[MikeVictor]

I'll wait for the BMW factory tune to come out. Not interested in throwing out a 4 year warranty seven months into ownership if something goes spang.

[MarkyMarkOz]

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

I'll wait for the BMW factory tune to come out. Not interested in throwing out a 4 year warranty seven months into ownership if something goes spang.

Let's look at the risk of a spang. 1,000's of tunes on the market with previous models in use, several hundred now with this one. The N20 being built to be a platform for much higher HP with only bolt ons and tunes from BMW - ie. is a very solid platform in stock form. The Stage one being 'mild' for this platform. Key issue being fuel/air ratio is well n truly covered in this tune. The BMW tune if & when it is released will likely be very similar, but will be packaged differently to try to differentiate & to try to justify cost,... etc....

The risk is extremely low. The person I know who has fitted one is extremely happy with a very solid mechanical racing background and a stickler for doing things to a very high standard and does his homework very thoroughly. His opinion is that this is simply a wake up package & that the f30/328 platform is designed to take much higher stresses than even the stage 2 beta numbers and still operate like a stock vehicle in terms of the chance of mechanical issues. (other than perhaps the vehicle prompting earlier service intervals which can happen under many 'stock' conditions as well), but in the end as always, each to their own. Enjoy your driving!

[MikeVictor]

Originally Posted by MarkyMarkOz

Let's look at the risk of a spang... (cut)

Yeah, I get all that, thanks. Tuning turbo charged cars isn't new to me after 7 years at it and three cars. Good luck and happy driving if you go down that path, I just put more value on my retaining my warranty right at this point in time (my main point of my post TBH). Less issues if I decide to sell down the track if all mods are factory parts.

I don't get all this "stage 2" malarkey either, it reeks of Gran Turismo, but I guess you're soaking up the manufacturers language.

[Id]

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

Yeah, I get all that, thanks. Tuning turbo charged cars isn't new to me after 7 years at it and three cars. Good luck and happy driving if you go down that path, I just put more value on my retaining my warranty right at this point in time (my main point of my post TBH). Less issues if I decide to sell down the track if all mods are factory parts.

I don't get all this "stage 2" malarkey either, it reeks of Gran Turismo, but I guess you're soaking up the manufacturers language.

I put an air intake in my Golf at 15,000kms and a remap at 17,000kms.

No issues at all. In fact the tune on a Golf 118tsi has been shown to prolong it's life (unreliable engine) as it makes the engine run richer than the ultra high economy and very lean tune from factory.

[dcg71]

Originally Posted by Dabaitu

I don't get all this "stage 2" malarkey either, it reeks of Gran Turismo.

[kash_0]

Have had a few annoying little issues pop up

-steering creaks when turning it right
-right indicator on mirror not working
-A little rust on the seat hinges

Will be contacting the dealer shortly to have these looked at.

[screenshot]

Originally Posted by kash_0

-steering creaks when turning it right
-right indicator on mirror not working
-A little rust on the seat hinges

Another seat rust! When was your car built?

I wonder if these issues are restricted to 3 series built out of Rosslyn or those in Germany bound for US and European markets as well?

[kash_0]

Originally Posted by screenshot

Another seat rust! When was your car built?

I wonder if these issues are restricted to 3 series built out of Rosslyn or those in Germany bound for US and European markets as well?

Sept 12 I'm pretty sure

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by screenshot

Another seat rust! When was your car built?

I wonder if these issues are restricted to 3 series built out of Rosslyn or those in Germany bound for US and European markets as well?

Having read about this on the main international thread, this rust in the seat base issue seems to be worldwide, seemingly from every factory. This possibly points to the seat manufacturer.

BMW has used Lear Corporation to manufacture its seats. I do not know if they manufacture the F30 seats.

[J1n]

Mate has brought his car in for a week to get his seats rectified. Applies to the 1 series as well.. they will prep and treat the seats for u.

[fd80]

J1n have you got any rust?
I checked mine and the base is full of it. My car was built Aug '12.

[J1n]

Only 1 or 2 10 cent coin spots. thats about it. Attached a photo here. Some guys more severe rusting...keen to see how bad

[sajade]

Hi. I took delivery about 2 months ago. I had some minor issues which the dealer sorted oiut but have an annoying 'metal to metal ' noise when i reverse out of my driveway in the morning. There is a lip on the pavement and i have to reverse up to the left up a slight incline. Funny thing is that once the noise is heard it some how cannot be replicated and is 'gone ' until the next morning. The dealer has been very good in fact coming to my house to try and hear it but could not

I wonder if anybody else has had the problem
__________________________________________________ ________________________
328 Auto,min white,sunroof,luxury spec,parking package,light package,blind spot indicator,

[adge7]

Has anyone else got experience dealing with the rusty seat base issue?

I mentioned the problem to the dealer when I brought my car in for other issues, and have been advised the seat bases have since been replaced.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by adge7

Has anyone else got experience dealing with the rusty seat base issue?

Based on what I have read, the rust issue is limited to light surface rust and has been cleaned off, leaving a pristine looking base. Some photos of before and after are on this site. No need to replace the base.

[GT1]

The F30's that come here are built in South Africa, what did you expect the build quality to be like?

Your better off to buy a Lexus, superior build quality, longer warranty, better service and NO arrogance.

[adge7]

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

Based on what I have read, the rust issue is limited to light surface rust and has been cleaned off, leaving a pristine looking base. Some photos of before and after are on this site. No need to replace the base.

Awesome. Well my seat bases were replaced. As per my earlier entry to the thread. So, there's that.

[dcg71]

Originally Posted by GT1

The F30's that come here are built in South Africa, what did you expect the build quality to be like?

Your better off to buy a Lexus, superior build quality, longer warranty, better service and NO arrogance.

Early f30s came from Germany. Mine's one of them. There's absolutely no difference in build quality between one built in Germany or South Africa.

Personally Lexus are some of the least inspiring cars on the road. I'd rather own an actual Toyota.

[HFW003]

I've had two F30's, both built in SA and I have had absolutely no problems with the build quality of either.

H

[J1n]

Originally Posted by GT1

The F30's that come here are built in South Africa, what did you expect the build quality to be like?

Your better off to buy a Lexus, superior build quality, longer warranty, better service and NO arrogance.

Lol sorry but I find this quite funny. I'd buy a Kia

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by GT1

The F30's that come here are built in South Africa, what did you expect the build quality to be like?

Considering BMW have been building 3 Series cars in Rosslyn for 40 odd years, that 40, not 4, the quality is and always has been world class.

As mentioned, it's the seat manufacturer, Lear Corporation, which had the problem.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by dcg71

Personally Lexus are some of the least inspiring cars on the road. I'd rather own an actual Toyota.

A friend of mine has one of each. He much prefers the Toyota over the Lexus.