BMW and M Power Owners

I don't mind the new 5 Series, I've driven the 520i, 530e and i5. No diesels in the UK any longer, yet you can still get them in Germany for example, where the 520d is doing well.

They've got that modern car 'blob' look about them, and the interior quality is a bit lacking in places. Overall though, still a very good car.

Same for the 7 Series, hybrid and electric here only, yet Germany get the 740d... we only get the 40d in the X5 and X7 - had one as a courtesy car a couple of weeks ago.
 
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Robbo said:
I don't mind the new 5 Series, I've driven the 520i, 530e and i5. No diesels in the UK any longer, yet you can still get them in Germany for example, where the 520d is doing well.

They've got that modern car 'blob' look about them, and the interior quality is a bit lacking in places. Overall though, still a very good car.

Same for the 7 Series, hybrid and electric here only, yet Germany get the 740d... we only get the 40d in the X5 and X7 - had one as a courtesy car a couple of weeks ago.
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Interesting, never knew this. There is no 5-series Diesel anymore?
 
Is it worth continuing the BMW warranty (approved used one)? The car is a 2015 5 series estate 535d with around 80 000 miles.

We have had the car for 5 years now and kept renewing, but questioning whether it remains good value as the car gets older. Partly I worry that major issues like engine and gearbox will be classed more as wear issues with money towards rather than covering the entire cost. Renewal price is just over £1000 with car recovery.

Any thoughts?
 
PikeyPriest said:
Is it worth continuing the BMW warranty (approved used one)? The car is a 2015 5 series estate 535d with around 80 000 miles.

We have had the car for 5 years now and kept renewing, but questioning whether it remains good value as the car gets older. Partly I worry that major issues like engine and gearbox will be classed more as wear issues with money towards rather than covering the entire cost. Renewal price is just over £1000 with car recovery.

Any thoughts?
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It should be noted, you do get some recovery service without taking roadside, but that’s just to your closest BMW dealer. I get AA cover with my bank account for example so never take that.
 
PikeyPriest said:
Is it worth continuing the BMW warranty (approved used one)? The car is a 2015 5 series estate 535d with around 80 000 miles.

We have had the car for 5 years now and kept renewing, but questioning whether it remains good value as the car gets older. Partly I worry that major issues like engine and gearbox will be classed more as wear issues with money towards rather than covering the entire cost. Renewal price is just over £1000 with car recovery.

Any thoughts?
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I'd put that £1k+ to better use.

The only real issue with the twin turbo engine is the twin turbo system. It doesn't often fail, but it can be pricey when it does. This is where the second hand parts market saves the day. However, the engine overall is still extremely reliable. The gearbox is also pretty much bombproof. Stick to the service intervals and it should be good to you.

You are more than likely looking at suspension components and other general wear and tear as the car gets beyond 10 years old. Springs, dampers, ball joints, bushings. These will likely be classed as wear and tear and not covered by warranty (albeit I'm not super familiar with the extended warranty coverage).
 
The BMW warranty includes wear and tear cover if you have a comprehensive policy and the components have covered less than 100,000 miles.

You are at the age and mileage where something going wrong with the car is surely more likely - the 5 series warranty is expensive and it's difficult to just recommend it on that basis but if you found it worthwhile before I am not sure why you'd now consider it not. Once the car passes 100,000 miles the coverage changes so that's different, but until it gets there the car is increasingly likely to have an issue and you'd previously been happy to have the cover - what's changed?

That said I paid for the warranty on my 5 series for 5 years and never once claimed. Money wasted? Perhaps.
 
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I would also agree the warranty becomes better value as the car gets older/higher mileage. A turbo replacement at the main dealer will probably be anywhere between £3-5k, and a rear air spring probably £1500.

Specialists can mitigate this to a degree but it all depends on your personal view. I'd probably go for it, but I like having a warranty in place as much as possible.
 
MissChief said:
It should be noted, you do get some recovery service without taking roadside, but that’s just to your closest BMW dealer. I get AA cover with my bank account for example so never take that.
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Also recovery will be a BMW official service. So they can diagnose and do work that won't affect warranty unlike a 3rd party like RAC.

For example my fuel filler door was seized shut due to a failed lock, an the official recovery service could have come to my house diagnosed it. And possibly even got it open temporarily by breaking the lock... So I could fuel it up and book it for a warranty repair.. Instead of me having to book a slot at the dealer which was a few day's later....in the mean time.. hire a car for a few days which cost me an extortionate amount BTW.

