My 2012 128i is here... And some observations

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by zamboni

Engine noise was not that bad but might help to protect the paint on the engine hood.

To protect the paint from what, engine heat?

[bmw1racer]

New observations:

1. You have to push on the gas filler door to unlatch/latch it, which means you'll leave fingerprints on the door after use.

2. The on/off switch for the interior lights isn't an on/off switch: You have to hold it for several seconds to turn it off... Don't know why it couldn't have been just a simple rocker switch... That would've been much more intuitive.

3. I have to drive with the armrest in the "up" position: It just bugs the hell out of me no matter how much I try to ignore it... It interferes with my shifting, plain and simple.

[tccox]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

New observations:

1. You have to push on the gas filler door to unlatch/latch it, which means you'll leave fingerprints on the door after use.

2. The on/off switch for the interior lights isn't an on/off switch: You have to hold it for several seconds to turn it off... Don't know why it couldn't have been just a simple rocker switch... That would've been much more intuitive.

3. I have to drive with the armrest in the "up" position: It just bugs the hell out of me no matter how much I try to ignore it... It interferes with my shifting, plain and simple.

I have to drive with the armrest up because of all the creaking and squeaking it does when down. This developed at around 8000 miles and apparently there's no fix. Only real complaint I have with the car

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by tccox

I have to drive with the armrest up because of all the creaking and squeaking it does when down. This developed at around 8000 miles and apparently there's no fix. Only real complaint I have with the car

I might just replace it entirely.

[tccox]

Replace with what ?

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by tccox

Replace with what ?

Nothing.

I'll just remove the armrest and replace the opening with a cover (51169110474).

[bmw1racer]

New observation:

Since the weather's gotten cooler, I haven't been using the AUTO mode and I just have the upper body ventilation selected (middle button), but I don't feel much heat during my morning drive to work... BUT when I also select footwell ventilation (bottom button) then I feel the heat warm up the cabin.

Anyone else experience this? Seems a bit odd, but not something to have the dealer look at right away...

[bmw1racer]

Just realized this after reading one of the other threads:

The trunk cannot be opened if the battery were to go dead since the release is electrically activated...

There is an emergency manual release for the trunk lid... But it's in the trunk.

And you can't get to it unless one of the rear seats is folded down... And you can't fold down the seats, since the release is in the trunk as well.

Incredibly stupid design.

[Isdaako]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

New observation:

Since the weather's gotten cooler, I haven't been using the AUTO mode and I just have the upper body ventilation selected (middle button), but I don't feel much heat during my morning drive to work... BUT when I also select footwell ventilation (bottom button) then I feel the heat warm up the cabin.

Anyone else experience this? Seems a bit odd, but not something to have the dealer look at right away...

Mine does the same thing... but, here it's cold.

[Cope]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Just realized this after reading one of the other threads:

The trunk cannot be opened if the battery were to go dead since the release is electrically activated...

There is an emergency manual release for the trunk lid... But it's in the trunk.

And you can't get to it unless one of the rear seats is folded down... And you can't fold down the seats, since the release is in the trunk as well.

Incredibly stupid design.

I was rather unhappy to read that as well. I'll probably move my tow hook to someplace else, the glove compartment maybe, as that would be one hell of an inconvenient situation to be in.

[bmw1racer]

I submitted this observation to BMW USA... Let's see if they have anything to say about this kooky setup.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I submitted this observation to BMW USA... Let's see if they have anything to say about this kooky setup.

You can open the door with the mechanical key, pop the hood, attach leads, and then pop the trunk or start the car.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

You can open the door with the mechanical key, pop the hood, attach leads, and then pop the trunk or start the car.

That's a pretty convoluted process... Especially if you're stuck somewhere.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

That's a pretty convoluted process... Especially if you're stuck somewhere.

It's part of the new comprehensive BMW approach to dial the user out of the maintenance process. Just look at the tools we get if you need any further proof.


E28 M5 toolkit:



Now we get a screwdriver and a tow hook.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

It's part of the new comprehensive BMW approach to dial the user out of the maintenance process. Just look at the tools we get if you need any further proof.


E28 M5 toolkit:



Now we get a screwdriver and a tow hook.

Touche.

My E36 had a better toolkit than my 128i.

[TheSt|G]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Touche.

My E36 had a better toolkit than my 128i.

Same. E36 M3 had a pretty good set.

It's not just the toolkit though, modern BMW is nothing like the company from the E30/36/46 era.

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by TheSt|G

It's not just the toolkit though, modern BMW is nothing like the company from the E30/36/46 era.

Yup... That's good and bad.

[Bmwbreed]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

Yup... That's good and bad.

Did you read how I opened my trunk in that other guys thread?? Was a pin but it worked

[MLSavage]

Did other car companies include toolkits with their older models? Have they continued that to present day to the same extent?

I can not like what direction BMW is taking but I'd be crazy to think they are the only ones going in that direction. Part of it is that the systems within the car are getting really complex making it more difficult to work on yourself. I'm clearly not talking about changing a tire here, hopefully my point gets across.

BMW Marketing would probably say 2 things to removing the tools: A: You don't need, our cars are as reliable as ever (*cough*BS*cough*) and we provide great service when you need it.
and B: What message would it send if we were including a complete toolkit with our cars?

btw we have so jacked this thread...

[rori zahr]

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

New observation:

Since the weather's gotten cooler, I haven't been using the AUTO mode and I just have the upper body ventilation selected (middle button), but I don't feel much heat during my morning drive to work... BUT when I also select footwell ventilation (bottom button) then I feel the heat warm up the cabin.

Anyone else experience this? Seems a bit odd, but not something to have the dealer look at right away...

why not using the auto mode?
this is where you should use the auto mode the most "winter time" because the cabin will remain always warm and dry, your windows will never get foggy...
just set the temperature to your liking, I use 23 all year around and it works beautifully well in cold and hot seasons.

[dorkdog]

+1 on "auto". I set it and forget it. I'm not sure why the AC button is on when it is 23 degrees outside (Fahrenheit, my metric friends) but it does keep the car comfortable throughout.

Just curious as to whether the AC is truly on (and sucking gas) or if it is in some sort of standby mode... no worries; I'll post the anticipated response myself...



and go do a little research!

[bmw1racer]

Originally Posted by dorkdog

+1 on "auto". I set it and forget it. I'm not sure why the AC button is on when it is 23 degrees outside (Fahrenheit, my metric friends) but it does keep the car comfortable throughout.

Just curious as to whether the AC is truly on (and sucking gas) or if it is in some sort of standby mode... no worries; I'll post the anticipated response myself...

I think the AC is always on if you're in AUTO mode, drying out the air inside the cabin... I think it's not running as hard at 23F than at 90F, but it's still running.

I guess I'm just not used to leaving it on all the time, since my previous BMWs never had an AUTO mode and I always felt it was sapping power and MPG from the car.