BMW and M Power Owners

I have a lci m135i so it came with bus nav. I decided not to get the pro as there's no way to upload speed cameras to it, so I was expecting to keep using my TomTom as a satnav, which I've found myself doing from time to time. So, personally, i wouldn't stress about the pro nav - but, yeah, it's a bit crazy using a tomtom when the car has a built in sat nav.

Afaik, the pro nav gives you a bigger screen, and with that, you can have a split screen with 2 menus/screens running together. On the Lci (might be true on the earlier cars too), i think it also adds a load of connectivity options (web browser, remote app) plus changes the cd player to a dvd - i think...

Audio options - 3 steps: standard, advance and HK. I've got the HK which is v good, but not sat in a pauper-spec car to compare. I think it's only a speaker choice, so all have usb input for mp3s and I think the newer LCI cars allow bluetooth streaming without the need for pro nav (not too sure tho).
 
Kalexuz said:
Thanks for the info, I think for the price of the warranty and how good it apparently is when making a claim, I'd more than likely get it.

What make the pro nav so much better, I thought it was just a bigger screen but I'm presuming there's more to it than that?
Click to expand...

Yes, it supports BT & USB streaming and also has a load of extra connected drive features as well. Others here, e.g. Fox, can probably be more specific.

Kalexuz said:
This BMW advance option audio, is that optional on the 135i's as well or is it either that or the HK system? Do you know about the USB/bluetooth thing...I love music and being able to stream from spotify through the car audio is an absolute must have. It's the one thing I hate most about my current Civic R.
Click to expand...
There are three tiers of audio: standard, advanced (~£300 option) & HK (~£600 option).

For streaming see above.

Kalexuz said:
I've seen a video saying the adaptive suspension in 'sport' mode is the same as an M135i without adaptive suspension, but of course in comfort it's a lot nicer ride. Is that true do you know... I'd probably add it to a nice to have list if true.
Click to expand...
Yes, that's right. In Sport mode the suspension is as stiff as normal, but in comfort mode it's more pliant.

Kalexuz said:
I've seen the LCI version, it's nice but they're out of my price range unfortunately; unless something dramatic happens with the M140i coming out (which I think has already happened tbh)
Click to expand...
What is your budget?
 
New car looks good Fox! How is the Harmon Kardon setup? I remember you saying you found the standard setup in the F10 pretty decent, so how does it compare? Would you now consider it an essential option?
 
Last edited:
Havana_UK said:
Yes, it supports BT & USB streaming and also has a load of extra connected drive features as well. Others here, e.g. Fox, can probably be more specific.


There are three tiers of audio: standard, advanced (~£300 option) & HK (~£600 option).

For streaming see above.


Yes, that's right. In Sport mode the suspension is as stiff as normal, but in comfort mode it's more pliant.


What is your budget?
Click to expand...

Thanks Havana and DereksDontRun. I'll give BMW a quick email to find out for certain what's what.

The advanced audio, how is this commonly described...I've seen some adverts say "BMW Professional audio" which I just thought of them trying to up-sell the none HK system but maybe they mean the advanced audio in retrospect.

The suspension I think I'll need to test a car and see what the difference is like. I do like a comfy journey, but I just don't think I'd be prepared to wait for a 135 to pop up that has all I want for the right price... I'm also practically concrete on it being estoril blue with black leather so there's a lot of criteria to try marry together here!

If I was to be rash about it and go get a bank loan tomorrow I've a budget of around 20k really (which counts for my current car being worth about 5k trade in..or at least I wouldn't want any less off the price). If I did the sensible thing and saved 400-500 a month and waited till April time next year like my wife thinks I should I'd probably be able get a practically new one, 65/16 plate? I also should probably consider a newer car will be under manufacturers warranty so would save me 40 a month or so in the BMW warranty insurance.
 
400/month and u can pcp a new one...
http://www.babybmw.net/viewtopic.php?f=80&t=72965
TRL @ BMW Heathrow does some amazing offers - atm u can get a brand new M140i for a deposit of £1500 and 47 months of £295 with a gfv of £13298 (with 8k pa miles).
options obviously increase the monthlies, which can be reduced by a bigger deposit.

Or check Coast2Coast cars for a different option (if you're not able to collect a car from London).

just a thought (said the devil on the shoulder...)
 
Seems fairly cheap and a 140i would be mint to own new but don't think I could stomach paying that much and losing so much over 4 years and still have 13k to pay off. I'm sure a 140i would be worth more than 13k after 4 years though? I'd only be doing between 3-5k miles a year as well!
 
So - a couple of days in a brand new 535d GT. Interior is first class although didn't find the seats that comfortable, a bit too firm for me. Ride is excellent at motorway speed but a bit jiggly around town, this might be a GT thing rather than a 5 thing generally I guess. The gearbox is incredible, took a bit of getting used to it constantly changing even at motorway speeds but you can't feel it change anyway.

That engine though, what a triumph of engineering. I finally understand what Fox has been on about all this time. A bit of background clatter when cold but super smooth and actually makes a really good noise when you put your foot down. Performance isn't as dramatic as I expected, it didn't feel any quicker than my Saab but you end up at silly speeds if you don't keep an eye on the speedo. I think it's partly due to how refined it is and partly the second turbo meaning it doesn't have the same big surge of power that other diesels have - I'd love to know how the 530d compares. Managed 38mpg over a round trip down the a303 which isn't amazing overall but when you consider the power and the mass of the GT, it's pretty good.

