 I've owned BMWs for the last 10 years; I love the way they handle. Fortunately, my 2008 X3 is a lease.  At 5K a chronic, very loud engine tapping began (akin to the vehicle in the movie 'Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang.') I had it serviced at least 6 times. By 21K, the tapping reduced to a soft finger strumming, it still taps, but I deal with it.  The engine strains on small & big hills & fails to shift. The car has, on *multiple* occasions, locked me inside.  Neither the unlocking mechanism nor the windows opened. I drove to the dealer, called them on my cell, had them force the window down & climbed out.  The interior handles, cup holders, arm rests, etc. are peeling& have been replaced once.