BMW and M Power Owners

[9designs2]

E85/6 (Just sold mine) are great weekend cars, lacking a bit in creature comfort these days. Depends on your use and needs. I moved to a E89, some nice options there as well, and much more modern. I could quite easily get low 30's mpg with a steady commute.
Mine didn't rattle, plus it was the roadster ! Crashy ride though. Straight 6 in any version is a lovely engine.

 

[Michael Myers]

here is my new to me F30 330D



Spec is Auto, M Sport Plus with Pro Nav, One thing thats bugging me is that to stream bluetooth it appears i need enhanced Bluetooth option. this sounds a bit daft that this feature wasnt included with the pro nav!

 

[Phemo]

Very nice looking motor. As for enhanced BT, you could code it yourself if you get hold of Esys and an Enet cable, or try to find someone with one. It's a 5 minute job but it is weird that you have pro nav without that - I thought it was a standard thing but I'm probably wrong.

Also, while I'm here, could someone with NBT do me a favour? I currently have no display because I'm an idiot and broke my display cable, but my unit is still working. I can still use the radio by pressing the radio button and using the scroller on the steering wheel to change station. But I can't remember how to switch to external media then USB off the top of my head. I can press the media button which gets me to the device selection but I can't remember how many clicks down I need to go for USB Would just be good to get USB audio on the go again until my replacement HSD cable arrives. I think I need to press media then scroll down twice to get to external devices but I can't remember where USB appears in the list or if external devices is even two options down.

 

[khrall]

Very nice looking motor. As for enhanced BT, you could code it yourself if you get hold of Esys and an Enet cable, or try to find someone with one. It's a 5 minute job but it is weird that you have pro nav without that - I thought it was a standard thing but I'm probably wrong.

Also, while I'm here, could someone with NBT do me a favour? I currently have no display because I'm an idiot and broke my display cable, but my unit is still working. I can still use the radio by pressing the radio button and using the scroller on the steering wheel to change station. But I can't remember how to switch to external media then USB off the top of my head. I can press the media button which gets me to the device selection but I can't remember how many clicks down I need to go for USB Would just be good to get USB audio on the go again until my replacement HSD cable arrives. I think I need to press media then scroll down twice to get to external devices but I can't remember where USB appears in the list or if external devices is even two options down.

In mine it goes:
CD/DVD
Music Collection
External Devices
Sound

In External Devices:
USB
Bluetooth
Aux Front
Connections

Hope that helps.

 

[Phemo]

Cheers for that, got it playing from USB now. Saves me from radio and should do the trick until my new display cable arrives. Hopefully Saturday but we shall see. Thanks again.

 

[Rexton]

What's the general opinion on the E82 135i, post 2010 with the newer N55?

I've wanted one for a good while, but they seem pretty rare with only 2 on sale

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

What's the general opinion on the E82 135i, post 2010 with the newer N55?

I've wanted one for a good while, but they seem pretty rare with only 2 on sale

They're nice cars until the Turbo and HPFP to name a few throws massive bills at you, have a quick google regarding the issues.

 

[[TW]Fox]

What's the general opinion on the E82 135i, post 2010 with the newer N55?

Overpriced and absolutely awful inside.

 

[9designs2]

Had the same scare advice over buying a Z4 35iS. Fuel pump can be had for 500 or fair bit less for non genuine it seems and turbo I’d take to a specialist for rebuild rather than buying new off BMW.
Why not consider the Z4 35i or iS? A lot of car for the money, great performance, nice interior.

 

[Gaygle]

Hi all, on my way back from Supercar Fest yesterday I had a Brake warning pop up.


‘Brake pads worn, have them replaced by the nearest BMW service.

However if I do into the Vehicle Information bit on iDrive they seem to have plenty of life (Fronts were replaced 6 months ago) and indeed looking in person they look OK?

Am I right? It’s weird the error doesn’t mention front/rear when there’s clearly sensors for both.

It’s a little tricky as I have 2 long drives coming up this week and I know I have no chance of getting it booked in anywhere in time, but they look fine to me?

The pads look fine so I wouldn't worry (are they the front/rear or both front/rear). Although, someone clearly has forgotten to reset the pad warning light for your fronts if you got them replaced only 6 months ago because you should have a lot more than 8000 miles left on them!

