BMW and M Power Owners

Vita said:
Yes it is.
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Hmm, don't you think "just keeps pulling and pulling" is a bit of an exaggeration? I remapped my E46 330i, and at best it was a little more sprightly at lower revs, and stretched a little farther thanks to the raised limiter, but it wasn't very pronounced at all.
 
PMKeates said:
Hmm, don't you think "just keeps pulling and pulling" is a bit of an exaggeration? I remapped my E46 330i, and at best it was a little more sprightly at lower revs, and stretched a little farther thanks to the raised limiter, but it wasn't very pronounced at all.
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Limiter is still the same. It just seems more eager to rev where as before it seemed bogged down after 5krpm. Maybe it's a placebo but I can definatley notice it.
 
[TW]Fox;27990753 said:
Mine is an SE yes, I won't lie I prefer the look of the M Sport but at the time my budget was either M Sport 520d or good spec SE 530d.

A good LCI E91 3 Series with pro nav should be well under 15k and the warranty on a sub 60k car is almost half the price of the 5 Series one.

Consider a 325d, you get the newer N57 7 cylinder which is smoother, more reliable and better than the 2 litre but not as popular as the 330d so cheaper.
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Exactly what I did, purchased a lovely low mileage with full BMW service history E92 LCI 325d with a very high spec including pro nav, electric heated memory seats, xenon headlights, front and rear pdc, 19" wheels, HiFi stereo etc. Took out a BMW warranty on day of purchase and have no regrets at all. It would be nice to have the additional 50bhp of the 330d at times but i can survive without it.

[TW]Fox;27995236 said:
Yes but only if it was built after September 2010.
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Strangely my car was built in March 2010 yet has a combox installed and supports bluetooth streaming. Only thing it needs is the software flashing to the latest version to allow BMW apps to be enabled.
 
Paint on the front alloys is blistering around the wheel nut holes. Time for an argument or are they just gonna say it's damage from the nuts going in and out when the wheels are removed? Hmm.
 
Thanks all for the help - final (i hope) questions:

The car I am looking at has a gap in service history between 46k and 70k - could this be explained by the variable service nature of BMW servicing?

Finally anything electrical I should check when I go back to collect before paying? I forgot to check the heated seats work so will do that. Do folding mirrors only come with xenons?
 
Sukh said:
The car I am looking at has a gap in service history between 46k and 70k - could this be explained by the variable service nature of BMW servicing?
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Probably not, no.

Do folding mirrors only come with xenons?
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No, they were a separate option - folding/auto dimming mirrors.

What are the details on this car? Don't forget the mileage is too high for a non rip-off priced warranty.
 
Going to run it sans warranty, dun dun dun...:eek:

Mileage is 72k, but is a petrol 528I so don't feel like I will have engine issues. Of course I could have electrical issues, but think I will risk it.

Just trying to work out what to do about this missing service, don't think it will have long term repercussions, just strange that current owner bought at 60k from bmw and the service wasn't done at that point under approved used?
 
Sukh said:
Mileage is 72k, but is a petrol 528I so don't feel like I will have engine issues.
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I'm fairly sure we've had this discussion in the past but what makes you think that? Remember, the European model 528i does NOT have the same N52 engine as the far, far more common US model 528i.

It has an N53 engine, this has a high pressure stratified direct injection system just like a diesel and can be an absolute nightmare - my Dad had one in an E60 about 5 years ago and it was a complete pain. I'd go as far as to say it's actually LESS reliable than the equivalent diesel.

The 528i is notoriously difficult to find information on as most of the stuff you find relates to the US version.

just strange that current owner bought at 60k from bmw and the service wasn't done at that point under approved used?
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Why is that strange? It probably wasn't due at 60k.

I don't see the point in spending what is probably quite a bit of money on a car if you have questions over his history. If its missed a service why buy a car where somebody has cared so little that they have felt servicing is optional?
 
Whoops, might have made the mistake of looking at the US information on the engine. Either way, don't particularly want to drive a diesel so it's the best option I have.

Alternative option is four thousand pounds more with a similar spec with 26k miles. Considering that I'm going to run it up and down a motorway, not sure the premium is worth it.
 
Sukh said:
Whoops, might have made the mistake of looking at the US information on the engine. Either way, don't particularly want to drive a diesel so it's the best option I have.

Alternative option is four thousand pounds more with a similar spec with 26k miles. Considering that I'm going to run it up and down a motorway, not sure the premium is worth it.
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If you going to be mainly running up and down a motorway why wouldn't you want a diesel?
 
Sukh said:
Whoops, might have made the mistake of looking at the US information on the engine.
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The US never got the N53 engine because of sulphur content in the fuel. The N53 is a very fussy engine which is why it was only available in high fuel quality markets.

The UK 528i is 258bhp versus 240bhp in the US 528i too so even the performance comparisons you'll find are not useful :(
 
[TW]Fox;28001576 said:
Because it's a diesel :(

Though really my only complaints about my 530d relate to its off-motorway demeanor. On the Motorway it really is excellent.
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I agree but if that's its main use makes sense, I do still however have a blast in my 330d on the twisty stuff having said that the better noise and a bit lighter nose of a petrol probably would enhance that further.
 
Bradmax57 said:
I agree but if that's its main use makes sense, I do still however have a blast in my 330d on the twisty stuff having said that the better noise and a bit lighter nose of a petrol probably would enhance that further.
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There is much I like about my 530d. The performance is excellent, the way it delivers the performance is generally good as well and its reasonably (Though not fantastically) efficient. Once the engine is fully warmed up it's also quiet and refined.

But it's grumbly from cold and when pressing on when off the motorway the dead zone before the turbo kicks in is frustrating - foot down, wait, WHOA OFF WE GO. It's also not THAT economical, just did a 350 mile round trip up to the Midlands for the weekend, mostly Motorway, 20-30 miles of A roads... averaged 41mpg. Hardly amazing really.

I have an eye out for a 535i and will look to swap if one ever pops up in my ideal spec (Grey, M Sport, Pro Nav, Vis Pack, Auto, under 50k).
 
It is motorway driving but only 40 miles of it a day with A roads either side, so petrol would work just as well.

I thought the 535i was even more likely to go wrong given the complexity of turbos?
 
Sukh said:
It is motorway driving but only 40 miles of it a day with A roads either side, so petrol would work just as well.

I thought the 535i was even more likely to go wrong given the complexity of turbos?
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Turbos themselves are not inherently complex and the 535i has the newer N55 not the older twin turbo N54. It's also has a less complex direct injection system than the N53 (which has more expensive Piezo injectors).

On balance then they are probably about the same. The N53 is noticeably more fuel efficient though as it can run leaner at cruising speeds due to the way its injection system work.
 
! Basing my research on the US engine was a rookie error, if that is the case with respect to the 535I,I could equally have chosen one.
 
[TW]Fox;28001782 said:
Turbos themselves are not inherently complex and the 535i has the newer N55 not the older twin turbo N54. It's also has a less complex direct injection system than the N53 (which has more expensive Piezo injectors).

On balance then they are probably about the same. The N53 is noticeably more fuel efficient though as it can run leaner at cruising speeds due to the way its injection system work.
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Your knowledge of all things BMW never ceases to amaze me. Seriously impressive.
 
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