Salt
///Member
Hi all,
Following on from my thread on considering something newer from the M140i - I had some ideas and you guys also made some good suggestions.
Here are my toughts for some feedback based on experience please:
Firstly, letting the MP lapse. I've done my homework here now and its simply not feasible to extend again. If my mileage was a little lower I would have. Currently on 80k km - current plan is active till Aug - I won't make it till Aug 2025 and still be under 100k km so it will be a waste to extend for another 12 months is it will likely only take me till around March/April 2025.
Extended warranty
I've used Engine Room/Motorite in the past - worked well. Any other suggestions? I know BMW offers an extended warranty, but I know its anyway just from a 3rd party. Ideally, I would like the below possible upgrades to the car not be an issue for the extended warranty.
Upgrading to an Android system. From what I know, there are two options - MMI or Android screen. I have the Prov Nav so I have a big screen. What I am not sure about here is the following:
Part 1 - the ride of the car is very hard - of course part to the low profile tyres but I also believe due to the native suspension set up. For reference I am currently running 245/30/19 RFT and 225/35/19 RFT P-Zero's. I am planning on going to a 35 profile front and rear when these tyres are due for replacement - probably Michelin. I will stay on runflats as they have helped me in the part on more than one occasion to get to a place of safety. Any suggestion here on this - I know very little about aftermarket suspension upgrades. I obviously don't want to turn the car in to a boat - its need to be firm but something a little more forgiving would be awesome so that when you drive over a repaired fibre trench cut in the road that has sagged, it doesn't sound and feel like the dashboard comes apart lol.
Part 2 - I've read about this under body chassis brace upgrade - while people are saying it's not life changing, they recon is certainly does help make the car feel a little more planted under hard acceleration. Any experience here?
Two other things that annoy me is the LED lights are actually pretty poor - I had the same issue on my F30 320d - there I manually adjusted them to throw the light further, wonder if I can do the same with the 140. Then the TPMS - if you get loss of pressure it gives a general warning, after a while it will show you which wheel - but it doesn't tell you actual pressure. With the low profile tyre it takes a while before it realizes something is wrong. I know my basic system works on the tyre circumference for measurement using the ABS sensor or something like that
I want to know if I can upgrade to the proper TPMS system with proper sensors and some coding if needed - any ideas here?
There are some other cosmetic ideas that I am toiling with but your comments on the above will help a lot. I think if I can cover the car mechanically well for the next couple of years and make it a little more livable in terms of ride comfort and Android auto - keeping it becomes an easier decision.
Following on from my thread on considering something newer from the M140i - I had some ideas and you guys also made some good suggestions.
Here are my toughts for some feedback based on experience please:
Firstly, letting the MP lapse. I've done my homework here now and its simply not feasible to extend again. If my mileage was a little lower I would have. Currently on 80k km - current plan is active till Aug - I won't make it till Aug 2025 and still be under 100k km so it will be a waste to extend for another 12 months is it will likely only take me till around March/April 2025.
Extended warranty
I've used Engine Room/Motorite in the past - worked well. Any other suggestions? I know BMW offers an extended warranty, but I know its anyway just from a 3rd party. Ideally, I would like the below possible upgrades to the car not be an issue for the extended warranty.
Upgrading to an Android system. From what I know, there are two options - MMI or Android screen. I have the Prov Nav so I have a big screen. What I am not sure about here is the following:
- I've read that audio quality suffers - is this the case with both MMI and Android screens? I believe it has to do with the Aux port. DroidUK recons their MMI box does not suffer any sound quality VS stock OEM.
- It would be nice if it can take a sim card - and use its own internet for music/videos/maps rather than my phone. Not sure if it can work that way.
- Play movies while the car is on. (I don't want to watch while I drive so not for me)
Part 1 - the ride of the car is very hard - of course part to the low profile tyres but I also believe due to the native suspension set up. For reference I am currently running 245/30/19 RFT and 225/35/19 RFT P-Zero's. I am planning on going to a 35 profile front and rear when these tyres are due for replacement - probably Michelin. I will stay on runflats as they have helped me in the part on more than one occasion to get to a place of safety. Any suggestion here on this - I know very little about aftermarket suspension upgrades. I obviously don't want to turn the car in to a boat - its need to be firm but something a little more forgiving would be awesome so that when you drive over a repaired fibre trench cut in the road that has sagged, it doesn't sound and feel like the dashboard comes apart lol.
Part 2 - I've read about this under body chassis brace upgrade - while people are saying it's not life changing, they recon is certainly does help make the car feel a little more planted under hard acceleration. Any experience here?
Two other things that annoy me is the LED lights are actually pretty poor - I had the same issue on my F30 320d - there I manually adjusted them to throw the light further, wonder if I can do the same with the 140. Then the TPMS - if you get loss of pressure it gives a general warning, after a while it will show you which wheel - but it doesn't tell you actual pressure. With the low profile tyre it takes a while before it realizes something is wrong. I know my basic system works on the tyre circumference for measurement using the ABS sensor or something like that
There are some other cosmetic ideas that I am toiling with but your comments on the above will help a lot. I think if I can cover the car mechanically well for the next couple of years and make it a little more livable in terms of ride comfort and Android auto - keeping it becomes an easier decision.