10 Problems Every BMW Owner Should Know (And 10 For Audi Owners) (2023)

Anyone in the high-end luxury car market will at least have vehicles that are considered to be made by classic car manufacturers.BMWand Audi. With the ideal combination of reliability and elegant design, the modern Audi and BMW vehicles are among them.most sold carsin Europe and USA. BMW has been in the automotive market since 1917 and is the world's best-selling premium automotive company. In 2017, the Munich-based company sold no fewer than 2.5 million cars worldwide.

Updated February 2022: Audi and BMW are masters of luxury, but reliability isn't something both brands are really known for. Both German manufacturers are plagued by some common problems and knowing what you're getting into is key to being on the road, not in the shop. We've updated this list to include some additional issues to look out for when working on a BMW or Audi!

Meanwhile, Audi's parent company dates back to 1910, though the modern Audi brand was born in the 1960s with the introduction of the incredibly stylish Audi F103 in 1965. Since then, the Bavarian company has gone from strength to strength, selling 1, 9 million vehicles worldwide in 2017. Audi and BMW may have great reputations for engineering and design, but their cars are not without their faults. First of all, the drivers of bothbmw and audiThe vehicles are often voted the most reckless drivers on the road! The cars themselves also have some recurring failures, and regular BMW or Audi car owners will soon be familiar with the same mechanical failures.

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23 BMW: Variable Valve Timing Rattle

Variable valve timing in BMW offers better performance and better fuel economy. The downside, however, is that there is the dreaded "VANOS Rattle" variable valve. Vanos chatter occurs because variable valve timing has many moving parts and oil flows through the system.

While regularly scheduled maintenance can prevent the symptoms of vane chatter, the likelihood of this happening is slim.The impact on your BMW is relatively high. Repairing the rattle vanos will cost from a few hundred dollars to almost $800, of course it depends a lot on the store!

22 BMW: faulty ignition coils

If thatthe engine does not work properly, I can feel it. Acceleration is slow, power drops, and sometimes the check engine lights come on on the dash. These symptoms plague BMW owners in the form of faulty ignition coils. Scheduled maintenance can usually catch this problem, but neglecting it can be costly!

While replacing ignition coils isn't expensive, it could mean another unnecessary trip to the shop. Unfortunately, many BMWs have issues that they take to the shop, and this common BMW problem can have unintended consequences for other systems if not fixed immediately.

21 BMW: faulty cooling systems

The cooling system is one of the most critical parts of any car, as it keeps the engine at optimum temperature and protects it from overheating. However, cooling systems in BMW vehicles are prone to failure and can leave owners stranded on the side of the road if they are not prepared.

The BMW's cooling system consists of several parts, each of which is likely to fail after between 80,000 and 120,000 miles have been driven. Regular maintenance is the best preventative measure and saves BMW owners a lot of money on repairs.

20 BMW: The electric windows do not close

BMW engine cooling systems can often fail. Still, it's unlikely you'll have the same problem in the car, as power windows on BMW cars often break, leaving them open! It's not just about comfort, it's also about safety. After all, if you can't safely close your car window, what's to stop someone else from forcing you to open it? Since BMWs are among thethe most stolen carsIn many parts of the world, owners want to resolve this problem quickly to protect their pride and joy from potential thieves.

19 BMW: Problems with the heater core

Unauthorized power windows aren't the only bug that can affect that.Comfort for BMW drivers and their passengers. The car's cooling system and heating core are closely related, so it's no surprise that both suffer from chronic breakdown problems. Indeed, problems with your car's internal heating system (overheating or insufficient heat production) can sometimes be the first indication that your engine's cooling system is about to bite the dust.

The other clue is an unusually sweet smell coming from your heating system; That's the coolant, and if it starts to leak, it can soon make its way into the heater core.

18 BMW: Oil Filter Seal Leak

Another weak point is the gasket that connects the oil filter to the BMW engine; This seal, which connects the oil filter to the moving parts that need the oil, often ends up leaking. Less oil in the engine increases wear and can lead to other mechanical problems. Over time, the gasket that connects the oil filter to the engine in a BMW can become brittle over time, but if the damage is caught early enough, it can be an easy and relatively inexpensive repair. Leave it too late and you could end up spending several hundred dollars trying to fix that particular problem.

17 BMW: Wear on door handles

Owners of various BMW models, particularly the BMW X5 luxury SUV, have reported problems with their door handles. The outside door handles on the driver and passenger side of the vehicle still lift as expected, but nothing seems to be happening. More than a hassle if you're in a hurry!

Unfortunately, this is required of the BMW owner.Replace the entire door opening and locking mechanism, which is located at the door itself. While it's not the most complicated auto repair, it does require the kind of specialty tools only found in auto repair shops.

sixteen BMW: Faulty electronics

Problems with faulty electronic windows are not the only electronic error reported by BMW owners. Most people are familiar with the fuse box at home, but not everyone knows that cars also have their own fuse box, and that's definitely the first place to check if your BMW's electronics are at their limit. . However, more serious failures were reported in the electronic systems of BMW vehicles, leading to a recall of more than 300,000 vehicles in the UK in 2018 after the failure was linked to the death of a BMW driver. in Hampshire, England.

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15 BMW: Problems with the fuel pump

Owners of some of the most popular BMW models have reported problems with the high-pressure fuel pump, which can result in poor acceleration, engine stuttering at high speeds, or even engine misfiring. All engines have two fuel pumps, the low-pressure pump that draws gasoline from the tank and the high-pressure pump that pushes gasoline into the combustion chamber.

