[bladeomatic]

I took my M235i in for a 1200 mile oil change. BMW didn't pay for it, but it gives me piece of mind. Afterwards I was emailed a questionnaire (how was the service, etc.). The last question was "What could BMW engineers do to improve this car?" I started typing 1 or 2 little things that I thought of, and then a stream of little things came out of me. Please note I'm not bitching…I LOVE this car. I'm having a blast driving every day.

-Limited Slip Differential should come stock on a sporty car like this
-I feel a bit stiffer chassis along with a slightly cushier "comfort" mode would keep the car flatter and with less body roll when driving aggressively in "sport" modes, yet a bit gentler when in "comfort" mode.
-For me, the wheels on the car are some of the ugliest BMW has made.
-The back seat is very cramped. A bit more room would be nice.
-The tray in the middle of the rear seat is odd. Foldable armrest with storage/cup holders would be better.
-Rear seat should split 40/20/40 like they do on European models
-iDrive has a poor interface that's not very modern compared to the $300 phones most are walking around with. Get Apple CarPlay integrated asap.
-The inside door handles are so far forward on the door that it makes it difficult for passengers to generate enough leverage to close them firmly. Moving them back on the door a bit would help.
-There's no grab handle for the passenger at the roof line or on the door to hold on to when "spirited" driving occurs. See comment above (move handle back on door a bit to help with this).
-4" speakers on the doors/deck are too small and subwoofers are too weak. Not enough powerful bass in the car, considering it has the upgraded HK stereo.
-Making the nav screen retractable like Audi does would be slick and clean up the look of the dash a bit.
-The sun visors have no extenders for when you swivel them to the side windows.
-Should be able to set sport mode (or any other mode) as default when you start car. Ditto re setting auto-stop settings.
-Alcantara seat option would be excellent for US (available in Europe)
-Oil temperature gauge should be stock on a high performance car like this.
-Should be able to set cruise control to default to "on" whenever you start the car. My Honda did this. All I had to do was hit the "set" button when I wanted to use it.
-With Comfort access, when you approach the car with the keys, the dome light should fade up. My Prius did this...very handy.
-Comfort access should allow opening the trunk via your foot like other cars.
-Provide a better front license plate mounting strategy then having to drill holes into the creamy new bumper, or deal with aftermarket products that tend to trigger the parking sensors.
-Have clear documentation on what the different driving modes do exactly and how they work with the shifter in normal or "sport" positions.
-The seat belt is a very far reach back for the driver and passenger. It would be nicer if moved a bit closer.
-Change the seat heaters to seat heater/coolers. My wife's 2005 Lexus has this and it's great having cool leather seats in hot weather.
-Users should be able to easily change things without "coding" their cars to do things like disabling the disclaimer screen on the nav, fold/un-fold the mirrors when locking/unlocking, etc.

Just thought I'd share some of my nitpicks and see if any of you agree or had others to add.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Damn that's a long list. Would love to see the face of whomever reads it. Lol

[ManCityFan]

Originally Posted by Bennu

Damn that's a long list. Would love to see the face of whomever reads it. Lol

I am ready to slit my wrists after reading that. FFS!

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by ManCityFan

I am ready to slit my wrists after reading that. FFS!

I didn't even read the whole thing. It's pointless.

[DanG]

You are being to hard on the guy. I think he is pretty spot on.

One think I would add is that a rear view camera should be standard.

[Neckbeardz]

I agree you have some good points but...

-The back seat is very cramped. A bit more room would be nice.

Maybe look at a 4 series?

[Glassjaw047]

I really hope this car has enough bass to my liking in the HK Premium Stereo as my G37S Coupe does in the BOSE system...

[alz0rz]

No one is asking about why BMW didn't pay for the 1200 mile service? I thought it was verified as being paid for by multiple parties?

Did BMW refer to this as the "1200 mile service", if it was maintenance service why would it not be covered? Or is the "1200 mile service" fancy for saying "1200 mile oil change".. of which people confirmed that BMW had paid for them anyway?!

[soghetto]

Originally Posted by alz0rz

No one is asking about why BMW didn't pay for the 1200 mile service? I thought it was verified as being paid for by multiple parties?

