The relevance being? Did he buy it new in the late 80s? If so please let me know for what it had to go to the shop :)

If it's some newer model I can relate they're a disaster, all the German Premiums are. That said, I'd never recommend to anyone to buy a car new, let alone a German premium car - your friend must be out of his mind or simply got played by the ads :). Losing 30% the moment he rolled off the lot must also have been a pain which is the number 1 reason I'd always go for 2nd or 3rd hand otherwise you're the 'beta tester' of the product you acquired or as it's BMW most likely leased.

You got my upvote don't get me wrong. Anyone who can spread the word about warning potential victims of this is a friend here but this simply has nothing to do with the cars from 30 years ago. They built the spiritual foundation that is today being eroded! When I say they of course I mean stuff like the E30 and E34 etc. even in the late 80s something like the $100.000+ 750i on occasion swallowed that same amount in the shop at BMW...when they were still selling it!!! The ultra reliable, yet luxurious and techy German super cars are simply a myth.