If your high pressure fuel pumpBMW performs below average, the only solution is to fix it, which is not a cheap solution when the car is out of warranty.

14 BMW: corrosion of alloy wheels

BMW brand alloys are some of the mostStylish aspects of every BMW car, and they do a lot to make these vehicles stand out from the crowd. Unfortunately, some homeowners have found that these great-looking alloys have more style than substance, as they begin to corrode after a relatively short period of time. This corrosion not only looks bad, but it can also affect vehicle performance, as corroded alloys can affect both wheels and tires. You can pay for a new set of BMW alloys, but many owners opt for an off-brand but more reliable set to avoid further problems.

13 BMW: Empty batteries

Along with the other electronic problems already on this list, BMW cars also seem to suffer from more than their fair share of dead batteries. The first clue that this might have happened to your car is that you can't unlock it; BMW central locking is battery powered so you may need to use the manual key even to access your vehicle.

Fortunately, it is very easy.start bmwfrom another car - it's just annoying when you have to start your vehicle once every few weeks.

12 BMW: error with automatic headlights

Automatic headlights are a relatively new automotive innovation that removes the human element from deciding when it's dark enough to need headlights. The problem with some BMW automatic headlights is that they stay on even when not needed, draining the battery and making other electronic problems in the car worse. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if this is the case with your car, especially if you live in a sunny place where your headlights may not be as noticeable. However, if you're having battery issues, automatic headlights that don't know when they're not needed may be to blame.

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11 Audi: Leaking Sunroof

When it rains, it can really pour. Especially if you are the future owner of an Audi. Sunroof leak is a problem for which there is no proper solution yet and it affects various models like sedans, coupes and SUVs. The problem lies in the design of the parts that make up the sunroof cover.

Water can enter the passenger cabin due to faulty parts, cracks, and drainage channels. make the situation worseAudi rejects guaranteesFor this type of problem, homeowners have to shell out hundreds or even thousands of dollars in repairs.

10 Audi: Ölverlust

And it's not just BMW owners who come up with a list of recurring errors and problems. Even Audi vehicle owners have to deal with annoying problems. One of the most common is an oil leak, which seems to affect the Audi A4 more than any other model.

These leaks can be caused byProblems with one of several engine parts– the camshaft seals, the valve cover seals and the front and rear crankshaft seals. If you're investing in a used Audi A4, make sure to have your local garage check these areas for damage and leaks before you spend any money.

9 Audi: Problems with electronics

Electronics also causesome problems with Audi vehicles– and since many of the vital parts of modern cars rely on electronics, these can quickly turn into serious and costly failures. Fortunately for Audi owners, one of the most common electronic failures in their cars can be fixed quite easily and inexpensively by simply replacing your faulty brake lights and turn signals. If changing the bulb doesn't work, you'll need an expert to take a closer look at the wiring, and if your Audi is out of warranty, you could be facing a hefty bill.

8 Audi: faulty timing belt

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The timing belt is not a part that many non-mechanics have heard of. Ordinary drivers are familiar with changing tires and spark plugs, but when it comes to timing belts, even car connoisseurs will get confused! Audi cars, especiallyAudi A4 had problems with the timing belt, a reinforced rubber piece that ensures all engine valves open and close at the right time for maximum efficiency.

If the timing belt is loose, the engine may run inefficiently or not at all. If the timing belt is going down the drain, that could be the end of the road for your Audi.

7 Audi: axle joints lose fat

Constant velocity or CV axles are an integral part of every motor vehicle, transferring power from the car's transmission to the wheels. unfortunately,Several Audi vehicles had problemsLoss of grease in the CV axle, resulting in increased friction, wear, reduced efficiency of the entire system, and deterioration of the performance of your Audi. Sometimes this problem can be fixed by replacing the "mantle" of the axle, the part that keeps water and dirt away from moving parts, but if the damage is too severe, the CV axle may need to be replaced.

6 Audi: Spark plug damage

Changing the spark plugs on any engine is one of the easiest engine repair jobs - good news for Audi owners whose spark plugs tend to wear out faster than normal! As its name suggests, spark plugs are responsible for the spark that creates ignition in any internal combustion engine.

If you look at yoursThe car loses power and acceleration.or it doesn't spin at all when you start the car, it may be time to replace the spark plugs, usually around the 80,000-100,000 mile mark, but usually more often for some Audi models.

5 Audi: exhaust leak

Some Audi cars seem to be more prone to exhaust leaks than other vehicles, a potentially expensive repair that can drastically reduce the efficiency of your Audi if you don't take it to your local shop. One of the most obvious signs of an exhaust leak is a thumping noise from the exhaust, kind of like the kind of modification street racers pay a fortune to put on their vehicles. Other signs of an exhaust leak include a rattling accelerator pedal and reduced fuel efficiency; You may need to fill the tank more often.

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4 Audi - Turn Signal Won't Turn Off

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Audi drivers are often voted most annoying by other drivers for their rudeness, including simple things like not using their turn signals when they should. However, some Audi drivers have a very different problem; its indicator does not go off! Most cars today are equipped with a multifunction switch on the steering column that controls all functions, including traffic lights, headlights, wipers, and turn signals.

Cars with stuck turn signals don't seem like much of a problem, but they can be dangerous to other road users who have no idea what, if any, maneuver you're about to pull.