F30 320i advice

ChefDJ

///Member
Most dealers are known for taking shortcuts and not actually carrying out the work they claim to be doing, and are charging for, even when on motorplan.

Also, it's a highly debated topic whether BMW's new service intervals of 25k+ km is actually good for an engine or not.
 

Zenith

New member
So if I can extend my motor plan by 2 years, you think it's a bad idea to do that? Because they may be incompetent and/or do a piss poor job?

I guess motor plan would give me peace of mind knowing that anything that can go wrong will be covered, but it's a risk because nothing may go wrong. Like with insurance, I haven't had an insurance claim for 3 years but you never know when disaster may strike.
 

ChefDJ

///Member
Zenith said:
So if I can extend my motor plan by 2 years, you think it's a bad idea to do that? Because they may be incompetent and/or do a piss poor job?

I guess motor plan would give me peace of mind knowing that anything that can go wrong will be covered, but it's a risk because nothing may go wrong. Like with insurance, I haven't had an insurance claim for 3 years but you never know when disaster may strike.

If I were you, I'd extend it but take it to a dealer that you know will properly look after it and actually values a customer's property. If you are based in GP, I would only use Leo Haese Pretoria. They are forum advertisers and there have been no horror stories about them.
 

Zenith

New member
I just received a quote from SMG BMW to extend motor plan by another year.

Price is R15412 inc. Am I being ripped off here? Or is that the price I can expect to pay?


ChefDJ@TheFanatics said:
Zenith said:
So if I can extend my motor plan by 2 years, you think it's a bad idea to do that? Because they may be incompetent and/or do a piss poor job?

I guess motor plan would give me peace of mind knowing that anything that can go wrong will be covered, but it's a risk because nothing may go wrong. Like with insurance, I haven't had an insurance claim for 3 years but you never know when disaster may strike.

If I were you, I'd extend it but take it to a dealer that you know will properly look after it and actually values a customer's property. If you are based in GP, I would only use Leo Haese Pretoria. They are forum advertisers and there have been no horror stories about them.

I live in Cape Town. I don't know who are reliable and trustworthy dealers. I only know BMW Forsticks in Durbanrd and SMG in Century City, but apparently they all operate under the same umbrella now.

Forsticks are around the corner from my work.


Just a follow up. Spoke to my dealer at Rothman Auto, and he recommended instead of going the BMW motor plan route I should rather consider Bluechip Warranty from Motorrite. Same price. Covers me for 2 years and looking at the coverage it seems fairly comprehensive. It is bluechip 1.

I could email it to someone for someone to look at it for me just to get a second opinion?


9PGAu3L.jpg
 

Lizzard

Active member
Isnt these things normally have fine print where it says they will only cover the initial break, i.e if engine seize due to the timing chain that snapped that they will replace the timing chain and the repair of the engine is on you as it is the secondary break after the initial. OP, just look if this is not in that paper you posted.
 

peanut125i

Active member
All I can work out is they cover R50k for the engine. No idea if it's enough to recon the engine should it be stuffed but definitely will not be enough to replace it. Unless it's one of those jap engines. No idea about them if they follow their word or not. I can say my brother in law had a similar thing, though this is years ago and can't remember who with, anyway his jetta engine needed an overhaul and they paid buggeroll cause the engine wasn't broken. Just worn bearings and rings which they then did not cover. So whatever you end up with make sure you understand the small print and maybe if your not sure take screen prints or scans of specific clauses before you take the cover and send email to the rep offering the cover along with your questions. So if they pull a stunt later you have emailed proof of how they do things.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
 

cOlDFuSiOn

New member
Be very weary of 3rd party Warranties.. In our local economy Every and All reason will be found for them not to part with their cash to fix your car.
 

Zenith

New member
peanut125i said:
All I can work out is they cover R50k for the engine. No idea if it's enough to recon the engine should it be stuffed but definitely will not be enough to replace it. Unless it's one of those jap engines. No idea about them if they follow their word or not. I can say my brother in law had a similar thing, though this is years ago and can't remember who with, anyway his jetta engine needed an overhaul and they paid buggeroll cause the engine wasn't broken. Just worn bearings and rings which they then did not cover. So whatever you end up with make sure you understand the small print and maybe if your not sure take screen prints or scans of specific clauses before you take the cover and send email to the rep offering the cover along with your questions. So if they pull a stunt later you have emailed proof of how they do things.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

The cover I would be on assuming I go ahead with this is the Bluechip 1, which is unlimited cover. It's their most premium cover.

