840i M Sport Lease Deal

[Funk]

Interesting - 07/2020.35 is the latest one apparently.

[jagldn]

jagldn said:

Hi both,

I reported the same issue (number 3) a while back but seemed to be the only one so didn't make a big deal here.

Car received March 9, had the issue since delivery only managed to take in post covid around June initially. BMW Tech diagnosed as rear differential, they changed diff oil initially didn't work, then motor that powers/controls the differential speed I was told. Fixed 95% of the issue temporarily, returned within a few weeks.

My car is back with them now, likely for a full rear differential replacement, I know another owner whose car was deemed faulty and replaced (US based), seems to be a recall worthy 8 series fault to be honest. I complained about the courtesy car and now driving a 840d xdrive coupe whilst they investigate...

The cynic in me feels we may have discovered why BMW were willing to let this batch go out cheap!

Update, car back from dealer. Driving sweet as ever now. I’ve been told BMW had opened a case on the rear differential issue, and have now developed a software update which changes how the car operates at low speed. So far so good, recommended fix for anyone else with this issue.

[Heres Johnny]

Funk said:

Interesting - 07/2020.35 is the latest one apparently.

Tried mine and it says none available and is a much older version. Does the update actually work at the moment?

[Funk]

Heres Johnny said:

Funk said:

Interesting - 07/2020.35 is the latest one apparently.

Tried mine and it says none available and is a much older version. Does the update actually work at the moment?

Not over-the-air, no. It can be done by the dealer though.

Mine's in on the 15th to check over the B-pillar trim fix I did - I think it's about as 'fixed' as it can be - it popped off again the other day but didn't snap the new clips, it just went back into place. That said, it's poor design either way and I've never had an issue with that in any other car.

I'm going to get the dealer to update my iDrive when it's there as well as the gesture and voice recognition is somewhat intermittent - although that said I'm less concerned about that now as I've acquiesced and re-signed up to Spotify Premium so am using that for music rather than TIDAL from my phone via bluetooth now. The maps and stuff on the BMW seem to be very good so I'm not actually sure I'd even use Android Auto that much now, it would mean having to switch between it and the native iDrive depending on what you want to do with it. I had AA (via USB) in my Golf R but never used it because it was a faff plugging in and I just had the phone on a magnet on one of the air vents if I ever wanted to use Goolge for nav.

[Heres Johnny]

Funk said:

Heres Johnny said:

Funk said:

Interesting - 07/2020.35 is the latest one apparently.

Tried mine and it says none available and is a much older version. Does the update actually work at the moment?

Not over-the-air, no. It can be done by the dealer though.

Mine's in on the 15th to check over the B-pillar trim fix I did - I think it's about as 'fixed' as it can be - it popped off again the other day but didn't snap the new clips, it just went back into place. That said, it's poor design either way and I've never had an issue with that in any other car.

I'm going to get the dealer to update my iDrive when it's there as well as the gesture and voice recognition is somewhat intermittent - although that said I'm less concerned about that now as I've acquiesced and re-signed up to Spotify Premium so am using that for music rather than TIDAL from my phone via bluetooth now. The maps and stuff on the BMW seem to be very good so I'm not actually sure I'd even use Android Auto that much now, it would mean having to switch between it and the native iDrive depending on what you want to do with it. I had AA (via USB) in my Golf R but never used it because it was a faff plugging in and I just had the phone on a magnet on one of the air vents if I ever wanted to use Goolge for nav.

Interesting on the door trim, mine came off the other day but I'd need to see if its back properly as it clicked back. Only other car I've had with a similar problem was our Tesla where the door card popped off everytime you shut the door. That was annoying but its usually just a broken or missing clip and a 2 minute fix.

Our voice recognition is faultless, maybe I have a German twang to my voice, I think I'm going to hold off getting updates though as I'm not bothered about Android auto but there is said to be a big update coming with traffic light recognition in Oct if you have driver assist professional pack. Based on what I've read you need to get he cars upgraded and then if its not enabled get someone to toggle the codes in the car.

