[PPK]

Hi All,

A bit of background:
We currently have a 2006 E90 330i (n52) that we've owned for the last 11 years. We've been through all the challenges on that model and it works perfectly fine - still a pleasure to drive. The only issue is the hydraulic steering is little tough for the missus (after driving a Golf mk7 for 5 years) and the kids need more room in the back.

I managed to convince the family to go for a G20 instead of a Volvo XC60 as we don't have prams etc. Also, I don't know Volvo's and am worried the online support network is not as vast as the BMW network.

We test drove our first G20 yesterday and ended up leaving a deposit as the family felt the car was much smoother than the E90 and it had enough space + seats fold down. I also didn't want to lose this particular car as it has many extra compared to others out there inc. sunroof which I have not had for 20 years!

The G20 has 35k on the clock, one owner and comes with 1 year warranty, breakdown and warranty.

We've opted for the ceramic coating, paint cover, alloy wheel cover and tyre cover for another £2k. We felt it's worth taking this as we live in London and should hopefully make use of it.

Does anyone have any experience with any of the covers listed above and is there anything I should be asking the main dealer to do before I take delivery of the vehicle? Appreciate the latter is a broad question and appreciate any advice from others who have this model and/or purchased a used model from the main dealer.

Re: warranty - Never had it before, which items can you get done at local garages without invalidating warranty?

It's been 11 years since I changed cars and tech has moved on significantly so I'm somewhat frightened by all the threads I've read on issues on these models. I'm hoping most issues are resolved now the car is 2.5 years old and will keep the warranty for the next 3/4 years at least.

Thanks in advance.

[PPK]

BTW here is the spec sheet, is it missing anything?

Ordered Options
01CB ACEA/CO2 Coding
01CE Mild Hybrid Technology
01DF EU6 RDE II exhaust emissions standard
01PP 19" 791 M Double-spoke Jet Black Alloy Wheels with RFT
02PA Security Wheel Bolts
02VB Tyre Pressure Sensors
02VF M Adaptive Suspension
0230 EU specific equipment
0248 Heated Steering Wheel
0258 Run-flat Tyres
03BE Black mirror caps
03KA Acoustic glass
03MF BMW Individual Lights Shadow Line
03M2 M Sport Brakes with Red Calipers
0302 Alarm System
0316 Electric Bootlid
032Z Digital Key Deletion
0322 Comfort Access
033T M Technology Pack
04AW Sensatec Dashboard
04GQ M Sport Seat Belts
04MC Carbon Fibre Interior Trim
04NE Blow-by heater
04UR Ambient Lighting
0403 Electric Glass Sunroof
0420 Sun Protection Glass
0428 Warning Triangle
0430 Folding Wing Mirrors with Auto-dimming
0431 Rear-view Mirror with Auto dimming
0459 Electric Memory Seats
0465 Split Folding Rear Seats
0488 Front Lumbar Support
0493 Additional Storage Compartment
0494 Front Heated Seats
05AC High-Beam Assistant
05AQ Active Guard Plus
05AU Driving Assistant Professional
05AZ Laserlights
05DA Passenger airbag deactivation, front
05DC Rear Folding Headrests
05DN Parking Assistant Plus
06AE BMW TeleServices
06AF BMW Emergency Call
06AK BMW Online Services
06C4 Connected Package Pro
06DR Drive Recorder
06U3 Live Cockpit Professional
06U8 Gesture Control
0610 Head-Up Display
0654 DAB Radio
0688 Harman/Kardon Surround Sound Audio System
07M9 BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line with extended contents
0711 Front M Sport Seats
08KA Oil-maintenance interval 24 months/30,000 km
08R9 Refrigerant
08SM External Visible VIN
08S2 Coding of alarm siren (time limit)
08S3 Auto drive away locking
08TF Active Pedestrian Safety
08TG Dead-Locking Function
08TR Decoding additional functions
0812 GB Specification
0850 Add Fuel for Export Cars
0880 English Handbook

Standard Options
02TB Sport Automatic Transmission with Gearshift Paddles
02T4 M Sport Differential
02VL Variable Sport Steering
0534 Automatic Air Conditioning
0710 M Sport Leather Steering Wheel
0715 M Sport Exterior Styling
0754 M Sport Spoiler
0760 High-gloss Shadowline Exterior Trim
0775 Anthracite Headlining
08EK Control body
0853 Instrument Panel Letter

[Arthur55]

Not sure if it'll be relevant to your car, but I clarified exactly what options I would have to pay for after 12 months.

If you didn't know BMW brought in what you might call subscription charges for continued use of some options...not just the digital services.....but a 71 plate might be before that came in. Might be worth asking the question......

