is bmw as reliable as lexus?

Question

my wife is looking to get a bmw 5 series or x5 but we have been hearing alot of bad things about bmw recently especially with reliability and electrical problems. we owned a 2006 mercedes E350 and had nothing but problems and we currently own a Lexus LS460 which has been 100% reliable but we never owned a bimmer so we're just looking for advice.

Answer 1

In short answer- no. BMW is not as reliable as Lexus. Lexus is the most reliable manufacturer on the market as all statistics and research indicate. However, the downside is Lexus is not as engaging to drive as a BMW. If you are looking for something both engaging to drive as a BMW but nearly as reliable as a Lexus, check out the newest generation of Cadillac, starting with the CTS. Cadillac has taken the number two spot right after Lexus in quality ratings whereas BMW has fallen several levels and indeed as indicated by the long term quality ratings, is near the bottom of the heap just ahead of Land Rover and Kia. In a recent first year case study for new vehicles with mileage below 15,000, BMW is infact behind Hyundai and Ford. My advice is stay away from BMW while the problems in the next generation of vehicles is worked out.

Answer 2

you cant really compair by the company you really have to compair by the individual car.The 5 series and the X5 have average reliability. the Lexus GS300 has only fair reliability and the Lexus RX350and LX470 have excellent reliability. The BMW's will have higher build quality and better driving dynamics than the Lexus's (especially the X5 over the Rx350 when it comes to handling and driving dynamics) I would also have her look at the Audi A6 for a sedan it has Very good reliability which is better than the BMW 5 series and the Lexus GS350. The Lexus Is 250 does have better reliability than the BMW though so it really depends on the car you are comparing to. i would go for the Audi for the best balance of reliability build quality and and handling. I would not even consider a Lexus GS you lose handling build quality and reliability with that model, there are no strong points for that car. For the SUV i would go with the Infinity FX35 which has exelant relibility and will have slightly better driving dynamics than the Lexus RX the BMW will probably handel the best and have the best driving dynamics but will cost more for repairs and only have average reliability.

for comparison the MB e350 is actualuy slightly more reliable than the lexus GS350.

The trouble spots (im listing anything less than perfect on the 2007 models)

the BMW 5 series trouble spots are the
audio system ,power equipment, body hardware, body integrity, and drive system.

for the Audi A6 the only trouble spot is the Audio system.

the lexus GS has all the same problem spots as the BMW 5 seires(to a worse degree) and they also have
paint and trim, brakes and suspension.

now for the SUV's

the trouble spots on the Lexus rx350 for 07 are
the climate control system, body integrity and audio system.

the trouble spots for the 06* lexus LX (there is no info for 07) are body hardware, body integrity and drive system.

the BMW X5 trouble spots are fuel system, climate control system body hardware, power equipment and audio system

I would highly suggest you take her to at least testdrive the A6 i know its not on her list of cars but it is a great car that is as close to a 5series as you can get while still retaining a better than average reliability rating.

Answer 3

John,
BMW isn't called the ultimate driving machine for nothing. Over the past 2 decades BMW has won more awards for BEST everything over every other car made.
Every auto mfg is going to have troubles and repairs needed they just vary.
For example a Lexus will eventually have a need for timing belt replacement which will run you about $2,000. A BMW will never have this problem because it doesn't use a timing belt.
It's all relative. What's important is what is your driving experience going to be behind the wheel the several hours you spend there every day?
Lexus are nice, but over priced Toyotas. Look at every comparison in every car mag of Lexus vs. BMW and you'll have your answer.

Answer 4

Japanese products, are build for comfort, fashion, entertainment and economy in mind.
European products, are build with safety, reliability, solidness in mind.
Especially German products, are build to be trustworthy, durable and performance.

A good example outside of cars, the Sony earphones I used to get always got spoil after 3~6 mths.
While my Sennheiser has been with me for 2 years without any problems.

Back to cars.
BMW are build for performance and safety, they are usually well armored and precision engineered, in terms of the car itself, it provides the best a driver could want.
MB, on the other hand, is more into comfort.
Now, Japs car like Toyata and Lexus, are only good to look and fun to play with.
They have light bodies and engine to save fuel, and cut cost here and there, so they can make all the toys in the car better.
These are cars for entertainment, not driving.
First, a BMW and MB drives better then a Lexus, with better respond and breaking.
Second, if you met an accident and crash, you will be unharmed in a BMW, slightly injured in a MB and near death in a Lexus, Japanese and Korean cars' safeties are just a bit better then China Cars.
If you want the fun, get a Lexus.
If you value your life and the life of the people you will be driving around, get a BMW.

Answer 5

First of all, please check out www.autos.msn.com to read what the real world consumers say.


BMWs used to be very good, at least until mid 90's. So was the Mercedes-Benz.

But if you look at the models manufactured after mid 90's, BMWs and MBs slowly begining to have mechanical problems - including engine reliability.

In fact, contrast to the German autos, actually the Japanese autos and South Korean autos are getting much, much better, in terms of design, engine reliability, other performance flaw (including your case, electrical malfunction), fuel economy.

For some strange reasons, consumers give low ratings to today's BMWs, MBs, and even Volks Wagens. They say they are full of problems, including the reliability issue.

In fact, the reliablity is like a life blood to the cars. If a car is known to have a low reliability, then people start to stop buying them.

To accuratelly answering your question, it depends on the model you choose, but according to many consumers say in www.autos.msn.com, the recent BMWs are not that reliable as they were before.

Once again, please check out www.autos.msn.com, because this web page is probably the best consumer-friendly, honest and accurate web page (I am not advertising the www.msn.com).

Answer 6

Lexus vehicles are much more reliable than BMW vehicles. There are many years of reliability statistics in many different studies that show that.

In my experience the 'big' things with BMW like the engine, drivetrain and suspension are fairly reliable but 'little' things like switches, sun roofs, etc could be problematic. Most of these are likely to show up later in the vehicle's life so if you are purchasing a vehicle brand new and don't plan to keep it for much past the warranty period, you should purchase the vehicle you like the most.

Answer 7

lexus used to (and still does?) rank number one for producing the most reliable cars, but both the gs and es have been showing signs of change recently. acura is not far from lexus, not surprising for japanese brands. mercedes will continue with their cursed streak from the looks of it. bmw is the most impressive with more models (except the flagship 7 series, v8 versions of the 5 series, and the suvs) getting better, especially the very reliable 3-series (what a great car).

Answer 8

BMW is known to be more reliable them MB, but nowhere near as reliable as Lexus. You know how you have 100% no problems with Lexus... I would expect much of the same from the next one... This is not the case with most German cars. The only one I heard that is semi-reliable is the 3-series, not the 5.

Answer 9

go to jd power and see for yourself... Lexus is the most reliable for the past 12 yrs in a row! BMW is barely in the top 5

Answer 10

It's like any car. Every one is different, and they all break down eventually. Some are built very well and will last seemingly forever. But then some don't. Just look at the Lexus or BMW section of this site to see how many problems people have with these vehicles.

I've seen examples of both these cars that were terrible, in spite of good maintenance (too much maintenance probably).

If I were you, I'd go with the car you like the most. They are all going to cost money in repairs eventually.