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      02-09-2019, 12:37 AM   #1
instalher
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reliability

Hey guys my 2014 f30 is out of c.p.o in jan, so iam starting to look for a 2017 530i, Now I know everyone says don't buy a first yr car, but now that this car has been out for over 2 yrs now.... Is this a pretty reliable car or are there a ton of 1st gen issues.... I wont buy unless its c.p.o either...
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      02-09-2019, 03:28 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by instalher View Post
Hey guys my 2014 f30 is out of c.p.o in jan, so iam starting to look for a 2017 530i, Now I know everyone says don't buy a first yr car, but now that this car has been out for over 2 yrs now.... Is this a pretty reliable car or are there a ton of 1st gen issues.... I wont buy unless its c.p.o either...
I'm not familiar with any common "1st year" issues on the G30 - there aren't that many common issues anyway but none seem specific to the 1st year.

edit* - is the AC issue (which some denied ever existed anyway) resolved in later models?
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      02-09-2019, 04:04 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by instalher View Post
Hey guys my 2014 f30 is out of c.p.o in jan, so iam starting to look for a 2017 530i, Now I know everyone says don't buy a first yr car, but now that this car has been out for over 2 yrs now.... Is this a pretty reliable car or are there a ton of 1st gen issues.... I wont buy unless its c.p.o either...
I haven't had any issues that I can attribute to the car being a new model. I also previously bought a F32 just after launch. It was one of the most reliable BMWs I've owned.

If you read the forums you'll get a distorted view particularly on issues as we are all car enthusiasts. But that's not the reality.
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      02-09-2019, 04:58 AM   #4
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I certainly haven't heard any horror stories / common first year issues. I have an early 2018 car and it is (touch wood) perfect. If I was in the market I certainly wouldn't worry about purchasing any G30 irrespective of year.
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      02-09-2019, 08:03 AM   #5
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If you get a MY17 cpo, make sure the dealer updates the istep level, if it hasn't been done within last 6 months or so. Many early G30 issues are resolved with software updates. Trust me, get them to do it on your car before you take delivery.
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      02-09-2019, 09:10 AM   #6
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If you get a MY17 cpo, make sure the dealer updates the istep level, if it hasn't been done within last 6 months or so. Many early G30 issues are resolved with software updates. Trust me, get them to do it on your car before you take delivery.
What early issues are there?
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      02-09-2019, 10:04 AM   #7
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What early issues are there?
Depends on istep level on car.

I've seen various Idrive bugs, transmission getting stuck in park, lighting issues, safety system / self park issues. That's all I recall. All fixed by software updates.

BMW is constantly refining the software and fixing bugs. If you ask your CA or SA, they'll likely downplay it. It's because most service departments dislike having to do istep upgrades. It's time consuming, takes up one of their ISTA systems, and bmw pays them little to do the upgrade. However, if you asked to have istep upgraded on an out of warranty car, the cost could be in excess of $500.
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      02-09-2019, 06:14 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by instalher View Post
Hey guys my 2014 f30 is out of c.p.o in jan, so iam starting to look for a 2017 530i, Now I know everyone says don't buy a first yr car, but now that this car has been out for over 2 yrs now.... Is this a pretty reliable car or are there a ton of 1st gen issues.... I wont buy unless its c.p.o either...
I have owned my 2017 530i for close
To a year. Mine was built at plant Dingolfing in February 2017. Car has been flawless and highly recommend it to anyone.

Bought mine CPO. Car was only 8 months old when I purchased it.
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      02-09-2019, 06:15 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by claykin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobilejo View Post

What early issues are there?
Depends on istep level on car.

I've seen various Idrive bugs, transmission getting stuck in park, lighting issues, safety system / self park issues. That's all I recall. All fixed by software updates.

