Police BMW engine issues
Discussion
nordboy said:
I forgot to come an update. Heard last Tuesday that BMW had officially pulled out of the police market. One of the upsides is that because of this some orders were therefore cancelled by forces which meant that we bagged 2x 340i's for a good price, one saloon, one tourer in police spec (I'm now driver training rather than RPU).
But, this should now make the police market quite interesting. There'll be a few forces looking outside the current choices for some new cars, we certainly will be. Skoda may pick up some business, both the Octavia and Superb's will (and already do) make great RPU cars.
As for the Volvo's, they're not great cars, but the RPU lot now compare them to the BMW's they drive, I compare them to the last Volvo V70 D5 that I drove for years, the new models are a MASSIVE improvement over those, much quicker, handle better. These RPU youngsters don't know how good they have it
I saw a police 340m tourer 72 plate the other day, nice 374bhp really are sleepers, they shouldn't suffer with the issues, note police spec have normal 330m wheels.But, this should now make the police market quite interesting. There'll be a few forces looking outside the current choices for some new cars, we certainly will be. Skoda may pick up some business, both the Octavia and Superb's will (and already do) make great RPU cars.
As for the Volvo's, they're not great cars, but the RPU lot now compare them to the BMW's they drive, I compare them to the last Volvo V70 D5 that I drove for years, the new models are a MASSIVE improvement over those, much quicker, handle better. These RPU youngsters don't know how good they have it
Can knock the 280 superb and I have 245 Octavia vrs!
nordboy said:
I forgot to come an update. Heard last Tuesday that BMW had officially pulled out of the police market. One of the upsides is that because of this some orders were therefore cancelled by forces which meant that we bagged 2x 340i's for a good price, one saloon, one tourer in police spec (I'm now driver training rather than RPU).
But, this should now make the police market quite interesting. There'll be a few forces looking outside the current choices for some new cars, we certainly will be. Skoda may pick up some business, both the Octavia and Superb's will (and already do) make great RPU cars.
As for the Volvo's, they're not great cars, but the RPU lot now compare them to the BMW's they drive, I compare them to the last Volvo V70 D5 that I drove for years, the new models are a MASSIVE improvement over those, much quicker, handle better. These RPU youngsters don't know how good they have it
Surely from a business perspective BMW should have been engaging and offering the 340i as a replacement to the 330d to keep some of the marketBut, this should now make the police market quite interesting. There'll be a few forces looking outside the current choices for some new cars, we certainly will be. Skoda may pick up some business, both the Octavia and Superb's will (and already do) make great RPU cars.
As for the Volvo's, they're not great cars, but the RPU lot now compare them to the BMW's they drive, I compare them to the last Volvo V70 D5 that I drove for years, the new models are a MASSIVE improvement over those, much quicker, handle better. These RPU youngsters don't know how good they have it
pavarotti1980 said:
Surely from a business perspective BMW should have been engaging and offering the 340i as a replacement to the 330d to keep some of the market
My guess is that this still has a long way to run, court cases, possibly including ones like the one above where the officer has sadly died. This has and will continue to cost BMW a load of money, so they may have decided to cut their losses and get out now. It may settle down , and once all over, they may well look to return.Stedman said:
Have you tried the V90s? Father is retired Black Rat and can’t see how it would be suitable to the role
The reliability issues aside, we have quite a few V90’s, we have one on the school. And most of the ‘it isn’t quick enough’ and ‘doesn’t handle well’ ‘drives like a dog’ issues are that the drivers become lazy and it’s the drivers not being able to adapt and drive the car correctly a lot of the time. All cars don’t drive like a BMW. You have to drive a Volvo like a Volvo. We’ve just used one prior to a course and driven correctly it really isn’t that much slower than our Superb 280 estate.We’re constantly being asked to test cars and SUV’s, ARV’s - the X5/ XC90 doesn’t handle at speed, then you test it and it’s fine, why doesn’t it perform? Because they stick it in D and expect it to do everything for you. RPU sometime the same. We see it all the time. Humans, inheritantly lazy.
nordboy said:
Stedman said:
Have you tried the V90s? Father is retired Black Rat and can’t see how it would be suitable to the role
The reliability issues aside, we have quite a few V90’s, we have one on the school. And most of the ‘it isn’t quick enough’ and ‘doesn’t handle well’ ‘drives like a dog’ issues are that the drivers become lazy and it’s the drivers not being able to adapt and drive the car correctly a lot of the time. All cars don’t drive like a BMW. You have to drive a Volvo like a Volvo. We’ve just used one prior to a course and driven correctly it really isn’t that much slower than our Superb 280 estate.We’re constantly being asked to test cars and SUV’s, ARV’s - the X5/ XC90 doesn’t handle at speed, then you test it and it’s fine, why doesn’t it perform? Because they stick it in D and expect it to do everything for you. RPU sometime the same. We see it all the time. Humans, inheritantly lazy.