Did BMW refer to this as the "1200 mile service", if it was maintenance service why would it not be covered? Or is the "1200 mile service" fancy for saying "1200 mile oil change".. of which people confirmed that BMW had paid for them anyway?!

it is a service, not just an oil change. they change out all the fluids, not just the oil.
it does not use the same fluids as an M so does not need to be flushed at 1200 miles after the brake in period. Some dealers will do it as good will for the customer, but its not needed so is not covered...
... at least that was my takeaway after the last thread that discussed it.

[///M235i]

Originally Posted by Bennu

Damn that's a long list. Would love to see the face of whomever reads it. Lol

I hate to be this guy's spouse.

[///M235i]

Originally Posted by DanG

You are being to hard on the guy. I think he is pretty spot on.

One think I would add is that a rear view camera should be standard.

Come on, cruise control activated upon start up? The most ridiculous thing ever in the history of ridiculousness.

[Lucky13]

BMW could do everything he asked for but then the retail would be $60K. Funny how the back up camera comes up with most car magazines saying Honda, Mazda or basically anyone gives you this for $30K but you can't argue with BMW's business model. They are the most profitable car company for a reason (BMW brand not all brands combined). I would like the car as is at $30K but then you would have GM, cut corners, put parts in that don't work and you know the rest.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by ///M235i

I hate to be this guy's spouse.

Lol certainly is excessive. Thing is that long list might actually cause his salesman to have a bad survey. That's part of his pay plan.

[deathsliver]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

I took my M235i in for a 1200 mile oil change. BMW didn't pay for it, but it gives me piece of mind. Afterwards I was emailed a questionnaire (how was the service, etc.). The last question was "What could BMW engineers do to improve this car?" I started typing 1 or 2 little things that I thought of, and then a stream of little things came out of me. Please note I'm not bitching…I LOVE this car. I'm having a blast driving every day.

-Limited Slip Differential should come stock on a sporty car like this
-I feel a bit stiffer chassis along with a slightly cushier "comfort" mode would keep the car flatter and with less body roll when driving aggressively in "sport" modes, yet a bit gentler when in "comfort" mode.
-For me, the wheels on the car are some of the ugliest BMW has made.
-The back seat is very cramped. A bit more room would be nice.
-The tray in the middle of the rear seat is odd. Foldable armrest with storage/cup holders would be better.
-Rear seat should split 40/20/40 like they do on European models
-iDrive has a poor interface that's not very modern compared to the $300 phones most are walking around with. Get Apple CarPlay integrated asap.
-The inside door handles are so far forward on the door that it makes it difficult for passengers to generate enough leverage to close them firmly. Moving them back on the door a bit would help.
-There's no grab handle for the passenger at the roof line or on the door to hold on to when "spirited" driving occurs. See comment above (move handle back on door a bit to help with this).
-4" speakers on the doors/deck are too small and subwoofers are too weak. Not enough powerful bass in the car, considering it has the upgraded HK stereo.
-Making the nav screen retractable like Audi does would be slick and clean up the look of the dash a bit.
-The sun visors have no extenders for when you swivel them to the side windows.
-Should be able to set sport mode (or any other mode) as default when you start car. Ditto re setting auto-stop settings.
-Alcantara seat option would be excellent for US (available in Europe)
-Oil temperature gauge should be stock on a high performance car like this.
-Should be able to set cruise control to default to "on" whenever you start the car. My Honda did this. All I had to do was hit the "set" button when I wanted to use it.
-With Comfort access, when you approach the car with the keys, the dome light should fade up. My Prius did this...very handy.
-Comfort access should allow opening the trunk via your foot like other cars.
-Provide a better front license plate mounting strategy then having to drill holes into the creamy new bumper, or deal with aftermarket products that tend to trigger the parking sensors.
-Have clear documentation on what the different driving modes do exactly and how they work with the shifter in normal or "sport" positions.
-The seat belt is a very far reach back for the driver and passenger. It would be nicer if moved a bit closer.
-Change the seat heaters to seat heater/coolers. My wife's 2005 Lexus has this and it's great having cool leather seats in hot weather.
-Users should be able to easily change things without "coding" their cars to do things like disabling the disclaimer screen on the nav, fold/un-fold the mirrors when locking/unlocking, etc.

