It is interesting how people have such varied results. My old 79 Chevy 4x4 had 189k when I twisted the front axle playing in the mud. I sold it to a friend who drove it for at least 8 years after, that was the only issue I ever had with it. 76 Monte Carlo, about 140k when my brother wrecked it, no major issues at all. 77 T-Bird, somewhere around 170k the timing chain had so much slack it would not run, gave it to a deserving young man who fixed and drove it. 95 Chevy 1500, starter at a little over 100k, drove it to close to 200k with no other issues. 97 Firebird, 3.8 and 5 speed, water pump at 80k, replaced tranny at about 100k for failed synchro's, idler pulley at about 90k and clutch at 140k when I gave it to son in law. I will leave out the ones that I only owned a few years before trading in.
2001 BMW E38 740i, in three years time, 3 expansion tanks, water pump, radiator, thermostat, entire propshaft rebuild all of which left me stranded and calling AAA, other than the twisted axle and idler pulley, no other vehicle has left me stranded. I knew going into it that the E38 was a car that needed more attention than any other BMW and it did not disappoint. I sold it at 87k after rebuilding most of the common failure items before they failed. My next fear with it was timing chain guides that tend to fail and grenade the engine.
I wasn't up for that rebuild, sold it and bought the current 03 2500HD which I will fix whatever needs fixing, it is the farm truck and is worth fixing. I did have the Dealer replace the oil pump for a failed relief valve spring and had motor mounts replaced. I would say I have no bad experiences other than the BMW but they were expected and normal with it. I almost always turn my own wrenches and do my own service. I prefer GM products and have had much better luck with them. The Ford's I have owned felt light and cheap and I never kept one for more than a few years. My son in law just bought an 07 Ford 4x4 and I have to admit, it feels like a truck and I expect it to serve him well.
