04-11-2019, 02:16 PM | #1 |
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List of pros/cons from a new BMW owner (less than a year)
Hi everyone,
I just registered to make this post, but I've been lurking around Bimmerpost ever since I've made the decision to purchase my first BMW: a fully loaded 2019 m550i. Just want to make a list of pros and cons and get you guys feedbacks and maybe help some other users along the way... PROS + So far, I love the car and it is a substantial upgrade. + Premium feel and material + Smooth and powerful V8 + Sheer number of tech + Cool tech: HUD, Night Vision, Display Key, Wireless Charging + Generally aesthetically pleasing iDrive UI design + Great sounds (Bowers and Wilkins) + Subtle enough look but still catch some attention + Awesome 360 camera + Bright interior and exterior lighting + Sexy ambient lighting + Heated and air cooled seats, heated steering wheels + Seat control is excellent, grips side of body perfectly + Great parking assistance (not too useful though, more on that later) + Remote parking (more on that later) + I'm sure I forgot a bunch of other cool stuff. CONS - I'm not really bashing the car but I want to list them out anyway in hopes that may be there is already a solution to some of these items. - Strange user experience - Sometimes when I shut off the car, open the car door, the audio will still be playing until I get out and lock the door.- Underwhelming massage seats - I was hoping in the very least to resemble those cheap roller ball massage, but the effect is lesser than that- Barely noticeable ambient air, also quick to run out (50$ apiece in Canada) - Kinect like gesture recognition is extremely inaccurate, if I have my phone in my hands, it will trigger the two-finger gesture. - Maybe it's just me and my run-flat tires, but the stock tires are extremely slippery in winter. I was hoping the car would react better though. All of my older cars handle slippage quite well. - Useless remote key + parking - I was hoping the key would add/unlock obvious useful features such as remote start or remote heating (allows for remote air cooling)- Parking assistance works, but it isn't human like yet, so the maneuver confuses other drivers in a parking lot for example. - Sometimes, I want to ensure my car is locked, so I would naturally press the lock button again on my remote, no beep feedback from the car. Sorry for the long post, I'll update the thread if I can think of more things to add. Last edited by Mr550i; 04-11-2019 at 02:25 PM.. |
04-12-2019, 10:20 AM | #2 |
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Thanks for the post. That does help people like me who are in the market for a G30.
In regards to your unpredictable bluetooth audio via iOS- I don't think it's the cars fault. It's an iPhone, iOS software issue, and last I read Apple is aware of the problem. It doesn't just happen to you, I have that issue in my car as well and know others with the same issue. It happens when you connect your iPhone and/or Apple CarPlay. Hopefully there will be a fix for it soon. Your first con about the audio still being played until you shut your door and lock it, that should be something that you can change in your settings (someone can correct me if I'm wrong). If you can't change it in your regular iDrive settings then surely you'd be able to change that via a simple code command. Gesture control is cool, but is not as efficient as it needs to be to take on everyday driver tasks, IMO (for now). It's just BMW trying to be fancy and show off when the technology behind it (and the application itself) is relatively new and lacks any real world data that prevents it from really being able to mesh well with the driver and have continuity with other mobile applications. It's just not there yet in terms of flowing well with the user experience and not meant to work efficiently well with your everyday driver. This is the way I think of gesture control. It's like the first generation Apple Watch. Yeah, it's really cool and it does things that people wouldn't have thought a watch could do at that time, but it just wasn't practical to send an email with your Apple Watch when you have your iPhone 8" away from you. You could do it, but it was cumbersome, delicate, and not efficient for everyday tasks that you might need to do multiple times per day. Apple learned those things and then implemented better software for a faster, more intuitive layout. It made the Apple Watch screen larger so you're not having to try so hard to not hit the wrong button, and improved the functionality and ease of use 10 fold. That's the way I look at gesture control. I'd rather turn the volume up from my steering wheel where my hands already are instead of moving my finger around in a precise circle waiting for the sensor to hopefully understanding my motion. Gesture control could (or could not be) one of the biggest car innovations in the last 30 years, but it's not ready to take the place of physical buttons whether that's on the steering wheel or dash. Therefore, IMO, it's still a ways out before It becomes a part of your daily commute. Yes, you'll have people who are your outliers who say they use it every time they get in the car, but coming from a tech savvy millennial who rarely uses it, that is not the majority. The no seat belt ping sounding forever can be coded to be turned off so you don't have to hear it via BimmerCode. **Note** you will have to buy the UniCarScan or OBDLink adapter to code this in, but it's a must have, IMO. Seat belt reminder driver seat Activate/deactivate the acoustic and visual seat belt reminder for the driver seat. Values: Active Not active Available in “Advanced Crash Safety Module” ACSM_5 **A “UniCarScan” or “OBDLink” adapter is required for coding this control unit.** Your last con about the no beed feedback when your car is locked and you press the lock button again- I know for a fact you can code that in via BimmerCode : Acoustical lock/unlock confirmation Enable/disable the acoustical confirmation when the car is locked/unlocked. Values: Active Not active Available in “Roof Function Center/Alarm System” FZD__35
