[BMWinAZ]

The actual topic of this post was someone being not too happy about their BMW ownership experience.
I think this might be a case of „picked the wrong brand". German cars are not for everyone, and that's okay. If you are a happy Mustang or Corvette owner and you switch to BMW (or another German brand) for „practical" reasons, chances are, you will be unhappy. These are very different types of vehicles with very different ownership experiences. I am German, I own German cars, I like them but I also see how their specific specs and requirements are not for everybody. Never ever would I want to own a Corvette or a Mustang. I am sure they are great cars, just not for me.
Of course, not all of the OPs woes are brand related here, but I think the root cause of his frustration is that he simply picked the wrong car/brand for his automotive long-term happiness.
In his place, I would try to unload the BMW with as little loss as possible, chalk it up to life experience and shop for something that is more like a „four door" Mustang.

[pick]

I picked what I hoped was the right car for my current needs; 4 doors, capable of taking a rear facing car seat, in an elegant package, with a moderately decent drive train.

I was underwhelmed because I didn’t realize how steep the descent from a NA V8 to a turbo I6 is. Still, the off-the-line performance of the BMW kicks the Mustang squarely in the genleman’s area and I was actually getting to the end of my grief, and then the BMW broke down. The BMW Roadside Assistance experience is what has now killed the ownership experience for me.

[5ilver-5amurai]

I kind of get how OP feels here. There is a MY16 Mustang GT in my family and it's a great car. The car puts down nicely, has great lines, and has a decent interior. Despite being 60% of the sticker price of my 435, it doesn't feel like its 60% the car. So all things considered, I probably wouldn't be overly happy if I was 'upgrading' from a Mustang GT to a 440 and paying 40% more.

[Stopsign32v]

Originally Posted by pick

I picked what I hoped was the right car for my current needs; 4 doors, capable of taking a rear facing car seat, in an elegant package, with a moderately decent drive train.

I was underwhelmed because I didn’t realize how steep the descent from a NA V8 to a turbo I6 is. Still, the off-the-line performance of the BMW kicks the Mustang squarely in the genleman’s area and I was actually getting to the end of my grief, and then the BMW broke down. The BMW Roadside Assistance experience is what has now killed the ownership experience for me.

I wouldn't write off a BMW or any brand because of a possible bad battery and road side assistance. Two things that are not BMW specific.

Example is a battery dies and none of them live. When I was a Ford new car salesman in 2008 it wasn't uncommon for us to take a car for a test drive to only find out it had a dead battery on the lot.

Example of the roadside assistance is I have one through Honda and when we had a flat tire I honestly didn't feel like changing the tire in my work clothes and the heat when we have a free roadside assistance package. A guy and his son literally came out in a 1997 Nissan Maxima and changed the tire for us. Looked like their household yearly income was $20,000.

Lesson is a battery dies and roadside assistance is contracted out to the cheapest bidder. That is just the way it is regardless what you own unless we are talking a Ferrari maybe.

[BMWinAZ]

Originally Posted by pick

I picked what I hoped was the right car for my current needs; 4 doors, capable of taking a rear facing car seat, in an elegant package, with a moderately decent drive train.

I was underwhelmed because I didn’t realize how steep the descent from a NA V8 to a turbo I6 is. Still, the off-the-line performance of the BMW kicks the Mustang squarely in the genleman’s area and I was actually getting to the end of my grief, and then the BMW broke down. The BMW Roadside Assistance experience is what has now killed the ownership experience for me.

Fair point. Unfortunately, most (if not all) European luxury brands charge you luxury prices through their dealers but those dealers (most of the time) and other ancillary services do not live up to the buyer's luxury expectations. That is one of the reasons why I have never bought a new German car from a dealership and use the dealership as little as possible.
In all honesty, if I wanted to buy a brand new vehicle, my first choice would probably be a Genesis (specifically the G70) or a Kia Stinger.

[328iX]

At least now that you have a turbo OP it is easier to gain power through tuning. N/A engines are costly to build up and don't make nearly as much power per dollar.

[Stopsign32v]

Originally Posted by 328dX

At least now that you have a turbo OP it is easier to gain power through tuning. N/A engines are costly to build up and don't make nearly as much power per dollar.