Just thought I'd share some of my nitpicks and see if any of you agree or had others to add.

too bad you bought it....

[deathsliver]

Originally Posted by ///M235i

I hate to be this guy's spouse.

[deathsliver]

Originally Posted by bladeomatic

I took my M235i in for a 1200 mile oil change. BMW didn't pay for it, but it gives me piece of mind. Afterwards I was emailed a questionnaire (how was the service, etc.). The last question was "What could BMW engineers do to improve this car?" I started typing 1 or 2 little things that I thought of, and then a stream of little things came out of me. Please note I'm not bitching…I LOVE this car. I'm having a blast driving every day.

-Limited Slip Differential should come stock on a sporty car like this
-I feel a bit stiffer chassis along with a slightly cushier "comfort" mode would keep the car flatter and with less body roll when driving aggressively in "sport" modes, yet a bit gentler when in "comfort" mode.
-For me, the wheels on the car are some of the ugliest BMW has made.
-The back seat is very cramped. A bit more room would be nice.
-The tray in the middle of the rear seat is odd. Foldable armrest with storage/cup holders would be better.
-Rear seat should split 40/20/40 like they do on European models
-iDrive has a poor interface that's not very modern compared to the $300 phones most are walking around with. Get Apple CarPlay integrated asap.
-The inside door handles are so far forward on the door that it makes it difficult for passengers to generate enough leverage to close them firmly. Moving them back on the door a bit would help.
-There's no grab handle for the passenger at the roof line or on the door to hold on to when "spirited" driving occurs. See comment above (move handle back on door a bit to help with this).
-4" speakers on the doors/deck are too small and subwoofers are too weak. Not enough powerful bass in the car, considering it has the upgraded HK stereo.
-Making the nav screen retractable like Audi does would be slick and clean up the look of the dash a bit.
-The sun visors have no extenders for when you swivel them to the side windows.
-Should be able to set sport mode (or any other mode) as default when you start car. Ditto re setting auto-stop settings.
-Alcantara seat option would be excellent for US (available in Europe)
-Oil temperature gauge should be stock on a high performance car like this.
-Should be able to set cruise control to default to "on" whenever you start the car. My Honda did this. All I had to do was hit the "set" button when I wanted to use it.
-With Comfort access, when you approach the car with the keys, the dome light should fade up. My Prius did this...very handy.
-Comfort access should allow opening the trunk via your foot like other cars.
-Provide a better front license plate mounting strategy then having to drill holes into the creamy new bumper, or deal with aftermarket products that tend to trigger the parking sensors.
-Have clear documentation on what the different driving modes do exactly and how they work with the shifter in normal or "sport" positions.
-The seat belt is a very far reach back for the driver and passenger. It would be nicer if moved a bit closer.
-Change the seat heaters to seat heater/coolers. My wife's 2005 Lexus has this and it's great having cool leather seats in hot weather.
-Users should be able to easily change things without "coding" their cars to do things like disabling the disclaimer screen on the nav, fold/un-fold the mirrors when locking/unlocking, etc.

Just thought I'd share some of my nitpicks and see if any of you agree or had others to add.

-Comfort access should allow opening the trunk via your foot like other cars.

huh?

[deathsliver]

-The back seat is very cramped. A bit more room would be nice.

get an M4?

[///cpt]

the length of this list is crazy!

Are you sure you bought the right car?..

[ba83]

As long as you can live with it , its ok.
For me , all new bmws should have the back camera and an option for cooled seats

[grapes11]

Nice list- most of your thoughts on ergonomics of the M235i are spot on- why would anyone criticize this guy ? Like he said -he had jut paid for an oil change that should have been covered and got a survey-why not give the engineers some good input.

[bubsterino]

Originally Posted by deathsliver

-Comfort access should allow opening the trunk via your foot like other cars.

huh?

on newer cars, if you have a bag of groceries say, and you have your key in your pocket, you can swing your foot beneath the trunk/back bumper sensor and the trunk will pop open.

[darkerosxx]

Most of these are spot-on, minus some excess like extra room in back seat, cruise control, and cooled leather seat. Those would be higher level vehicles. Otherwise, most is true.

As to the folks bashing the guy for sharing his opinion of how to improve the car, Car forums seem to attract a very vocal crowd of folks drinking solely haterade.