BMW and M Power Owners

[Gibbo]

What tyres are on it at the moment? Assuming you just ran your road tyres on the track?
Looking at taking mine on a TD at some point and assumed I'd need to bring a spare set of boots but your post making me think otherwise... probably be Donington as well as only 20 min up the road from me

Michelin Super Sports, which are fine for a novice track day, downside is as you push harder and stay out longer as MPSS sweet spot for operating temperature is 40-60c and to keep pressure around 33-35psi hot. Once your over 70c they get rather greasy which in the Summer is a temperature you will easily exceed on track, think I hit around 86c on the track day and the car was becoming more a handful. If you start doing regular track days that is where a tyre like Michelin Cup, Nankang AR1 comes in as their operating window is like 50-90c at around 30-32psi, so much better and remain far more consistent than regular road tyres, on a dry track day.

Do it, so much fun!

 

[ChrisD.]

Anyone going, or been to Simply BMW @ Beaulieu?

I'm tempted to go, 2h drive so doable with the boy.

 

[ShivP]

Michelin Super Sports, which are fine for a novice track day, downside is as you push harder and stay out longer as MPSS sweet spot for operating temperature is 40-60c and to keep pressure around 33-35psi hot. Once your over 70c they get rather greasy which in the Summer is a temperature you will easily exceed on track, think I hit around 86c on the track day and the car was becoming more a handful. If you start doing regular track days that is where a tyre like Michelin Cup, Nankang AR1 comes in as their operating window is like 50-90c at around 30-32psi, so much better and remain far more consistent than regular road tyres, on a dry track day.

Do it, so much fun!

Certainly won't be regular, especially not in my only road car, just one or two maybe for a bit of fun. Running PS4S at the moment which may be even more temperature affected than MPSS, but sounds like I should be OK nonetheless as I am no Chris Harris. Thanks

 

[Gibbo]

Certainly won't be regular, especially not in my only road car, just one or two maybe for a bit of fun. Running PS4S at the moment which may be even more temperature affected than MPSS, but sounds like I should be OK nonetheless as I am no Chris Harris. Thanks

You’ll be fine just limit your stints to 15 minutes max if it’s a warm 20c plus dry day and don’t let pressures go beyond 35psi it will be fine. Enjoy!

 

[Noughtboy]

Has anyone willingly bought a 1 Series BMW? Was really put off by it not having:

1. Water temp gauge;
2. Oil temp gauge;
3. Dipstick; and

not exclusive to the 1 series, space for a spare tyre even if it did not include one as standard.

Wife bought it anyway (120i Coupe). It is in very good condition and is ULEZ complaint (the main reason) but only has four seats and the above issues. Madness I think.

 

[ShivP]

Has anyone willingly bought a 1 Series BMW? Was really put off by it not having:

1. Water temp gauge;
2. Oil temp gauge;
3. Dipstick; and

not exclusive to the 1 series, space for a spare tyre even if it did not include one as standard.

Wife bought it anyway (120i Coupe). It is in very good condition and is ULEZ complaint (the main reason) but only has four seats and the above issues. Madness I think.

Personally, wouldn't have gone for it given it has one of BMWs worst engines for reliability if it's the N43

 

[Noughtboy]

Personally, wouldn't have gone for it given it has one of BMWs worst engines for reliability if it's the N43

That is the one in 140hp (105kw) spec.

Aluminium head and block and no way to see water temp or oil temp. Ridiculous.

Probably more driver info with a Dacia Sandero!!!

 

[shiver]

Bump request on this - all been ok since replacement? I'm about to go through the same with my X3 M40i with HUD. I've specifically requested an OEM screen but Autoglass are quoting mid August as next availability

Well it took 2 months but autoglass finally sourced an OEM screen and installed it today. Happy with the job and only £115 on excess

 

[Dandle]

Well it took 2 months but autoglass finally sourced an OEM screen and installed it today. Happy with the job and only £115 on excess

I had to pay nearly £400 to autoglass to get an OEM screen for my X3M40i. I guess their policies must have changed unless non OEM wasn't available.

 

[EdwardTeach]

I agree with you. I am not sure why people keep mentioning the tyre pressure sensors as I do not believe your car has them fitted - I am going to guess that this car is built before April 2014?

There are two types of tyre pressure monitoring system on a BMW - one uses tyre pressure sensors to measure actual tyre pressure. This is fitted to most cars built after 2014 and a few built before then. But older cars (and a few newer ones) have a different system where the pressure of the tyre cannot be measured, instead it uses the ABS/Stability Control wheel speed sensors to estimate whether there is a tyre pressure loss. If there is a fault in this system then it won't be able to work out if you have a flat tyre or not (Which is what the original error said) and you'll also have other issues with things like the ABS and the Stability Control.

