The fuel tank support strap bracket on my 2000 BMW 323ci coupe snapped off without warning. It happened while driving, I noticed a loud metallic grinding sound coming from underneath the car. I stopped, and noticed an 18 inch metal strap being dragged along the ground, still attached at one end (rear end) of the fuel tank. The front side of the strap had disconnected from the car and the fuel tank on the passenger side had dropped several inches, and was 'dangling' to some extent - it bounced up and down when pushed. The weld that broke was holding the front side of the fuel tank support strap, on the passenger side of the car. It appears that a small amount of metal had torn out of the frame that the bracket was attached to. The car is currently being repaired by a mechanic. To repair it, they need to remove the entire fuel tank and weld the bracket back onto the frame, so that the support strap can be re-attached. I have been quoted $600.

- Del Mar, CA, USA

A year ago, my gas gauge sensor went out. The car had less than 100,000 miles on it. Today, my 2000 BMW 323I has 111,000 miles on it and the vehicle will not drive in any gear without a grinding sound. I almost got killed by a car behind me because I could suddenly not accelerate at a stop light and I had to get out to push the vehicle to safety. Within the past few months the car would drive, but only when it was warm. Now it is completely inop. This car has been well maintained! it would cost me over $4000 to get a new transmission and I still over $6000 on the car. Despite thousands of complaints regarding the 2000 BMW 323I transmission failure, BMW refuses to do anything. I currently have no operable vehicle and I still have to maintain my auto loan payments and find alternate transportation to work. I have spent over $3500 in additional repairs to this vehicle on brakes, new catalytic converter sensors, trailing arm, ball bearings, etc.

- Saint Francis, WI, USA