BMW is constantly refining the software and fixing bugs. If you ask your CA or SA, they'll likely downplay it. It's because most service departments dislike having to do istep upgrades. It's time consuming, takes up one of their ISTA systems, and bmw pays them little to do the upgrade. However, if you asked to have istep upgraded on an out of warranty car, the cost could be in excess of $500.
If it ain't broken don't fix it. Approach software upgrade when absolutely necessary.
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      02-09-2019, 07:36 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 530iDriver View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by claykin View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobilejo View Post

What early issues are there?
Depends on istep level on car.

I've seen various Idrive bugs, transmission getting stuck in park, lighting issues, safety system / self park issues. That's all I recall. All fixed by software updates.

BMW is constantly refining the software and fixing bugs. If you ask your CA or SA, they'll likely downplay it. It's because most service departments dislike having to do istep upgrades. It's time consuming, takes up one of their ISTA systems, and bmw pays them little to do the upgrade. However, if you asked to have istep upgraded on an out of warranty car, the cost could be in excess of $500.
If it ain't broken don't fix it. Approach software upgrade when absolutely necessary.
Ordinarily I'd agree with you. If you have a MY17 G30 you need a software upgrade if it hasn't been done after March 2018.
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      02-10-2019, 12:38 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mobilejo View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by instalher View Post
Hey guys my 2014 f30 is out of c.p.o in jan, so iam starting to look for a 2017 530i, Now I know everyone says don't buy a first yr car, but now that this car has been out for over 2 yrs now.... Is this a pretty reliable car or are there a ton of 1st gen issues.... I wont buy unless its c.p.o either...
I'm not familiar with any common "1st year" issues on the G30 - there aren't that many common issues anyway but none seem specific to the 1st year.

edit* - is the AC issue (which some denied ever existed anyway) resolved in later models?
Quote:
Originally Posted by mobilejo View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by instalher View Post
Hey guys my 2014 f30 is out of c.p.o in jan, so iam starting to look for a 2017 530i, Now I know everyone says don't buy a first yr car, but now that this car has been out for over 2 yrs now.... Is this a pretty reliable car or are there a ton of 1st gen issues.... I wont buy unless its c.p.o either...
I'm not familiar with any common "1st year" issues on the G30 - there aren't that many common issues anyway but none seem specific to the 1st year.

edit* - is the AC issue (which some denied ever existed anyway) resolved in later models?
20,000 miles on mine. 1st 3 months were tough, AC PROBLEMS, head unit kept crashing and passenger seat belt warning. All has been fixed now and I love the car. Except for oil changes, no other problems.
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      02-10-2019, 05:45 PM   #12
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great feedback guys. if I had asked this question befor I bought my f30 I would have known about the two major issues, one being the faulty timing chain and the transfer case... two 4-5k fixes if they go after warranty... I can deal with the minor stuff, like ac, radio intermittent, interior lights glichy,, those can break at anytime and I can still drive to where iam going, When I am half way in the middle of nowhere Saskatchewan, braking down with a major issues is not a good thing for my family or my wallet....
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      02-10-2019, 06:21 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by instalher View Post
great feedback guys. if I had asked this question befor I bought my f30 I would have known about the two major issues, one being the faulty timing chain and the transfer case... two 4-5k fixes if they go after warranty... I can deal with the minor stuff, like ac, radio intermittent, interior lights glichy,, those can break at anytime and I can still drive to where iam going, When I am half way in the middle of nowhere Saskatchewan, braking down with a major issues is not a good thing for my family or my wallet....
N20 timing chain issues were not that well know n or even aware of back in 2013-2014.
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      02-11-2019, 07:44 AM   #14
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Apologize for asking, searched but couldn't find it. What are the AC issues you are talking about?
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      02-11-2019, 08:10 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hlothery View Post
Apologize for asking, searched but couldn't find it. What are the AC issues you are talking about?
Tl;dr AC doesn't cool the cabin enough. I've seen a few threads on the issue. Here's one.

