440i - help for a total noob please
440i - help for a total noob please
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Discussion

wioifoiee

Original Poster:

164 posts

212 months

Sunday 13th May 2018
quotequote all
hi folks,

i was hoping you guys could give me the low down on generally how i should treat the car, what things i need to look out for etc...
to give you an idea of just how out of depth i am, here is my car history:

1998 vauxhall corsa 1.4 16v.
1999 Citroen Xsara 1.4
1993 Mazda 323
1993 Opel (yes, Opel) Calibra 2.0 16v
1998 Nissan Almera 1.6
2002 Mazda 6 2.0
2011 Citroen C4 2.0 Hdi
..............August 2016 BMW 440i.

I did run an FK2 type R for 1 year but it wasn't mine.

So....i'm utterly at sea. I pick the car up from the dealer next weekend, and I don't have a clue where to start. I have questions like.

1. iDrive updates - are they free?
2. With the B58 engine, can i treat it like any other normal petrol engine? Do i have to wait for it to warm up? (not to redline it or anything silly, i just mean, is it safe to use the car for very short journies, or is that not advisable)
Can the car be left running for ages without overheating?
3. Obviously other than thoroughly reading the manual front to back - is there anything i should know that the manual won't give me?
4. Paint protection? Is it worth it?
5. When it comes to the MPPSK.....or whatever its called - that sound and power kit - Is this the only way I can get a better sound with the car and keep the warranty? I'm assuming throwing an aftermarket exhaust on it will void it?


Edited by wioifoiee on Sunday 13th May 01:08

Smuler

2,288 posts

170 months

Sunday 13th May 2018
quotequote all
Hopefully some 440i owners will answer, but as a former 2009 335i owner (I.e. an earlier turbo straight six) you can definitely use it as normal. Treated mine no differently than my previous N/aspirated s-six. Was apart from injectors faultless to 85k Miles.

I’ve had paint protection on a used car I bought , but it had been done from new ; was brilliant but not sure if such an effect will be applicable if they’re doing it now 2 years old and you can probably get it cheaper than BMW if that’s what you meant?

You wouldn’t get an iDrive update in the sense of BMW fitting the next generation , as it becomes available (not sure what generation the 4 had in 2016) otherwise I would expect during the car’s first 3 years for updates such as navigation maps to be free; plus any update / improvement applicable under warranty. Any other updates , it may fall under the “rule of thumb” I’ve experienced , that they are free if the car “asks” for them, say whilst being diagnosed on an issue or being serviced. Otherwise you may have to pay , though I’d challenge that on a car still under manufactures warranty and decision may rest with your dealer’s good nature wink

Car as a 2016 is already run in , so it’s a normal car as I said. Don’t know them enough to note any quirks / specifics. Always good to read manual.

The warranty wouldn’t likely be voided , but the modded exhaust won’t be covered and if it were to cause a fault then I’d think you’d struggle. An idea might be to get this confirmed in writing. It’s not the same but I got BMW up confirm I was solid on fitting a dashcam biggrin

There are other exhausts , at least I think there are, but you’ll have to check you tube for info and soundcheck.


AlwynMike

562 posts

118 months

Sunday 13th May 2018
quotequote all
I have a 17 440 Gran Coupe.
As Smuler said, you will only get upgrades if you pay for them!
Nav updates should probably happen automatically and are free for the first 3 years. Earlier cars needed map updates by USB, but I think yours will be past that.
Treat it as any normal car. Good luck in reading the manual - it's thick and there will be bits that don't apply.
You can get on line manuals for a head start.
There is a BMW Connected App that will give you various bits of info on your car - range, location and other stuff (I don't use it as I'm quite capable of looking at a fuel gauge. Maybe)
Why would you want to leave it ticking over for long periods? However, that's your business, and AFAIK it's fine.
Be aware that there are 2 coolant reservoirs to check - they are next to each other. I understand some early B58 engines did have coolant loss issues from one reservoir - there is a fix and your car will still be under warranty if needed.
The temperature gauge on the dash is oil temperature, not coolant temperature.
I would suggest you leave the exhaust as is for the moment and see how you like the noise. It will always start with the exhaust valve open, so sounds throaty - it will then close after about 15 seconds.
Sport mode will open the valve for more rorte.
The standard exhaust will sound nice at revs, it howls!
It won't crackle and pop much, certainly not like a C63, but you can make it pop with a blip.
Changing up with paddle or lever at moderate revs and moderate throttle opening will give you a big kick in the back. Full throttle changes are a little gentler. Again, moderate changes will give you a "woofle" as it changes, but you need the window open to hear it.
You can disconnect the exhaust valve to have it open all the time, but be careful to only disconnect it mechanically and not electrically. There are variations of these valves which operate opposite to each other. Make sure the valve is physically open when you disconnect then the ECU knows where it should be.
In common with most folk, you will quickly tire of the stop start - it activates even when the engine is quite cold. This can be coded to default off, or to remember last position.
These cars can be very economical, over 40 is easily attainable at normal traffic speeds. In some instances Sport can be more economical than Comfort, you have to experiment. I don't do Eco Pro.
Over 4000 miles, my general average is still 34mpg, but I don't do many short runs, but I do tow a caravan, which drops the consumption to (whisper) around 15mpg.
I love the car - quiet and comfortable for SWMBO, but with a bit of go when you want, and reasonable handling.