Ain't that the truth!

[kern417]

Originally Posted by pick

I picked what I hoped was the right car for my current needs; 4 doors, capable of taking a rear facing car seat, in an elegant package, with a moderately decent drive train.

Give it a few years. If Ford stays on the same pipe they've been smoking, the 4 door Mustang will come to fruition. Idk about the elegant part, but you'll have everything else

Honestly my buddies s54 is obviously no v8 but riding in it showed me what it means to have true NA power/torque. I still prefer the drama of turbo engines, particularly those that don't follow today's trend i.e. with bigger turbos that spool at 3k+. But I don't see you being fully satisfied with any turbo engine if that V8 torque and response is what tickles your pickle. But I agree, a new hemi charger or 300c may meet your needs and give you the performance you're used to.

[jimbobiggens]

Low-end torque is the main reason I still have my 2001 Ford Lightning. Even with AWD, that N55 in my BMW just can't plant you in the seat like my supercharged 5.4 can. That's not why I bought the BMW anyway. One thing that BMW has, and it has a lot of it, is class.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by jimbobiggens

Low-end torque is the main reason I still have my 2001 Ford Lightning. Even with AWD, that N55 in my BMW just can't plant you in the seat like my supercharged 5.4 can. That's not why I bought the BMW anyway. One thing that BMW has, and it has a lot of it, is class.

You would need to jump ship to MB. In some (all?) of their AMG variants they use an electric supercharger for that hole shot, and then two different turbo stages for low and high end power.

It would be fun as heck to drive, and a ride to dump when the warranty is done.

BMW would benefit from a higher idle in their sport mode. It's what Audi does, and that really kills off the turbo lag off the line... by I digress....

[328iX]

Originally Posted by Wires

You would need to jump ship to MB. In some (all?) of their AMG variants they use an electric supercharger for that hole shot, and then two different turbo stages for low and high end power.

It would be fun as heck to drive, and a ride to dump when the warranty is done.

BMW would benefit from a higher idle in their sport mode. It's what Audi does, and that really kills off the turbo lag off the line... by I digress....

higher idle? i call that using my left foot on the brake, brake torquing and launching it lmao

[jimbobiggens]

Originally Posted by Wires

You would need to jump ship to MB. In some (all?) of their AMG variants they use an electric supercharger for that hole shot, and then two different turbo stages for low and high end power.

It would be fun as heck to drive, and a ride to dump when the warranty is done.

BMW would benefit from a higher idle in their sport mode. It's what Audi does, and that really kills off the turbo lag off the line... by I digress....

Why jump ship? I bought the BMW for the class factor - it has that. I have the Lightning for the street bruiser factor and my '66 Galaxie convertible for the 'ol car cool factor. I like all kinds of cars. I don't expect any one car to scratch all my itches..

[NoCrease DeQuis]

Scaring me there with that photo; sure the front bumper isn't destroyed??
That battery will get sorted out...

BMW>any stupid american car
I6> V8
3 or 4 series' Driving Quality and Finesse> mustang badge

[pick]

Dealer claims "factory didn't fit the cable connecting the battery to the FEM" correctly:



Although, given this dealer changed the battery a couple of weeks ago I'm not sure whether to believe that.

And quote for the tow truck driver's incompetence:

[luckstr]

Originally Posted by cfm56d7b

Returning the original topic why tires lasted only 13K miles.

OP, please share more details. Was wheel alignment off?

Most 19" OEM run flat tires (Bridgestone, Pirelli) will last at least 20K miles with likely replacement between 21K and 25K miles.

1. Do not believe alignment is off at all. Will verify for sure when I put new tires (not run flats) on
2. Have driven car just like I have driven the 10-15 I've owned before this. In comfort mode about 90% of time.
3. OEM tires are Pirelli 19" RFT.
4. Have checked tire pressure AT LEAST once a week (with both tire gauge and verified via Idrive) to be 36psi front, 41psi rear (cold) per the users manual & the placard on door.
5. Do not understand why tires are in the shape they are in.
6. Have gotten 30k-35k out of RFT's on previous car (2004 C5 Corvette) on OEM tires and 4 replacement sets. C5 had 150k mi when I got rid of it (big mistake letting it go).

