BMW and M Power Owners

jpaul · 9 Dec 2021 at 21:30

Robbo said:
So I suppose the plan should be to drain it somehow and try to flush it out? Car is an F01 730d. Is it easy to drain it? Any thoughts appreciated...

syphon it ? and run some water+detergent through, I used a long handled brush for painting radiators to give mine, that had some mold, a scrub/clean
the other renown problem is fluids mixing and gunking up the jets, so run some water through.

wingman said:
I'm not greatly mechanically minded, would anyone mind telling me how inflated these prices are (appreciate some of the issues aren't explained that much, this is from BMW)...

are the brake lines going to be an mot issue - 3 series touring I had both runs replaced at an indy, they had to drop fuel tank I think, so was ~£300
diff was weeping a small bit - but I checked & topped it up.
boot struts oem stabilus brand I got from germany about £40/pair 4 years ago

OG · 10 Dec 2021 at 08:32

Owen256 said:
Thank you kindly for the offer, I'm up in Cambridgeshire so not particularly local

An F31 was what both me and my wife agreed on from a fairly long initial list of used car potentials, perhaps I was a bit too keen on the '320d for 20k' comment as that would be an absolute upper limit for a low mileage and high spec example which I'd really not want to stretch to. https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202109036951138 ticks all the boxes

Well after our newborn arrived we're firmly back in car hunt mode after discovering the pram won't fit in our Fiesta's boot without the parcelshelf removed :eek:

.

We popped down to BMW Chigwell yesterday and test drovean f31 330d, mostly so my wife could feel a bit more confident about one being a potential new car. The example was hideously over priced and under spec but my wife seemed happy and confident driving it which was the main thing.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202110148485576?quoteref=5bcbeff1-f475-4cfe-a253-7b8f2c5ff60d looks like it ticks all the boxes, nice spec and relatively keenly priced and hoping to go test drive it next week. A few warranty based questions for you though.

Are dealers typically happy to haggle on extending the warranty? More than aware with the car being over 60k miles we'll be in the higher price bracket, was hoping we could either negotiate some extra years for free/at a discount
What's the consensus on the driveline warranty once the car hits 100k miles?

Cheers

[TW]Fox · 10 Dec 2021 at 08:51

The world has finally gone mad. Almost 20 grand for a 70k mile 63 plate 3 Series? I think you're absolutely mad. That's probably the worst example if insane pricing I've seen so far this year.

Anyway, to answer your questions..

Yes and no. Dealers can extend the warranty easily and inexpensively - but for some reason some of them simply refuse to do it. I've never been able to understand why this is, probably because they don't realise they can and don't like being told? I've had success in doing it every time I've tried.

I don't think Driveline is really worth it - the one to get is Comprehensive, but on that car it will be fairly expensive unfortunately because of the mileage.

Greebo · 10 Dec 2021 at 09:44

[TW]Fox said:
The world has finally gone mad. Almost 20 grand for a 70k mile 63 plate 3 Series? I think you're absolutely mad. That's probably the worst example if insane pricing I've seen so far this year.

Anyway, to answer your questions..

Yes and no. Dealers can extend the warranty easily and inexpensively - but for some reason some of them simply refuse to do it. I've never been able to understand why this is, probably because they don't realise they can and don't like being told? I've had success in doing it every time I've tried.

I don't think Driveline is really worth it - the one to get is Comprehensive, but on that car it will be fairly expensive unfortunately because of the mileage.

Indeed. i suspect with discounts at the time, that car only cost £32k when new. 8 years on and still worth £20k? Wow.

OG · 10 Dec 2021 at 10:03

Greebo said:
Indeed. i suspect with discounts at the time, that car only cost £32k when new. 8 years on and still worth £20k? Wow.

Alas it just seems to be the current state of things, all of the AUC f31's seem to have held their values extremely well which is just great

Robbo · 10 Dec 2021 at 10:13

It's a little bigger, but far better (and newer): https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202110238803759

Warranty is going to sting you on all of these cars due to the mileage, but at least you get a year included.

