BMW and M Power Owners

MeAnBoY · 9 Dec 2014 at 12:04

rodenal said:
It looks like a good example bodywork wise anyway, newish clutch is a good thing along with the other recent work. Few bits and pieces to check the history for/watch out for but nothing major really.

The trim confuses me - not sure why you'd ever put a wrapped wood trim in a sport, but let's face it its not exactly a new car so as long as you like it I'm sure it'll be fine

Mechanically it seems to be good and as you said and the new clutch gives me a bit more confidence.

As for the trim, it was wood trim until the guy 3M wrapped it, which in fairness would've been the first thing I'd have done so it's saved me some time

mrk · 9 Dec 2014 at 12:14

Atari said:
I'd get them to check the subframe if it's not already been done, I believe the warranty from BMW is for 10 years from manufacture so this one won't be covered by them.

No record of subframe work, what needs doing with that exactly?

[TW]Fox · 9 Dec 2014 at 12:18

BlizzardX said:
2009 E61, newer 5 series are more expensive second hand here, although much lower 'milage'. The 530i I'm looking at only has 51000kms on it, so quite low compared to UK.

This is the problem, the 3 has plenty of cabin space for my needs but it would be fun, power and 'function' possibly over practicality... Where as the 5 series would be practical and 'nice' but no where near as fun or quick.

EDIT: I liked the 2009 335i's CIC iDrive, was pretty neat... What is a 2008/9 1st gen iDrive with Update 2 like?

I am a huge 5 Series fan but I disliked the E60 and it's crap implementation of iDrive so much I bought an E92 3 Series instead to try and avoid it. CCC really isnt that great especially these days where it's low screen resolution makes it look incredibly dated. CCC is an enormous improvement.

wingman · 9 Dec 2014 at 12:28

mrk said:
No record of subframe work, what needs doing with that exactly?

I'm not 100% sure exactly but it either needs to be checked for cracks and given the all clear, alternatively it requires reinforcing. Out of warranty I think this costs circa £1,000 by a specialist. No idea what BMW would charge if it was done outside of goodwill?

I wouldn't buy an E46 M3 without proof of either inspection or work carried out regarding the subframe.

mrk · 9 Dec 2014 at 13:28

Goodwill might be possible with my local dealer but I have a good specialist too. The dealer selling the car said I'm more than welcome to get the car checked by whoever whenever though which is nice.

rodenal · 9 Dec 2014 at 13:36

MeAnBoY said:
Mechanically it seems to be good and as you said and the new clutch gives me a bit more confidence.

As for the trim, it was wood trim until the guy 3M wrapped it, which in fairness would've been the first thing I'd have done so it's saved me some time

I get that, but unless it's one of the special order woods (which tend to be alright ) it shouldn't be in a sport with dark leather anyway -as far as i can remember at least... which is the confusing part.

[TW]Fox · 9 Dec 2014 at 14:35

Why shouldn't it? It was a factory option.

slick rick · 9 Dec 2014 at 14:57

Hi guys, I need to replace the climate control unit on a e39 as the screen and buttons no longer function. Am I right in thinking that it is a straight swap and doesn't need coding with NCS Expert or anything?

Thanks.

[TW]Fox · 9 Dec 2014 at 15:04

It is a straight swap but should be coded if its from a diesel and you have a petrol or vice versa.

slick rick · 9 Dec 2014 at 15:06

Great info, much appreciated fox

rodenal · 9 Dec 2014 at 15:25

[TW]Fox;27323933 said:
Why shouldn't it? It was a factory option.

For some reason I thought t was only available with certain leather colours?

Atari · 9 Dec 2014 at 17:20

mrk said:
Goodwill might be possible with my local dealer but I have a good specialist too. The dealer selling the car said I'm more than welcome to get the car checked by whoever whenever though which is nice.

BMW quoted £350 for the resin to repair a slightly cracked subframe on my mates 2003 M3, though I don't know how long that will last - the proper repair where they reinforce it by welding in plates is £1000+. Certainly worth getting to a specialist for them to check it out to avoid a nasty bill

mrk · 9 Dec 2014 at 17:41

Hmm I did some reading up and it seems Reddish in Bristol do the best subframe job in the UK perhaps and they document the entire job with photos as well as do a brake fluid change + other bits.

