[bobiam]

Hello.....First post and at this moment have a deposit on a 2015 F30. Will bring it home July 16. This is probably a good time to ask advice from you experienced guys about what to be sure to do with the dealer before taking possession, what to check out before handing over the big check, what to do first when I bring it home, etc, etc.
It has less than 30K miles and is mint. Includes Cold Weather pkg, Driver Assistance pkg, Dynamic handling pkg, Premium pkg, Sport line, Technology pkg. It's my first BMW and I like to do my own maintenance but I'm a senior and will give the tough stuff to a mechanic.
What are the "can't live without" upgrades, hacks, mods that I should be considering??
Thanks and I'll see you on the forum.

[metallicpea]

Welcome Bob. Looks like a nice spec. Congrats!

Is it CPO (Certified Pre-Owned)?

Make sure it has it's second key(fob).

It likely has run flat tires on it. My first recommendation is to replace those with some good non run flat ones if you are comfortable without a spare and/or it fits OK with your use. Second thing would be a used set of take-off wheels and some winter tires such as Blizzaks if this is your year round car. I went 17". And you could use one of those as a spare if absolutely necessary.

[.BMW.]

Very nice F30!

I would also start with tires, 245/40-18 or 245/45-18, square fit fine on OEM 397 wheels.

Or aftermarket wheels and tires, 19" is perfect for F30 in my opinion.

[jh_f30]

Given that it's mint, and depending on how much you care about the finish, you may want to invest in some sort of paint protection film (either just a clear bra, or for the entire car).

With all the rock chips and little dings I have, I regret not having the foresight to do it when I bought my car.

Oh, and some level of window tint for both privacy and UV protection of your interior.

Congrats and welcome!

[EDWYER]

I suggest changing the tires and upgrading the charge pipe first. Good luck.

[DarkStarBimmer]

coding off the start up warnings and chimes makes it so much more enjoyable. I found them to be extremely annoying.

[bobiam]

Originally Posted by ProjectBoost

I suggest changing the tires and upgrading the charge pipe first. Good luck.

Charge pipe????

[bobiam]

Originally Posted by DarkStarBimmer

coding off the start up warnings and chimes makes it so much more enjoyable. I found them to be extremely annoying.

I agree that that stuff is a pita. Easy to do???

[bobiam]

Not a CPO. Tires may need replacement for winter and I would go non-runflat, so thanks for supporting that plan. Didn't know I could go oversized. Any problems with clearances or increased diameter?
Thanks guys.... Good stuff.

[EDWYER]

Originally Posted by bobiam

Charge pipe????

Mine broke about a month after getting my car. It is cheap plastic junk and not if but when it will break.

More info. http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...ht=charge+pipe

[bobiam]

BTW, I probably will avoid using this car in serious winter weather since my other car is a '15 Outback.

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by bobiam

Hello.....First post and at this moment have a deposit on a 2015 F30. Will bring it home July 16. This is probably a good time to ask advice from you experienced guys about what to be sure to do with the dealer before taking possession, what to check out before handing over the big check, what to do first when I bring it home, etc, etc.
It has less than 30K miles and is mint. Includes Cold Weather pkg, Driver Assistance pkg, Dynamic handling pkg, Premium pkg, Sport line, Technology pkg. It's my first BMW and I like to do my own maintenance but I'm a senior and will give the tough stuff to a mechanic.
What are the "can't live without" upgrades, hacks, mods that I should be considering??
Thanks and I'll see you on the forum.

1) Take someone who knows cars well and isn’t excited as you (thinking it’s mint) to throughly look it over.

2) Why isn’t it CPO? That being the case, I’d certainly have a tech you Employee check it out from top to bottom, inside out and on a lift.

[Elvisfan]

Looks like a bmw dealer. Yes,I’d be curious why no CPO. I’m also a senior. Welcome to the club. I haven’t done any mods but, my car came with 19s and an all black grill. I wanted to do a tune at the dealer. But they apparently don’t do the 4 cylinder. I thought about coding the mirrors to auto fold on lock. Afraid I’ll or someone else would screw it up. The start up messages don’t bother me. Life’s too short to worry about things like that. I’d like to be able to put the top up with having to stand next to the car. Don’t know if that’s possible.

[cfm56d7b]

First - welcome! Great car.

Are you planning to keep the car for many years to come? Is it xDrive?

Few suggestions ...