Draeger · 10 Dec 2021 at 12:27

Knocking on the door of 160k miles now. Still drives like a quarter of that mileage. Love my Zed or 'Zee' as they call 'em in 'Murica

hurfdurf · 10 Dec 2021 at 12:58

[TW]Fox said:
Yes and no. Dealers can extend the warranty easily and inexpensively - but for some reason some of them simply refuse to do it. I've never been able to understand why this is, probably because they don't realise they can and don't like being told? I've had success in doing it every time I've tried.

Really? That's the opposite to what I have heard. Do you know how, are they just purchasing the extended warranty on your behalf?

My dealer explained there was a difference between the approved used warranty and the warranty I purchased after that was up after the year, as I had an odd situation where I was told the work didn't need doing at the time (rubber seal on the engine) I was within 12 months of the used approved warranty, and that my comprehensive warranty didn't cover what I needed doing when I went back, only to then backtrack because the reason I didn't get it done within the 12 months was because I had been told it wasn't needed during Covid.

[TW]Fox · 10 Dec 2021 at 13:34

The warranty you get with an Approved Used Car is different to the BMW Insured Warranty, yes, and only you can purchase a BMW insured warranty, the dealer cannot do so on your behalf.

But what the dealer can do (and, in my understanding, must, when selling an Approved Used Car more than 24 months old) is purchase a BMW AUC warranty to go with the car. As standard, this is up to a year (less if the car has existing factory warranty) but it is possible to buy more - often you'll notice 'special offers' whereby every car that weekend comes with a 2 year AUC warranty or something, this is what they are doing and this is what I've managed each time I've needed it. Some dealers, though, don't seem willing to do it.

I don't understand why - the cost to them is lower than the cost to you of buying the insured warranty, so its in their interests as they can offer you value that exceeds the cost to them... surely everyone wins?

hurfdurf · 10 Dec 2021 at 13:40

[TW]Fox said:
The warranty you get with an Approved Used Car is different to the BMW Insured Warranty, yes, and only you can purchase a BMW insured warranty, the dealer cannot do so on your behalf.

But what the dealer can do (and, in my understanding, must, when selling an Approved Used Car more than 24 months old) is purchase a BMW AUC warranty to go with the car. As standard, this is up to a year (less if the car has existing factory warranty) but it is possible to buy more - often you'll notice 'special offers' whereby every car that weekend comes with a 2 year AUC warranty or something, this is what they are doing and this is what I've managed each time I've needed it. Some dealers, though, don't seem willing to do it.

I don't understand why - the cost to them is lower than the cost to you of buying the insured warranty, so its in their interests as they can offer you value that exceeds the cost to them... surely everyone wins?

Very interesting! I don’t suppose you have any idea how much an auc warranty costs a dealer?

Do you know if you claim on the auc warranty if it goes against the dealer that sold you the car some now?

There seemed to be some interesting internal politics on my claim (it was only £500ish but there was a bit of back and forth) with my local dealer looking after me very well, and seemingly fighting on my behalf, and a couple of comments about vs the dealer I bought the car from made me think their might be. Although in fairness that might of just been my local dealer blowing smoke up my ass.

[TW]Fox · 10 Dec 2021 at 13:48

hurfdurf said:
Very interesting! I don’t suppose you have any idea how much an auc warranty costs a dealer?

No, just that it isn't as much as the insured one.

Do you know if you claim on the auc warranty if it goes against the dealer that sold you the car some now?

There seemed to be some interesting internal politics on my claim (it was only £500ish but there was a bit of back and forth) with my local dealer looking after me very well, and seemingly fighting on my behalf, and a couple of comments about vs the dealer I bought the car from made me think their might be. Although in fairness that might of just been my local dealer blowing smoke up my ass.

No idea, perhaps the claim was for a non-covered part and the original dealer was being expected to pay for some reason?

Lmg80 · 10 Dec 2021 at 14:30

Owen256 said:
Well after our newborn arrived we're firmly back in car hunt mode after discovering the pram won't fit in our Fiesta's boot without the parcelshelf removed .