Chestrockwell

2,947 posts

188 months

Sunday 13th May 2018
quotequote all
wioifoiee said:
hi folks,

i was hoping you guys could give me the low down on generally how i should treat the car, what things i need to look out for etc...
to give you an idea of just how out of depth i am, here is my car history:

1998 vauxhall corsa 1.4 16v.
1999 Citroen Xsara 1.4
1993 Mazda 323
1993 Opel (yes, Opel) Calibra 2.0 16v
1998 Nissan Almera 1.6
2002 Mazda 6 2.0
2011 Citroen C4 2.0 Hdi
..............August 2016 BMW 440i.

I did run an FK2 type R for 1 year but it wasn't mine.

So....i'm utterly at sea. I pick the car up from the dealer next weekend, and I don't have a clue where to start. I have questions like.

1. iDrive updates - are they free?
2. With the B58 engine, can i treat it like any other normal petrol engine? Do i have to wait for it to warm up? (not to redline it or anything silly, i just mean, is it safe to use the car for very short journies, or is that not advisable)
Can the car be left running for ages without overheating?
3. Obviously other than thoroughly reading the manual front to back - is there anything i should know that the manual won't give me?
4. Paint protection? Is it worth it?
5. When it comes to the MPPSK.....or whatever its called - that sound and power kit - Is this the only way I can get a better sound with the car and keep the warranty? I'm assuming throwing an aftermarket exhaust on it will void it?


Edited by wioifoiee on Sunday 13th May 01:08
Can answer 2 of your questions and tell you a few other things.

I have a 430d GC and mine seems to attract stonechips on the bonnet so might be worth looking into paint protection depending on how much you drive and if you do lots of motorway miles.

Every once in a while my idrive gives me a message of an update and asks to install it, it’s been free so far.

If you have the M sport plus pack, the diamond cut wheels are prone to corrosion so keep an eye out as they’re not always visible, usually around the centercaps. My alloy is going to be refurbed under warranty.

Be sure to take out tyre insurance, the poor excuses for roads here in my village have ruined 2 tyres with bulges in the sidewall after hitting potholes, thankfully I had insurance so both were replaced for free, insurance cost 310 for 3 years/5 tyres.

If your car is black/carbon black, don’t take it to a car wash, I made that mistake and have swirl marks on it (you might already know this)

The 4 series is a beautiful car and solid, I’ve thought about replacing it so I’ve driven a fair few of its competitors and none come close including the C coupe, E coupe (new model) A5 etc. Good luck! Show us a pic when you get it

juggsy

1,528 posts

161 months

Sunday 20th May 2018
quotequote all
Another 440i GC owner here, love the car although BMW customer support is infuriating. Since owning the car new from December ‘17 I’ve not had any updates, but they are supposed to be free for the first 3 years FYI. Have contacted them several times to fix and absolutely no reply.

Anyway, I’d see how you feel driving the car for a bit before getting MSPPK, I quite like the stock exhaust and power is plentiful. Today I discovered if you put it in sport and also put the gearbox in sport (flick gear lever to the left), due to the gears being held longer you get a lot more pops and crackles.

Think the other questions have been answered but if anything else comes to mind please shout.