BMW and M Power Owners

FuriousGeorge said:
and motorway miles.
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Dont fall for this, if this is an E60 then to rack up 189k miles isnt difficult. It'll have seen a real mixed usage profile and will have spent an awful long time off the motorway too. I would expect it to be very mechanically worn at 189k miles and 6+ years old.

Real motorway miles only cars are stuff like 2-3 year old 150k+ miles S-Classes which you see semi regularly at auction with a Ltd previous owner.
 
Jez said:
Dont fall for this, if this is an E60 then to rack up 189k miles isnt difficult. It'll have seen a real mixed usage profile and will have spent an awful long time off the motorway too. I would expect it to be very mechanically worn at 189k miles and 6+ years old.

Real motorway miles only cars are stuff like 2-3 year old 150k+ miles S-Classes which you see semi regularly at auction with a Ltd previous owner.
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Yeah i know i am a bit dubious of that claim. although its age means its about 25k per year which starts to lean a bit more towards more on the motorway than around town.

I have the VIN so im gonna phone up a BMW garage and ask about its history with BMW.
 
I re-installed INPA last night, after putting the drivers seat back in the car, I was getting a load of warning lights on the dash related to the seat controller being offline for some time. It has stored some error codes, and they had to be manually cleared to stop the dash lighting up like a christmas tree.

Very easy to do, and I am having a look into progman now to see what coding stuff I can change.

The E65 has a LOT of toys, so could be interesting :D
 
E46 (2004 320Ci) is in the garage. Found its idling quite rough intermittently on cold starts and a general rattle from the engine bay. Not managed to isolate the noise and my local go to mechanic couldn't either. Hopefully it's nothing serious.
 
Just following on from the above post. Mechanic says it's a knackered water pump, bearings are shot but idling appears okay. They've quoted £213 +vat inc labour for replacement of the water pump and belts. Does this sound about right? Labour was 3 hours which seems a lot?
 
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Whilst browsing the BMW AUC site over a sandwich at lunchtime today whilst checking out F80 M3s, I noticed that there's a slight difference in performance and MPG in them. Anyone know what the reason is?

For example, this is a September 2016 M3 Saloon which does 32.1mpg and 4.3s 0-60.

Whereas this is a September 2016 M3 Saloon which does 34.0mpg and 4.1s 0-60.

I thought it may be gearbox related, but they both have the 7 speed DCT. Neither have the Competition Package and both have the exact same HP and torque output. They're not one offs either, there's plenty of examples of each spec listed.

What's the deal?
 
Spunkey said:
Whilst browsing the BMW AUC site over a sandwich at lunchtime today whilst checking out F80 M3s, I noticed that there's a slight difference in performance and MPG in them. Anyone know what the reason is?

For example, this is a September 2016 M3 Saloon which does 32.1mpg and 4.3s 0-60.

Whereas this is a September 2016 M3 Saloon which does 34.0mpg and 4.1s 0-60.

I thought it may be gearbox related, but they both have the 7 speed DCT. Neither have the Competition Package and both have the exact same HP and torque output. They're not one offs either, there's plenty of examples of each spec listed.

What's the deal?
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It appears they've put in the wrong specs. 204g/km CO2 is for the manual model and 194g/km CO2 is for the DCT.
 
You chaps with an M135i, how are you guys getting on with yours? Does it still make you grin months and years after purchase? Do you have the manual or 8spd auto and what do you think of it? And how are you finding the reliability and running costs?

It's right up there as contender for my next car.
 
shadow_boxer said:
Just following on from the above post. Mechanic says it's a knackered water pump, bearings are shot but idling appears okay. They've quoted £213 +vat inc labour for replacement of the water pump and belts. Does this sound about right? Labour was 3 hours which seems a lot?
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3 hours is a load of time for the water pump on a 6 cylinder e46 - even I would have it done start to finish by then, and I'm an idiot

The guy over the phone isn't just giving you a price based on the more difficult type you'd find on a lot of 4 cylinder cars with the engine mounted transversely?
 
kona786 said:
You chaps with an M135i, how are you guys getting on with yours? Does it still make you grin months and years after purchase? Do you have the manual or 8spd auto and what do you think of it? And how are you finding the reliability and running costs?

It's right up there as contender for my next car.
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8spd auto here, sublime gearbox mated to the perfect engine IMO.