Genuinely a really impressive machine - it's my first time spending any significant amount of time in a modern bmw and I couldn't have asked for a better one to do it in. Almost everything about it seemed to work exactly as it should, if not better. They do feel a bit soulless and clinical but that's German cars for you I guess. I can't see me ever being able to justify the cost of a newish one or the hassle of an older one but an enjoyable couple of days regardless.. Someone else at work hired a car from the same class on the same day and had an M4 delivered, so I think I'll be playing the hire car lottery again soon!
 
Kalexuz said:
Seems fairly cheap and a 140i would be mint to own new but don't think I could stomach paying that much and losing so much over 4 years and still have 13k to pay off. I'm sure a 140i would be worth more than 13k after 4 years though? I'd only be doing between 3-5k miles a year as well!
Click to expand...

if you're doing fewer miles than the pcp agreement then surely the car will be worth more (not to mention, as you've said, hopefully it will be worth more than 13k anyway), thus a bigger deposit for the next one...

I know it seems horrific, that you're spending 16k over 4 years and not "owning" the car, but it means you can spec the exact car you're after and have the maximum bmw warranty.

realistically, a car looses about 20% a year (i think), whether you own it or lease it. say it's 30k after options, with 20% depreciation, after 4 years that's under 13k. So, yeah, it seems a horrific amount of cash to "loose", but that's the potential cost of owning a 30k car, whether it's bought outright, pcp'd, new or used. Personally, I could afford either getting a bank loan to buy a car (would have been about 400/month) or pcp at 300/month, and after 3-4 years I'd probably change car again, and no doubt taking out another loan to cover the depreciation and deposit for another 3-4 years, and thus I'm basically paying 300-400/month in car payments either way... So, as soon as I realized I was effectively going to pay the same whether i bought or leased, then I thought I might as well pcp and get something new, as any concerns of how any previous owner has treated the car is out the window, as well as a maximum warranty safety net...
 
I completely see your point hmmm. It sounds very tempting paying around 330 a month for a 140i with auto, pro nav and HK system as I was looking at around 270 a month loan anyway + warranty if it was 13/63 plate at 40 a month. Don't know what to do now hahaha!

If I was to take out a deal, at year 4 could I buy the car or do I have to give it back with no alternate option? What if the car is worth, for arguments sake, 19k and I effectively have 6k equity in the car? If I didn't want another BMW at that time, do I lose that equity?
 
With a pcp you can trade it in at any time to whoever you want. Or sell it privately. It's just a finance agreement secured on the car. You can pay it off and keep it at any time too. But it does give you the option of handing it back after 4 years if you want.

Any equity you have left in the car, at any finance settlement point, is yours. Be aware though that these agreements are usually set up so you don't really have any equity until about 60-70% through the agreement. Unless you front load it with a substantial deposit, or specifically ask for it tailored that way.
 
xs2man said:
With a pcp you can trade it in at any time to whoever you want. Or sell it privately. It's just a finance agreement secured on the car.
Click to expand...

This isn't strictly true. On a PCP the car does not belong to you - you cannot sell it privately without the express permission of the finance company, who may or may not grant that permission depending on the value of the car and your ability to repay the agreement.
 
[TW]Fox;29895167 said:
This isn't strictly true. On a PCP the car does not belong to you - you cannot sell it privately without the express permission of the finance company, who may or may not grant that permission depending on the value of the car and your ability to repay the agreement.
Click to expand...

By the letter of the agreement, yes. In reality, it is true. If you part ex or sell it to a dealer, the finance is settled before the finance company is even aware that it's been sold so it's a non issue. The dealers can't move a car with finance outstanding so they'll clear it quickly and in my experience they won't ask to see the permission
 
Found myself looking at autotrader at Z4...guess the itch is still there !

This one is 30miles away, looks decent spec, mileage but the aftermarket rear spoiler and failed MOT for illegal plate suggest it was once own by a boy racer of sorts.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...searchad=new,nearlynew,used&logcode=p&adPos=3

HuFrmBe.png
 
Any tips on ways to pass the time/not focus on your car being delivered in a month? :(

It's killing me! Shoulda bought an RS, coulda forgotten it existed!
 
Raymond, wouldn't suggest boy racer to me. White car. Tyre warnings. Incorrectly spaced plate. Suggests someone who doesn't care about cars but cares more about looking good.
 
Dis86 said:
Raymond, wouldn't suggest boy racer to me. White car. Tyre warnings. Incorrectly spaced plate. Suggests someone who doesn't care about cars but cares more about looking good.
Click to expand...

Ah true, and what could those under trays and engine covers advisory items about?
 
Raymond Lin said:
Ah true, and what could those under trays and engine covers advisory items about?
Click to expand...

Totally normal. Mine has it every time. It's just the ordinary standard undertrays and covers that nearly every car comes with. Definitely nothing to worry about. Infact more cause for concern if they're not mentioned!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom