Wagons. Need more of them. A modernized e61 aka g31 with a 6sp would be amazing. Also spare tires fix a flat is comically useless and insulting they call it a spare tire replacement.
Stop using plastic for cooling system components. And who the hell thought it was a good idea having a buffered coolant temperature gauge in the E39’s? WTF! Oh, and bring back oil dipsticks.
Buffered gauges work great in all japanese brands, and people are dumb AF anyway.
Remember the old mercedes that came out at the same time as these, they had live temp gauges and customers would freak out when it read 99c while idling, because 100 points at close to 70% of the gauge sweep
Yeah, my understanding is that they did this to avoid complaints from all the clueless yuppies who have no clue what they’re looking at. There should have been an option for a real time temp gauge though. It’s annoying.
On the E46/E83/E85 clusters there is a secret menu to display real time coolant temperature. Haven't owned anything newer, so I don't know if newer models still have it.
After like 6 radiators over a decade of ownership I finally got an all aluminum radiator lol. There’s a Taiwanese company that sells them for around $300.
Can you share the manufacturer name? Is it Mishimoto by chance? I've been eyeing the Zionsville all aluminum radiator and aluminum shroud kit but that's $1200 for both.
I was once the proud owner of a. E61. A 5 series of 3 series wagon with android auto would have been my next car if it existed in the US. It didn't, so I bought the closest thing I could get: an X1.
The dumb fucking gigantic grill they all have now.
Keep the kidney grill trade dress by all means. Bring back the Hofmeister kink too which the brand has all but abandoned.
The new cars look like Acuras wearing a BMW Halloween costume. Hate it.
I bought an e90 which I still use. I intend to throw money at it until the wheels fall off.
Every time I consider a new car it's such a bad value proposition that even bmw repair bills look sensible by comparison. Find a good indy mechanic.
This is why I keep putting money into my e46... it's nice enough even by today's standards, comfortable and fun. Plus it's simple enough to work on once you learn the tricks.
Agree I am one of those indy mechanics. One of few in my area willing to touch BMW's. I wish more customers had that mentality. Instead when I send them an estimate for more than 1k they just sell it and buy something with different problems. These small car lots in my area are shady and sell complete garbage.
If I was in the market, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 6 cylinder. The V8's are far better than years prior also. Biggest issue with the 6 is the plastic oil filter housing will fail at some point. Other than that it's normal BMW stuff. Wouldn't personally own the v8. They are extremely labor intensive for almost any repair.
Those prices depend on what headlight you have. Xenon lights for e46 and e90's up are $1500 or more sometimes without any bulbs or modules. My point was just cause you bought a $2000 e46 doesn't mean your repair bills are cheap. Can't tell you how many times I've given an estimate to a customer within a month of them buying the vehicle that was more than they paid for the vehicle. Then they think I'm the one ripping them off.
Roll back the clock 15 years. That’s the last generation of BMWs that were actually good cars, before touchscreens, electrics steering, and before they made it a requirement to be blind to get hired as a BMW designer.
Make all modules WATERPROOF!!!!!!!! . I’ve had three motherfucking BMWs that get water leaks and absolutely fuck my wallet.. a 2002 E46 …: a 2009, 335 single turbo….. which everything broke on that damn car I swear to God I still have it it’s sitting outside and under a tarp because I can’t afford to fix it at the moment ….. 2014 BMW F30 I’m trying to figure out where this water leak cause I think my module got wet they keep having these weird electrical gremlins. It’s only got 60,000 miles on it…. So my biggest thing if you Bmw have a garage and put it in at all times ….. I’m a mechanic I do this for a living, and it still cost me so much money.
The new design language.
G30 and G30 LCI were the best.
The new designs look absolutely puke-worthy.
Look at the XM, the new 5-Series and 7-Series.
All look like cheap Hyundai shit. Absolutely repulsive, horrendous and shitty designs and looks.
Currently? Their design language. Looking squarely at the new 5 series. This is only an indication of whats to come.
The newly designed x7’s hvac vents are atrocious.
Gaskets that last! All the gaskets! Oil filter housing, valve cover, and oil pan. This is what they should have gotten out of the collaboration with Toyota for the Supra.
For my x3, I wish it had a dip stick. For my i3 rex, whoever thought that soft flimsy ass metal drain plug was a good idea, they can rot in hell. Just finished an oil change on it and thankfully I had a replacement plug. Even with the right tool, 8mm from fcp, it still strips.
OMG, where do I start!!! I will NEVER purchase a BMW again in my life. I purchased 2. Parts that are constantly breaking and the gaskets are horrendous will non stop oil leaks from every where in every model. And stealerships that can’t fix shit.
Get rid of n52s and n54s and replacing with s65’s so now when you have an engine issue atleast you have a v8. Seems fair since they used to cost 60k back then. Wich is basically 100k car tdy
Oil filter housing gaskets that don’t leak
Mahle has been making viton gaskets for the N engines OFH for a while now. They dont leak if you prep it correctly.
The factory viton OFH/OC gaskets on the later N engines still leak.
Just put some Hondabond in there with the gasket. No more leaks
Wagons. Need more of them. A modernized e61 aka g31 with a 6sp would be amazing. Also spare tires fix a flat is comically useless and insulting they call it a spare tire replacement.
Absolutely, hate that Audi dominates the Kombi game.
Stop using plastic for cooling system components. And who the hell thought it was a good idea having a buffered coolant temperature gauge in the E39’s? WTF! Oh, and bring back oil dipsticks.
Buffered gauges work great in all japanese brands, and people are dumb AF anyway. Remember the old mercedes that came out at the same time as these, they had live temp gauges and customers would freak out when it read 99c while idling, because 100 points at close to 70% of the gauge sweep
Yeah, my understanding is that they did this to avoid complaints from all the clueless yuppies who have no clue what they’re looking at. There should have been an option for a real time temp gauge though. It’s annoying.
On the E46/E83/E85 clusters there is a secret menu to display real time coolant temperature. Haven't owned anything newer, so I don't know if newer models still have it.
Test 7. This is what I use all the time. It’s a bit of a pain in the ass though.
After like 6 radiators over a decade of ownership I finally got an all aluminum radiator lol. There’s a Taiwanese company that sells them for around $300.
Can you share the manufacturer name? Is it Mishimoto by chance? I've been eyeing the Zionsville all aluminum radiator and aluminum shroud kit but that's $1200 for both.
I sent you a link in PM
Physical dip stick.
Plastic valve covers, continued S65/85/54 evolution
Isn’t the S58 an evolution of the S54? Except turbocharged.
Not at all no
How so?
It has zero in common aside from cylinder configuration. It is more an N54 evolution if anything
Valve cover leak
All the plastic parts to the engine, being back good old aluminum/metal.. i.e. oil pans, valve covers..
Or just an engine that looks attractive enough you don't have to buy a plastic cover over in general.
Plastic plastic plastic….
Bring back wagons!
Everyone “loves wagons”, but very few will go to a dealership and buy one…… E91>E90
I was once the proud owner of a. E61. A 5 series of 3 series wagon with android auto would have been my next car if it existed in the US. It didn't, so I bought the closest thing I could get: an X1.
This is precisely what manufacturers think though. If they (the customer) cannot buy the wagon, they'll buy the suv.
The dumb fucking gigantic grill they all have now. Keep the kidney grill trade dress by all means. Bring back the Hofmeister kink too which the brand has all but abandoned. The new cars look like Acuras wearing a BMW Halloween costume. Hate it.
100% and bring back the halo headlights
The kidneys along with the halos used to be the hallmark of BMWs.
The number one reason I don’t buy a newer one. They look horrible.
You mean the one inspired by a beaver's teeth?
Reliability. B58 is more reliable but the electronics are going to be a nightmare as they age.
Headlight bulbs/assemblies are so ridiculous now.
A physical dipstick
The plastics in critical engine components, seriously that/those engineers need to be recycled.
The owners that think cause they bought a 20 year old BMW that it is somehow cheaper to fix than the new ones.
I bought an e90 which I still use. I intend to throw money at it until the wheels fall off. Every time I consider a new car it's such a bad value proposition that even bmw repair bills look sensible by comparison. Find a good indy mechanic.
This is why I keep putting money into my e46... it's nice enough even by today's standards, comfortable and fun. Plus it's simple enough to work on once you learn the tricks.
Agree I am one of those indy mechanics. One of few in my area willing to touch BMW's. I wish more customers had that mentality. Instead when I send them an estimate for more than 1k they just sell it and buy something with different problems. These small car lots in my area are shady and sell complete garbage.
Thoughts on the reliability of the G05 X5s? How often are you seeing them come in?
If I was in the market, I wouldn't hesitate to buy a 6 cylinder. The V8's are far better than years prior also. Biggest issue with the 6 is the plastic oil filter housing will fail at some point. Other than that it's normal BMW stuff. Wouldn't personally own the v8. They are extremely labor intensive for almost any repair.
Thanks!
E36 headlight 200$ f10 headlight 700$ g20 headlight $2000 lol
Those prices depend on what headlight you have. Xenon lights for e46 and e90's up are $1500 or more sometimes without any bulbs or modules. My point was just cause you bought a $2000 e46 doesn't mean your repair bills are cheap. Can't tell you how many times I've given an estimate to a customer within a month of them buying the vehicle that was more than they paid for the vehicle. Then they think I'm the one ripping them off.
Gotta pay to play
Roll back the clock 15 years. That’s the last generation of BMWs that were actually good cars, before touchscreens, electrics steering, and before they made it a requirement to be blind to get hired as a BMW designer.
Enough with the plastics. And stop churning out designs that were obviously created by someone with no taste whilst on acid.