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1395349
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      02-11-2019, 09:27 AM   #16
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Tl;dr AC doesn't cool the cabin enough. I've seen a few threads on the issue. Here's one.

https://g30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1395349
My G30 (530e) was built in November of 2017. I live in Arizona and it had ample AC throughout the summer of 2018.

When it went in for its annual maintenance in December, they did a software update but didn't tell me why it was needed.

So far, after 13.5 months, the only time it has been in the shop was for its annual maintenance.
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      02-11-2019, 11:19 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hlothery View Post
Apologize for asking, searched but couldn't find it. What are the AC issues you are talking about?
Quote:
Originally Posted by hlothery View Post
Apologize for asking, searched but couldn't find it. What are the AC issues you are talking about?
I started first AC thread, center vents didn't blow out much air, rear vents were like jet engines. Cabin would never cool down because of this. I received a call from bmw northeast division, they walked my dealership through a software fix. AC performance is much better now, center vents blow air out. Keeping this in mind, the AC is still ok at best. It us a real problem with 1st lot of cars made, I suggest you feel airflow through center vents before buying used.
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      02-11-2019, 12:17 PM   #18
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Thanks. Bought my M550 in September, and weather has been really cool in South Texas since then. Time will tell, although I did have my software updated to the latest and greatest a few weeks ago when I was considering some coding at a private shop. Also, I have not yet added tint, other than what the factory did. So, as Summer arrives, I am a bit apprehensive. Anyway, I have some options. Everyting working well at present, though.
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      02-11-2019, 12:36 PM   #19
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Thanks. Bought my M550 in September, and weather has been really cool in South Texas since then. Time will tell, although I did have my software updated to the latest and greatest a few weeks ago when I was considering some coding at a private shop. Also, I have not yet added tint, other than what the factory did. So, as Summer arrives, I am a bit apprehensive. Anyway, I have some options. Everyting working well at present, though.
One add to my earlier post. I did have a high quality tint installed. So I can't comment on how my AC would have worked absent the nano ceramic tint.
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      02-11-2019, 03:17 PM   #20
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One add to my earlier post. I did have a high quality tint installed. So I can't comment on how my AC would have worked absent the nano ceramic tint.
Thanks, Steve. I have a quality installer here who did my last four cars and does the work for Porsche, Ferrari, etc. Haven't called him yet because the car seems to have tint on it from the factory. Not sure how that will hold up to SA summer heat, but I can put tint on if needed.

Edit: After some thought, my nano ceramic tint is scheduled for installation on Wednesday

Last edited by hlothery; 02-11-2019 at 05:31 PM..
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      02-12-2019, 01:10 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hlothery View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveinArizona View Post
One add to my earlier post. I did have a high quality tint installed. So I can't comment on how my AC would have worked absent the nano ceramic tint.
Thanks, Steve. I have a quality installer here who did my last four cars and does the work for Porsche, Ferrari, etc. Haven't called him yet because the car seems to have tint on it from the factory. Not sure how that will hold up to SA summer heat, but I can put tint on if needed.

Edit: After some thought, my nano ceramic tint is scheduled for installation on Wednesday
2 year old Feb 2017 built and no problems so far with 25,000 miles. Except the folding mirrors getting stuck with ice.
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      02-12-2019, 07:49 PM   #22
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I'm at 10k miles on my 2018 530e and I've had to bring it in for the following issues:

Check engine light at 7k miles - the dealership replaced waste gate module
My adaptive grille shutters got stuck open around 8k miles - the dealership replaced the motor for the grille shutters
Most recently the ConnectedDrive app got stuck sending commands - the dealership reprogrammed the iDrive in the car

I honestly don't mind the few issues I have had since I get to put miles on the loaner cars instead of mine, but I wouldn't exactly call my car flawless either. With that said none of the issues caused me to be stranded on the side of the road, but its worrisome since I bought my car verses leasing it. My intention was to keep it a good 6-8 years before moving on, but not so sure about that plan at this point.
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