BMW and M Power Owners

Jez · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:13

iaind said:
but he's pretty determined that it will never go wrong because its a BMW...

BMW's are probably one of the most unreliable marques ive ever owned on the whole

iaind · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:23

Seems to be a really common misconception. It's expensive and german and has heavy doors, so it must be better built than a Ford

[TW]Fox · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:28

I wish they were super reliable.

Havana_UK · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:42

Sam said:
Sorry i also have the auto mirrors, although god knows why you cannot set them to fold upon locking without having to hold the button!

I imagine it's something you can change in software via the OBD, but yes, I know what you mean!

[TW]Fox · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:51

Havana_UK said:
I imagine it's something you can change in software via the OBD, but yes, I know what you mean!

You can't.

Jez · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:53

iaind said:
Seems to be a really common misconception. It's expensive and german and has heavy doors, so it must be better built than a Ford

They are much better built than a ford on the outside, but some of the engineering is over complex for no apparent reason and they have a tendency to use some really odd materials for mechanical parts which later in life cause issues which simply shouldn't exist. And dont even start on silly things such as the near certain chain failure on the 2.0 diesels etc.

My GF had a ford for a while, it seemed far more mechanically reliable than any of the BMW's ive ever had.

Havana_UK · 14 Jul 2016 at 14:58

[TW]Fox;29781306 said:
You can't.

That sucks!

F355 · 14 Jul 2016 at 21:42

Sam said:
So after placing my order with BMW back in September 15 i finally collected my car on Monday and couldn't be more pleased. On a completely different level to my M135i which was a good car but just too much of an "all rounder" which to me left it pretty boring after the first years ownership.

Seriously considering having the car treated with Gtechniq serum light, has anyone else had this treatment as I've heard some pretty good things about it?

Sam

Very, very nice Sam. You've ticked the right colour and options IMHO.

Get your name down

https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18738383

hurfdurf · 15 Jul 2016 at 00:03

[TW]Fox;29780517 said:
It's more something you bang on about over the internet.

correct

Housey · 15 Jul 2016 at 00:24

Jez said:
BMW's are probably one of the most unreliable marques ive ever owned on the whole

Really, well I have had 11 or 12, can't remember and all I can remember is a radiator that went on a 323, Vanos on my first M3 and do you know what, that's it.

[TW]Fox · 15 Jul 2016 at 07:21

Housey said:
Really, well I have had 11 or 12, can't remember and all I can remember is a radiator that went on a 323, Vanos on my first M3 and do you know what, that's it.

You move them on before they get older though..

mrk · 15 Jul 2016 at 07:30

Reliability of old BMWs!!

My passenger side rear LED cluster has 3 failing LEDs and looks totally naff. A new pair of clusters (used) comes in at £195~

I'd prefer to replace both as LEDs do fade over time, so replacing just one would mean one cluster is slightly less bright than the other.

[TW]Fox · 15 Jul 2016 at 07:40

Surely you are just setting yourself up for it to happen again if you buy used ones. Yours are already about as new as they get?

Jez · 15 Jul 2016 at 07:46

Housey said:
Really, well I have had 11 or 12, can't remember and all I can remember is a radiator that went on a 323, Vanos on my first M3 and do you know what, that's it.

Not *very* applicable to the situation given yours have probably all been new enough to be under new car warranty

DereksDontRun · 15 Jul 2016 at 08:03

Sam said:
Sorry i also have the auto mirrors, although god knows why you cannot set them to fold upon locking without having to hold the button!

Whether it's true or not, I've read on a m135i forum somewhere that it's purposely set to not always fold as motors were burning out, so even tho they can fold it's best not to always do so. It sounds crazy, so my gut reaction is it can't be true, but then I look at VAG group cars with motorized wingmirrors and I think they close every time, so there must be a reason they don't on a m135...

[TW]Fox · 15 Jul 2016 at 08:21

DereksDontRun said:
Whether it's true or not, I've read on a m135i forum somewhere that it's purposely set to not always fold as motors were burning out, so even tho they can fold it's best not to always do so. It sounds crazy, so my gut reaction is it can't be true, but then I look at VAG group cars with motorized wingmirrors and I think they close every time, so there must be a reason they don't on a m135...

It's the same on all BMW's - my 530d is like it as well. One press for lock, long press for lock+fold.

Which makes sense as why do you need to fold them every single time? You only need to fold them when parked somewhere at risk of somebody hitting them or something.

mrk · 15 Jul 2016 at 09:05

[TW]Fox;29783822 said:
Surely you are just setting yourself up for it to happen again if you buy used ones. Yours are already about as new as they get?

If I buy undamaged ones it will be fine for the foreseeable future. My faulty one has a crack in and moisture has damaged those 3 LEDs.

Vita · 15 Jul 2016 at 09:43

My old e46 has been reliable bar the oil filter gasket seal/headhog resistor and the rear window coming off of the rail lol. Nothing major that I couldn't fix on an evening.

Pen66 · 15 Jul 2016 at 13:19

Any thoughts on this from M3 owners? And anyone dealt with SJ Specialists before? Seem to get mixed reviews on M3cutters and Pistonheads.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201607075617694?search-target=usedcars&make=bmw&model=m3&price-to=14000&transmission=manual&searchcontext=default&postcode=dd14ny&radius=1501&page=4&sort=default&body-type=coupe&onesearchad=new%2Cnearlynew%2Cused&logcode=p&adPos=6

Looks quite clean and decent interior condition. Spotted a couple of marks on lower front bumper, drivers side and rear of passenger side skirt. Unsure if this is due to light.

Ideally looking for a manual facelift coupe - not fussed about sat nav or HK stereo. Are there any 'must have' options?

At 85k miles, I'm thinking that suspension and cooling system may need some attention as well as the usual vanos and subframe issues (to have been checked and rectified if any cracks?).

chroniclard · 15 Jul 2016 at 20:56

First long trip, 177 miles in eco Pro mode. :eek:

Not too shabby