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G30 l Alpine White l M Sport Package l Executive Tier l Icon Adaptive Full LED Headlights l Mocha Nappa Leather l Multi-Contour Seats l Drivers Assistance Package l Drivers Assistance Plus Package l Dynamic Handling Package l Parking Assistance Package l Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System l M Sport Brakes l Apple Carplay Last edited by CLABRO; 04-12-2019 at 10:40 AM.. |
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04-12-2019, 05:23 PM | #3 |
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I think it's worthwhile getting your remote parking checked out. I'm able to park in really tight spots and the sensors allow the car to get really close to other objects. So it might be a calibration issue.
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05-30-2019, 10:31 AM | #4 |
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[UPDATE] Some more cons:
- Automatic start/stop is way too quick / sensitive, there should be at least a second delay when 0 kph is reached. Currently, as soon as it hits 0 kph, the car shuts off. It's not a matter of efficiency, it's the comfort + drive. Wish the delay was something that can be set. Yes, I know we can turn it off. My last Audi did have a second or two delay before shut off occurs. Feels like a software design issue. - Stop and go traffic at extreme slow speed (less than 5 kph) should close its distance with the front car a little more. It currently leaves almost a car's length (maybe regulations). - Stop and go traffic shouldn't be disabled that quickly if the car doesn't move. It currently deactivates in about 15-30 seconds only! Forcing me to press the gas pedal to re-activate it almost every time in heavy traffic, what's the point? - Steering wheel cruise control buttons placement and design is very convoluted and annoying. I see they updated its design in some 2019/2020 models (definitely improved in redesign). - CARPLAY integration: disables song selection in HUD (maybe API limitation), navigation disables HUD (another API limitation), no quick and easy way to use native map (need to get in deep in navigation menu to force use native map) - I got paint protection at the BMW dealership upon purchase. Not sure if it's related, but the car gets dirty really easily. As in, dust / dirt gets trapped on surface much much worse than my last Audi and Infiniti (all cars had black paints). My m550 lasts less than a day after car wash to lose its lustre. - Accessories support is very limited... I want to black out the car with official kits but the selection is almost non-existent. There is a very cool LED grill, but it doesn't support night vision. There's carbon fibre side mirror, but no black ones. All routes lead to custom paint jobs instead. I still love my car! Last edited by Mr550i; 05-30-2019 at 10:37 AM.. |
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05-30-2019, 10:50 AM | #5 |
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Re the traffic jam assist, you can adjust the distance between yourself and the car ahead.
My uk car is set to 3 (out of 4) which I feel is fine even in traffic. But as I say option there to try. |
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05-30-2019, 11:52 AM | #6 | |
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EDIT: oh you mean the bars icon on the steering wheel? Yes, I set it to 1 bar but I feel it's still too far, at extreme slow speed. Last edited by Mr550i; 05-30-2019 at 12:00 PM.. |
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05-30-2019, 12:19 PM | #7 |
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I found that distance control design convoluted, would prefer something rock back and forth (vs cycle through) like the ACC speed setting
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05-30-2019, 03:03 PM | #8 |
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Wow.....that's quite a list of "cons"!! I agree that the system sometimes stays on, even if you turn the car off and wait a second or so before opening the door. I just push the Volume nob to turn it off. I can't speak to the seat belt alarm, since I always wear mine. I don't use carplay, but my bluetooth works flawlessly through the BMW systems. I don't have ambient air, and I don't understand this "winter" you are talking about, so can't help you there (tongue firmly in cheek!). I only use gesture control to answer/dismiss phone calls, and that also works flawlessly for me. And, if I want to make sure I locked the car, I just push unlock, then lock again, and I get the beeps. I hate ASS, and have trained myself to hit the start button and then immediately hit the ASS off button each time.....doesn't take long to get used to doing that. Most of the other stuff is just getting used to new systems, IMO. I love this car, best I have ever had. Very sorry to hear that it is so aggravating for you.
