What your friend is referencing is the addition of electronic stability systems, engine management systems, adjustable suspension etc. This "computeriation" really started with the switch to Fuel Injection on the 1980 308i. The next major addition after that was the incorporation of ABS brakes on the mid 1988 328s. In general these systems are quite reliable and not a major cause of problems. It is only when you get to the 348s (replacement model of the 328) that you may run into serious electrical issues but even these were really only on the early cars and would have been sorted long ago.
