Lightly optioned vs loaded: What's best for long term reliability?

HyeM340i · 10-30-2019, 03:09 PM

I got my M340i and I'm deciding whether to buy it when my lease ends. My car only has 2 options ambient lighting+Parking assist(just the sensors and camera). I was thinking it'd be better to get one with more options but I heard that the more options you get the more unreliable it is. Is it true? I've also heard about recalls on the parking assist pro the package that has like 4 cameras and 8 viewing angles.

bimmer456 · 10-30-2019, 03:11 PM

You can wait and see if you want to buy an extended warranty at the end of the lease.

Burrcold · 10-30-2019, 03:22 PM

More options obviously complicates things when it comes to electronics, etc. I wouldn't say it's more unreliable as a car though. Also, why worry now? How long is your lease?

HyeM340i · 10-30-2019, 05:25 PM

36 months. I just don't want shit going bad. My logic is less features, less to worry about things not working down the line, plus less weight.

Patrick852 · 10-31-2019, 12:43 AM

I'd consider fancy options continue to work for 4 years without issue are reliable. Anytime beyond that is a bonus. Of course the more options you get the more chances they are not working. Try a 5+ years 7-series you know what I mean.

TTG · 10-31-2019, 10:54 AM

Leased car (which my M340 is) I load them up, for car that I purchase, I try to keep them as simple as possible, especially the electronic gadgets.

MmmmmM2 · 10-31-2019, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyeM340i

36 months. I just don't want shit going bad. My logic is less features, less to worry about things not working down the line, plus less weight.

It's a BMW. Most likely some shit will go bad.

premier3is · 10-31-2019, 11:20 AM

Also buying out a lease isn't the best idea always because it ends up costing you more. You'll end up paying sticker price pretty much since you'll have made your lease payment (depreciation + interest) plus still owe the residual amount which'll put you at sticker price.

tturedraider · 10-31-2019, 11:21 AM

Personally, HK stereo is a requirement as well as lumbar support.

bimmer456 · 10-31-2019, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Personally, HK stereo is a requirement as well as lumbar support.

Yeah the HiFi doesn't get loud enough even at max volume it's not very loud and lots of distortion.

HyeM340i · 10-31-2019, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Yeah the HiFi doesn't get loud enough even at max volume it's not very loud and lots of distortion.

A lot of these premium audio systems only sound good with Cds rather than compressed audio

premier3is · 10-31-2019, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyeM340i

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Yeah the HiFi doesn't get loud enough even at max volume it's not very loud and lots of distortion.

A lot of these premium audio systems only sound good with Cds rather than compressed audio

Too bad there's no CD option on the G20 lol

WXdrivefun · 10-31-2019, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by premier3is

Too bad there's no CD option on the G20 lol

Yes, there is option to install CD player found here, but harness and pre-wiring is available, according to RealOEM.

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...diagId=03_5021

bimmer456 · 10-31-2019, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by premier3is

Quote:

Originally Posted by HyeM340i

Quote:

Originally Posted by bimmer456

Yeah the HiFi doesn't get loud enough even at max volume it's not very loud and lots of distortion.

A lot of these premium audio systems only sound good with Cds rather than compressed audio

Too bad there's no CD option on the G20 lol

It is pre wired for CD player but is not standard.

Transfer · 10-31-2019, 06:09 PM

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early to be planning buying out or not. You're committed for up to 36 months. Wait until the last 3-6 months. A lot of things could sway your plan by then.

SteveinArizona · 10-31-2019, 06:31 PM

All things being equal (they never are!), the less options the less things to go wrong. Unforunately, fixing almost anything on a BMW costs a small fortune. The biggest items are, of course, the power train. Lots of basic companies give a three year complete warranty with a five year power train warranty. BMW and the other Germans go to a middle ground of four years for everything.

In the words of a Tammany Hall politician at the turn of the 20th century: "you pays your money and you takes your chances".