Checked with BMW and I see from the history of the vehicle from the previous owner - at 60050 km the cylinder head gasket cover was leaking and was repaired under motor plan.

That seems to be it, really. The other stuff is just normal services.


peanut125i said:
All I can work out is they cover R50k for the engine. No idea if it's enough to recon the engine should it be stuffed but definitely will not be enough to replace it. Unless it's one of those jap engines. No idea about them if they follow their word or not. I can say my brother in law had a similar thing, though this is years ago and can't remember who with, anyway his jetta engine needed an overhaul and they paid buggeroll cause the engine wasn't broken. Just worn bearings and rings which they then did not cover. So whatever you end up with make sure you understand the small print and maybe if your not sure take screen prints or scans of specific clauses before you take the cover and send email to the rep offering the cover along with your questions. So if they pull a stunt later you have emailed proof of how they do things.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk

Well my rep gets a kick back presumably from this as well, so it's in his best interest to tell me what I want to hear, although he claims this will cover all mechanical related issues which is my primary concern which I explained to him.

I could email the document to someone to look over for me if they wouldn't mind just to look it over. Asking my rep to look at this might not be a good idea given his involvement.
 

peanut125i

Active member
OK. Can't read the top line of the image so looked at the first column with values in it. I still think you should go through it and if anything is unsure to you circle with point 1-whatever along with quesruons and ask for emailed response in plain english without all the TnC's fancy words. It's worth while acting dumb sometimes just so you have peace of mind and have something to stand on should they come with stories later. Can't help with reading the thing to see what's what, but hopefully someone on the forum can help you out.

Sent from my SM-N910F using Tapatalk
 

Zenith

New member
Another question I have are the service intervals. I believe they are every 2 years or so +-.

Would you guys recommend every 6-8 months or every year to ensure the car is properly maintained? To avoid potential issues on the engine side?

Just need some advice from guys that have experience with all of this.

Thanks!
 

FerdiBotha

Well-known member
Can't help but feel this thread has run it's course.

It a car purchase, not a moon landing.

There's no such thing as too much maintenance, so buy the car, service it hourly if you want and be happy. :coolShake:
 

Zenith

New member
FerdiBotha said:
Can't help but feel this thread has run it's course.

It a car purchase, not a moon landing.

There's no such thing as too much maintenance, so buy the car, service it hourly if you want and be happy. :coolShake:

You can never be too safe. That's all I'm trying to be, and I since I have no experience with F30 motors, that's why I joined so I can get experience from others.

Sorry if I'm inconveniencing you, but this is a big decision for me.
 
Its good that you ask as many questions as possible, but be careful that those questions are not actually concerns, then you should rather look at something else.
You might need to cough up for repairs, at some point. Those after market warranties, is like medical aid. You think you fully covered, but you not.
 

Zenith

New member
Will post pics tomorrow.

The whole driving style I have to get used to on the new car. Maybe some pointers from those more experienced.

How do you drive quickly in the auto? :) I was driving but didn't put my foot all the way down. But then it's sedate. If I put my foot all the way down it kicks down by 2 gears and the car doesn't really move that fast but the engine makes a loud sound.

Maybe I need to spend more time to figure it all out. Obviously I'm coming from a 320i E90 manual and with the manual I could put down all the (little power) without much fuss. The auto feels a little strange. Almost like I could drive the E90 quicker more quickly than the F30 auto, but I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.

Maybe others can chime in.
 

Broken1

New member
Zenith said:
Will post pics tomorrow.

The whole driving style I have to get used to on the new car. Maybe some pointers from those more experienced.

How do you drive quickly in the auto? :) I was driving but didn't put my foot all the way down. But then it's sedate. If I put my foot all the way down it kicks down by 2 gears and the car doesn't really move that fast but the engine makes a loud sound.

Maybe I need to spend more time to figure it all out. Obviously I'm coming from a 320i E90 manual and with the manual I could put down all the (little power) without much fuss. The auto feels a little strange. Almost like I could drive the E90 quicker more quickly than the F30 auto, but I'm sure I'm doing something wrong.

Maybe others can chime in.


Just drive it. The car learns, the gearbox learns and eventually it gets on with it and does what you want.

If you are in the mood, pop the gear level into sport and it holds onto the gears a bit longer and downgears when braking so you are always in the power band.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Top