BMW enjoys quite a healthy reputation in the U.S. in Europe for both the initial quality and long-term value of its products, but the company’s reputation is apparently taking somewhat of a hit in the Chinese market.
Last year a man who had purchased a 2004 BMW X5 decided that he was fed up with three-years worth of major mechanical issues which included, “ignition failure, brake failure, loss of power and loss of directional control of the vehicle while driving.” The buyer, one Mr. Zhao, made the claim that the problems existed from day one of his ownership and that they, “posted a serious threat to my safety.” Indeed.
Unhappy with BMW’s lackluster response to his requests for a complete refund or wholly new vehicle (they said “no”), Zhao decided to implement a two-fold attack on the automaker to trumpeted by the media. “Step one” of the plan was to tow the embattled X5 through the streets with a Buffalo, while the second stage called for smashing the car to bits for the benefit of attendant journalists.

We’re not sure how the Zhao story ended (Baseball bat? Bowling team?) but we know that his actions have spurred other dissatisfied Chinese BMW buyers to action. Recently a woman called Ms. Ma decided to bring the noise to BMW for serious and dangerous failures she was experiencing with her brand new 525i. Ma decided that she would also take the bovine protesting route, hauling her deadened 5-series through the streets with a powerful ox. Ma’s demonstration was reportedly successful too, causing the local manager of the BMW dealership to run out to the street yelling, “We need to talk!” Power to the people.
+ China Car Times:* Woman, angry with dead 5-Series replaces horse power with Ox power!