BMW and M Power Owners

[Scania]

I guess the challenge for BMW was that the majority of 1 Series owners are in lower powered variants where the benefits of RWD can not be realised.

Disagree there, my partners 118d is hardly blessed with power but it’s an absolute hoot to drive with the advantage that you have to be extremely ham fisted to get it way out of shape - even with T/C off - which would be very much easier with more power and RWD.

Put it another way, a Mk2 RS2000 escort is an epic drive in anybody’s book yet the lowly 118d has more power, much more torque, an infinitely better chassis and is faster all round despite weighing ~350Kg more.

You could certainly enjoy the benefits of RWD in the old escort just as you still can even in the lower models in the 1er range.

 

[Antony101]

Disagree there, my partners 118d is hardly blessed with power but it’s an absolute hoot to drive with the advantage that you have to be extremely ham fisted to get it way out of shape - even with T/C off - which would be very much easier with more power and RWD.

Put it another way, a Mk2 RS2000 escort is an epic drive in anybody’s book yet the lowly 118d has more power, much more torque, an infinitely better chassis and is faster all round despite weighing ~350Kg more.

You could certainly enjoy the benefits of RWD in the old escort just as you still can even in the lower models in the 1er range.

I'll agree with this, I got a manual 118i when my 520d went in for a service and while neither of them are fast cars the 118i was great fun when you ragged it to pieces.

 

[rare]

Even the focus has a Hofmeister kink now. Ironically BMW used to suggest this was a nod to their RWD chassis.

If I needed a hatchback in this sector I would just buy the most competitively priced car.

They all look much of a muchness. It’s not like you are getting a more reliable car from BMW. Yes the technology looks good, but the new Golf etc will hardly be lacking in this department.

I’m not even that fussed about FWD, it was inevitable. It’s the aesthetics that are disappointing to me.

I remember when BMW made handsome cars, but it seems like each new car they launch does nothing for me. I don’t long to own one. There is no aspiration to get one.

 

[SDK^]

BMW do need to work on the design of their interiors - The quality and tech are up there but they look boring. Mercedes have really stepped up in this area.

 

[Steedie]

Yeah Mercedes in the last year or so, have pulled away massively from BMW when it comes to interiors, in my opinion.

 

[IAmATeaf]

BMW do need to work on the design of their interiors - The quality and tech are up there but they look boring. Mercedes have really stepped up in this area.

Does seem that as far as the interiors are concerned they want to evolve rather than take a leap, as they have done with the kidney grills. Does beg the question that if they did leap would they ruin it? The digital dash for example with the tach going counter-clockwise, what the hell were they thinking!

 

[Bear]

Yeah Mercedes in the last year or so, have pulled away massively from BMW when it comes to interiors, in my opinion.

Having owned a BMW and a Mercedes back to back, Mercedes are leagues ahead in terms of interior design/styling IMO (since 2017 that is). BMW interiors are incredibly boring to look at in comparison but BMWs are quite a bit ahead in terms of switch gear quality and the idrive is better.

 

[Steedie]

iDrive is better, granted. I hate some of the UI design on the Merc system, like the radio view and other media but it's still a very good system. Other areas of the interior, as you say, are leagues ahead

 

[LiE]

iDrive is better, granted. I hate some of the UI design on the Merc system, like the radio view and other media but it's still a very good system. Other areas of the interior, as you say, are leagues ahead

Just use Car Play / Android Auto, then you don't have to deal with the horrid OEM UI for the most part.

 

[Steedie]

Just use Car Play / Android Auto, then you don't have to deal with the horrid OEM UI for the most part.

I hate Car Play, had it on a few hire cars and in the end I would just avoid using it. Not tried Android Auto

 

[LiE]

I hate Car Play, had it on a few hire cars and in the end I would just avoid using it. Not tried Android Auto

AA is very good, Google Maps are far superior to built in nav. Google Assistant is actually useful unlike that POS Siri which makes using voice for messages enjoyable.

 

[Bear]

AA is very good, Google Maps are far superior to built in nav. Google Assistant is actually useful unlike that POS Siri which makes using voice for messages enjoyable.

I setup Android Auto on my car the other day just to see what it was like and thought the voice control was awesome. Ok Google, navigate to hotel such and such Italy, Bam done. Navigate to hotel such and such Germany, done. No fuss, no having to repeat several times, works first time.

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

Tell you what, i'm not looking forward to seeing the 2 Series replacement after seeing the bumping ugly new 1 series and the news of no 6cyl engine choice.

 

[ShivP]

I setup Android Auto on my car the other day just to see what it was like and thought the voice control was awesome. Ok Google, navigate to hotel such and such Italy, Bam done. Navigate to hotel such and such Germany, done. No fuss, no having to repeat several times, works first time.

No AA available in BMWs, despite the unlocking doors with your phone on 7 series etc only working with android phones and the extended rear screen pack thing in 7 running on android. So weird

Also looks like the X1 has been grillifted

 

[ahenners]

Also looks like the X1 has been grillifted

Grilllifted

 

[Liquidfox]

My local dealer also has something like a 3 month lead time to get a courtesy car, so my car is due a service in October and I'll have to remember in August to try and get it booked in.

Is an Express Lane service not an option? I dropped the car in, worked in the showroom for an hour or so and then drove off. Made more sense to do that than travel 30 mins each way.

 

[ShivP]

Grilllifted

Well tbh that seems the most significant change

 

[iMacMart]

Hi Gents

A friend of mine re-coded my 2014 F10 5 series to enable enhanced audio, which works great and I can have my work and personal phone connected which was the main reason.

Is there anyway to enable CarPlay within the car at all, either by coding or retrofitting a device in this model/year

Thanks

 

[[TW]Fox]

Only with a crap aftermarket bodge.

 

[NooBish AbbZ]

Shock as hatchbacks look like hatchbacks?

was going to post this. I get the point made but... i don't know...a hatchback will look like a hatchback from the side; a saloon will look like another saloon from the side...