BMW and M Power Owners

[Liquidfox]

Do you think it is worthwhile to upgrade? I quite like the live updates with Waze.

I second Shivy, too many times have I ended up driving into a traffic jam which RTTI said was green, only for it to flick to red after I've stopped. I always used to double check Google Maps before setting off and found it was more accurate, not to mention BMW's poor routing system and wildly inaccurate ETAs. I'd have paid for it if ConnectedDrive would let me when they have their discounts on, but I won't pay full price for it.

We were driving down to The Netherlands overnight and not one of the M1 road closures were shown on RTTI even though it looked like they'd been in place for a few days and scheduled to close each night.

 

[ChrisD.]

I've also found it rubbish hence I'm now using Google Maps via CarPlay.

 

[wingman]

Awful things. The 5 series low water mark.

I've been watching a few E60's and the LCI M Sport models do look quite a bit nicer than some of the earlier, tatty pre-LCI ones. I assume they're just as bad, fundamentally?

Agree with some of your points on the M140, not sure I could have one as an only car. I should never have sold my F10.

I'm finding this, too. I was kind of panicking after the E39 gearbox blew up and needed something quickly, and I'd fancied an M140i for awhile and as fate would have it, the one in my perfect spec turned up at my local dealership.

It's just not the car for me... and I enjoyed the M135i ownership experience, but the idea of staying in a hatchback is putting me off a little bit.

Also the Apple CarPlay isn't the greatest implementation in the F20.

 

[ChrisD.]

For me it's a great 7/10ths car, but if you try and push it beyond that the engine is too powerful and the chassis is not good enough. For me though it does the job, it's comfy (my commute is mostly motorway) and sounds alright, if a bit muted due to the PPF. I think I'll keep it 2-3 years or possibly VT then look at an early G31 530/535d with a tow bar for the FD2. Looking back i shouldn't have bought it (rented it) but I've always had wanted one. Overall I am enjoying it though but it's a bit 'meh' at times. I am also finding I get the same back aches I used to get in the F10, not sure if there's something with the standard seat I can't get on with perhaps.

Also the Apple CarPlay isn't the greatest implementation in the F20.

How do you mean? Mine works fine but then it's 'coded' versus the dealer fit. It's a little glitchy the way it sits on the home screen but I'm not sure if that's because mine is coded in or whether it's like that (little icon on the bottom left rather than a tile).

 

[wingman]

For me it's a great 7/10ths car, but if you try and push it beyond that the engine is too powerful and the chassis is not good enough. For me though it does the job, it's comfy (my commute is mostly motorway) and sounds alright, if a bit muted due to the PPF. I think I'll keep it 2-3 years or possibly VT then look at an early G31 530/535d with a tow bar for the FD2. Looking back i shouldn't have bought it (rented it) but I've always had wanted one. Overall I am enjoying it though but it's a bit 'meh' at times.

Agreed.

Mine's a Oct 2017 car and the sound is one of the few things I don't take issue with - is that pre PPF?

How do you mean? Mine works fine but then it's 'coded' versus the dealer fit. It's a little glitchy the way it sits on the home screen but I'm not sure if that's because mine is coded in or whether it's like that (little icon on the bottom left rather than a tile).

That's not a glitch, mine is like that from the factory, I assume there were some resolution difficulties with Apple and as such part of the screen is cut off. It's like having the business nav even though you paid for Pro... Mine does have a few teething issues, too, like Waze likes to cut off my music every couple of minutes sometimes, and I lose BT connection every now and then. Honestly, my biggest qualm with it is that the CarPlay doesn't fill the screen.

 

[ChrisD.]

PPF came out mid 2018 I think. PCW mods can cut the standard exhaust to make it sound better apparently without drone so I may look at that.

Mine also craps out now and again, the music stops playing and the map jumps. I wasn't sure if it was the way I installed the antenna or not. CarPlay fills the screen on my Pro Nav but I had to 'upgrade' it from the first one I bought.

 

[wingman]

PPF came out mid 2018 I think. PCW mods can cut the standard exhaust to make it sound better apparently without drone so I may look at that.

Ah thanks, that does make sense as mine sounds pretty fruity.

Any idea where's best to sell the M140i? I know you've probably not given it much thought, but AutoTrader says I should put it up at £23k (which I can swallow), and WBAC and various dealers via Tootle.co.uk offered £20k (which I can't).

It's fully kitted so I might try AutoTrader for best results.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I've also found it rubbish hence I'm now using Google Maps via CarPlay.

No system is perfect but it helps if you understand its limitations.

RTTI is good at traffic flow information and will add all the delay minutes to a journey with no consideration about future trends or what might happen.

