BMW and M Power Owners

DRZ · 17 Aug 2019 at 17:18

This week I had an Innotech iPE F1 Valvetronic exhaust fitted to my M3. I have a small issue with the vac line tubing but once that's sorted it'll be fully switchable between pretty much stock levels of noise and "totally insane". Fully open it sounds absolutely glorious but absolutely cannot be used around town. Once I get the vac tubing sorted I'll put up a couple of videos

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2019 at 17:48

Minstadave said:
Has anyone driven the G30/G31? I need something a bit newer and have started shopping around. As usual most are 520Ds, would prefer a 530D but wondered how much real world difference there is. The 530e pops up every now and again but I don't think it makes a great deal of sense for my use.

I've glanced at the A6 but the model they've just replaced looks very dated inside and the new models interior looks terrible to my eye.

This caught my eye locally:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201908060862442?make=BMW&radius=30&price-from=20000&postcode=le158lh&model=5 SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&sort=sponsored&price-to=30000&body-type=Estate&page=1

Reading the above maybe I should have a look at the new 3 series too then.

That looks absolutely ridiculous.

The G31 is a great car but most are poor spec with the base lights etc.

Look at the 6 series GT instead. It's bigger than a G31, has exceptional spec as standard and are really really cheap. My Dad just replaced his F11 with one at half list price at a year old.

Minstadave · 17 Aug 2019 at 18:48

[TW]Fox said:
That looks absolutely ridiculous.

It has all the silly stick on tat which does nothing for me, and white is not my first choice but the spec looks ok (HUD, upgraded audio). Really want to iron out engine choice before I start hunting properly. I worry a 4 pot will ruin the lazy experience I had with the F10 530D.

What are the base lights Fox, halogen behind projector lenses?

I'll have a look at the 6GT, I dont love the shape but atleast I can stick the dog in the boot. They seem to be all north of 30k on AT.

tamzzy · 17 Aug 2019 at 18:59

[TW]Fox said:
Look at the 6 series GT instead. It's bigger than a G31, has exceptional spec as standard and are really really cheap. My Dad just replaced his F11 with one at half list price at a year old.

why's the 6GT so cheap?

hartgeh3 · 17 Aug 2019 at 19:30

DRZ said:
This week I had an Innotech iPE F1 Valvetronic exhaust fitted to my M3. I have a small issue with the vac line tubing but once that's sorted it'll be fully switchable between pretty much stock levels of noise and "totally insane". Fully open it sounds absolutely glorious but absolutely cannot be used around town. Once I get the vac tubing sorted I'll put up a couple of videos

Recently had mine fitted to my M6, they had an issue with the vacuum on my car so had to wait a bloody week for a new part! Driving back on full chat was abit annoying through villages in Stratford upon avon but now can shut it up at a touch of a button. Does sound insane on full open, like old school F1

DRZ · 17 Aug 2019 at 19:37

hartgeh3 said:
Recently had mine fitted to my M6, they had an issue with the vacuum on my car so had to wait a bloody week for a new part! Driving back on full chat was abit annoying through villages in Stratford upon avon but now can shut it up at a touch of a button. Does sound insane on full open, like old school F1

V10 M6? That must be even sillier than mine!

I'm impressed with the build quality of it, a very well made thing.

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2019 at 20:20

tamzzy said:
why's the 6GT so cheap?

Because it looks.... Challenging.

However it's an absolutely wonderful car. I rented a 630d over Christmas in Germany and Austria and it was absolutely incredible.

Everything good is standard - icon adaptive led, pan roof, etc whereas these things are rarely optioned on a 5 series.

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2019 at 20:21

Minstadave said:
I worry a 4 pot will ruin the lazy experience I had with the F10 530D.

What are the base lights Fox, halogen behind projector lenses?

Base are LED but halogen indicator bulbs and a less good looking headlight lense.

The 2 litre diesel is nothing like as good as the 3 litre.

tamzzy · 17 Aug 2019 at 20:38

[TW]Fox said:
Because it looks.... Challenging.

hahaha...that is true. i guess if you can get over how it looks...

Minstadave · 17 Aug 2019 at 21:32

[TW]Fox said:
Base are LED but halogen indicator bulbs and a less good looking headlight lense.

The 2 litre diesel is nothing like as good as the 3 litre.

Have you tried the 530e?

Looks like I'll be saving up for the 530D.

[TW]Fox · 17 Aug 2019 at 21:38

No, but it's 40 litre fuel tank really compromises it's long distance ability.

Dis86 · 17 Aug 2019 at 21:45

tamzzy said:
hahaha...that is true. i guess if you can get over how it looks...

It's one of those cars that is utterly and undeniably ugly. But...you sit on the inside and the quality inside and quality of the drive makes the exterior forgettable.

tamzzy · 17 Aug 2019 at 22:04

Dis86 said:
It's one of those cars that is utterly and undeniably ugly.

just imagine when it is grill-ified with the LCI update lol

Dis86 · 17 Aug 2019 at 22:42

tamzzy said:
just imagine when it is grill-ified with the LCI update lol

Maximum snoot!

hartgeh3 · 18 Aug 2019 at 14:15

DRZ said:
V10 M6? That must be even sillier than mine!

I'm impressed with the build quality of it, a very well made thing.

Yes, build quality is up there with the other high end ones, even like Kreissieg which was my other choice but double the price!

mjt · 18 Aug 2019 at 18:10

[TW]Fox said:
Because it looks.... Challenging.

However it's an absolutely wonderful car. I rented a 630d over Christmas in Germany and Austria and it was absolutely incredible.

Everything good is standard - icon adaptive led, pan roof, etc whereas these things are rarely optioned on a 5 series.

Excellent marketing by BMW. Everyone seems to have forgotten about the 5 GT, which was a brilliant car FWIW.
Also losing the stupid double boot ala Skoda Superb reduced both weight and cost.

[TW]Fox · 18 Aug 2019 at 19:24

mjt said:
Excellent marketing by BMW. Everyone seems to have forgotten about the 5 GT, which was a brilliant car FWIW.
Also losing the stupid double boot ala Skoda Superb reduced both weight and cost.

A 6gt at a year old is cheaper than the equivalent 5 series. And the equivalent 5 series is about as rare as hens teeth anyway.

Minstadave · 19 Aug 2019 at 19:40

[TW]Fox said:
A 6gt at a year old is cheaper than the equivalent 5 series. And the equivalent 5 series is about as rare as hens teeth anyway.

I had a look and the 6GT is just outside my price range, I’m looking at in the 15-25k range which is awkward as it only gets you into the 520D G31s really or a really nice 530/535D F11.

I’m just being lazy but I know you’ll know. When does the LCI come in for the F11? Is it worth it?

Right at the cheap end of the budget I saw this:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201905258328265?make=BMW&zero-to-60=TO_8&price-to=16000&radius=40&postcode=le158lh&sort=price-desc&body-type=Estate&model=5 SERIES&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1

Which has more miles than I’d like but would be fine for a few years and I’m pretty happy with my F10, just need an estate and the power and audio upgrade would be great.

tamzzy · 19 Aug 2019 at 19:44

Minstadave said:
When does the LCI come in for the F11?

july 2013 for model year 2014

Minstadave · 19 Aug 2019 at 19:51

tamzzy said:
july 2013 for model year 2014

Is there an easy way to tell, chrome around the nav screen? Is the LCI a must have?

I seem to remember Fox saying the LCI wasn’t a huge upgrade and maybe even a downgrade with the standard lights (halogen indicators?).