7 becoming an unlucky number for BMW - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-14-2002, 04:47 PM

For those of you who wonder how the Mercedes-Benz S-Class compare to the new BMW 7 Series.

Published by Auto Spies

7 becoming an unlucky number for BMW

Problems are mounting for BMW's new 7-series

As predicted in previous issues of our newsletter, the 7-series fiasco is starting to go from bad to worse. See this excerpt from an article in the Detroit News:

BMW 7 Series' problems could alienate loyal, wealthy customers

By Daniel Howes / The Detroit News

LANGEN, Germany -- Gerry Schedlinski is a BMW man, but he's fed up with his new $85,000 7 Series.
Touted as the most technically sophisticated BMW ever, his new 7 Series -- his seventh, coincidentally -- is "almost a melon," he says. "This is just not acceptable. Minor problems can all happen with cars, but not with luxury cars."

BMW AG's new 7 Series, the automaker's flagship, is off to a rocky start. Its unorthodox design (some call it downright ugly) and high-tech gadgetry are topics of great debate at German parties this spring. But there are growing signs of deeper troubles ahead for the new 7 Series.

The automaker, often hailed for its technical expertise and bulletproof quality and reliability, last week announced a recall of several thousand of the 35,000 7 Series models sold so far worldwide to check for potential fuel-pump and valve problems. Could that be just the beginning?

It may be. Within months after Schedlinski drove his gunmetal gray 745i home from the dealer, the power-steering pump quit. The automatic trunk, now fixed, needed an old-fashioned push so it would close properly. The windshield washer system still doesn't work properly and will be replaced.

There's more, much more.

The integrated telephone occasionally is on the fritz. Weather-stripping is falling off the driver's door. And they can't seem to fix the grinding noise coming from somewhere behind the transmission. BMW says it's a software problem. But Schedlinski, a consulting engineer who knows a thing or two about how things work, thinks it's more than that.

"It's a disappointment," he says, adding that his first six 7 Series were trouble-free, not to mention the five others driven by other family members. "They have to pick it up again and fix it. If they can't, they can keep the car."

Schedlinski's neighbor, Kirsten Schoder-Steinmueller, isn't to that point yet, mainly because she's loved every 7 Series she's ever owned. But she might get there soon if BMW isn't careful.

While hurtling down the autobahn toward Nuremberg at nearly 100 mph late last week, the engine in her 7 Series unexpectedly slowed to a crawl and the digital readout said "loss of motor power."

After a condescending customer service agent asked her whether there was gas in the car, a technician arrived to replace the throttle valve, target of last week's recall. It's just the latest problem -- and the most serious -- with her third 7 Series.

"The phone quits, I laugh," she says, adding that pieces of interior trim soon will be replaced because the color is rubbing off. "The distance control doesn't work, I laugh. But the engine, that is not fun."

A BMW spokesman, Wieland Bruch, says the initial quality of the new 7 Series is comparable to its predecessors as well as competitors a few months after launch. Asked if the new 7 Series has a quality problem, he says: "No."

Mounting evidence suggests otherwise. BMW had better address these problems and fast. Failure to move quickly, openly and admit mistakes -- never easy for one of Germany's Big Three automakers -- could brand BMW, even at home, for having launched the high-tech 7 Series too soon.

Worse, it'll look as if the Bavarian automaker is using well-heeled customers, who happily pay $75,000 or more for a new car, as product-development engineers. That's unacceptable.

Auto Spies Perspective: It's a real shame that the 'German Edsel' (our new nickname for the Seven) ever made it out the door. The executives at BMW have no one to blame but themselves. One of our insiders working for the company told us, that there were multiple prototypes of the car that took advantage of the new technologies, that had a much more traditional BMW look. In fact, if any one of the others would have been chosen, no one would have said 'Boo' about the iDrive. Some of the prototypes were downright gorgeous! Unfortunately, the more radical design was chosen by one of the senior executives, even though most people inside the company voted against it. Yes, it's the best driving luxury sedan. Yes, it's the best made luxury sedan. But it got let out of the gate way too early and it is just plain homely! Our advice to BMW: Restyle the back end and interior user interface (quickly!) for the 2004 model year. If you wait and keep trying to push this new look on your customers, you've got a ticking time bomb on your hands...

mushedroom · #2 06-14-2002, 06:10 PM

WHY DO MERCEDES BENZ OWNERS LOVE THEIR CARS????

(answers in the plate)....woo hoo!!!!

#3 06-14-2002, 10:35 PM

Thats why I signed a pettion to stop Chris Begal (whatever his name is)

#4 06-14-2002, 11:31 PM

I have seen very few new 7 series on the road. The BMW dealer in my area has a lot of them for sale....no kidding! That car is just butt-ugly, period. This is the biggest design mistake since the American Motors Pacer of the early 70's.

#5 06-14-2002, 11:32 PM

Can't wait to see what BMW does to the design team after the 1 series fails

Ali Al-Chalabi · #6 06-15-2002, 12:11 PM

His name is Chris Bangle and he needs to be shot.

BMW would lose a ton of money of they pull the 7 out of production prematurely, but they will lose even more if they continue to produce these things and drive the company into the ground.

#7 06-15-2002, 05:18 PM

How can they let him keep going is what I want to know.

Frank X. Morris · #8 06-16-2002, 11:53 AM

Howdy Allan,
Don't have to go back that far , just go look at an Aztek

suginami · #9 06-16-2002, 12:27 PM

I have seen one new 7-series on the road, and while I still don't like the rear-end treatment, it somehow looks much better in person than the pictures in the magazines.

Also, I know the rear is still "butt-ugly", but the remaining 3/4 of the car is beautiful.

Maybe this 7-series will be the same as Mercedes' problems with the first few years of the launch of the W140 series.

#10 06-16-2002, 01:40 PM

IM just worried because i am a big rolls royce fan and now that BMW taken them over, i dunno what to expect :-(

BAd124 · #11 06-17-2002, 10:35 AM

It is my understanding that Chris Bangle gets most of the derision concerning the styling because he was the team design leader. The one who actually came up with the idea was a swedish designer. I believe his name is Aron something(last name starts with a V). Chris is american and has also designed other cars such as the Z3. He has been with the company for 12 years previous so this is not his first attempt. The team leader befor him could be parralled to Bruno Sacco for giving the company it's "face" in the 70's-90's. I had a chance to drive a new 7 over the weekend and it is an amazing car....mainly beacuse while you are on the inside you forget what it looks like.

BenzOnline · #12 06-18-2002, 12:35 AM

LOL LOL LOL!!!

I knew it!! That company cant even make cars anymore.

Down the street from me is a family with a 2 million dollar house and the husband just got rid of his mint condition black 1991 560 SEL for that new 7 series garbage!! I want to knock on the door and laugh! What a fool. They have money and stuff to throw around but still.

The Warden · #13 06-18-2002, 01:42 AM

Hate to ask a dumb question, but what exactly is i-Drive?

BenzOnline · #14 06-18-2002, 07:38 AM

Dont worry, its not dumb because I dont know the answer eitheir?

#15 06-18-2002, 12:03 PM

iDrive = intuitive Drive. See details below.

BMW iDrive