BMW Quality problems

I have read with great interest about the BMW quality problems of late and would like to add my experience of it.

I bought a R1200RT as an ex demo machine on a 54 plate at 7 months old with just over 6,000 miles done. It was the biggest pile of rubbish I have ever owned. in the year and a half I had it it suffered the following: Bohth cam chain tensioners failed, front discs warped, 3 fuel sender units and last but not least the output shaft oil seal, the front of the engine corroding badly and being replaced, various fasteners rusting, the left hand switchgear leaking and replaced twice, headlights blowing with great regularity and the locks on the panniers being very stiff.

When it was working, it was a great bike to ride, but as you might imagine it was a nightmare to live with. When the warrenty ran out I took the decision to get rid of it and got a 1999 K1200LT as a swap with some cash my way. The difference was amazing. No problems at all for some 20,000 miles until a seal went on the clutch slave cylinder.

I would point out that I was told by my local dealer that the R1200GS had had problems with the fuel sender unit from its introduction, and it seems that nothing has changed. Many of the 1200GS owners I have spoken to have had problems of one sort or another. Has it put me of BMW’s? Has it hell.

For various reasons I currently have a Honda NT650 Deuville and its the most boring bike I have ever had, to the point that I’m going to sell it asap and get… another BMW. I can accept that there may be problems but quite honestly as long as its not as bad as the RT I’m not bothered. BM’s have a character all of their own, and the Dullville I have now has none at all. It does everything perfectly well but has no grin factor.

Having said all that BMW really needs to gets its corporate finger out and tell owners of problems and get them sorted, when you are paying the sort of sums that BM’s cost you should get the best back up possible, and frankly BMW fumble the ball far too much. Good job I know of a local specialist who costs far less than the dealer AND helps out with ideas that make sense!!