[BK]

Thanks to the nice folks at BMW of Sterling, today I'm driving a TiAg 328i sedan with <1000 miles on it. I took my car in for an issue I have with steering and to update my software.

We'll see if they address either issue.

Steering: not a huge deal, but I have a slight "bump" when turning at low speed that bugs the hell out of me. The shop manager tried my car, was skeptical and unable to reproduce the problem. I showed him how. He agreed but said maybe it was like that on all 330i's. He or the SA (can't remember who) said the X5 does the same thing but worse. In any case, he was going to compare my car to other 330i's and only fix it if it really is an issue. That's totally fine with me -- I don't want unnecessary surgery on my car, and this is not major, it just bugs the f-- out of me because I notice it. Most people probably wouldn't notice it.

Software update: they were very very reluctant to do the update! I couldn't believe it, since they seemed so easygoing about this over the phone. Maybe people are hammering them asking for the update? I have multiple legitimate issues with my current software that reportedly are fixed in later PROGMAN releases (mine is like 4 or 5 versions old). As a result, I thought this would not be a big deal. Apparently I thought wrong.

Loaner car: I was happy to get a BMW loaner, since I did not buy my car there and didn't ask for a Bimmer. I expected a Corolla or something.

The 328i E90 they gave me has only like 900 miles on it. It has zero options except for the AT.

I have to say, I can't believe how much a difference the options make to the "feel" of the car. From now on, I'll pass along KL2DC's advice that he gave me before I bought my car: in general, if you are on the fence about an option and can afford it, just get it. Driving the base 328i, I really miss my car -- no offense to anyone intended.

Driving back to work along Rte 7 to Tyson's Corner was a nightmare. My car should be done later today and I'll go there tonight to get it. I imagine going out there in the evening will be just as bad.

BTW, is the gearing different for the 328i versus the 330i? It seemed like I was at higher revs for equivalent speeds, equivalent gears. Just driving moderately, it felt like the 328i engine was working a lot harder than on my car. Also, this loaner seems to have a lot of throttle delay. I drove in DS and used the steptronic AT (M1, M2, M3, etc.), but it still felt like a lot more throttle delay than I'm used to.

Anyway, I'll keep you posted on how Sterling does. As usual, all the people were very nice and the SA, who is new to me, seems like a stand-up guy.

[FrankoQ]

I'm very curious to know what version they install for progman.

Please don't leave the dealer without an answer.
and make them give it to you in the 25.xx.xx format.

Thanks.

[shimshimhada]

Let's go drifting.

[KL2DC]

BK: so are you getting the update or what?

Let's meet up so I can scavenge/swap an odd part or two

I had an inverse experience with a loaner over the weekend, drove one of our member's e90 335i step loaner and kinda wished I hadn't

[BK]

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Let's go drifting.

I had a blast during lunch and I am liking the car more now.

I can't get used to the power delivery, though. The gas pedal feels more "drive by wire" than on my 6MT. I assume it is the step. In D, it feels sluggish, frankly. In DS, it feels better but still feels strange, like it hesitates a bit on each shift. Even in manual mode, it just does not feel as smooth as I would expect.

Also, the radio is too low on the center console and I can't figure out the damn little buttons on the thing.

Originally Posted by KL2DC

BK: so are you getting the update or what?

We'll see. They did not promise. The SA said he'd check to see if there was an update to cover the issues I raised. I have not heard anything from them. I'll call later if I still haven't heard anything.

To be honest, I'll be pissed if they don't update the software because I am not just asking for an update because I want my car to have the latest and greatest firmware. Quite the opposite. My software has legit issues for about the past 8 months that I've planned to eventually get fixed, I just haven't bothered going to a service department and have never asked for a s/w update. At least in theory, all the problems I have with mine are fixed by later PROGMAN versions.

[BK]

Update - I called and they said the car is "in programming" and may not be done until tomorrow.

[BK]

Update - just got a call. They updated the software but for the steering, they said they tested some other cars and all the E90s do it. Bummer. The 328i E90 I'm driving right now doesn't do it!

Oh well. I had a feeling they'd think I was crazy with the steering issue. I will live with it until (1) it gets worse, (2) it eventually drives me crazy and I just go in again, or (3) I get an E90 M3. At this point, I think (1) and (2) are more likely to happen than (3), but a man can dream.

[45ACP]

I have a Montego Blue 2007 328i loaner since last Thursday while my 335i is getting *something* retrofitted. The loaner only has steptronic and the sport package option with 2400 miles, but the 18s were swapped with 17" tires instead. Besides the several minor things BMW has shortchanged on the lower model, the 328 is damn SLOW! It has some oomph off the line in first, but all other gears leave me wanting more. I may have gone with the new G35 sedan if the 335 weren't available

[BK]

Hey, 45ACP, good luck with the retrofit. I heard about that during our BBQ planning meeting on Saturday.

I've seen the new G35 sedan on the road quite a few times now, and it looks nice, way better than the old G35 sedan.

A final update on my car - I have it back and they did install the latest iDrive software. It works great. IMO, it's no faster than my old iDrive, but the POI search works great and it is nice to not have to click "accept" when I start the car (yes, my previous s/w was pretty old, I know that's been a feature for a while now). I'll put the rest of my observations in one of the software threads for a wider audience.

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by BK

Hey, 45ACP, good luck with the retrofit. I heard about that during our BBQ planning meeting on Saturday.

I've seen the new G35 sedan on the road quite a few times now, and it looks nice, way better than the old G35 sedan.

A final update on my car - I have it back and they did install the latest iDrive software. It works great. IMO, it's no faster than my old iDrive, but the POI search works great and it is nice to not have to click "accept" when I start the car (yes, my previous s/w was pretty old, I know that's been a feature for a while now). I'll put the rest of my observations in one of the software threads for a wider audience.

Mmmm.... so not even a little faster idrive?
oh well.
my idrive still asks for the accept so it will be great to get rid of it.

[BK]

The more I play with it, the more I'll know for sure, but IMO it's not even a little faster. I wonder if those who have noticed it's "much faster" had a really slow iDrive to begin with. One of the notes in the SB was that it addressed a very sluggish iDrive system, and mine was never bad like that.

[tman]

BK, does your VR work. I had my progman updated 3 weeks ago and it was latest version (new look etc), but it broke VR. The SA told me they would have the "fix" for the VR issue in a month.

[FrankoQ]

Originally Posted by tman

BK, does your VR work. I had my progman updated 3 weeks ago and it was latest version (new look etc), but it broke VR. The SA told me they would have the "fix" for the VR issue in a month.

Tman, the latest progman is 25.02.00 and that seems to fix VR problems from previous versions. I believe BK said his VR did not break.

[BK]

Yes, my VR works fine.

Okay, two weird post-update issues, and I have to spend more time to see if they are really "issues."

First, when I got in the car after work yesterday, the radio was playing AM. I never put it on AM radio and I can't imagine I did that before shutting off the car.

Second, when I got in the car this morning, auto temp and auto recirc were off. I always leave them on. Again, I can't imagine I changed this setting.

Same key fob as always.

Now, maybe I changed those settings myself, but I don't think so. Both times, when I got in to start the car, I thought, "That's weird. Did I do that?" Now that it's happened twice, I'll look for more random quirks like that.

Oh - there is a third issue that's not really an issue. When I start the car now, the seatbelt chime -- which used to be a pleasant-sounding note -- breaks up in the middle. If you can imagine "ch...i..me." Not really an issue, but sort of annoying when it sounded nice before. Maybe I'll buckle my seatbelt before hitting start from now on to avoid the sound altogether.

So far, though, I am pleased. The nav POI search is just outstanding to have.