Reliability has been faultless in the 7 months I've had mine, covering some 5,000 miles (currently at 40k). However, I'd not buy one without either BMW's used or new warranties.

It makes me grin every now and then, sure, but normally because of how much pace it has in a straight line. The other times, obviously, it's just a 1 series. Which means it's pretty naff. It ultimately depends on what you're coming from, as my previous motor was a 2004 330Ci so obviously the M135i is a far newer piece of equipment in many ways...

BUT!

The 330Ci has/had much more character, more soul etc. I've not really bonded with the M135i all that much, it's just stupidly competent at what it does. Just don't go in thinking it's an M car, it just isn't. It grips and corners well enough but it doesn't necessarily egg you on to go further.

I'm sure others would disagree, or advise modifying with the car a little (which I have no doubt would cure some of my issues with the car), but I prefer a stock experience.

25-30mpg on my 10 mile B road commute, YMMV. I've yet to do any servicing but since the costs are pretty much fixed, so go figure.

Option wise, get the Pro Nav as an absolute minimum.
 
And on that note, insert obligatory photo of F10 in Far North of Scotland last week :D

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kona786 said:
You chaps with an M135i, how are you guys getting on with yours? Does it still make you grin months and years after purchase? Do you have the manual or 8spd auto and what do you think of it? And how are you finding the reliability and running costs?

It's right up there as contender for my next car.
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I bought mine new in April 2015, it's one of the first LCIs, so I've not long passed 18 months' ownership. During that time I've covered almost 43k miles in it and have enjoyed every one of them.

It's been to Germany a few times (3 I think), including two trips to the Nurburgring, and to the south of France as well. I've also taken it on a couple of track days, which is great as you simply cannot (safely) explore the performance it has on the road.

I had it on the rollers at the last OcUK rolling road day when it had about 1000 miles on it where it ran 350bhp / 379ft/lb. and you really can feel that when you put your foot down. It will do a solid 160mph (on the speedo) before the limiter kicks in and I can tell you it doesn't struggle to get there. I expect it would be good for close to 175mph with the 8 speed ZF auto if there were no limiter.

Mine is a 5 door with the auto box, pro nav, heated seats, front & rear parking sensors, auto dimming/folding mirrors, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive suspension and BMW advanced loudspeakers (I think that's everything I chose). It has been completely reliable during the time I've owned it, but I would expect that from a brand new car anyway. It's also been incredibly economical (considering the performance on offer) having returned over 34mpg since new. I regularly see over 40mpg on a typical journey.

I'm considering moving it on, not because I don't love it (I do) but because of the miles I cover I think it's probably worth selling it whilst it's still young and has a decent chunk of warranty left for the next owner, but I don't know what to replace it with! I need 4 doors, so the only things I can think of are a new M140i or an M3...or do I just keep it longer!?

Anyway, I'd recommend buying one. I think for the money they are fantastic if you don't need more space.
 
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[TW]Fox;30116022 said:
5k in 7 months?!

Take it somewhere good!
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I've been meaning to, just never really got round to it/felt the desire to. I took the 330Ci to Scotland last September and thoroughly enjoyed it.

In July this year we wanted to do a trip to the Netherlands but after some deliberation, we ended up flying instead...

It's not even particularly comfortable either, obviously.jpg - I guess this is the point I'm getting at. It's not particularly involving nor particularly pleasurable to drive for long distances, as such, I've never felt compelled to travel that far in it.
 
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Havana_UK said:
I'm considering moving it on, not because I don't love it (I do) but because of the miles I cover I think it's probably worth selling it whilst it's still young and has a decent chunk of warranty left for the next owner, but I don't know what to replace it with! I need 4 doors, so the only things I can think of are a new M140i or an M3...or do I just keep it longer!?
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Sell it to benefit the next owner?

You've found a car you love, keep it! :D
 
wingman said:
8spd auto here, sublime gearbox mated to the perfect engine IMO.

Reliability has been faultless in the 7 months I've had mine, covering some 5,000 miles (currently at 40k). However, I'd not buy one without either BMW's used or new warranties.

It makes me grin every now and then, sure, but normally because of how much pace it has in a straight line. The other times, obviously, it's just a 1 series. Which means it's pretty naff. It ultimately depends on what you're coming from, as my previous motor was a 2004 330Ci so obviously the M135i is a far newer piece of equipment in many ways...

