OH NOES! He bought a DIESEL!

J1nxy · 1 Nov 2010 at 13:38

Rilot said:
So, I've had the 730d for 2 months. Here's my report.

I love it. The comfort is just superb after I worked out the best way to place the comfort seats. Handling is excellent for a car of this size too. I think the Dynamic Drive has a lot to do with that though.
I've averaged 35mpg so far with 45mpg on long motorway trips.
Performance is adequate and I certainly don't find myself wanting for more grunt. The torquey nature of the soot thrower suits motorway and a-road overtaking very well. Engine is silent at cruising speeds but makes a diesely sound when pushed. I still don't like the sound it makes at idle or when being driven around town when cold. Sounds like a bag of old spanners. How anyone can state "Modern diesels are so good, you don't know it's a diesel from inside as it's so quiet". That's a load of crap from people trying to justify their purchase. You CAN tell it's a diesel. It sounds like one. Not like a 4cyl shaker, but a diesel nonethless. I guess 318d owners need to try to feel good about their cars somehow.
The engine really has me in a bit of a quandry. I like the economy and the midrange torque but I dislike the sound. Unfortunately, the only engine that's going to get me the torque and the sound together is the 6.0 V12 but there is no way I can afford to run one. So, I think maybe more diesels will be in my future for daily drivers.

So, to sum up after 3000 miles.

Likes:
Comfort
Space
Silence when cruising
Ergonomics are just superb
i-drive
Road presence
Equipment
Soft close doors
Economy
Performance
Handling
Headlamps are like portable suns

Dislikes:
High-beam assist. It's just too slow.
i-drive brightness at night
Engine sound at idle
Navigation system is absolutely rubbish (I use my iphone instead)
Stereo isn't very good. I am taking steps to fix this

So, all in all I'm happy. We shall see what the next 12 months brings as far as running costs are concerned. I have a service coming up in 2000 miles for a brake fuid change and cabin filter.

What age is the disk in your Sat-Nav as found it on my 3 it improved dramatically with the later versions. Other than the annoying nag from the TMC re-routing its pretty decent now

Rilot · 1 Nov 2010 at 16:42

J1nxy said:
What age is the disk in your Sat-Nav as found it on my 3 it improved dramatically with the later versions. Other than the annoying nag from the TMC re-routing its pretty decent now

2010-1

Jez · 2 Nov 2010 at 08:45

Rilot, what is the issue with the navigation system? I have not used an E65's system in depth but it seemed ok to me on first glance. It is a bit concerning that you have specifically mentioned it as being rubbish.

Is it missing certain features present in other integrated systems?

Django x2 · 2 Nov 2010 at 09:57

It's just woeful graphics and limited post code search, unless the new disc has addressed that

J1nxy · 2 Nov 2010 at 10:10

No still rubbish post code search but I use google maps to send the address to the car most of the time.

[TW]Fox · 2 Nov 2010 at 10:14

You can only do that on ConnectedDrive fitted cars then so I am guessing yours is a 2007 or later?

Dandle · 2 Nov 2010 at 12:24

Lucero said:
It's just woeful graphics and limited post code search, unless the new disc has addressed that

Dodgy nav disks that are around that give full postcode search and euro speed cams. They can either be downloaded or bought from various sellers online for about £30.

[TW]Fox;17699420 said:
You can only do that on ConnectedDrive fitted cars then so I am guessing yours is a 2007 or later?

You can do that with BMW Assist (Connecteddrive as a brand arrived in Sep2008 and was BMW assist and BMW online combined). BMW assist has been around since 2005ish probably with online as well but as a seperate option.

[TW]Fox · 2 Nov 2010 at 12:31

I'm pretty sure pre 07 cars can't do the google maps thing? Anyone know for sure?

Jez · 2 Nov 2010 at 12:32

Lucero said:
It's just woeful graphics and limited post code search, unless the new disc has addressed that

The visuals are absolutely fine, more than adequate to be totally clear in what it is telling you to do.