[PPK]

Originally Posted by Arthur55

Not sure if it'll be relevant to your car, but I clarified exactly what options I would have to pay for after 12 months.

If you didn't know BMW brought in what you might call subscription charges for continued use of some options...not just the digital services.....but a 71 plate might be before that came in. Might be worth asking the question......

Thanks. I asked the question yesterday and the sales lady said all subscription based services were included from 2020/2021. I asked before leaving and she said there would be nothing more to pay for any idrive servicea ever.

Would be good if other could confirm this if they have 71 plate model.

Thanks

[MisterG]

Assume it’s from a main dealer so an approved used car?

Can’t comment on the alloy/tyre insurance.. it’s a lot of money! - but don’t rate any kind of dealer applied paint protection.. you will get a far better finish and cheaper service from a proper detailing company.

I would however clarify the situation on the warranty on the car.. if it’s approved used it will have a 1yr AUC warranty direct from BMW.
Beyond that year, the dealer may have tried to sell you their own warranty product which is unlikely to be anywhere near as good as the proper BMW extended warranty.
The bmw warranty can be used at any dealership just by booking in as normal.. they do all the paperwork.

[PPK]

Originally Posted by MisterG

Assume it’s from a main dealer so an approved used car?

Can’t comment on the alloy/tyre insurance.. it’s a lot of money! - but don’t rate any kind of dealer applied paint protection.. you will get a far better finish and cheaper service from a proper detailing company.

I would however clarify the situation on the warranty on the car.. if it’s approved used it will have a 1yr AUC warranty direct from BMW.
Beyond that year, the dealer may have tried to sell you their own warranty product which is unlikely to be anywhere near as good as the proper BMW extended warranty.
The bmw warranty can be used at any dealership just by booking in as normal.. they do all the paperwork.

Yes, an approved used car from a main dealer.

The 1 year warranty is BMW warranty. After this, I will continue the BMW warranty for c£600 per year.

The alloy cover is c£500 + tyre cover c£500 + c£500 paint cover (smart repairs for dings etc upto 30cm) + c£400 for the paint coating inside and out (called Lifeshines from memory). It's an extra £2k however we're thinking it will give us peace of mind. If the feedback is not great on these, I'll drop them.

[MisterG]

Originally Posted by PPK

Thanks. I asked the question yesterday and the sales lady said all subscription based services were included from 2020/2021. I asked before leaving and she said there would be nothing more to pay for any idrive servicea ever.

Would be good if other could confirm this if they have 71 plate model.

Thanks

There are still subscription requirements after 3 years for some of the in car tech.. (mine is a pre facelift 21 MHT)

Map upgrades are £79 a year.
Then there’s the “connected booster pack” at £89 a year to have services like real time traffic, Spotify, Alexa intergration etc etc.

The main things like apple CarPlay/android auto are not subscription anymore.

[PPK]

Originally Posted by MisterG

There are still subscription requirements after 3 years for some of the in car tech.. (mine is a pre facelift 21 MHT)

Map upgrades are £79 a year.
Then there’s the “connected booster pack” at £89 a year to have services like real time traffic, Spotify, Alexa intergration etc etc.

The main things like apple CarPlay/android auto are not subscription anymore.

Ah, slightly misleading by the dealer then. I'll fire off an email asking about subscription services.

Silly question, why would one need the above if they could play Spotify and use maps via CarPlay?

[MisterG]

Originally Posted by PPK

Ah, slightly misleading by the dealer then. I'll fire off an email asking about subscription services.

Silly question, why would one need the above if they could play Spotify and use maps via CarPlay?

Very good question..
Spotify apparently sounds better via the in car app (but it’s clunky and I don’t use Spotify so no great shakes there)

The inbuilt sat nav/maps has better intergration with the dashboard and HUD by showing the map on the dash and more in depth info on the HUD.

Apple Maps on CarPlay and Google maps on android do still have “some” intergration in showing directions and turns.. but it’s pretty basic by comparison.


My connected services run out next week so I’ll let you know how I get on and if I renew.

Oh also… speed camera alerts - £25 for the year and definitely very worthwhile!

[Arthur55]

Originally Posted by PPK

Thanks. I asked the question yesterday and the sales lady said all subscription based services were included from 2020/2021. I asked before leaving and she said there would be nothing more to pay for any idrive servicea ever.

Would be good if other could confirm this if they have 71 plate model.

Thanks

I got my dealer to confirm it in an email.........least then if something did come up I had evidence of conversations.......lol.

[PPK]

Originally Posted by MisterG

Very good question..
Spotify apparently sounds better via the in car app (but it’s clunky and I don’t use Spotify so no great shakes there)

The inbuilt sat nav/maps has better intergration with the dashboard and HUD by showing the map on the dash and more in depth info on the HUD.