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by luckstr

1. Do not believe alignment is off at all. Will verify for sure when I put new tires (not run flats) on
2. Have driven car just like I have driven the 10-15 I've owned before this. In comfort mode about 90% of time.
3. OEM tires are Pirelli 19" RFT.
4. Have checked tire pressure AT LEAST once a week (with both tire gauge and verified via Idrive) to be 36psi front, 41psi rear (cold) per the users manual & the placard on door.
5. Do not understand why tires are in the shape they are in.
6. Have gotten 30k-35k out of RFT's on previous car (2004 C5 Corvette) on OEM tires and 4 replacement sets. C5 had 150k mi when I got rid of it (big mistake letting it go).

Isn't the tire pressure on the driver side placard 33 PSI front and 38 PSI rear?

[328iX]

Originally Posted by pick

And quote for the tow truck driver's incompetence:

hahaha just what that idiot deserves. You're lucky your car is new and didn't try to source you with used parts or "similar" parts.

just curious where you live? I've never seen body/paint labor hours that high. Usually they are half that.

[TF3090]

Wait... people think the 5.0 V8 makes more low end torque than the N55 I6?

Stock for stock maybe, but a tuned N55 poops on most naturally aspirated V8 engines... ~500 lb-ft of torque available from a dead stop? I feel more torque and mid-range punch from my FBO 435i than I did from my FBO LS3 Corvette... the Corvette was 100% certainly faster in a straight line, but the BMW PULLS when you push your foot on the throttle (FBO N55 does make more power than a FBO LS3 below 4k rpm btw, this is verified by dyno charts, and I know the 5.0 makes less torque than the LS3). The ZF8 auto transmission poops on any 6/8 spd auto in American cars (I've heard the 10-speed shifts great, though).

Different strokes for different folks. I knew what I was getting into when I bought my BMW; I wanted the turbo I6 and the ZF8 transmission mostly, I knew I was going to tune my car ($1000 on a BMW picks up WAY more power than $1000 on any NA V8), and the fact that the exterior/interior of the car were more attractive than the Mustang was just a plus.

Same thing happened to my car when it was getting loaded/unloaded (I bought my car remotely) and got a free repaint on my bumper... they better pay up!

I'm sorry about your experience so far, man... I really do think you'll start enjoying your BMW a lot more once these initial issues get taken care of.

[agentorange]

Originally Posted by pick

I picked what I hoped was the right car for my current needs; 4 doors, capable of taking a rear facing car seat, in an elegant package, with a moderately decent drive train.

I was underwhelmed because I didn’t realize how steep the descent from a NA V8 to a turbo I6 is. Still, the off-the-line performance of the BMW kicks the Mustang squarely in the genleman’s area and I was actually getting to the end of my grief, and then the BMW broke down. The BMW Roadside Assistance experience is what has now killed the ownership experience for me.

Owned an XJ once, so I know EXACTLY how you feel.

[jmg]

Originally Posted by luckstr

5. Do not understand why tires are in the shape they are in.

I would think that's more the fault of the tire/alignment/driving style than the car itself. Do all 4 corners have premature wear? These are OEM tires?

[Stopsign32v]

Originally Posted by TF3090

($1000 on a BMW picks up WAY more power than $1000 on any NA V8)

Come on, don't be ignorant.

$1000 on a BMW doesn't pick up WAY more power than $1000 on any NA V8. $1000 on a forced induction motor picks up WAY more power than $1000 on a naturally aspirated motor. Try your logic with $1000 on a new GT500.

[Rydugo1]

FYI if you want a touchscreen for your BM.. AvinUSA do a 10.25" android touchscreen replacement.. The idrive + controller is still usable, yet you get almost limitless tech. Sort of like switching from the iPhone to a Samsung Galaxy

I had one in my X5 E70 & other than the fact it was sometimes slow & buggy (it was the basic version. Note: you can pay a little extra for the new version, with extra Ram & better processor), it was THE shit..

Price is only around 500-600usd for the full package. Easy install.