Dandle said:
Dodgy nav disks that are around that give full postcode search and euro speed cams. They can either be downloaded or bought from various sellers online for about £30.

I assume this is all Rilot is referring to, as he probably has a genuine disc.

Dandle · 2 Nov 2010 at 12:36

[TW]Fox;17700357 said:
I'm pretty sure pre 07 cars can't do the google maps thing? Anyone know for sure?

Yes I know for sure I was with a guy yesterday who has both BMW online and assist in his 06 plate car. He retrofitted BMW Online into my car.

[TW]Fox · 2 Nov 2010 at 12:49

Dandle said:
Yes I know for sure

It seems you don't:

BMW Press Release said:
addresses and telephone numbers can be found in Google Maps on a PC ahead of a journey and then sent directly to the car at a few clicks of the mouse. Here, too, the address and telephone number can subsequently be accessed in the car and entered into the navigation system and/or telephone at the push of a button. Again with this service, introduced in 2007 and available for all BMW models, BMW is the global leader

You are, however, right that BMW Online pre-dates 07, but didnt include the Google Maps functionality we are discussing here. Infact interestingly it seems BMW Online actually first appeared on the E65 way back in 2001! :eek:

BMW Press Release said:
First launched in 2001, the internet-based BMW Online service enables quick and convenient access to information available in the BMW Online portal that has been specifically tailored for in-car use.

Dandle · 2 Nov 2010 at 12:51

BMW Assist was around before that, thats when google added the service to their maps. It works on older cars with BMW assist.

[TW]Fox · 2 Nov 2010 at 12:58

So you could send Google maps details to your car before Google added the service in 2007?

BMW assist itself came out in the 90s. It hasn't always had Google maps functionality.

Dandle · 2 Nov 2010 at 13:01

[TW]Fox;17700551 said:
So you could send Google maps details to your car before Google added the service in 2007?

BMW assist itself came out in the 90s. It hasn't always had Google maps functionality.

No before that you could send info from a pc though not through google maps. Once google started the service it just uses your account details to send the information to the car without you having to enter all the details.

[TW]Fox · 2 Nov 2010 at 13:03

Ok but are we not in this thread specifically talking about sending from Google maps

Dandle · 2 Nov 2010 at 13:05

[TW]Fox;17700595 said:
Ok but are we not in this thread specifically talking about sending from Google maps

Yes we are but those earlier cars can now recieve info from google maps. If any of them still have the subscription.

The info is the same as you can add manually but google made it easier when they rolled out there web service.

J1nxy · 2 Nov 2010 at 14:26

[TW]Fox;17699420 said:
You can only do that on ConnectedDrive fitted cars then so I am guessing yours is a 2007 or later?

Yes is a 07 car with ConnectedDrive

Dandle said:
Dodgy nav disks that are around that give full postcode search and euro speed cams. They can either be downloaded or bought from various sellers online for about £30.

The postcode search on these disks uses POI's to do the postcodes and its a bit rubbish really. Google Maps send is very good and I use it all the time to do journeys as you can send a bunch of locations and queue them up. It also sends things like phone numbers for businesses etc which is really useful.

Rilot · 2 Nov 2010 at 16:07

Im afraid you are incorrect Fox
I can send info from google maps to my 7 which pre dates the introduction of the feature. All e65s from 2005 onwards can do it via BMW assist and my messages. I use it as the primary method for programming the nav.

The nav is just slow, clunky to navigate, has a terrible voice and only 5 digit post code search.
The Navigon software in my iPhone is superior in every way.

[TW]Fox · 2 Nov 2010 at 16:41

That is pretty good to know that it works with older cars

Wicksta · 2 Nov 2010 at 16:55

I'm surprised to hear you prefer your iPhone nav, I struggle to get a decent GPS signal fix on every iPhone I've owned/borrowed from work. Sure the interface is a bit clunky on iDrive nav but once you're going I find it so much better than phone nav.