 

[Gaygle]

I am giving some thought to changing my RS Megane to a 3.0 Z4 coupe or a 125i coupe, as I'd like to experience the NA 3 litre engine before cars using it get too old. I reckon running costs might be similar?

Can anyone provide tips on what to look for in terms of pervious maintenance and specific things that should have been done? Any direct experience would also be fantastic. Thank you

Get a nice BMW 130i for about £4-5k and love every minute. And then sell it again for the same if not more than what you paid.

 

[roadie]

That is not a bad idea. Thanks

 

[mOdO]

What are peoples opinion on running a 535d /435d without a warranty? Rather than a 520d / 530d

There's a few available on auto trader around 15k.

Is that just a big bill waiting?

 

[[TW]Fox]

I don't think it's any more risky than the others you mention, infact the 520d is the least reliable. That said I couldn't be bothered running any of them without warranty.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

As Fox, I wouldn't run any of them without a warranty. Chain issues are starting to affect the 6 cylinder diesels at higher miles it's the same chain as the 4 cylinders that is a common failure but generally happens at lower miles with the 4 cylinder engines I expect this is due to the 6 cylinder spending more time at low revs due to more low down torque.

Non engine related problems can be expensive aswell I needed two new power struts for the tailgate that was just under 1k.

 

[Dis86]

1.5k for a new hud unit was my biggest individual parts cost.

 

[Jez]

As Fox, I wouldn't run any of them without a warranty. Chain issues are starting to affect the 6 cylinder diesels at higher miles it's the same chain as the 4 cylinders that is a common failure but generally happens at lower miles with the 4 cylinder engines I expect this is due to the 6 cylinder spending more time at low revs due to more low down torque.

Non engine related problems can be expensive aswell I needed two new power struts for the tailgate that was just under 1k.

Poor guy getting put off with this scaremongering!

The 6cyl engines are by no means affected above a normal chain failure rate. The 4cyl engines have an entire aftermarket industry built around this issue, the 6cyl very much does not (although i am sure that as with all chain driven engines, there will be documented cases of it).

Power struts for an F-gen BMW are less than £200 brand new, or available for <£100/pair used all over eBay (I actually had a look at these as mine are bound to break at some point).

Warranty is a nice to have convenience, which above all else means that you can have the treatment of a main agent where you otherwise would never use them. Don't fool yourself into thinking that it is financially viable in most cases.

 

[Dangerous Dave]

Poor guy getting put off with this scaremongering!

The 6cyl engines are by no means affected above a normal chain failure rate, the 4cyl engines have an entire aftermarket industry built around this issue, the 6cyl very much does not (although i am sure that as with all chain driven engines, there will be documented cases of it).

Power struts for an F-gen BMW are less than £200 brand new or available for <£100/pair used all over eBay (I actually had a look at these as mine are bound to break at some point).

Warranty is a nice to have convenience which above all else means that you can have the treatment of a main agent where you otherwise would never use them. Don't fool yourself into thinking that it is financially viable in most cases.

It's exactly the same chain as the 4 cylinder it is just the 6 cylinder engine is in far less numbers and takes more miles before it is affected.

1k is of course dealer fitted prices, they only lasted 3 years so I wouldn't buy second hand ones.

 

[mOdO]

Cheers for that.

Not put off at all, just asking for advice if anyone else is running these cars without issues or if I'm setting myself up for a disaster.

I'm use to things going wrong with my 330ci!

 

[Jez]

It's exactly the same chain as the 4 cylinder it is just the 6 cylinder engine is in far less numbers and takes more miles before it is affected.

1k is of course dealer fitted prices, they only lasted 3 years so I wouldn't buy second hand ones.

Its rare to hear of a 6cyl chain failure, they are certainly rarely ever documented online and no such packages exist for the engine as with the 4cyl models. The cars have been out for nearly 12 years now (and the basic engine design longer) so i really dont think that the chain is an issue which you need to be particularly paranoid about, unlike the 4cyl.

Point being regarding the struts, they are not £1k at all, they are around £350 for a new pair. Loaded prices are often used as scaremonger figures but the number is not a figure that you would ever actually pay.