So hence I get recovery now even though I have AA with my bank. Only cost 50 quid extra.
 
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I've Still got my old 04 330ci which hasn't really had much use in the past 6 months, noticed the parking sensors had stopped working (again!!!) put my ears to them and all were clicking away and no long constant tone that usually indicates a faulty sensor I believe. I had a ODB reader with bmw scanner software which I couldn't get to work for ages but then yesterday tried it again yesterday and it connected to car so read the code PDC -20 PDC Acoustic Generator rear off. Googled that and came across a load of different videos that suggested the wires were not connected to the speaker near the OBD port. Wasn't exactly hopeful but removed the liner that holds both in place and low and behold both plugs were disconnected, I've absolutely no idea how they came loose as they both clipped back on and immediately they were working again :) if only all fixes were as simple, next one is the intermittent warning lights on dash before MOT is due which I believe is down to wheel speed sensors.. Damn old cars
 
Had a fun 1hr drive through the country and motorway this afternoon. My 2019 320i G20 started beeping the horn twice everytime I went over a pothole, the car got unsettled or bump in the road. As the horn was beeping there was a sound of a cable or connector rattling from an area that sounded like the drivers side door or in the bonnet close to the right side. Spent half the journey holding my hand up apologising to confused drivers in front and around. I did stop twice to check the car all over but there's nothing visible i could see and the car was behaving perfectly normally aside from that.

I wonder if a cable has come lose from the horn and is shorting or making intermittent contact and the bump is causing it to move about.

Sounds logical right?

Seems the horns are located towards the front of the bonnet but not entirely sure how to access them. Anyone able to help find a diagram?


I spoke to a BMW garage and they said they'd need to connect it up for a diagnostics.. min £150 but can't do it until August. Ha.
 
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redeye said:
Had a fun 1hr drive through the country and motorway this afternoon. My 2019 320i G20 started beeping the horn twice everytime I went over a pothole, the car got unsettled or bump in the road. As the horn was beeping there was a sound of a cable or connector rattling from an area that sounded like the drivers side door or in the bonnet close to the right side. Spent half the journey holding my hand up apologising to confused drivers in front and around. I did stop twice to check the car all over but there's nothing visible i could see and the car was behaving perfectly normally aside from that.

I wonder if a cable has come lose from the horn and is shorting or making intermittent contact and the bump is causing it to move about.

Sounds logical right?

Seems the horns are located towards the front of the bonnet but not entirely sure how to access them. Anyone able to help find a diagram?


I spoke to a BMW garage and they said they'd need to connect it up for a diagnostics.. min £150 but can't do it until August. Ha.
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I'm in South Wales and have the dealer ISTA software. I'd happily scan your car for free if you're nearby.

Outside of that, check realoem.com and you'll be able to find the location of the horn.

The horn is usually very simple though - switch on the steering wheel that goes down to the horn in the engine bay/bumper that beeps when the switch is pressed. Does the horn button on your airbag look OK?
 
aaronyuri said:
I'm in South Wales and have the dealer ISTA software. I'd happily scan your car for free if you're nearby.

Outside of that, check realoem.com and you'll be able to find the location of the horn.

The horn is usually very simple though - switch on the steering wheel that goes down to the horn in the engine bay/bumper that beeps when the switch is pressed. Does the horn button on your airbag look OK?
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Unfortunately I'm down in Surrey. Thanks for the offer though.

Yep horn button on steering wheel looks and functions fine.

Found an image from realoem.com but it's not very detailed, and I can't get imgur to show it here.

RealOEM.com - Online BMW Parts Catalog

BMW parts 3' G20 Sedan 320i Horn
www.realoem.com
 
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I've been offered an F80 M3, its my mates' mate car, has had new PS4S, OEM Dics, Pads, Full Service, Crankshaft Bearing inspection+new gaskets.

Car spec - https://bimmer.work/vin/55d16e330a306791e850641eb055841e9/

Photos - https://postimg.cc/gallery/xq5w8dF

2016 - 64k miles - 4 Owners, I can have it for £25.5k (AT and WEBAC value it at 23.8k), thoughts? :confused: I'm not a fan of the colour, I would ideally want San Marino Blue (very sought after, making it hard to find one for decent cash). But, I can't find a similar M3 for similar price cheapest one I saw recently was £26.5k. I was thinking about M4, seeing the prices they're significantly cheaper for some reason?
 
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