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05-30-2019, 04:49 PM | #9 |
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Here in the US I have mine set to default to the closest distance. Anything less than that and other cars start cutting in on me.
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05-31-2019, 05:13 AM | #10 |
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Yeh happens with me aswell but I just let the car back off to recover the gap. Personally find setting 3 about right on dry roads as allows about a 2 second gap which is what's required should the car suddenly slam on their brakes.
On wet roads I change it to 4 to allow even more space. Don't really want to put the autonomous emergency braking to the test assuming it is up to the job. Agree it would be nicer to be able to change the distance with a toggle up/down . The f10 was like this but the appetite seems to be to go for a single button with multiple functions . Note the that the acc and lane assist are now being combined to a single button on the newer g30 steering wheel for model year 2020(someone post a picture of their new spec including the new instrument cluster) |
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05-31-2019, 08:54 AM | #11 | |
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05-31-2019, 10:28 AM | #12 | |
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Yeah I love *ASS* when done right; it could've been implemented better... Now that I think about it, Audi not only delays automatic stop, but it also is brake pressure sensitive. So if you step into your brake pedal deep, it can force automatic stop. ASS should be something the user don't need to think about, or turn it off every single time for that matter. I do in no doubt believe the BMW M550i is the best car I've owned so far as well. |
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05-31-2019, 10:54 AM | #13 |
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+1
No car is perfect and every car is a compromise but have to say the g30 is about as good as it gets (certainly the best I've owned ). Not sure how much better cars get if you starting paying considerably more money. Not a fan of ASS myself but will say it is a improvement over the one in the f10. I think it shows how good it is when items that some of us don't like are arguably first world minor issues. |
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06-01-2019, 10:02 AM | #14 |
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I love my 540i.
Pros:
Only 3 cons:
Also, I have the M Sport Package, Premium Package, leather dash, HK, Driver Assistance, Parking Assistance and Executive tier. Those are must haves IMO. I definitely wouldn't be so in love with this car if it weren't for those features.
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2016 M3 | YMB | Black Extended Merino | CF Roof | CF Trim | DCT | Adaptive | Executive Last edited by ///M-er-gized; 06-01-2019 at 01:28 PM.. |
06-01-2019, 01:08 PM | #15 | |
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A forum on their website dedicated to coding with BimmerCode would be beneficial. They could even have it separated by different chassis like they do in the app. I know they have a FAQ section and how to videos, but it would be nice to see more resources. Not to mention, they would probably get a lot less customer emails and phone calls regarding questions if other members in the community could help them out in the forum first. Also, my 530i doesn't show an Integrated Chassis Management section either. Here's a screenshot of all of the sections mine shows:
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G30 l Alpine White l M Sport Package l Executive Tier l Icon Adaptive Full LED Headlights l Mocha Nappa Leather l Multi-Contour Seats l Drivers Assistance Package l Drivers Assistance Plus Package l Dynamic Handling Package l Parking Assistance Package l Bowers & Wilkins Diamond Surround Sound System l M Sport Brakes l Apple Carplay |
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06-01-2019, 02:17 PM | #16 |
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Wonder if he’s spotted the brake dust yet of the m sport brakes? Better get that on the list
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06-02-2019, 11:02 AM | #17 |
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I sent an email inquiry to Bimmercode and he answered promptly; here is what he said about my missing Integrated Chassis Management module:
Hi, this control unit is not supported at the moment. Kind regards / Schöne Grüße Stephan Gauch I sent a follow up about when he might update the program to include it but I never got a reply from him. --Bob
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11-18-2019, 05:14 PM | #18 | |
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The goal really is just to help and get help if possible. As a side note, yeah, I did get that brake dust |
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11-19-2019, 12:27 AM | #19 | |
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11-21-2019, 08:06 AM | #20 | |
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If you push the Stop button and THEN open the door, the audio will be shut off (if there is noone else in the car, but this is also configurable in iDrive). At least that's how it works on my 530e. |
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