BMW and M Power Owners

[TW]Fox · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:29

MilanoChris said:
that glorious 5 cylinder sound

NOT SURE IF SERIOUS

ChrisD. · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:30

Wow typo, you're so cool for picking up on it, especially in caps.

[TW]Fox · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:31

AndrewP said:
Anyone have experience of BMW covering repair work/parts through goodwill?

My 2008/57 Z4 3.0si (FBMWSH, 43k miles, no warranty) brought up the DSC, ABS and general warning lights all at once last week, I was away over the weekend but they were still on when I got back so got it into the dealers (Eastern BMW, just outside Edinburgh). Anyway, the DSC unit has failed (£2200 for part and labour) and the camshaft wear sensor is showing an issue so they need to take the head off to investigate further (£1250 just for the diagnosis) - a lot of money for a car worth <£10k .

The dealers are submitting a goodwill claim to BMW for the DSC unit but said that diagnosis work isn't covered which seems off, I phoned BMW UK customer service and they said a claim could be submitted after the work had been done, however. It's waiting on a response from BMW about the DSC unit and my approval on investigating the camshaft wear issue.

Hopefully it seems like a strong case for goodwill, I don't think major parts like these should be failing with this age/mileage/service history - it's only money, but money I'd rather spend on something else .

Who did you buy it from?

Dangerous Dave · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:33

MilanoChris said:
Guys, M135i. How easy is the golf tee mod and does it make a fair difference to the engine noise? Can't help but think it's a little muted and that glorious 5 cylinder sound needs to be heard properly.

The sound in the cabin is generated via the car stereo, it sounds pretty good along with the pops from the exhaust as the auto box changes up a gear. Not sure if it even has the flaps in the exhaust as it is pretty loud on start up in the morning.

ChrisD. · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:38

Dangerous Dave said:
The sound in the cabin is generated via the car stereo, it sounds pretty good along with the pops from the exhaust as the auto box changes up a gear. Not sure if it even has the flaps in the exhaust as it is pretty loud on start up in the morning.

I thought it was only the new M5 that did that and not the M135i for example?

Another thing that bothered me, my left leg was right next to the transmission tunnel the whole time, just seemed a little tight towards the pedals on the left side. Not sure I could get used to that.

AndrewP · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:41

[TW]Fox;25010805 said:
Who did you buy it from?

A wee independent dealer in early 2012, I'm the second owner.

Dangerous Dave · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:44

MilanoChris said:
I thought it was only the new M5 that did that and not the M135i for example?

Another thing that bothered me, my left leg was right next to the transmission tunnel the whole time, just seemed a little tight towards the pedals on the left side. Not sure I could get used to that.

M135 does it so does the new Golf GTI, I found the M135 a little tight for space aswell it also has a surprising amount of body roll when pressing on.

ChrisD. · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:48

Did the one you drove have the adaptive suspension or M Sport options? BMW gave me the car over night and it had the standard stuff on, I didn't find it too bad but I wasn't caning it through the bends too much.

Dangerous Dave · 26 Sep 2013 at 18:55

MilanoChris said:
Did the one you drove have the adaptive suspension or M Sport options? BMW gave me the car over night and it had the standard stuff on, I didn't find it too bad but I wasn't caning it through the bends too much.

Standard suspension, it's a friend's so I have driven it quite a lot. It doesn't like quick changes of direction I suspect adaptive suspension would sort this out. The deals you can get on them are too good not to buy over an A45 AMG but I do think the A45 is the better car.

ChrisD. · 26 Sep 2013 at 19:01

Dangerous Dave said:
Standard suspension, it's a friend's so I have driven it quite a lot. It doesn't like quick changes of direction I suspect adaptive suspension would sort this out. The deals you can get on them are too good not to buy over an A45 AMG but I do think the A45 is the better car.

I imagine the A45 is very 'Evo' like to drive, ie minimal fuss and immense pace A to B. What I enjoyed about the M135i is that in Sport + mode especially I could feel yaw movement under my bum, something that the Evo can't offer and I don't think many 4WD cars can.

Sometimes I feel that the actual experience of driving a car means more than outright pace and when you're talking about 320bhp + there becomes a finite amount of power that becomes usable on the road without it being simply too fast. For me, the M135i is fast enough for the road and it already lacks pace compared to my Evo for example but it really didn't bother me too much as the driving experience made up for it.

[TW]Fox · 26 Sep 2013 at 19:19

AndrewP said:
A wee independent dealer in early 2012, I'm the second owner.

This is going to reduce your chance of goodwill - they are going to look at it and think 'You didn't even buy it from us but you want us to pay to fix it?'. Have you had it serviced at BMW? That'll help.

BillTheButcher · 26 Sep 2013 at 19:21

MilanoChris said:
Sometimes I feel that the actual experience of driving a car means more than outright pace and when you're talking about 320bhp + there becomes a finite amount of power that becomes usable on the road without it being simply too fast.

Exactly how I felt Chris.

AndrewP · 26 Sep 2013 at 20:18

[TW]Fox;25011056 said:
This is going to reduce your chance of goodwill - they are going to look at it and think 'You didn't even buy it from us but you want us to pay to fix it?'. Have you had it serviced at BMW? That'll help.

Yeah, it's been at both Edinburgh dealers for its Oil and Inspection 1 services along with other maintenance and was MOT'd at this one in January.

Tesla · 26 Sep 2013 at 23:27

If the DSC/ABS unit is anything like the one on my 530i it may be repairable. I have a receipt from a company I think are called BBA Reman for repairing mine before my ownership.

godinman · 27 Sep 2013 at 10:10

Yay, another BMW problem. My wife has reported back that the steering has become stiff and there is a whining noise when she turns the steering wheel. Any ideas?

She's checked for badgers and there is fluid in the reservoir, steering pump died?

acemastr · 27 Sep 2013 at 11:21

Died/Dying, when mine went it was a 'snap' and could barely turn the wheel

Gaygle · 27 Sep 2013 at 18:48

Anyone having an N54 engined car? Does it have a rattle when you rev it and the revs drop?

panthro · 27 Sep 2013 at 20:02

Gaygle said:
Anyone having an N54 engined car? Does it have a rattle when you rev it and the revs drop?

Yes and no.

godinman · 28 Sep 2013 at 12:42

Thanks acemastr, I've had a listen today and it isn't a whining noise, it's a sort of grinding/vibrating noise which you can also feel through the steering wheel. I don't think it's the rack because it does it at a standstill and without actually turning the wheel more than an inch. Looking under the car I can see the power steering hoses sort of pulsing when you move and stop moving the wheel as if they come up to pressure, the steering wheel isn't any more difficult to turn, it just makes a horrible noise and judders.

Any ideas? There is plenty of fluid in the reservoir, but could it be a blockage somewhere? Or is it still most likely the pump?

Thanks.

russ9898 · 29 Sep 2013 at 16:27

Hi,

I was wondering if any of you guys would be able shed a little light on 335i's for me please.

Currently have a 2007 3.2 V6 TT (Second V6 TT we've owned) and fancy a bit of a change. The 335i seems to tick all of the boxes as a great all round car from what I have read.

We are looking to spend circa £15k which I am hoping will allow us to buy an LCI coupe. Does this sound reasonable for a decent example?

I've read about high pressure fuel pump failures and waste gate issues. What sort of cost is involved in repairing these and is the failure rate really as frequent as I have read?

Finally...BMW warranty, some of the cars i have looked at have allow the warranty to lapse. Is it possible to take out a warranty on a car which is currently out of warranty and if so what is the annual cost?

Any other information you guys are able to share such as desirable options etc would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Russ