[Funk]

Heres Johnny said:

Interesting on the door trim, mine came off the other day but I'd need to see if its back properly as it clicked back. Only other car I've had with a similar problem was our Tesla where the door card popped off everytime you shut the door. That was annoying but its usually just a broken or missing clip and a 2 minute fix.

Our voice recognition is faultless, maybe I have a German twang to my voice, I think I'm going to hold off getting updates though as I'm not bothered about Android auto but there is said to be a big update coming with traffic light recognition in Oct if you have driver assist professional pack. Based on what I've read you need to get he cars upgraded and then if its not enabled get someone to toggle the codes in the car.

The new clips I bought from BMW are yellow, the original factory-fit ones (which snapped) were pale blue. The yellow ones look a little more robust and as mentioned didn't snap when the trim came away again the other day so perhaps that's about as good as it's going to get.

Edited by Funk on Monday 7th September 16:16

[Benito88]

Just booked mine into have B pillar trim sorted and software updated which has been freezing on the odd occassion.... earliest date available with a courtesy car is 29th of Oct - just as well im in no rush !

[rix]

So had my b pillar trim done and asked about the update to enable android auto. Apparently its only available to be updated onto cars with a build date after July, but will be an ota update later in the year. Rubbish!

[Funk]

rix said:

So had my b pillar trim done and asked about the update to enable android auto. Apparently its only available to be updated onto cars with a build date after July, but will be an ota update later in the year. Rubbish!

That doesn't make any sense. What's going to change on pre-July cars 'later in the year' that will enable an OTA update or are they saying that pre-July cars will never get it?

[va1o]

They seem to be giving the same excuse to iPhone user's wanting Apple Car Key. It makes no sense as there was no change to hardware in July 2020 so the software update should be all that is required...

[Don Phil]

va1o said:

They seem to be giving the same excuse to iPhone user's wanting Apple Car Key. It makes no sense as there was no change to hardware in July 2020 so the software update should be all that is required...

Mine came with a digital key card and I got an email about setting it up on the evening when I took delivery of the car. Haven't done anything with it as I don't really use the iPhone I have, but I presume others pre July didn't come with this digital key card?

[Funk]

Don Phil said:

Mine came with a digital key card and I got an email about setting it up on the evening when I took delivery of the car. Haven't done anything with it as I don't really use the iPhone I have, but I presume others pre July didn't come with this digital key card?

The Digital Key is the actual white card with the ///M on it. It's essentially an NFC card you programme to the car and put near the handle to unlock and the tray to start.

The Apple/Android Digital Key uses a phone's NFC chip to do the same thing via the BMW Connected app, except it doesn't work on many phones - for reasons which are unclear. I have a Google Pixel 4 XL which is the most Androidy of Android phones but apparently it's not compatible. It seems to only really be some older Samsungs that work with it which is bizarre.

On the whole - in my view - the 'Connected' thing doesn't really work very well and is a blatant way for BMW to 'nickel-and-dime' people once they've bought the car - some of the things that were activated when it arrived are only short-term trials (BMW Music, Office 365, the aforementioned 'Digital Key for Samsung'). Once they expire I've no doubt it'll start pestering you to subscribe for 'just £x/mo..'. In fact I'd go as far as to say that the 'Connected' stuff is overly-complex, doesn't really do very much worthwhile (I don't want a Microsoft Office subscription for my farkin' car...!) and a massive waste of money.

