My new company car (BMW 1 series)

[hadenough!]

You've done your test to drive 7.5 tonners?

[hadenough!]

You've done your test to drive 7.5 tonners?

[zarjaz1991]

hadenough! said:

You've done your test to drive 7.5 tonners?

Yep, I've mentioned it a couple of times in here. My employers paid for it a couple of years ago, though since last September I haven't been able to drive them "professionally" as there's now a CPC requirement as well for that.

I've been told I can do the CPC but just haven't really got round to arranging it through work yet - it's not something I actually *need* for my job, but it has been handy on odd occasions for certain jobs.

C1 was useful last summer when I got press-ganged into driving a large motorhome around for a week....

[zarjaz1991]

Well it looks like I blew this thread by bringing up 7.5 tonners...probably shouldn't admit that I quite enjoy the challenge of driving them. And they are a slight challenge, if you are not someone who's driving them every day.

Back to the BMW. One thing I don't like about it, is that it has stop-start / idle dtop which is always on by default. You have to remember to push a button to turn it off on each journey. I don't know who thought this was a good idea, but it's a complete pain in the arse. If I want to turn the engine ioff, I'll do so. I've just about got into the habit of turning the thing off now, but occasionally I still forget. Also several times Ive now had older passengers who aren't familiar with this concept, who think I've stalled the car! Grrr.

[Max M4X WW]

Can't you just get used to it or put it in Sport mode? Mine is off in Sport mode anyway.

Otherwise, someone could probably code it to be always off.

[zarjaz1991]

Max M4X WW said:

Can't you just get used to it or put it in Sport mode? Mine is off in Sport mode anyway.

Otherwise, someone could probably code it to be always off.

Thanks. Now I never thought about or even knew about that....I have generally used Comfort mode and when I have used Sport mode I never noticed if it came off then.

First thing in the morning I will check and report back.

[Mr Tidy]

Had an E87 123d for 6+ years with stop/start - only unscheduled issues were a new battery and starter motor.

Draw your own conclusions......(C02 minimising test regime perhaps??!!) Pucking fointless IMHO.

[zarjaz1991]

I can confirm that in Sport mode, stop / start is off on my car.

I could use Sport mode more, but it still involves pressing a button so no better off really.

[Max M4X WW]

Personally I struggle not to drive my M135i in Sport mode, so I expect in a 116d it would be taped down

[cerb4.5lee]

Max M4X WW said:

Personally I struggle not to drive my M135i in Sport mode, so I expect in a 116d it would be taped down

[Mr Tidy]

Mr Tidy said:

Had an E87 123d for 6+ years with stop/start - only unscheduled issues were a new battery and starter motor.

Draw your own conclusions......(C02 minimising test regime perhaps??!!) Pucking fointless IMHO.

Problem solved, sold the E87 last year and bought an E86 with no stop-start bollo*ks, then added a 325ti to the fleet as a daily - also not stop-start; proper car!!

[zarjaz1991]

Mr Tidy said:

Problem solved, sold the E87 last year and bought an E86 with no stop-start bollo*ks, then added a 325ti to the fleet as a daily - also not stop-start; proper car!!

Somehow I think my employers might want to have a quick word if I sold mine and got an E86.

[AB]

Challo said:

All the BMW & Aphabet staff cars are registered in Thorne first before shipped around the country. My gf has a staff car with the prefix YE.

My two are both MD15...

[philmots]

Running_Man said:

Most of the Y* plates are normally supplied to BMW staff for 6 months, then sold on as nearly new, good thing is they are normally pretty well specced its a slippery slope getting your first BMW, we are on our 3rd one now

No they're not at all.. Yes BMW cars will be a Y as they're registered in Thorne.

But, pretty much every new BMW registered anywhere in Yorkshire (biggest county in the country by a long way) will have a Y too, be it YY, YE, YK, YP etc etc etc.. Hence this 1 series is a Y as it was registered in Leeds.

You'd be miles out to assume most (your words) used Y* BMW were/are a BMW car.

Edited by philmots on Wednesday 9th September 23:48

[zarjaz1991]

Got a nice run out today....work generally volunteer me for the longer runs as they know I enjoy driving.
I am about to set off from Stockport to Aberdeen....about 360 miles and a six hour drive (except it'll be longer with appropriate breaks and inevitable traffic issues).

Overnight stay, quick installation tomorrow then deliver some training, another overnight stay, then drive back on Thursday in time for college in the evening!

Luckily the equipment I have to take with me is pretty small so it fits in the BMW - meaning I don't need a van. I like driving vans but for six hours I'd rather be in the BMW.

[zarjaz1991]

Finally made it...nearer to 8 hours in the end.

I am quite exhausted now.....early night I think.

[Mr Tidy]

zarjaz1991 said:

Somehow I think my employers might want to have a quick word if I sold mine and got an E86.

Yeah, some employers are so straight-laced!

Keep enjoying the 1 Series - apart from the dieselness and stop/start mine was a great car. It must have been as I kept it over 6 years - I've never had any other car as long as 4 years!

[zarjaz1991]

Mr Tidy said:

Yeah, some employers are so straight-laced!

Keep enjoying the 1 Series - apart from the dieselness and stop/start mine was a great car. It must have been as I kept it over 6 years - I've never had any other car as long as 4 years!

Thanks. Yeah I will keep enjoying it, I think it's a great car to have at my age. As a Ford man historically, it's taken some getting used to as a daily car, but I think I have "got it" now.

Yesterday I did the return journey from Aberdeen to Stockport (via Falkirk!) which took almost eight hours and it was a joy to drive. (And as soon as I got home I had to go to college for three hours...) I consider myself very lucky to have been given this car at my age and it is looked after properly and driven "sensibly" and with whatever skill I may be deemed to possess, which is probably only average. My boss thinks differently, he says I'm very good (hence getting the car) but my own view is that he employs quite a few drivers who are pretty crap, some of whom I won't get into a vehicle with.

[zarjaz1991]

Loving this car still.

This past week I have once again been volunteered for three long drives, (over 1500 miles in total last week) and it's an absolute joy.

In the Mondeo, after a long drive like that, I tend to have mildly sore back and sometimes sore arms too. I find that isn't happening in the BMW, which is great.

I'm really gettig used to the car and understanding its quirks and sensibilities and features. The sat nav is better than the Mondeo's sat nav too.

[zarjaz1991]

Still got the BMW, at least for the time being.

Some hefty driving ahead the next few days.

Today I drove my Mondeo from home (Stockport) to Devon (Newton Abbott), this is a private thing and not work related.
Monday, drive Mondeo back from D`evon to Stockport, then immediately switch to the BMW and drive up to Falkirk.
Tiuesday, drive from Falkirk to Leeds, spend an hour working there, then drive from Leeds to Bristol.
Wednesday, drive from Bristol to London, then later that day from London to Lincoln.
Thursday, finally, drive from Lincoln to Leeds again, then back home to Stockport.

Well, an unofficial condition of them giving me the BMW when I am technically too young, is that I do the longer runs nobody likes. Luckily the BMW is a joy to drive and I love driving generally (obviously, or else I wouldn't be here) so it's all good. Far rather this than be stuck in an office.