I'll dog deeper and see what's what. This assuming the car itself is sound of course! I don't do many miles, 3000 a year if even that and the mileage of the car is 63k, the guy said it's in excellent condition so if it's anything like my current E46 then most of the mileage has been motorway hopefully and the subframe is in good working order!

Atari · 9 Dec 2014 at 17:48

I've seen James' (Reddish) name pop up quite a bit, they're not cheap for the job, but they'll likely do it to the highest possible standards. I've not heard a bad word said about them really.

[TW]Fox · 9 Dec 2014 at 17:54

mrk said:
Hmm I did some reading up and it seems Reddish in Bristol do the best subframe job in the UK perhaps and they document the entire job with photos as well as do a brake fluid change + other bits.

I'll dog deeper and see what's what. This assuming the car itself is sound of course! I don't do many miles, 3000 a year if even that and the mileage of the car is 63k, the guy said it's in excellent condition so if it's anything like my current E46 then most of the mileage has been motorway hopefully and the subframe is in good working order!

Why would most of the mileage on a 63k mile M3 that is 11 years old be Motorway miles?

mrk · 9 Dec 2014 at 18:14

Wishful thinking? Trying to keep hopes high you heartless man.

[TW]Fox · 9 Dec 2014 at 18:18

Very wishful thinking

mrk · 9 Dec 2014 at 18:24

Let's throw it another way, if the rest of the car is great and it's just the subframe that may be suspect then that's some leverage at getting the price lowered too. It might be alright m8, it might be alright.

BlizzardX · 9 Dec 2014 at 18:52

xs2man said:
I had a 335d touring (e91) when we had our first child. As you say, when you have the kids stuff in the boot, there isn't much room once you have all the kids stuff in there.

I upgraded to a 530d touring (f11) and it allowed the pram to fit in the one half of the boot, rather than across the whole back. Much more boot space.

Thanks, did you find it ok though? Obviously for longer distance you can load the roof up with a box but for general day to day running around where there any issues with the size of the 3 series tourer boot?

[TW]Fox;27323115 said:
I am a huge 5 Series fan but I disliked the E60 and it's crap implementation of iDrive so much I bought an E92 3 Series instead to try and avoid it. CCC really isnt that great especially these days where it's low screen resolution makes it look incredibly dated. CCC is an enormous improvement.

Thanks Fox. Would the original iDrive with update 2 actually be a problem for someone that has only briefly used the cic version 2 and has never owned a BMW before? I ask because there are some good deals on 2009 BMW 530i's here in New Zealand with very low milage (around 30K miles) but none of them of CIC, just the CCC and I'm wondering if that would really make any difference.

xs2man · 9 Dec 2014 at 19:02

BlizzardX said:
Thanks, did you find it ok though? Obviously for longer distance you can load the roof up with a box but for general day to day running around where there any issues with the size of the 3 series tourer boot?

Day to day was ok. Just. But we had to put a lot of the shopping on the back seats. In all fairness though, the wife bought a Stokke Xplory, which is far from the smallest pram when it is folded down.

But that and all the other gubbings she seems to take for the child on a day to day basis pretty much filled the boot.

Even the F11 is a touch tight. The boot is okay, able to slip the pram up one side length ways rather than sideways in the e91, means we still have half a boot when the pram is in. But with 2 ISOFIX seats In the back, there is no room between them for my fat ass. I suspect the e91 would be worse. The wife can squeeze in though, just means I always have to drive on the big trips.

I'm seriously considering a Discovery now...

BlizzardX said:
Thanks Fox. Would the original iDrive with update 2 actually be a problem for someone that has only briefly used the cic version 2 and has never owned a BMW before? I ask because there are some good deals on 2009 BMW 530i's here in New Zealand with very low milage (around 30K miles) but none of them of CIC, just the CCC and I'm wondering if that would really make any difference.

There is a massive difference between them. Cic obviously being better. But if you have barely used cic before, then the ccc will be good enough.