I've just checked and the rest of the stuff will 'go dumb' in 2023 (so...not my problem at least!) but still - none of this will work without coughing up:

- Remote Services (control of the car through your phone)
- BMW Online (news, weather, POI)
- Connected+ (I have no idea what this is or does)
- Real-time Traffic Information
- Concierge Service (I'd actually completely forgotten this exists, I have no idea how it works or what it costs if they do stuff for you)
- Intelligent Emergency Call (your 'personal guardian angel' apparently - never mind, my phone actually does this free of charge anyway if I need it)
- USB Map Update (wow, they'll even remotely stop you being able to update the map from a USB stick as well as OTA!)
- TeleServices (I think this is to book your car in at a dealer - now the laws around warranties don't insist on using a main dealer, I guess this is a way to try and keep you 'in the fold')
- Online Speech Procesing (apparently it doesn't work well without being able to check online?)
- BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant (the....<ugh>...'soul of my BMW'... apparently)
- Connected Parking (helps you find an empty car park - I have no idea if it works or if I'd a] use it or b] believe what it told me)
- Connected Music (you won't be able to stream to the car even if you have Spotify Premium etc, they'll turn it off)

I'd be interested to know what BMW will charge for that little lot in 3 years' time...! I'll be honest, I'm a geek and love tech but other than streaming Spotify and occasionally remembering to turn on the ventilation on a hot day, there's nothing there I really use. Even if I did, much of it could be done via a phone with Android Auto (maps, traffic info, weather, music streaming, Emergency Call, Google Assistant etc) for free...

TBH, I may cancel next week's appointment with the dealer - I don't see them doing more with the B-pillar trim than I've been able to do and I'd wager £100 they'll tell me the same as rix re. Android Auto etc and for now it does what I need it to.

On a side note, at least it's lovely to drive. Anyone else wish the steering rack was a smidge quicker lock-to-lock though? Perhaps the Golf R's was just overly-quick but I do find myself wanting more steering response from the amount of input given...

Edited by Funk on Tuesday 8th September 00:39

[mackie1]

The Golf R rack is unusually quick. The 8 feels quicker than my S5 that felt ponderous after the Golf.

[Don Phil]

Agree Funk, it's a money thing with the tech to basically rinse the 2nd hand buyer to activate the services once they've expired, which will generally be around the time the first 'owner' moves on.

I don't use any of it anyway other than the remote app from time to time, but even that is a nice to have.

All info I can find on the digital key says it's just for iPhone. Are some android phones compatible too?

Agree it's great to drive, especially pushing on some decent roads, while being so refined for motorway and day to day stuff! It's a shame the sound is so muted compared with the B58 engined M140i we just sold! The steering is plenty quick enough imo. Compared with the f11 520d I replaced it for it's light as a feather.

[Funk]

'Digital Key' covers the white ///M-branded cards and phones. As mentioned though it's only some iPhones and Samsung phones that seem to work.

Re. the steering I'm not talking about the weighting but the speed. On the Golf it required fewer turns lock-to-lock which made it feel very responsive - a relatively small input resulted in a significant change of direction. It's understandable that the 840i isn't likely to be so quick being a barge rather than a hot-hatch but it just feels a little ponderous after the Golf. From what Mackie's said though, it sounds like the Golf has a particularly quick rack so perhaps it's just the contrast and I'll get used to it.

Edited by Funk on Tuesday 8th September 10:24

[ciscopete822]

Coming from R estate , fully agreed. R has particularly quick rack and front end being light due to small engine just adds to overall feeling. Having said that , our 840i slowly opens up and brings more and more joy!

[Funk]

Have binned off my booking at the dealer next week. I popped in to pick up the other spare trim clips and one of the bodywork guys actually came and had a look. He agreed it wasn't great design but noted that the 'give' was the same both sides (and the passenger side's never come off). He said it was as 'fixed' as they would achieve but that if it comes away again they'd like to know and if something comes up (service bulletin or recommended change/fix) then he would give me a call and let me know.

Decided to live without Android Auto now; I got a quiet nod of 'yeah, probably...' from the service guy when I said it'd just be in with them for 2 days only for them to tell me they 'can't do it' or something similar. As I said, I've coughed up for Spotify Premium which does the job so I'm just gonna leave it be.

[Funk]

Has anyone else had the VED uplift payment taken yet?

[ciscopete822]

I did , it was like 2 months after delivery bud.

[Funk]

Cool, was just wondering when it would be taken - it's been nearly 2 months since I got mine.