nordboy said:
Stedman said:
Have you tried the V90s? Father is retired Black Rat and can’t see how it would be suitable to the role
The reliability issues aside, we have quite a few V90’s, we have one on the school. And most of the ‘it isn’t quick enough’ and ‘doesn’t handle well’ ‘drives like a dog’ issues are that the drivers become lazy and it’s the drivers not being able to adapt and drive the car correctly a lot of the time. All cars don’t drive like a BMW. You have to drive a Volvo like a Volvo. We’ve just used one prior to a course and driven correctly it really isn’t that much slower than our Superb 280 estate.We’re constantly being asked to test cars and SUV’s, ARV’s - the X5/ XC90 doesn’t handle at speed, then you test it and it’s fine, why doesn’t it perform? Because they stick it in D and expect it to do everything for you. RPU sometime the same. We see it all the time. Humans, inheritantly lazy.
Suppose you couldn’t drive an OG T5 like a Senator and visa verse, so fair point!
Interesting. There have been rumours for a while about BMW pulling out. Luckily our lot bagged a few X5s from available orders.
I did hear Skoda were no longer in the fleet list also? Would be a shame as the Superb demonstrator we had a few months ago was absolutely brilliant and far more dynamic than the V90s.
So far the V90s have been reasonable reliability-wise but do seem to damage quite badly in TPAC etc. Not the most dynamic of vehicles but very quick on the motorway.
The XC90s just aren’t up to the job. Constant electronic and, more worryingly, oil consumption issues. We have an absolute lemon of a 68 plate, diesel. Has been constantly in the workshop for various turbo issues and also intermittent massive oil consumption/pressure issues. Last night it threw a big end bearing. Fingers crossed they don’t just replace the engine on it!
I did hear Skoda were no longer in the fleet list also? Would be a shame as the Superb demonstrator we had a few months ago was absolutely brilliant and far more dynamic than the V90s.
So far the V90s have been reasonable reliability-wise but do seem to damage quite badly in TPAC etc. Not the most dynamic of vehicles but very quick on the motorway.
The XC90s just aren’t up to the job. Constant electronic and, more worryingly, oil consumption issues. We have an absolute lemon of a 68 plate, diesel. Has been constantly in the workshop for various turbo issues and also intermittent massive oil consumption/pressure issues. Last night it threw a big end bearing. Fingers crossed they don’t just replace the engine on it!
carreauchompeur said:
Interesting. There have been rumours for a while about BMW pulling out. Luckily our lot bagged a few X5s from available orders.
I did hear Skoda were no longer in the fleet list also? Would be a shame as the Superb demonstrator we had a few months ago was absolutely brilliant and far more dynamic than the V90s.
So far the V90s have been reasonable reliability-wise but do seem to damage quite badly in TPAC etc. Not the most dynamic of vehicles but very quick on the motorway.
The XC90s just aren’t up to the job. Constant electronic and, more worryingly, oil consumption issues. We have an absolute lemon of a 68 plate, diesel. Has been constantly in the workshop for various turbo issues and also intermittent massive oil consumption/pressure issues. Last night it threw a big end bearing. Fingers crossed they don’t just replace the engine on it!
Having trailed an XC60 T8 I would say they are problematic for blue light use, with all the tech not sure how police would do anything much or TPAC must be fun with all the safety kit and anti collision warnings, one of the issues I had with in recognition would get a 30mph from a side road when your on a national which is dangerous! I did hear Skoda were no longer in the fleet list also? Would be a shame as the Superb demonstrator we had a few months ago was absolutely brilliant and far more dynamic than the V90s.
So far the V90s have been reasonable reliability-wise but do seem to damage quite badly in TPAC etc. Not the most dynamic of vehicles but very quick on the motorway.
The XC90s just aren’t up to the job. Constant electronic and, more worryingly, oil consumption issues. We have an absolute lemon of a 68 plate, diesel. Has been constantly in the workshop for various turbo issues and also intermittent massive oil consumption/pressure issues. Last night it threw a big end bearing. Fingers crossed they don’t just replace the engine on it!
The tech isn’t normally that much of an issue with TPAC as you can drive through it to a certain extent. Did one last night where it came up with a warning but I could still successfully box the car.