We popped down to BMW Chigwell yesterday and test drovean f31 330d, mostly so my wife could feel a bit more confident about one being a potential new car. The example was hideously over priced and under spec but my wife seemed happy and confident driving it which was the main thing.

https://usedcars.bmw.co.uk/vehicle/202110148485576?quoteref=5bcbeff1-f475-4cfe-a253-7b8f2c5ff60d looks like it ticks all the boxes, nice spec and relatively keenly priced and hoping to go test drive it next week. A few warranty based questions for you though.

Are dealers typically happy to haggle on extending the warranty? More than aware with the car being over 60k miles we'll be in the higher price bracket, was hoping we could either negotiate some extra years for free/at a discount

What's the consensus on the driveline warranty once the car hits 100k miles?

Cheers

I would be more interested in what weight has been potentially pulled with that tow bar.

panthro · 10 Dec 2021 at 14:30

hartgeh3 said:
Anyone got an X6 35/40d 2012 model? Any major issues with these?

Lots. Don't buy it for it's reliability.

Lmg80 · 10 Dec 2021 at 15:02

Draeger said:
Knocking on the door of 160k miles now. Still drives like a quarter of that mileage. Love my Zed or 'Zee' as they call 'em in 'Murica

Always loved the coupe of these

Draeger · 10 Dec 2021 at 16:03

Lmg80 said:
Always loved the coupe of these

Likewise. I'd consider one but I actually like the roadster for top down driving. E86's and to a degree - the correct spec E85's are appreciating in value so they are a decent investment, especially the E86 coupe. I'll be keeping this E85 for a while but if the right Z4M roadster comes up, it may end up parked next to this little 2.5 in the garage. Need to convince the girlfriend that it's an 'investment' though

[TW]Fox · 10 Dec 2021 at 17:26

I've never understood the appeal of the Coupe. The original Z4 is a fantastic car with the roof down but really not that nice with it up, so the idea of having one with a roof you can't remove isn't appealing

Convertible is therefore the best choice

Draeger · 10 Dec 2021 at 17:56

[TW]Fox said:
I've never understood the appeal of the Coupe. The original Z4 is a fantastic car with the roof down but really not that nice with it up, so the idea of having one with a roof you can't remove isn't appealing

Convertible is therefore the best choice

Haha!!! I kinda agree, Fox

mjt · 10 Dec 2021 at 20:32

Lmg80 said:
I would be more interested in what weight has been potentially pulled with that tow bar.

How much of a concern is this these days? I remember hearing “watch out for worn suspension due to a tow bar” back in the ‘90s Top Gear days with Quentin Wilson.
Im looking at something (5 Touring, X5, etc. With air suspension) with a tow bar for the kids bikes, but what’s the real risk? And unless you buy private you’ll never now if it’s been used to haul cars to the track, rubbish to the tip or a bike on a rack…

GinG · 12 Dec 2021 at 19:35

mjt said:
How much of a concern is this these days? I remember hearing “watch out for worn suspension due to a tow bar” back in the ‘90s Top Gear days with Quentin Wilson.
Im looking at something (5 Touring, X5, etc. With air suspension) with a tow bar for the kids bikes, but what’s the real risk? And unless you buy private you’ll never now if it’s been used to haul cars to the track, rubbish to the tip or a bike on a rack…

Without looking at the actual specs I'd say that it may only have a tow limit of around 1.5-2tonne?

I'd not have any concerns...in fact having a caravan one of my list of options would be a car with a towbar already installed! Saves the additional £500-£800 cost to get one fitted.

mjt · 12 Dec 2021 at 19:38

GinG said:
Without looking at the actual specs I'd say that it may only have a tow limit of around 1.5-2tonne?

I'd not have any concerns...in fact having a caravan one of my list of options would be a car with a towbar already installed! Saves the additional £500-£800 cost to get one fitted.

How much extra wear does a caravan put on the rear suspension?