1. The vehicle appears to be still under factory warranty. Ask BMW dealer to fully inspect the vehicle and address any items under warranty.

2. Getting a dedicated winter wheel / tire set will preserve your original rims. BMW 400M 18" wheels are one of the best choices for a winter wheel / tire set. There is a forum member in Classifieds selling one right now.

3. Buy professional code scanner such as Foxwell or Schwaben. I purchased mine from Turner Motorsports. One of the best investments @ $150.

4. Check the version of navigation maps. You can purchase newest maps from a forum member. This thread http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1161561 has everything you need to start the process.

[sspade]

Sweet car, welcome to the forum!

I would suggest a light tint done by a reputable shop. Not a $99 special somewhere, expect to pay $300 or so for a quality film like 3M.

Also suggest downloading BimmerCode and BimmerLink (same developer). Youll also need a Vgate iCar device to plug into your OBD port ($15 on eBay)... for under a hundred dollars all in youll be able to do some customized coding as well as read and clear your own check engine/ trouble codes in the event you get an onboard error displayed.

I would use the crap out of the run-flats until they are shot and replace with Michelin or Continental non run-flat tires.

Maybe a set of black kidney grilles as well.

Wont want to go too much further with cosmetics, in my opinion.

Then on to the performance mods, if that sort of thing tickles your fancy!

[sspade]

One more thing... a quality/custom cut sun visor for the windshield. This is hugely underrated in my opinion.

[bobiam]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

First - welcome! Great car.

Are you planning to keep the car for many years to come? Is it xDrive?

Few suggestions ...

1. The vehicle appears to be still under factory warranty. Ask BMW dealer to fully inspect the vehicle and address any items under warranty.

2. Getting a dedicated winter wheel / tire set will preserve your original rims. BMW 400M 18" wheels are one of the best choices for a winter wheel / tire set. There is a forum member in Classifieds selling one right now.

3. Buy professional code scanner such as Foxwell or Schwaben. I purchased mine from Turner Motorsports. One of the best investments @ $150.

4. Check the version of navigation maps. You can purchase newest maps from a forum member. This thread http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1161561 has everything you need to start the process.

Yes it's X drive. Doubt I'll be buying extra wheels and tires but who knows?!?! The Outback can do all the heavy winter stuff. Thanks for the map info.

[bobiam]

Originally Posted by sspade

One more thing... a quality/custom cut sun visor for the windshield. This in hugely underrated in my opinion.

It won't spend much time parked in the sun...

[sspade]

Originally Posted by bobiam

It won't spend much time parked in the sun...

Just noticed your from CT.

They come in handy in climates where we regularly reach 100 degrees.

[Beek]

Welcome and great looking car! Everyone else has covered most of the important stuff, I agree with replacing the Charge Pipe and if it were me I'd do that first thing. Tire upgrades are a great way to improve handling and that would be next on my list. Don't overlook some High Performance Drivers Education, your local BMW CCA chapter can help you there. Whatever you decide to do there's a lot of knowledge and experience on the forum here to help you.

[rlmesq]

Do you have the electric rear window shade? It's great if you don't want tint. There's one for sale at a great price on the forums. Trustworthy seller.

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho....php?t=1466544

[BashShah]

I have the same car, in the same color.
Seats are Black with Red stitching.

My Rear Windows (everything behind the driver is Tinted.
My wheels are 19" 402 style.

Tinting the windows gives it that Black and white look.
I like it.

as for MODs, you know I could not find a whole bunch cheap aesthetical mods to do on this car.
LED White Fog Lights.... ebay cheap.

Invest in a Cell phone mount. (iOttie wireless car charger)

ok, now what to do at the dealer:
1) Get them to put it on a Hoist (and in your presence take off all Belly Pans)
Get under there Bob with a BRIGHT Flash Light.
2) Inspect the Belly Pan for wetness (Oil or whatever)
3) Inspect OFHG... its a big issue with these cars. (small repair, but it does leak)
4) Get the VIN, and call your Local BMW dealer service dept and ask if it has any additional Warranty. (I found out mine had warranty till Aug last week, I bought it in March.....hmmmm.... No one told me or knew themselves)
Might try going to the dealer's service dept and ask, what service record are done, and what was recommended in the last 2 visits but not completed.
List of completed recalls. I am doing a fuel Pump recall on Thursday.

Rubber all season mats.

good luck, and congrats.