BMW and M Power Owners

panthro · 29 Apr 2016 at 09:46

It does sound like a very good car. I'd be tempted myself if it was a lower price (and I had some money

), but for this sort of money I'd be looking to buy privately and wait for the right car to come up, or maybe up the budget and go for an F11.

panthro · 29 Apr 2016 at 10:41

dale1uk said:
OK so I've just found this one:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201604293456228

Similar spec and has the options I want, better price, and lower miles. However I thought the LCI models came with the better paddle shifters, not the silver ones like the pre LCI models.

That is an LCI model, but mid 2010 the engine changed from the M57 to the N57 (someone correct me if I'm wrong). So it went from 197bhp to 204bhp. The paddles can be changed. I nearly did this on my Z4 35i, but actually liked being able to change up and down with 1 paddle.

panthro · 29 Apr 2016 at 10:52

That must have sold within a day because I have autotrader alerts on for LCI 325d tourings and that only came up today.

This has been for sale for a while. I think £13500 (probably not achievable but worth an ask) would be a good price to pay as it's a late 2011 with 50k miles and a v good spec:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...-mileage=up_to_80000_miles&make=bmw&logcode=p

panthro · 29 Apr 2016 at 12:58

VincentHanna said:
In 2012 I bought a high spec MY2009 330D LCI touring with 72k on the clock for £12650

I put 50,000 more miles on the clock and traded it in for £11,800 last October.

Just saying, that seems a lot for a 325D

Even by your own admission, you got a ridiculously good deal on that so it's not really comparable.

panthro · 5 May 2016 at 14:28

Anyone have a car with the N53 engine? F10/F11 523i's seem readily available with this engine and they are a fair bit cheaper than a 530i or 530d.

panthro · 19 May 2016 at 17:25

I'm becoming closer to buying a 325d Touring with the N57 engine because I can't find a decent F11 525d for my budget (£13k or under). The N57 seems to power a lot of the current crop of diesel BMW's these days. Is there anything specific I need to look out for?

panthro · 20 May 2016 at 17:51

Basher said:
I know I say it everytime, but I still miss my Z4

And every time you say that I quote you and say I miss mine too

panthro · 30 May 2016 at 10:34

My old Z4 35i was a YC60 plate too.

panthro · 31 May 2016 at 11:11

A question for Fox, do you know for certain if the N53 engine is problematic. I've been reading conflicting information across forums about the reliability level of them. I'd assume they were less problematic than the N54 and similar age diesel engines?

panthro · 31 May 2016 at 13:17

You can also put the reg into the BMW warranty website, it will then give you the VIN code and engine number (providing it doesn't have a BMW warranty on it already).

panthro · 9 Jun 2016 at 10:50

Will Gill said:
Just a couple of photos and wee summary after a week of ownership (copied from the show us your motors thread)

Fairly epic, it's just so much fun and I really cannot understand how it got such bad reviews, it's a rocket ship with a lovely refined interior and predictable & confidence inspiring handling. The gear box is really quite awesome.

negatives, boot space when the roof is down is comical, the lack of bluetooth audio streaming, no android USB support and a comically dire 'online services' suite which seems to cost a fortune and offer nothing. Oh and the 'professional' stereo; I'd hate to meet the amateur one coz it's blooming awful!

averages, fuel economy seems fairly poor, I'd heard good things but it seems on par with my old 3.0si. But I keep finding excuses to go and drive it so that sums up my overall feelings.

mods already done - LUX H8 160 Angel Eyes, BMW Genuine Sports aerial (stubby), bosch aero wipers, iphone 4 mounting kit (and an iphone 4s for music ), latest 2016 maps (and stupidly expensive activation cost) and fully comp bmw warranty/£100 excess and emergency car whatsit.

You must not have the combox fitted to yours because mine ,which was on the same reg could stream spotify via bluetooth and had no issues working with Android via USB to play music.

panthro · 23 Jun 2016 at 22:39

Need some advice; someone reversed into my M3 a couple of days ago and the car now needs a new off side front wing. They admitted liability as they left their number with a neighbour and have already contacted their insurance. I'll be contacting mine tomorrow to inform them. Just before this happened, my car was due to go to the Sytner BMW body shop to remove some rust on the rear arch. I spoke to Sytner today and said I want to postpone this until I get the insurance go ahead for the repairs and they have asked me if I want to use their accident management company SytnerDrive (they said it is a "complimentary" service). I just want the car repaired properly with as little inconvenience as possible. Should I use this service?
EDIT - if I do use this service do I even need to inform my insurance company? I wasn't going to to begin with as I thought they'd driven off so I was going to shell out for the repairs.

panthro · 24 Jun 2016 at 20:16

I went through the 3rd party insurer. Getting it repaired by bmw and getting a 3 series from enterprise. Fine with me and I don't have to use the accident management company.

panthro · 6 Jul 2016 at 11:18

There's a few guys on here with E89's. I have an unused cup holder section (no longer own the car) that I need to get rid of, if anyone is interested. Part No 51169181226

panthro · 10 Jul 2016 at 10:54

I have a 330d Touring until my car is repaired. Surprised how fast these newer x30d engines are.

panthro · 10 Jul 2016 at 15:33

[TW]Fox;29762822 said:
It's a combination of engine and gearbox - that ZF 8 speed box is simply stunning.

When you consider how much I despised anything diesel...

It really is. First time I've spent a long period of time driving a ZF 8 speed gearbox. Next car I get will have this gearbox. I'd love to try a 335d and a 340i for comparison.

panthro · 11 Jul 2016 at 10:55

alx said:
Assume your Z4 35i was manual?

DCT

panthro · 11 Jul 2016 at 15:50

I keep going on broadspeed trying to justify a 340i Touring. Maybe if I kept it for 10 years

panthro · 13 Jul 2016 at 13:39

Fox - what's the main differences between the LCI F10/11 and non LCI. Also, do you know if there was much a difference between the 245 and 258bhp engines...apart from 13 bhp

panthro · 14 Jul 2016 at 09:33

[TW]Fox;29777782 said:
The most over-rated and over-priced M car out there. It's a slightly better M3, not a CSL, yet the values of them are getting insane and representing an ever bigger disconnect between M3 and M3 CS for no good reason. It's virtually the same car!

olv said:
Best M3.

I'd say it is the best E46 M3, but I am amazed at what they are going for. Glad I bought one now! I put mine up for tentative sale on cutters and my PM inbox is full.