2013 135is owners discussion and photos thread!

[Worra]

Originally Posted by PopsnBurbles

Sorry for double posting but...anyone of you guys/gals going to bimmerfest?

Sadly not this year

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Chunner

Boys, got a call from Surgeon Bogart today and all went well. Taking it home on Good Friday.

They're going to have to rename it then as Great Friday, Best Friday, Beast Friday, or F-ing Awesome Friday.

Can't wait to see it, hear it, and get your thoughts on it. My bee, too.

[owen2001]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

They're going to have to rename it then as Great Friday, Best Friday, Beast Friday, or F-ing Awesome Friday.

"Beast Friday" gets my vote

[Worra]

Originally Posted by Chunner

Boys, got a call from Surgeon Bogart today and all went well. Taking it home on Good Friday.

Keep us updated, but I think this is going to deserve it's own thread.

[mb135is]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Never touched my sunroof or even opened the sliding cover thing either. I clearly live a sheltered life.

WHAT?! I absolutely love the sunroof. I think my favorite time to use it is on warm, clear nights (maybe then it's a moonroof).

Originally Posted by owen2001

I've seen that a lot on this forum. I am certainly in the minority with regards to the sunroof. I would not have bought the IS if it didn't have one.

You and me both, brother. If it were a car like a 1M, or an M3, then I'd go without it. But this car is a street car, and the sunroof is just too enjoyable not to have. I ordered a car without one before and regretted it. Turns out I'm not Ayrton Senna reincarnated on the street; therefore, the marginal shift in the center of gravity doesn't drastically change my boulevard lap times.

[AGAV13]

I only wish the sunroof was an option as when i have my helmet on in the car my head hits the roof so i have to tilt my head at an angle inside the car. If permitted i open the sunroof and let my helmet sit in the open area.

[Worra]

So, I ended up with a 2014 F10 535i as a loaner. I tell you, this thing has so much tech in it I didn't even know what to do. There isn't a place to put the key in the ignition, and its an automatic and I had no idea how to operate the shift lever.

After sitting in the car poking at shit for about 5 minutes, I had a rough handle on things. I put the car in sport and off I went.

First impressions: The seats don't hold a candle to our seats in terms of comfort. They don't hold you quite as well and are a bit firm.
- The transmission is still a bit stupid but its tolerable in Sport mode.
- The steering is pretty atrocious. Even in Sport mode, road feel is lacking, and it feels pretty soft. The other modes (comfort and eco-pro) only made this worse.
- Ride comfort: here is where the car really shines. I can see taking this thing on a long road trip and being very comfortable. Its smooth and quiet. Very pleasurable.
- Looks: I'll post a few photos later, but barring some minor details, I think the F10 is one of the best looking new BMWs. It retains that boxy front that really speaks "classic BMW" to me. Its too big of course, but the car is quite a looker nonetheless.

[mb135is]

Originally Posted by AGAV13

I only wish the sunroof was an option as when i have my helmet on in the car my head hits the roof so i have to tilt my head at an angle inside the car. If permitted i open the sunroof and let my helmet sit in the open area.

Yes, this happened to me, too. I was astonished that this could be the case considering I tracked a MINI heavily and had lots of room to spare. Turns out the MINI has much better headroom!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

So, I ended up with a 2014 F10 535i as a loaner. I tell you, this thing has so much tech in it I didn't even know what to do. There isn't a place to put the key in the ignition, and its an automatic and I had no idea how to operate the shift lever.

After sitting in the car poking at shit for about 5 minutes, I had a rough handle on things. I put the car in sport and off I went.

First impressions: The seats don't hold a candle to our seats in terms of comfort. They don't hold you quite as well and are a bit firm.
- The transmission is still a bit stupid but its tolerable in Sport mode.
- The steering is pretty atrocious. Even in Sport mode, road feel is lacking, and it feels pretty soft. The other modes (comfort and eco-pro) only made this worse.
- Ride comfort: here is where the car really shines. I can see taking this thing on a long road trip and being very comfortable. Its smooth and quiet. Very pleasurable.
- Looks: I'll post a few photos later, but barring some minor details, I think the F10 is one of the best looking new BMWs. It retains that boxy front that really speaks "classic BMW" to me. Its too big of course, but the car is quite a looker nonetheless.