Apple Maps on CarPlay and Google maps on android do still have “some” intergration in showing directions and turns.. but it’s pretty basic by comparison.


My connected services run out next week so I’ll let you know how I get on and if I renew.

Oh also… speed camera alerts - £25 for the year and definitely very worthwhile!

Thank you, very helpful. I shall have a word with the dealer on this as the sales lady led me to believe I'll never have to pay anything in future which I found hard to believe!

Any thoughts on the spec, it looks fully loaded so I didn't want to let it go?

[PPK]

Originally Posted by Arthur55

I got my dealer to confirm it in an email.........least then if something did come up I had evidence of conversations.......lol.

Yes, will be sending an email with a list this evening. Thanks

[Fox530]

Originally Posted by PPK

Silly question, why would one need the above if they could play Spotify and use maps via CarPlay?

I much prefer the BMW versions of both Spotify and Navigation. I like the way it integrates with the car and just works and I like not having to have my phone connected to Android Auto or think about it draining the battery if I don't plug it in.

I get in the car and Spotify just works instantly in the same way as the radio would.

You'll have a few months of these services before they expire anyway so you'll be able to decide for yourself which you prefer.

[PPK]

Originally Posted by Fox530

I much prefer the BMW versions of both Spotify and Navigation. I like the way it integrates with the car and just works and I like not having to have my phone connected to Android Auto or think about it draining the battery if I don't plug it in.

I get in the car and Spotify just works instantly in the same way as the radio would.

You'll have a few months of these services before they expire anyway so you'll be able to decide for yourself which you prefer.

Hopefully I can get them to include this for a bit longer!

[alFR]

As noted above, you’d get a better result with the paintwork going to a specialist detailer. Similarly, the insurance products are likely available cheaper elsewhere: try ALA for a quote on the wheel and tyre insurance / SMART repair insurance, I’ve used them before for GAP insurance and they have a good reputation. There are loads of other companies about offering the same though.

[PPK]

Originally Posted by alFR

As noted above, you’d get a better result with the paintwork going to a specialist detailer. Similarly, the insurance products are likely available cheaper elsewhere: try ALA for a quote on the wheel and tyre insurance / SMART repair insurance, I’ve used them before for GAP insurance and they have a good reputation. There are loads of other companies about offering the same though.

Thanks for the tip, I got a few quotes for gap insurance and ALA was on the list so I’ll look into their products and see if they can do a multi discount.

[Arthur55]

Originally Posted by PPK

Thank you, very helpful. I shall have a word with the dealer on this as the sales lady led me to believe I'll never have to pay anything in future which I found hard to believe!

Any thoughts on the spec, it looks fully loaded so I didn't want to let it go?

Spec looks fully loaded..........mine is similar.......

One thing that I thought might have been a little distracting but is something now I'd hate not to have is the HUD......

Really useful to keep a check on speed.......and brilliant for satnav. But just be aware as its projected on the windscreen on a sunny day (when we have one) you'll have to turn the brightness up.

[330Stevie]

As above, my own experience of dealer applied protection is nowhere near as good as a specialist. At two plus years old a specialist is likely to also offer a very good deal on a minor polish before application.

Also try motoreasy for the other insurances as well as gap

[Nham68]

Originally Posted by PPK

Thanks for the tip, I got a few quotes for gap insurance and ALA was on the list so I’ll look into their products and see if they can do a multi discount.

Definitely agree on the detailing . My local BMW dealer told me it would take an extra day for the ceramic coating and £800. I just laughed . The normal detailer I use takes 3 days and will cost £1200 (touring ) for full high spec ceramic coat with 4 year guarantee . It is definitely something where cheaper, is not better . It will take 1 day to do proper wash / polish out swirls etc . Then 1 day to apply . Then 1 day under curing lights .

[PPK]

Thanks for your help so far. The dealer has now offered to throw in the paint coating/sealer (Lifeshine) if I take the tyre protection. This comes after I decided to drop both.

I guess the tyre protection could be useful if I *get* a nail in my tyre The paint coating/sealer should keep me going and I could always go to a detailer in a few years.

Thoughts?

[alFR]

Depends how bothered you are about the finish and durability: the fact they’re throwing it in free should tell you something about how lottle putting it on is going to cost them in materials and time and how much profit they make on the insurance products… If you’re not too worried about that though, wouldn’t have paid to get a full detail done and were going to buy the tyre insurance anyway then might as well I guess.

[225]

Do you really need tyre insurance etc? Assuming it just covers for damage then you'd have to have 2 or 3 knackered tyres before you get anything back. How long is the policy for?
As mentioned some bloke who normally washes the cars being told to slap on a paint treatment is far removed from a proper ceramic or equivalent detail and application. Any imperfections will just be sealed in.