[2sofar]

Hey,
I’m close to pulling the trigger on a F34 and wonder if there is anything to watch out for. Are there any issues specific to this model that pop up as problems? Things to look for while inspecting the car?
Thanks for your help

[Sportstick]

After three years of leasing, and deciding to buy it off the lease, I cannot find anything to tell you about. It's a bit hard to find actually good run flat tire replacements in this size (just discovered Michelin Primacy3 ZP are available), but the car itself has been perfect. Not even a buzz, squeak, nor rattle. It will be difficult to find a worthy replacement in the future. I imagine these are hard to find in inventory as the model winds down before being discontinued, but BMWs are usually delivered in excellent condition, so you should do well!

[Billfitz]

Mine is the best car I've owned, going back to 1970.

[Probgonnabreakit]

I do wish I had known how the suspension takes speed bumps before i found out. It has lots of travel and it is a pleasure on less than smooth roads. but you better take that speed bump at 10 mph at most.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Probgonnabreakit

I do wish I had known how the suspension takes speed bumps before i found out. It has lots of travel and it is a pleasure on less than smooth roads. but you better take that speed bump at 10 mph at most.

So, the speed bumps are working perfectly!

Helps to take them at any bit of an angle vs. straight on, though.

[Billfitz]

Really. There's a reason why they're called 'speed bumps'.

[2sofar]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

I imagine these are hard to find in inventory as the model winds down before being discontinued, but BMWs are usually delivered in excellent condition, so you should do well!

I have found they are hard to find multiple options locally. Right now I’ve found only two in my area. But if willing to travel there are enough good options around the US.

I’m...
1. kind of looking forward to Purchasing the vehicle then having a long road trip home to get to know the car, and
2. Nervous about purchasing something from far away and possibly having issues to resolve long distance.

However, I appreciate everyone’s comments on the original question. Your feedback validated I’m making a good decision.

Thanks

[R BMW]

I wish I would of known how fun it is to drive, along with how comfortable.

[InVermont]

I agree with Billfitz... best car I’ve owned. Since 1966. I’m ready to move on, but reluctantly. Just need the security of a new car in my later years. But a wonderful car. Sorry to read all the hate. Absolutely don’t get it.

[Billfitz]

Move on at only two years? I hope you've got at least 60k miles out of it. I don't drive much, only 20k going on six years, so I plan on at least another six years with mine.

[f34guy]

Originally Posted by 2sofar

I have found they are hard to find multiple options locally. Right now I’ve found only two in my area. But if willing to travel there are enough good options around the US.

I’m...
1. kind of looking forward to Purchasing the vehicle then having a long road trip home to get to know the car, and
2. Nervous about purchasing something from far away and possibly having issues to resolve long distance.

However, I appreciate everyone’s comments on the original question. Your feedback validated I’m making a good decision.

Thanks

Hey there mate, I work and live in the southern USA. I work at a dealership, we have one we can sell you

[KCee]

Not sure there was anything I really missed. I've always loved hatchbacks and always wanted a BMW. I haven't used the extra space quite as much as I thought so part of me wonders if I would have enjoyed the 428 more, but probably not.

[Call me the breeze]

I wish I had known how crappy the Hifi sound system is. If I had to do it over again I would have looked for a HK-equipped car. Aftermarket stereo (Bavsound) has helped.

[2sofar]

Originally Posted by f34guy

Hey there mate, I work and live in the southern USA. I work at a dealership, we have one we can sell you

@F34guy Sorry I missed you. I just pulled the trigger and picked it up Saturday night in Nashville. It’s a nice 2015 black/black with tons of equipment. I bought it for my kids but I find myself driving it whenever I have the chance.

Thanks to all who provided feedback on this thread.

[cxmplex]

I did a lot of BMW shopping before settling on the 2018 GT. I absolutely love the extra room the hatchback offers. I know the body isn't a favourite for a lot of people, but I stiill think it looks pretty sporty.

That being said, there are a few things to note:

Aftermarket parts are less available for F34. A lot of these parts are other F model designed that happen to fit on F34. You'll see this with things like the agency power intake (doesn't fit properly on F34 needs a little DIY), and more limited exhaust options.

In terms of comfort, it handles really well in all driving experience modes. It's supported by JB4, MHD, BM3, XPH, etc and those adjustments really take the sport mode to the next level. With the girl, I keep it on comfort, and it handles incredibly well and smooth. It's a luxury comfort vehicle, and it really does fit.

[cxmplex]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

So, the speed bumps are working perfectly!

Helps to take them at any bit of an angle vs. straight on, though.

Honestly I haven't had much of an issue with speed bumps (the yellow ones, not the longer flatter ones). I'm in Boston, MA, our speed bumps might be lower than other places.

I can take them around 15-20 mph just fine generally, but all the speed bumps I drive on are in my townhouse complex, so I like to keep my speed around 10 mph to be safe for peds anyways.

[cxmplex]

Originally Posted by Sportstick

So, the speed bumps are working perfectly!

Helps to take them at any bit of an angle vs. straight on, though.

Originally Posted by 2sofar

Hey,
I’m close to pulling the trigger on a F34 and wonder if there is anything to watch out for. Are there any issues specific to this model that pop up as problems? Things to look for while inspecting the car?
Thanks for your help

One thing to look for in just terms of paint, is that the back part of the hood (where the hood connects to the body near the windshield wipers) can get scratched when opening the hood for some reason.

I'm referring to the lip / thin piece of metal at the very end of the hood (end as in towards the windshield). I've had to touch this up with one of the paint pens from BMW.

[Billfitz]

Mine has never scratched there by opening the hood, but it is very easily scratched by the wipers if you try to change the blades without following the procedure in the manual. You have to be careful even just lifting the blades to clean them. This applies to all F series.

[admranger]

Steering wheel isn’t as nice as my previous BMWs or my wife’s X3.

Agree on base stereo. Ok for podcasts. Not so great for music.

Mine has been a trooper and it’s a great long distance cruiser with 2k rpm putting you into a brisk speed with great mpg. I’ll be driving mine from Santa Fe to Vegas on Sunday. One fuel stop (multiple bladder required stops...I’m old).

[Billfitz]

I have no major issues with the radio, and I've been in the music and professional sound business since 1965. I did add tweeters in the rear doors, and improved the crossovers between the midranges and tweeters, but that's all. It won't crank out bass like the typical teenager with a $10,000 system in a $1000 car, but I long ago grew out of the perceived need to be heard three counties away. If you don't think it's loud enough you either need a hearing aid now or you will in the future. The base system does suck, but the base system isn't sold in the US.

[KCee]

I think the radio is ok, but yes it could be better. I think the radio in my '06 TL sounds better, but that was supposed to have been a great system from Panasonic that was tuned by a Grammy winner. The GT's 8 speed tranny, AWD and better gas mileage make up for it.

The GT's HVAC system is a bit of a letdown as well for me. Going from a 2006 to 2016 model I guess I expected everything to be improved, but I don't even think the system in my wife's 2015 Acura MDX works as well as the old TL.

[Machinebuilder]

For people looking at this thread I thought I would add this. I had a 2014 BMW 328GT which was getting up in miles and age which I loved. I looked to replace it with another 3 series GT but could not find one which was suitable. By chance I found a 2018 BMW 640 GT with low miles for only a little more. It is similar to the 3 series GT but a cross between a 5 series and 7 series. It uses 7 series wheel and tire sizes. It is a little bigger but not much. I highly recommend the 640GT as it is like the 3 series GT older more luxurious brother. There are even fewer 6 series GT's than 3 series but worth keeping an eye out for them.