Re: If it WASN'T a Quattro - would you buy one?

[Mark Nelson <mnelson@brls.com>]

For all those that might consider the BM(bleh!)W to be the next best
thing to a quattro, I would strongly suggest you look into the
reliability aspects of a BMW.  They are the biggest electrical nightmare
to ever come out of Germany.  If you think your Audi was bad take a look
at the wiring diagrams on a 540 or worse yet one of the 850's with a
V-12.  My father is partners in a large Audi/BMW/Porsche repair
business, and any time they see a new Beemer come in for repairs, all
that comes into their heads is money, money, money.  They had an 850
that had to have the battery replaced, which is under the seat like the
Audi, except the rear seats in the new Beemers have lumbar support,
heating, fully adjustable, etc.  The manual says, "1. Remove Seat  2.
Replace Battery"  Well it takes 4 hours to get to the d*&n battery to
change it!!  That's only one of the nightmares on these cars.  I could
tell several more for those interested.

Next, for those interested in a 325ix take a look underneath. No where
near as sophisticated as Quattro.  The front driveline on these cars
actually goes through the oil pan! There is literally a donut type hole
that the driveline goes through (Bad news if anything on that driveline
ever brakes).  Secondly they run basically a transfer case, just like
out of a pickup!  Nothing sophisticated on these cars whatsoever.  In my
mind you would get more bang for your buck buying a GMC Typhoon!

Just some thoughts.  Maybe BMW is rated to have more power, but as soon
as any repairs have to be done on one, you better take out a second
mortgage on your house!

Mark Nelson

'87 5KTQ
'91 CQ
'91 Jeep Cherokee Laredo 4x4
'86 GMC K-2500 Suburban 4x4