Driving around with my daughter asleep in the car this afternoon, I ran across a 2013 528i X-Drive at the local car lot. Yes it's an automatic, but it's got me thinking.
What is the care and feeding like on these? I know the general rule is "don't own a German car out of warranty" but I really wouldn't mind a comfy luxo barge to work out of since I'm in my car 5-8 hours a day for work. Happy stories, scary stories, story stories?
N20/26 family of 4 cyl turbo engines + ZF 8 speed auto. Quicker than you would imagine, pretty smooth, can be really frugal on gas. Similar drivetrain to my daily driver (428i xDrive). Supremely comfy on the highway.
The transmission is generally bulletproof, especially with BMW software (Chrysler and other applications have been a bit clunkier in my experience), but the engine can be hit or miss. Random stories pop up on Bimmerpost about stock engines failing in various ways, though I would imagine the forum is a relatively small sample size given that they sell a bazillion cars with this drivetrain a day.
In general, though, these are cars that seem better leased than purchased...
Why would you think BMW would be the first automaker to build a reliable AWD car?
Well Subaru can't seem to manage it, so why not? I've already had the motor out of my outback for both head gaskets, front and rear main seals, and the oil pressure sensor, and that was at 60k miles.
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