Your fleet running reports

[MikeHunt]

Probably not an ID Buzz then - I think you did the right thing cancelling based on your criticisms.

Close

VW Caravelle? Or whatever it is called now?

It's a T7 Multivan which is a strange name considering it is now based on the MQB car platform. It feels a lot more modern than what was basically an old sprinter van full of leather. Its petrol dsg and drives more like an suv, fully loaded and is a roomy as the Marc despite looking smaller. I wasn't sure about the colour, but everyone else loves it, so hopefully will grown on me.

[Jobbo]

That’s quite cool. I knew I had got the name wrong

[Sundayjumper]

I'm enjoying being back in a BMW. I feel like I'm home again It was Feb 2022 that I sold the 740d so almost 2½ years ago.

These things are making me happy atm:

The active ARBs & rear steering make the car feel surprisingly agile.
The HUD is really cool.
The shortcut keys.
I'd forgotten how nice it is having headlights that swivel side-to-side.


Mild annoyances:

The amber side marker LEDs in the n/s headlight aren't working.
The broken wheel bolt key, obviously.
The heater fan is sometimes noisy.


Meh:

Night vision.

[Sundayjumper]

The shortcut keys might be a BMW specific thing ? The radio has buttons numbered 1-8 just like you'd have for station presets, but they can be assigned to (almost) any function in the iDrive system. So I have:

1 = set navigation for home
2 = dial my wife's phone
3 = select USB input
4 = select Radio 4
5 = set ventilation timer
6 = display entertainment detail in split screen
7 = display trip computer in split screen
8 = toggle split screen on/off

The navigation especially, being able to hit one button and head for home is really neat.

[Simon]

4 = select Radio 4

You monster.

[V8Granite]

Ooh I like the quick key function

Dave!

[Rich B]

I use CarPlay for navigation, so I don't have the presets I used to for "home" or "work" (which are now on Google maps), now I have:


1: radio x
2: LBC (dab)
3: LBC (fm)
4: call the missus

It's particularly useful when you drive through areas you know have shit dab reception, so you can quickly flick between the same station on dab or fm to see which is best.

[Simon]

I use CarPlay for navigation, so I don't have the presets I used to for "home" or "work" (which are now on Google maps), now I have:


1: radio x
2: LBC (dab)
3: LBC (fm)
4: call the missus

It's particularly useful when you drive through areas you know have shit dab reception, so you can quickly flick between the same station on dab or fm to see which is best.

Ah, a big James Oh'Brexit fan I see.

[Rich B]

I use CarPlay for navigation, so I don't have the presets I used to for "home" or "work" (which are now on Google maps), now I have:


1: radio x
2: LBC (dab)
3: LBC (fm)
4: call the missus

It's particularly useful when you drive through areas you know have shit dab reception, so you can quickly flick between the same station on dab or fm to see which is best.

Ah, a big James Oh'Brexit fan I see.

Yeah, that doesn't really work as a nick name for someone against Brexit though.

[Mito Man]

I thought you have to be a black cab driver to listen to LBC.

Agree with the BMW shortcuts, they’re great but I think they’re no longer fitted to the newest models. Probably more necessary than ever with touch screens.

[Rich B]

I thought you have to be a black cab driver to listen to LBC.

just over 40.

[Simon]

I use CarPlay for navigation, so I don't have the presets I used to for "home" or "work" (which are now on Google maps), now I have:


1: radio x
2: LBC (dab)
3: LBC (fm)
4: call the missus

It's particularly useful when you drive through areas you know have shit dab reception, so you can quickly flick between the same station on dab or fm to see which is best.

Ah, a big James Oh'Brexit fan I see.

Yeah, that doesn't really work as a nick name for someone against Brexit though.

Don't get me wrong, I like his show, but he does make a lot of stuff about Brexit (hence the nickname).

[MikeHunt]

The shortcut keys might be a BMW specific thing ? The radio has buttons numbered 1-8 just like you'd have for station presets, but they can be assigned to (almost) any function in the iDrive system. So I have:

I have

1 = sport display
2 = navigate home
3 = tv
4 = sound profiles (Bowers and Wilkins)
5 = drive recorder
6 = tyres
7 = weather


Whoever decided to remove the buttons in favour of the drive 8 touchscreen has obviously never driven a BMW before.

[Zonda_]

I have never discovered these, will my 2018 330 have them?

[Mito Man]

I was gonna say the reason they're no longer there is because the vast majority of BMW drivers never used them. Every button you press is recorded on the connected drive system and BMW then have data on everything and remove the unnecessary ones. I reckon that the vast majority of people never use any buttons other than those on the steering wheel which is why things are the way they are now and not many people complain apart from car guys.

[Mito Man]

Some shady business practices going on at Tesla. When we ordered the brake caliper they could have booked the car in within a week to replace it, but tell them that its collection only and it took them 6 weeks to send it. So they're purposefully holding back parts for DIY.

Another thing I've noticed working on older cars now. Loads of stuff is NLA on the BMWs and Bentley - go to their parts department and they don't have it as it's not produced. However take the car in to their workshop and they magically procure the OEM part

[Explosive Newt]

Some shady business practices going on at Tesla. When we ordered the brake caliper they could have booked the car in within a week to replace it, but tell them that its collection only and it took them 6 weeks to send it. So they're purposefully holding back parts for DIY.

It took a bazillion years (well 7 weeks) get a replacement hubcap. I think they have said outright they preferentially give them to the repair shops (who are extortionate, obvs).

[Beany]

I have never discovered these, will my 2018 330 have them?

Think it has basically the same dash as my (your) M135i so yeah, it should do - pretty sure it can do that.

Don't know how as I just use that android head unit though

[mik]

Another thing I've noticed working on older cars now. Loads of stuff is NLA on the BMWs and Bentley - go to their parts department and they don't have it as it's not produced. However take the car in to their workshop and they magically procure the OEM part

I had a similar issue with can't remember who a few years back - an electric mower that had a broken part that I wanted them to send to me under warranty. They agreed that it was a warranty issue, but were unable to send me the part to replace myself as it was not safe for an untrained person to replace it - I'd have to send it back to them with an estimated 8 week turnaround, and I'd have to pay for the return (which they would refund later).

I called their parts department and asked if I could buy the part? They said yes.

Called back to the warranty line and highlighted this - they then sent a free replacement part for me to fit myself.

[Rich B]

I have never discovered these, will my 2018 330 have them?

id expect so. Mine and the mrs' have 1-8 buttons which are all programmable. You select what you want, then hold the button down to save it.

You can then run your finger across the button without actually pressing it down for each button to display its function on the screen above.