The collision avoidance, whilst useful sometimes
can be downright random if you’re on a blue light run and the car thinks you’re heading for traffic, suddenly steering you away. That’s very hard to predict but usually it’s when you’re offside or similar!
Agree about the speed limit detection, if it was mandatory and automatic it would be very dangerous as we just don’t have the consistency of signage to make it work reliably.
The XC90 just isn’t designed as a performance vehicle in the way the X5 worked.
The collision avoidance, whilst useful sometimes
can be downright random if you’re on a blue light run and the car thinks you’re heading for traffic, suddenly steering you away. That’s very hard to predict but usually it’s when you’re offside or similar!Agree about the speed limit detection, if it was mandatory and automatic it would be very dangerous as we just don’t have the consistency of signage to make it work reliably.
The XC90 just isn’t designed as a performance vehicle in the way the X5 worked.
nordboy said:
There are some current issues with the BMW RPU fleets, which have resulted in recalls and new guidelines for the vehicles use which may have a knock on effect on operational capability. Firearms units are certainly looking at the new Volvo XC90 hybrids.
There is certainly talk in our fleet dept about potentially moving some of the fleet away from BMW. But it will depend very much on what's available, fit for purpose and most definitely price.
But BMW almost always seem to step up with solutions which makes it hard to switch. Mixed fleets seem the best idea at the moment.
I cant imagine the Volvo T8 will be viable - its about as reliable as an Alfa!!!There is certainly talk in our fleet dept about potentially moving some of the fleet away from BMW. But it will depend very much on what's available, fit for purpose and most definitely price.
But BMW almost always seem to step up with solutions which makes it hard to switch. Mixed fleets seem the best idea at the moment.
The number of recalls and vehicles off road is frightening.
carreauchompeur said:
The tech isn’t normally that much of an issue with TPAC as you can drive through it to a certain extent. Did one last night where it came up with a warning but I could still successfully box the car.
The collision avoidance, whilst useful sometimes can be downright random if you’re on a blue light run and the car thinks you’re heading for traffic, suddenly steering you away. That’s very hard to predict but usually it’s when you’re offside or similar!
Agree about the speed limit detection, if it was mandatory and automatic it would be very dangerous as we just don’t have the consistency of signage to make it work reliably.
The XC90 just isn’t designed as a performance vehicle in the way the X5 worked.
Agreed they are not performance cars the t8 is hybrid had 407bhp so went but was very heavy when stopping and limited to 140 not sure how fast the XC90 can go. I found it hard work when pushed much more of a luxury cruiser than a fast road vehicle.The collision avoidance, whilst useful sometimes
can be downright random if you’re on a blue light run and the car thinks you’re heading for traffic, suddenly steering you away. That’s very hard to predict but usually it’s when you’re offside or similar!Agree about the speed limit detection, if it was mandatory and automatic it would be very dangerous as we just don’t have the consistency of signage to make it work reliably.
The XC90 just isn’t designed as a performance vehicle in the way the X5 worked.
nordboy said:
I forgot to come an update. Heard last Tuesday that BMW had officially pulled out of the police market. One of the upsides is that because of this some orders were therefore cancelled by forces which meant that we bagged 2x 340i's for a good price, one saloon, one tourer in police spec (I'm now driver training rather than RPU).
But, this should now make the police market quite interesting. There'll be a few forces looking outside the current choices for some new cars, we certainly will be. Skoda may pick up some business, both the Octavia and Superb's will (and already do) make great RPU cars.
As for the Volvo's, they're not great cars, but the RPU lot now compare them to the BMW's they drive, I compare them to the last Volvo V70 D5 that I drove for years, the new models are a MASSIVE improvement over those, much quicker, handle better. These RPU youngsters don't know how good they have it
Durham? I saw photos of this, looks very nice.But, this should now make the police market quite interesting. There'll be a few forces looking outside the current choices for some new cars, we certainly will be. Skoda may pick up some business, both the Octavia and Superb's will (and already do) make great RPU cars.
As for the Volvo's, they're not great cars, but the RPU lot now compare them to the BMW's they drive, I compare them to the last Volvo V70 D5 that I drove for years, the new models are a MASSIVE improvement over those, much quicker, handle better. These RPU youngsters don't know how good they have it
nordboy said:
We’re constantly being asked to test cars and SUV’s, ARV’s - the X5/ XC90 doesn’t handle at speed, then you test it and it’s fine, why doesn’t it perform? Because they stick it in D and expect it to do everything for you. RPU sometime the same. We see it all the time. Humans, inheritantly lazy.