So for example, if you set off at rush hour on a 5 hour journey it will add say 45 minutes traffic because 2 hours down the road you’ll go through a city that’s currently congested but won’t be by the time you get there. Google, for example, will factor this in and likely show no traffic delay because it knows that by the time you get there, it’ll most likely be fine. However, imagine there is a serious accident on the Motorway 2 hours ahead. RTTI will add the delay onto your journey immediately so you’ll know something big has happened. Google however will calculate that it’ll probably get much better – even though it likely won’t – and therefore won’t necessarily warn you of it.

So in summary, RTTI shows total delays on your route. Google shows expected delays on your route based on previous trends alongside current information.

I have lost count of the number of times Google traffic has told me everything is fine when the reality is that there is a serious incident that has closed the motorway. Google is also notoriously bad at closed roads too and often interprets a road with no traffic flow as a completely clear road unless somehow somebody has manually intervened.

For this reason, I find Google maps much more helpful in managing journeys with conventional congestion – ie at rush hour. I find RTTI/TMC combined much more helpful at managing journeys with non-conventional congestion – ie accidents etc.

Given that most of my nav usage is for long journeys I find RTTI very useful and would not want to be without it. If most of my usage was a regular commute then it would be less helpful and I’d probably want to be using Google maps, instead.

 

[ChrisD.]

Ah thanks, that does make sense as mine sounds pretty fruity.

Any idea where's best to sell the M140i? I know you've probably not given it much thought, but AutoTrader says I should put it up at £23k (which I can swallow), and WBAC and various dealers via Tootle.co.uk offered £20k (which I can't).

It's fully kitted so I might try AutoTrader for best results.

Autotrader is probably your best bet. No dealer will want the car without selling you anything so their offers will be low. I sold my F10 on AT within about 4 days I think for asking price.

 

[[TW]Fox]

. I sold my F10 on AT within about 4 days I think for asking price

Because at the time you sold it too cheaply imo.

 

[sHo0sH]

Hi Guys, total noob car owner here.
I am looking to get a 320D around 10 years old (budget) are there any things I should look out for or common problems with these engines?
Thanks for any help in advance.

 

[ShivP]

Hi Guys, total noob car owner here.
I am looking to get a 320D around 10 years old (budget) are there any things I should look out for or common problems with these engines?
Thanks for any help in advance.

They have quite common timing chain issues, all 4 cylinder models of the E9x shape excluding 2005-2007 318d and 320d models. There was a "recall" which didn't really fix the problem. Ultimately it leads to engine failure. Personally I'd look to get a 6 cylinder model 325d/330d or look at an alternative car.

 

[sHo0sH]

They have quite common timing chain issues, all 4 cylinder models of the E9x shape excluding 2005-2007 318d and 320d models. There was a "recall" which didn't really fix the problem. Ultimately it leads to engine failure. Personally I'd look to get a 6 cylinder model 325d/330d or look at an alternative car.

Thanks - helpful info!

 

[[TW]Fox]

are there any things I should look out for

Yes, a different car.

 

[Havana_UK]

Folks, any recommendations for buying and retrofitting the OEM reverse camera system for the F3x/F8x? It's the only thing I wish my car had but doesn't, so I'm toying with the idea of retrofitting it.

Has anyone here done it before? Was it difficult / time consuming? Would you recommend a specialist fit it for best results?

 

[EdwardTeach]

Hi guys I would like some quick advice on the extended warranty cover (and MOT).

I have a 335i, bought last year as used approved. It was registered 2014 and has 39800 miles (I've put on less than 5k). The used approved warranty expires end of May so I am now considering my options.

1. Basically I'm wondering what the key difference is between the 3 levels of cover, for example what does the named component miss out on vs comprehensive? Ive read the booklet

2. - what would level of cover do you think I should go for (considering the low annual mileage)?

3. Is it possible to move up a level in the future (as the car gets older)

4. Are there any onerous impositions in terms of how the car is serviced, that you need to comply with to remain eligible for the cover

I am happy with the basic concept of paying a bit of money each month to avoid a potentially big bill in the future - im just not sure what level I need!


5. Car is also due its MOT - I'm assuming it is not worthwhile getting this done at the dealership, and the cheapest local MOT centre should suffice??

 

[IAmATeaf]

If it helps, I went for the fully comp, £100 excess with recovery and each year you do get the option to change. Not too sure how changing would be affected if you pay monthly, I just pay an annual lump sum.

In terms of what's covered and the differences, read the booklet or call them up, they are quite friendly to talk to.

 

[Howard]

Awful things. The 5 series low water mark.

Out of interest, what do you think makes them so bad?

A well-specced M Sport model looks like quite a nice thing to my uneducated eyes

 

[wingman]

Out of interest, what do you think makes them so bad?

A well-specced M Sport model looks like quite a nice thing to my uneducated eyes

Keen to know this too, actually. I daresay the E60's looks are ageing well. There seems to be a fond following of the model.

 

[ChrisD.]

Aren't they notoriously unreliable?