Magnum's F30 330i Adventure

[d_a_n1979]

Magnum 475 said:

Well, a few more months go by.

The steering still clonks. The dealer can't find the fault - when this issue is widely known and understood, and BMW have a service part to fix it.

It's been treated to a nice new set of Continental AllSeaon Contacts all round - the only all season tyre available in the correct sizes for front and rear.

And I've tried to update the navigation system with a new map database. Emphasis on tried.

- Paid for the USB 12 months subscription
- Downloaded the BMW USB-stick creation app
- Created a USB stick.
- Followed the instructions and inserted the stick, then waited for the car to do its thing. Nothing happened
- Bought another USB2.0 stick, followed the instructions again, waited for the car to do its thing. Nothing happened again
- Raised on online help request with BMW. Promised a response in 48hrs. 96hrs on no response from BMW

When I return from holidays, time for another strop session with BMW.

See here for steering clunk fix; hopefully this will help

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t...

And as for tyres; generally going one size wider helps a lot when it comes to selections; I run 235/45/18s all round on my F31 on 18x8 405Ms; I binned the staggered 403Ms when I bought it and sold the staggered 400Ms I had winters on.

OEM should be 225/45 but they look stretched and I don't like that

Zero issues as well as they're well within the necessary +/- % difference they need to be

However, xDrive cars can be m ore fickle unfortunately, mines RWD thankfully

[seismic22]

Ive just fixed the steering clonk on my F31 with the repair kit as people have advised above. On the drive, on axle stands etc its an 1.5 hour job taking it steady. The steering is so so so much more direct now and the clonk has gone. I let it clonk away for circa 24 months, I really shouldn't have.

[Magnum 475]

I’ve got the extended BMW warranty on it, so:

- I have to run the correct size tyre

- The steering clink *will* be fixed under warranty!!

[d_a_n1979]

Magnum 475 said:

I’ve got the extended BMW warranty on it, so:

- I have to run the correct size tyre

- The steering clink *will* be fixed under warranty!!

I have extended warranty; it's been in a number of times this year, with said alloys & tyres. Zero issues

It's more like engine mods and stuff they baulk at... So you'd be fine running a size wider etc

And re the steering, have a read through that link as you may be able to sort it yourself, depending which rack you have fitted

[Magnum 475]

I think to sort the rack myself would mean purchasing a fair amount of kit that I usually don’t get time to use. I no longer even have a trolley jack after the last one died.

Sooner or later the clonk will become permanent, then maybe BMW will fix it. Maybe.

[d_a_n1979]

Magnum 475 said:

I think to sort the rack myself would mean purchasing a fair amount of kit that I usually don’t get time to use. I no longer even have a trolley jack after the last one died.

Sooner or later the clonk will become permanent, then maybe BMW will fix it. Maybe.

Do you know which rack you have (as per that link I've posted); one type of rack needs the fix kit; the other doesn't

[Magnum 475]

Well, the sorry saga continues.

Loaded the kids into the car this morning for the school run. Made it off the driveway, then got told that the coolant level is very low, and engine damage may result. Returned it to the driveway, called Mrs Magnum back from her journey to work to take the kids (she was really not happy). Checked the coolant reservoir - bone dry.

Here's where it gets better. Car is under warranty, so called local dealer. My local Rybrook is now Synter. They 'no longer have a recovery team', so I have to arrange to get it transported to the dealership myself. Not very good for a premium brand.

A Toyota of some description is starting to look very appealing. Boring, but dependable - and the customer service has to be better than BMW.

[Court_S]

Sounds like you’ve had a bit of a mare with this car.

My M140i had a slight steering clonk when manoeuvring which I was told due to the design of the front suspension. I lived with it / didn’t have the car long enough for it to be a major issue.

Can the car not be recovered via the warranty? It’s a shame Rybrook have been taken over because Warwick certainly had a good reputation. Sytner are not the best in my experience.

[d_a_n1979]

Magnum 475 said:

Well, the sorry saga continues.

Loaded the kids into the car this morning for the school run. Made it off the driveway, then got told that the coolant level is very low, and engine damage may result. Returned it to the driveway, called Mrs Magnum back from her journey to work to take the kids (she was really not happy). Checked the coolant reservoir - bone dry.

Here's where it gets better. Car is under warranty, so called local dealer. My local Rybrook is now Synter. They 'no longer have a recovery team', so I have to arrange to get it transported to the dealership myself. Not very good for a premium brand.

A Toyota of some description is starting to look very appealing. Boring, but dependable - and the customer service has to be better than BMW.

Ah that's crap... Do you not deal with BMW Assist (or is that just via their breakdown)?

I've had zero issues with BMW Assist fortunately but that's via my extended warranty policy

[Magnum 475]

BMW Assist is just breakdown, and costs more on extended warranty. As I've got AA coverage through my bank account, I don't feel like paying for the same thing twice.

The heap is now with Sytner, waiting to be diagnosed. I suspect they will tell me that they can't find the problem, just like the steering rack. We shall see.

In the meantime, I've had to drag my 987 out of hibernation for my work trips this week.

[Magnum 475]

Update time. Dealership has found the leak. It’s the oil filter housing again. Less than 2 years since it was changed.

I wonder how long this one will last?

It seems the B48 engine is not the huge improvement over its predecessor that it’s made out to be.

[roadie]

It sounds to me like you have had bad luck with your particular car. I can understand the frustration and desire for reliability.

[Magnum 475]

roadie said:

It sounds to me like you have had bad luck with your particular car. I can understand the frustration and desire for reliability.

Indeed. As I have to travel a lot for work, I need something that I can rely. Luckily I have my 987, which ran through the 600 miles I covered between Tuesday & Thursday (Home - Waddington - High Wycombe - London - Home) without any problems. I trust the 987, but every time I start the 330 I have this nagging thought of "What's going to break today?".