Giggler · 11-03-2019, 03:02 PM

My understanding of the G20 generation is that BMW's engineers have taken care to design the car's mechanical components to be both modular and accessible for both production and repair efficiency. One might naturally assume they took the same care with the electrical components. Only time will tell, but it seems obvious to me that the marriage of electrical and mechanical components in German cars is evolving in a more reliable direction.

When I was driving my car the other night, I was entertained by the automatic laser lights as they turned off and on and how they turned in the direction of the car.... thought to myself "how long until that breaks?". It will eventually break, just no telling when and if it will be an easy fix. This platform needs to age so people can learn.

upsidedownfunnel · 11-03-2019, 11:40 PM

If the feature can be found in a Toyota or Honda, which most if not all of the comfort features on a G20 can be, then it should be able to last around 10 years or 100k miles. Stuff on cars like a 7 series or S class can be (not always) a lot more cutting edge and have a higher likelihood of failure. But features like digital screens, autonomous driving tech, HUDs, comfort access, etc. are all well established and mature technologies. BMW usually does pretty well with mature technologies. They're not quite Japanese, but they're far better than British or Italian cars.

HyeM340i · 11-04-2019, 01:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

If the feature can be found in a Toyota or Honda, which most if not all of the comfort features on a G20 can be, then it should be able to last around 10 years or 100k miles. Stuff on cars like a 7 series or S class can be (not always) a lot more cutting edge and have a higher likelihood of failure. But features like digital screens, autonomous driving tech, HUDs, comfort access, etc. are all well established and mature technologies. BMW usually does pretty well with mature technologies. They're not quite Japanese, but they're far better than British or Italian cars.

I feel like the 3D camera, the assistance pro is gonna be huge one. All those cameras are kind of scary. Thats why the ones found in Toyotas are limited and pretty garbage compared to BMW. They even had a recall on some cars with those 3D Assistance pro cameras on BMW's.

Sandpiper · 11-04-2019, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by premier3is

Too bad there's no CD option on the G20 lol

The car can play lossless audio (FLAC files), so same as CD quality.

WVD · 11-08-2019, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandpiper

The car can play lossless audio (FLAC files), so same as CD quality.

Are you 100% sure that flac files can be played?

Sandpiper · 12-06-2019, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WVD

Are you 100% sure that flac files can be played?