Ha! I guess coming from a manual that stupid auto lever/joystick thing must be pretty foreign. I think it's horrible and just make sure you don't forget to hit the stupid P button on top to put it in park. Pretty nice loaner though. It must feel like a giant boat compared to our cars, too.

[mb135is]

I really like the F10 535 M-Sport. Every time I see one, I think I could drive it.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by mb135is

I really like the F10 535 M-Sport. Every time I see one, I think I could drive it.

It just needs slightly better seats. A comfort car like this should blow me away in the, well, "comfort" department. The heads-up display is kinda neat though.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

It just needs slightly better seats. A comfort car like this should blow me away in the, well, "comfort" department. The heads-up display is kinda neat though.

I bet the one you have doesn't have sport seats. And I've always wanted that heads up display and was surprised they didn't offer it on the M235. Hope it's on the M2, though come to think of it, I don't even know/think it's on the 4-series or M4 even. Yet a 1993 Pontiac Gran Prix had it?

[Worra]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I bet the one you have doesn't have sport seats. And I've always wanted that heads up display and was surprised they didn't offer it on the M235. Hope it's on the M2, though come to think of it, I don't even know/think it's on the 4-series or M4 even. Yet a 1993 Pontiac Gran Prix had it?

Its neat, but maybe a bit gimmicky. I've never found looking down at the speedometer to be much of a chore. A solution looking for a problem.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

Its neat, but maybe a bit gimmicky. I've never found looking down at the speedometer to be much of a chore. A solution looking for a problem.

Well I think anything that keeps you from having to avert your eyes down even for a second is helpful. I've never used one though where the navigation instructions are also in the heads up display, so you should play with that and see what it's like. I imagine that's a better use of the technology. I know the camaro and corvette one have interesting, race-oriented ones. I've just always wanted a HUD. Yet, never an ipod.

[Worra]

I mean having a screen in the cockpit I find to be INCREDIBLY distracting. I was trying to figure out how to get the radio or map to come on and theres all these buttons plus the scrolly wheel click thing and I just can't imagine how people can drive attentively with this big thing in the way. I love my simple little car just the way it is, simple.


EDIT: Apparently I'm a grumpy old luddite when it comes to cars, at the ripe old age of 27.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

I mean having a screen in the cockpit I find to be INCREDIBLY distracting. I was trying to figure out how to get the radio or map to come on and theres all these buttons plus the scrolly wheel click thing and I just can't imagine how people can drive attentively with this big thing in the way. I love my simple little car just the way it is, simple.


EDIT: Apparently I'm a grumpy old luddite when it comes to cars, at the ripe old age of 27.

I can never remember who has/doesn't have the tech package. I assume you don't? I can tell you though, the first week or two I got my car, I was really frustrated and upset trying to figure out how to use any of that stuff and was having serious second thoughts. But, I usually just use the steering wheel buttons and voice controls, so I'm rarely fidgeting with any of that stuff. Example - you can hit the lil voice control button on the steering wheel and say "Satellite Radio Channel 101" and bam. Or once you're already on a media source or have sirius on, you can just say, "channel ____" and it'll flip to that for you. Same for the nav. I will say this - on my S5, the nav voice control was awful and would take 5 minutes to input a damn address as you'd literally have to do city, confirm, street, confirm, house/business number, confirm...defeating the purpose half the time. On the BMWs, you can give the entire destination as one entry.

I'll shut up now. What's your car in for though? Just the squeaky pedal? And I bet you'll be so happy when you get back in. Rough not having our guys. Not sure why they evoke such emotion and connection, but they do.

[Worra]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I can never remember who has/doesn't have the tech package. I assume you don't? I can tell you though, the first week or two I got my car, I was really frustrated and upset trying to figure out how to use any of that stuff and was having serious second thoughts. But, I usually just use the steering wheel buttons and voice controls, so I'm rarely fidgeting with any of that stuff. Example - you can hit the lil voice control button on the steering wheel and say "Satellite Radio Channel 101" and bam. Or once you're already on a media source or have sirius on, you can just say, "channel ____" and it'll flip to that for you. Same for the nav. I will say this - on my S5, the nav voice control was awful and would take 5 minutes to input a damn address as you'd literally have to do city, confirm, street, confirm, house/business number, confirm...defeating the purpose half the time. On the BMWs, you can give the entire destination as one entry.

I'll shut up now. What's your car in for though? Just the squeaky pedal? And I bet you'll be so happy when you get back in. Rough not having our guys. Not sure why they evoke such emotion and connection, but they do.

