 between services!
dublo,
Nov 21, 3:41pm
Against the advice of the experts I bought (in 1995) a 1985 Rover 3500. "They were $64000 new so must be good" and down to $12500 after 10 years and 120000 km. Good ownership history but the $12500 was just the start. I still haven't added up how much it cost for parts and repairs in the 7 years and 30000 kms we owned it. Blamed it on British Leyland's lack of quality control, the unions, the management, the parts suppliers etc etc. Great to drive (when it didn't "fail to start") but very thirsty. Sold it at a great loss but dreaded phone calls from the next owner who for many months would ring up saying "Found another thing wrong with the Rover. " We went back to an 8 year older, excellent Triumph 2500 and still have it!
budgel,
Nov 21, 4:29pm
I would be happy to try her out for a comparison if you are OK with that.
tony9,
Nov 21, 5:15pm
318ti (E46). Bought it as a cheap commuter. It's a BMW, really well priced - what could go wrong?
Lots.
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