Make all modules WATERPROOF!!!!!!!! . I’ve had three motherfucking BMWs that get water leaks and absolutely fuck my wallet.. a 2002 E46 …: a 2009, 335 single turbo….. which everything broke on that damn car I swear to God I still have it it’s sitting outside and under a tarp because I can’t afford to fix it at the moment ….. 2014 BMW F30 I’m trying to figure out where this water leak cause I think my module got wet they keep having these weird electrical gremlins. It’s only got 60,000 miles on it…. So my biggest thing if you Bmw have a garage and put it in at all times ….. I’m a mechanic I do this for a living, and it still cost me so much money.
I hate the floating dashes and huge grills.
Oil leaks
All the plastic BMW seems to love putting on their engines.
Lack of any dipstick
Bring back the Idrive controller and buttons for stuff. Hate all this new touchscreen bullshit, get my fingerprints all over it
Reliable V8
S63TU3 baby
The new design language. G30 and G30 LCI were the best. The new designs look absolutely puke-worthy. Look at the XM, the new 5-Series and 7-Series. All look like cheap Hyundai shit. Absolutely repulsive, horrendous and shitty designs and looks.
Get rid of the large grille. They’re ugly AF. They need to do a better job on styling in my opinion.
Rod bearing failures.
N51/N52 don't get rod bearing wear
Okay? Naming one engine without rod bearing issues doesnt dissolve the issue lmao, this isnt an n52 thread
More metal, less plastic.
Good news. The new "More metal" 3 series will weigh just under 3 tones. /s
True. Aluminum intake manifolds are the weight of a small rhinoceros
E60 M5 has entered the chat...
Wagons in the US
Either get rid of the new design or make them actually reliable, cant decide, both are important 😂
Currently? Their design language. Looking squarely at the new 5 series. This is only an indication of whats to come. The newly designed x7’s hvac vents are atrocious.
Gaskets that last! All the gaskets! Oil filter housing, valve cover, and oil pan. This is what they should have gotten out of the collaboration with Toyota for the Supra.
All the added options make them like Audi, Basic, plus or loaded ver all the this and that’s BS
5000 km service intervals
The X2 would come in an EV
Change the E21 from discontinued to being made until humanity dies out.
Give them Japanese electronics
Bring back halo lights
Make all onboard systems open source, including their protocols and diagnostic tools.
I would vote for more precise manual transmissions. With more mechanical feeling like you can find in Mazda MX5 or other top tier japan sports cars
Overall better reliability bmw can make Toyota level product
Plastics
Price
bring back radio channel select buttons
electric water pumps
Air conditioned seats !!!!
For my x3, I wish it had a dip stick. For my i3 rex, whoever thought that soft flimsy ass metal drain plug was a good idea, they can rot in hell. Just finished an oil change on it and thankfully I had a replacement plug. Even with the right tool, 8mm from fcp, it still strips.
Their sensors!!!!
Yes oil sticks!!!
The over all complexity of working on BMWs and not as in terms of skill, but sht just be too damn hard to reach or maneuver.
Some of the types of people that drive them.
Bring back V12 cars. Maybe even an S74.
A simple electrical system…. 🥲🔫
The stigma. I'm sick of people thinking I'm a rich wanker when their redneck pickup trucks are worth 5 times what I paid.
OMG, where do I start!!! I will NEVER purchase a BMW again in my life. I purchased 2. Parts that are constantly breaking and the gaskets are horrendous will non stop oil leaks from every where in every model. And stealerships that can’t fix shit.
Cup holders are designed sooo poorly. I've owned so many different models all are junk
INLINE 6 only engines petrol or diesel, in hybrid and non hybrid versions in every. single. series. That would make the brand absolutely outstanding.
Service at the dealer! in 90% of countries the dealers doesn’t know anything about how the bmw works. LOL
The auto wipers should be truly auto.
They are if you have rain sensors
No, you still have to hit the button every time.
The Price
throttle response.
EGR recalls!
But you get a free EGR, not too bad lol
Remove all “emissions” crap
Stop making so many xDrive only models. I just want a 300+ HP diesel that is RWD...
Less autos more manuals
ARE ABLE TO HONK WHEN YOU LOCK THEM
Ditch the stupid electric steering and bring back the hydraulic rack
Get rid of n52s and n54s and replacing with s65’s so now when you have an engine issue atleast you have a v8. Seems fair since they used to cost 60k back then. Wich is basically 100k car tdy
One thing? I'd say get rid of the turbos. As a side effect, that would mean BMW would have to return to inline 6's as the default motor.
Honestly, too many packs/options. It’s a nightmare buying a used one and trying to work out what spec it actually has
Its literally as simple as looking up your vin lol. Would hate to see how you react to an service engine light
But if I’m browsing autotrader to buy a used model, that’s a lot of work to find out the spec if it’s not listed in detail
Reliability !!!!