Yep: https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...highlight=flac

10-30-2019, 03:09 PM	#1
HyeM340i Private 71 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Glendale,CA iTrader: (0)	Lightly optioned vs loaded: What's best for long term reliability? I got my M340i and I'm deciding whether to buy it when my lease ends. My car only has 2 options ambient lighting+Parking assist(just the sensors and camera). I was thinking it'd be better to get one with more options but I heard that the more options you get the more unreliable it is. Is it true? I've also heard about recalls on the parking assist pro the package that has like 4 cameras and 8 viewing angles.
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10-30-2019, 03:11 PM	#2
bimmer456 Major General 2961 Rep 5,995 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Pasadena, CA iTrader: (0)	You can wait and see if you want to buy an extended warranty at the end of the lease.
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10-30-2019, 03:22 PM	#3
Burrcold Brigadier General 5309 Rep 3,959 Posts Drives: 2024 M3 Comp xDrive Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Toronto, Canada iTrader: (0)	More options obviously complicates things when it comes to electronics, etc. I wouldn't say it's more unreliable as a car though. Also, why worry now? How long is your lease?
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10-30-2019, 05:25 PM	#4
HyeM340i Private 71 Rep 84 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Glendale,CA iTrader: (0)	36 months. I just don't want shit going bad. My logic is less features, less to worry about things not working down the line, plus less weight.
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10-31-2019, 12:43 AM	#5
Patrick852 Private First Class 66 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 15 320iED, 18 X2 sDrive20i MSX Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	I'd consider fancy options continue to work for 4 years without issue are reliable. Anytime beyond that is a bonus. Of course the more options you get the more chances they are not working. Try a 5+ years 7-series you know what I mean.
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10-31-2019, 10:54 AM	#6
TTG ... 936 Rep 4,326 Posts Drives: M340 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (3) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 [7.84] 2007 335 Coupe (ret ... [9.00]	Leased car (which my M340 is) I load them up, for car that I purchase, I try to keep them as simple as possible, especially the electronic gadgets. __________________ 2020 G20 M340 xDrive - Portimao Blue - ZDA\|ZPP\|ZPX\|1CR\|1PE\|6NW\|6WD 2016 F10 535i xDrive - AW - Retired 2011 E92 M3 - AW……………....ED April 29th, 2010 - Retired 2007 E92 335i -Space Gray.....ED Oct 19th, 2006 - Retired
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10-31-2019, 11:20 AM	#8
premier3is Major 1632 Rep 1,004 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 330i M-Sport Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Also buying out a lease isn't the best idea always because it ends up costing you more. You'll end up paying sticker price pretty much since you'll have made your lease payment (depreciation + interest) plus still owe the residual amount which'll put you at sticker price.
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10-31-2019, 11:21 AM	#9
tturedraider Major General 4975 Rep 6,237 Posts Drives: 2018 340i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Chicago, Edgewater (via Texas & Tennessee) iTrader: (0) Garage List 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [9.38] 2020 BMW M340i xDrive [10.00] 2018 BMW 340i M Sport [8.00] 2006 BMW 330i Sport [4.50] 2004 BMW 330i ZHP [7.25] 2000 BMW 328i [6.00]	Personally, HK stereo is a requirement as well as lumbar support. __________________ www.bmwcca.org member #388003 - Use me as a referral & you could win a one day ///M Driving School!! ___________________________________________
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10-31-2019, 06:09 PM	#15
Transfer Major General 5254 Rep 5,874 Posts Drives: Bronco Wildtrak, Tesla MYP Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Issaquah, WA iTrader: (1)	Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early to be planning buying out or not. You're committed for up to 36 months. Wait until the last 3-6 months. A lot of things could sway your plan by then.
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10-31-2019, 06:31 PM	#16
SteveinArizona Brigadier General 3086 Rep 4,210 Posts Drives: BMW 530e Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Greater Phoenix iTrader: (0)	All things being equal (they never are!), the less options the less things to go wrong. Unforunately, fixing almost anything on a BMW costs a small fortune. The biggest items are, of course, the power train. Lots of basic companies give a three year complete warranty with a five year power train warranty. BMW and the other Germans go to a middle ground of four years for everything. In the words of a Tammany Hall politician at the turn of the 20th century: "you pays your money and you takes your chances".
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11-03-2019, 03:02 PM	#17
Giggler Banned 408 Rep 334 Posts Drives: 20' M340i, 24' X5 40i Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: California iTrader: (0)	My understanding of the G20 generation is that BMW's engineers have taken care to design the car's mechanical components to be both modular and accessible for both production and repair efficiency. One might naturally assume they took the same care with the electrical components. Only time will tell, but it seems obvious to me that the marriage of electrical and mechanical components in German cars is evolving in a more reliable direction. When I was driving my car the other night, I was entertained by the automatic laser lights as they turned off and on and how they turned in the direction of the car.... thought to myself "how long until that breaks?". It will eventually break, just no telling when and if it will be an easy fix. This platform needs to age so people can learn.
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11-03-2019, 11:40 PM	#18
upsidedownfunnel Colonel 1996 Rep 2,499 Posts Drives: 2014 335i Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: SoCal iTrader: (4) Garage List 2014 BMW 335i [0.00]	If the feature can be found in a Toyota or Honda, which most if not all of the comfort features on a G20 can be, then it should be able to last around 10 years or 100k miles. Stuff on cars like a 7 series or S class can be (not always) a lot more cutting edge and have a higher likelihood of failure. But features like digital screens, autonomous driving tech, HUDs, comfort access, etc. are all well established and mature technologies. BMW usually does pretty well with mature technologies. They're not quite Japanese, but they're far better than British or Italian cars.
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