I got safely back to the UK, and have been procrastinating about getting this issue fixed.
For something like this I assume that going to my local BMW dealership wild be the most expensive option? Is there any need to take it to a specialist BMW garage, or should the friendly local garage round the corner be able to handle it?
I'm asking because in the 5 years of owning a BMW I've not had to pay for anything beyond a couple of services and some new wheels, so I have no experience with getting stuff fixed.

 

[shiver]

I had to pay nearly £400 to autoglass to get an OEM screen for my X3M40i. I guess their policies must have changed unless non OEM wasn't available.

That was insurance excess, so I’d guess the full cost would be closer to what you paid?

 

[Dandle]

That was insurance excess, so I’d guess the full cost would be closer to what you paid?

The excess for mine was on top of that. That was the extra cost to change from pattern glass to BMW original.

 

[MissChief]

I got safely back to the UK, and have been procrastinating about getting this issue fixed.
For something like this I assume that going to my local BMW dealership wild be the most expensive option? Is there any need to take it to a specialist BMW garage, or should the friendly local garage round the corner be able to handle it?
I'm asking because in the 5 years of owning a BMW I've not had to pay for anything beyond a couple of services and some new wheels, so I have no experience with getting stuff fixed.

Find a local specialist who can scan the car for errors and any fault codes. If it’s the older system there’s a good chance it’s something simple like a faulty ABS sensor.

 

[shiver]

The excess for mine was on top of that. That was the extra cost to change from pattern glass to BMW original.

Guess I’m lucky with my insurance then. I had to push them for OEM and it just took them a while to source it

 

[EdwardTeach]

Find a local specialist who can scan the car for errors and any fault codes. If it’s the older system there’s a good chance it’s something simple like a faulty ABS sensor.

Any way of knowing if a garage is really a BMW specialist? I had a quick Google a few days ago, and came across these guys when searching for "bmw specialist":

Dsr bmw

But clued in by some of the Google reviews I can see that the same place also markets itself as a Mercedes specialist, with a separate website, so maybe they are just good at online marketing, but are really a general garage!

Dsr Mercedes

Maybe these guys are a safer bet?

Dmworks

 

[MissChief]

Any way of knowing if a garage is really a BMW specialist? I had a quick Google a few days ago, and came across these guys when searching for "bmw specialist":

Dsr bmw

But clued in by some of the Google reviews I can see that the same place also markets itself as a Mercedes specialist, with a separate website, so maybe they are just good at online marketing, but are really a general garage!

Dsr Mercedes

Maybe these guys are a safer bet?

Dmworks

Many places call themselves German car specialists. It doesn’t really make them any worse as they’ll still have the right equipment.

 

[dlockers]

Any way of knowing if a garage is really a BMW specialist? I had a quick Google a few days ago, and came across these guys when searching for "bmw specialist":

Dsr bmw

But clued in by some of the Google reviews I can see that the same place also markets itself as a Mercedes specialist, with a separate website, so maybe they are just good at online marketing, but are really a general garage!

Dsr Mercedes

Maybe these guys are a safer bet?

Dmworks

Timely post -- I am looking for a Merc specialist this year rather than main dealer and had a similar experience. Lots of digital-first lads creating websites with the right SEO terms.

 

[rG-tom]

Any way of knowing if a garage is really a BMW specialist? I had a quick Google a few days ago, and came across these guys when searching for "bmw specialist":

Dsr bmw

But clued in by some of the Google reviews I can see that the same place also markets itself as a Mercedes specialist, with a separate website, so maybe they are just good at online marketing, but are really a general garage!

Dsr Mercedes

Maybe these guys are a safer bet?

Dmworks

DMWorx are a very established and safe bet. What BMW is it? If it's a more performance oriented one, then swift performance, literally on the same estate, is an even better bet. The owner used to be the co-owner of dmworx, but split the performance business away and specialises in M cars/track prep etc now.

 

[EdwardTeach]

DMWorx are a very established and safe bet. What BMW is it? If it's a more performance oriented one, then swift performance, literally on the same estate, is an even better bet. The owner used to be the co-owner of dmworx, but split the performance business away and specialises in M cars/track prep etc now.

Thanks! It is just a 335, so I'll take it to dmworks.

 

[Swifty123]

Picked this 550i E61 wagon up earlier in the week, lovely to drive so far, and a bit roomier than my old 2 series .