They might be ok unloaded on a demo run but put 3 officers in them with full ARV kit and it's a different story. They aren't that good at speed.
Shame BMW have gone, the XC90s are decent but they have so many constant niggles they are off the road more than they are on them.
I've found the Anti-Collision stuff is lethal. Decided a cone was a pedestrian and tried to throw me into parked cars. Really appreciated that whilst offside on a blue light run! You can drive through most of the the safety stuff but the sudden lurched or brake application is not fun.
I've got the Volvo's up to around 130 which was more than enough. They aren't made to be driven particularly dynamically and require a very slow in, fast out style.
We have the T8s and they are going through discs and pads like mad.
The X5s can be driven more like a car and have a far better gearbox when using it manually, but it's still an SUV verging on 3 tons loaded up. You can't beat physics!
Edited by Tom1312 on Wednesday 21st December 19:23
Tom1312 said:
They might be ok unloaded on a demo run but put 3 officers in them with full ARV kit and it's a different story.
They aren't that good at speed.
Shame BMW have gone, the XC90s are decent but they have so many constant niggles they are off the road more than they are on them.
I've found the Anti-Collision stuff is lethal. Decided a cone was a pedestrian and tried to throw me into parked cars. Really appreciated that whilst offside on a blue light run! You can drive through most of the the safety stuff but the sudden lurched or brake application is not fun.
I've got the Volvo's up to around 130 which was more than enough. They aren't made to be driven particularly dynamically and require a very slow in, fast out style.
We have the T8s and they are going through discs and pads like mad.
The X5s can be driven more like a car and have a far better gearbox when using it manually, but it's still an SUV verging on 3 tons loaded up. You can't beat physics!
The T8 is pretty heavy and I’d imagine not well suited 3 up. You can turn the steering assist right off though, I’m used to driving through it though. The automatic braking is different and you need to floor it just to retard some of the deceleration. The VAG group auto braking is worse for ghost brakes though.They aren't that good at speed.
Shame BMW have gone, the XC90s are decent but they have so many constant niggles they are off the road more than they are on them.
I've found the Anti-Collision stuff is lethal. Decided a cone was a pedestrian and tried to throw me into parked cars. Really appreciated that whilst offside on a blue light run! You can drive through most of the the safety stuff but the sudden lurched or brake application is not fun.
I've got the Volvo's up to around 130 which was more than enough. They aren't made to be driven particularly dynamically and require a very slow in, fast out style.
We have the T8s and they are going through discs and pads like mad.
The X5s can be driven more like a car and have a far better gearbox when using it manually, but it's still an SUV verging on 3 tons loaded up. You can't beat physics!
Edited by Tom1312 on Wednesday 21st December 19:23
Yeah, we turn everything off, but you can't kill all of the assist unfortunately.
It would be easier if they were more predictable, but some times it'll freak and slam the brakes on, other times it won't.
Probably wouldn't be as big an issue if invariably we weren't passing kit forward or trying to take notes/work the iPad etc when it throws a paddy.
It would be easier if they were more predictable, but some times it'll freak and slam the brakes on, other times it won't.
Probably wouldn't be as big an issue if invariably we weren't passing kit forward or trying to take notes/work the iPad etc when it throws a paddy.
We had an email not long ago (with pics for the ARV's 
) with all the Volvo recommended settings that really minimises the safety intrusions from the car.
Just wondering if you've all had the same sort of thing?
The only real issues we have with them is the safety belt retraction system during pursuits. Haven't come across anything that prohibits any TPaC tactics yet.
) with all the Volvo recommended settings that really minimises the safety intrusions from the car. Just wondering if you've all had the same sort of thing?
The only real issues we have with them is the safety belt retraction system during pursuits. Haven't come across anything that prohibits any TPaC tactics yet.
Tom1312 said:
Yeah, we turn everything off, but you can't kill all of the assist unfortunately.
It would be easier if they were more predictable, but some times it'll freak and slam the brakes on, other times it won't.
Probably wouldn't be as big an issue if invariably we weren't passing kit forward or trying to take notes/work the iPad etc when it throws a paddy.
Ah, so you’ve not put a corner of the iPad/ tablet through the centre touch screen yet then…..common.It would be easier if they were more predictable, but some times it'll freak and slam the brakes on, other times it won't.
Probably wouldn't be as big an issue if invariably we weren't passing kit forward or trying to take notes/work the iPad etc when it throws a paddy.
nordboy said:
The only real issues we have with them is the safety belt retraction system during pursuits. Haven't come across anything that prohibits any TPaC tactics yet.
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