I took the car in for the wastegate rattle, which I deem to be a semi-serious issue. I just let them know about the squeaky pedals while I was at it. I probably wouldn't have taken the car in if the pedals were the only issue.

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by Worra

I took the car in for the wastegate rattle, which I deem to be a semi-serious issue. I just let them know about the squeaky pedals while I was at it. I probably wouldn't have taken the car in if the pedals were the only issue.

Oh ya, forgot about that. Let us know of course what they say/do on both accounts as I'm sure you will.

[morningscifi]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

I can never remember who has/doesn't have the tech package. I assume you don't? I can tell you though, the first week or two I got my car, I was really frustrated and upset trying to figure out how to use any of that stuff and was having serious second thoughts. But, I usually just use the steering wheel buttons and voice controls, so I'm rarely fidgeting with any of that stuff. Example - you can hit the lil voice control button on the steering wheel and say "Satellite Radio Channel 101" and bam. Or once you're already on a media source or have sirius on, you can just say, "channel ____" and it'll flip to that for you. Same for the nav. I will say this - on my S5, the nav voice control was awful and would take 5 minutes to input a damn address as you'd literally have to do city, confirm, street, confirm, house/business number, confirm...defeating the purpose half the time. On the BMWs, you can give the entire destination as one entry.

I'll shut up now. What's your car in for though? Just the squeaky pedal? And I bet you'll be so happy when you get back in. Rough not having our guys. Not sure why they evoke such emotion and connection, but they do.

The voice stuff and tech package in the bmw is much better than a lot of other manufacturers in my opinion. Address input is great. I just wish I had a decent cheat sheet of all the other things I can do with it. I only ever use the voice commands to go to my phonebook and call someone. I do still use the first two radio buttons to switch between NPR and Pandora (I know, I'm super boring).

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by morningscifi

The voice stuff and tech package in the bmw is much better than a lot of other manufacturers in my opinion. Address input is great. I just wish I had a decent cheat sheet of all the other things I can do with it. I only ever use the voice commands to go to my phonebook and call someone. I do still use the first two radio buttons to switch between NPR and Pandora (I know, I'm super boring).

Ask and ye shall receive. It's in the back of the owners manual and I think also in one of the lil supplemental guys, but I just ripped a PDF version for you. There's a ton you probably don't know about and I seemingly only know/use 2 or 3. But I know basically you can voice command ANYTHING on the current screen basically. So, like anything on the left of the current screen I think. I don't know, but check out this lil cheat sheet, see if it helps. I'm curious if we can change the a/c temp via voice.

[morningscifi]

Originally Posted by gregthegr8

Ask and ye shall receive. It's in the back of the owners manual and I think also in one of the lil supplemental guys, but I just ripped a PDF version for you. There's a ton you probably don't know about and I seemingly only know/use 2 or 3. But I know basically you can voice command ANYTHING on the current screen basically. So, like anything on the left of the current screen I think. I don't know, but check out this lil cheat sheet, see if it helps. I'm curious if we can change the a/c temp via voice.

Well now I feel like an ass. I haven't touched any of the physical manuals - for some reason I want to desperately keep any and all original paperwork with the car in pristine condition. Haven't even cracked the spine.

Thanks!

[gregthegr8]

Originally Posted by morningscifi

Well now I feel like an ass. I haven't touched any of the physical manuals - for some reason I want to desperately keep any and all original paperwork with the car in pristine condition. Haven't even cracked the spine.

Thanks!

Sadly, I'm the same way, but I downloaded the manual from the BMW website and read that whole thing. Was something to keep me busy and occupied and such while I waited 3 months for my car to get here. That's the only way I knew I could even do the "satellite radio channel ____" voice command, which I thought was awesome and wanted to try. Nice to use voice commands to change channels too when far away so don't have to scroll down 50 things.

The other good/interesting one to do is to program your preset buttons. It's not VERY intuitive and it's weird that some it lets you do and some it won't. I struggled mightily to do the MESSAGES one as it just kept telling me you can't, but I eventually got it somehow. That way the car can pull up texts/e-mails you may hear go off on your phone while driving and have it read them to you. The other good one I set was the TPMS reset as I'm trying to be an anal/responsible owner and check and keep my tire pressures dead on every 4-6 weeks, so that one comes in handy, too.