2000 BMW 323I User Comment / Complaint

I am an owner of 2000 bmw 323i. it currently has ~115k miles on it. today (friday, july 13, 2007), i entered the parking garage at work and attempted to back into a parking space --- as i always do. i drove forward, then put my car in the reverse gear, but it would not move. when i pressed on the accelerator, it would only make an idling sound like it was in the neutral gear --- even though the lcd showed "r" (reverse). after a few attempts of trying to go in reverse, i realized that all my efforts came to naught. luckily, i had just enough room to "drive" forward and clear the car in front of me so that i could take my car to get repaired. come to find out, i need a new transmission. i find it very odd that my transmission would go out this early and it wouldn't give any type of warning. also, i find it very frustrating that there are cars that cost 1/3 of the price and provide better utility. this experience definitely has me questioning my brand loyalty. bmw surely isn't living up to its' branding message as "the ultimate driving machine" --- unless it specifically excludes going in reverse.