BUT!

The 330Ci has/had much more character, more soul etc. I've not really bonded with the M135i all that much, it's just stupidly competent at what it does. Just don't go in thinking it's an M car, it just isn't. It grips and corners well enough but it doesn't necessarily egg you on to go further.

I'm sure others would disagree, or advise modifying with the car a little (which I have no doubt would cure some of my issues with the car), but I prefer a stock experience.

25-30mpg on my 10 mile B road commute, YMMV. I've yet to do any servicing but since the costs are pretty much fixed, so go figure.

Option wise, get the Pro Nav as an absolute minimum.
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Thanks for the info.

Yeah I think it’s quite difficult to find a newish car that you can really bond with. They all seem rather too clinical.

I'm coming from a Gen 6 Celica GT and an E36 328is before that and I hear you when you talk about character. I remember when I used to be on an E36 forum and the guy had moved from an e36 328 to a e46 330 and said it was just too smooth and refined :D. Plus with older cars, I feel the lower levels of refinement just help with the rawness of the experience when pushing on. But then it's nice to have that extra refinement of newer cars when winter comes along to be all cocooned with refinement and fancy extras. I need 2 cars really :o

I've always been a car nut from as far back as I can remember and now that I'm finally on a salary that I'm genuinely happy with I can sink some money into a newish properly fast car, but it needs to be practical and have some fancy extras too. Plus a 6pot just has that kinda creamy sound I like compared to the usual VAG 4 pot turbo. And I prefer that understated look an M135i has.

I'll have too look into how much the warranty costs. Do I just literally call my local dealer for a quote? Can you negotiate on price?

The only mods I think I'll do is some sort of induction kit and sports cat to free up some more 6pot noise. Not a fan of those crackly aftermarket exhausts. And maybe some H+R/Eibach springs.



Havana_UK said:
I bought mine new in April 2015, it's one of the first LCIs, so I've not long passed 18 months' ownership. During that time I've covered almost 43k miles in it and have enjoyed every one of them.

It's been to Germany a few times (3 I think), including two trips to the Nurburgring, and to the south of France as well. I've also taken it on a couple of track days, which is great as you simply cannot (safely) explore the performance it has on the road.

I had it on the rollers at the last OcUK rolling road day when it had about 1000 miles on it where it ran 350bhp / 379ft/lb. and you really can feel that when you put your foot down. It will do a solid 160mph (on the speedo) before the limiter kicks in and I can tell you it doesn't struggle to get there. I expect it would be good for close to 175mph with the 8 speed ZF auto if there were no limiter.

Mine is a 5 door with the auto box, pro nav, heated seats, front & rear parking sensors, auto dimming/folding mirrors, adaptive LED headlights, adaptive suspension and BMW advanced loudspeakers (I think that's everything I chose). It has been completely reliable during the time I've owned it, but I would expect that from a brand new car anyway. It's also been incredibly economical (considering the performance on offer) having returned over 34mpg since new. I regularly see over 40mpg on a typical journey.

I'm considering moving it on, not because I don't love it (I do) but because of the miles I cover I think it's probably worth selling it whilst it's still young and has a decent chunk of warranty left for the next owner, but I don't know what to replace it with! I need 4 doors, so the only things I can think of are a new M140i or an M3...or do I just keep it longer!?

Anyway, I'd recommend buying one. I think for the money they are fantastic if you don't need more space.
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Thanks that's quite some result on the rollers! Combined with the MPG when being gentle it's an awesome motor. It's the standout attraction for me.

Yes for the money I just can't settle on any other car. I was thinking about the E92 M3 but the associated running costs really put me off.

Options with it has to have the pro nav, black panel display, HK audio, rear sensors at the very least. And 3dr Grey with either black or red leather. And I think I prefer the new style steering wheel too.


Regarding the 8spd gearbox - has it given you guys any problems in terms of gearbox whine?
 
Another question about F10 5 series M sports - I drove one on 18" wheels, and thought it handled and rode really nicely, but the one I'd be looking at getting has 19's - does it make a lot of difference ?

I'm thinking of changing from a Jag XF-S, so if anyone else has made the switch then I'd love to hear your thoughts - thanks.
 
Am I right in thinking there may be some good deals on stock F11's now that the new 5 Series has been announced, or is it a bit too early?
 
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