[alyabiev]

Originally Posted by Middy2000

Only had my 218d a month or so but.....

The cockpit layout is a pain. I can't see through the steering wheel to see all the instrument cluster. I either lose the dials at the top or the information window at the bottom.

I can't see the buttons to switch on the spot lights or fog lights from my driving position.

Obviously the fact that nearly everything is an optional extra is slightly frustrating. I feel like as a 2 series owner we are left feeling like the poorer relations to our 3 series brothers.

Other thank that I'm very happy with my purchase. The remap has made a world of difference, extra 40hp and 50nm of torque.
Love the car and the colour and with a view cosmetic tweaks I can see this being a long love affair.

Your steering wheel is just too close to instrument cluster

[sethwas]

Originally Posted by Middy2000

Obviously the fact that nearly everything is an optional extra is slightly frustrating.

I'm curious about this, because I felt the 2 series was the least BMW that way. It basically came with almost everything standard on the base model and didn't require any packages or options.

Only things it doesn't have are a nice stereo (which is not even an option so best to keep the base and go aftermarket so too an auto close trunk).
As a stretch I could say it's just missing HID/LED lights standard or the nav/large screen. The former you have to live without since they don't perform better just look cooler and the latter you can just grab on ebay. Sure it's 'missing' auto braking and lane keep stuff plus auto distance cruise control but I don't see that as 'missing'.
It is missing a spare tire but that's not an option anyway.

Other than that I don't know what else it could have. (I'm not talking about larger engine or suspension/brake/cosmetic packages which come standard in a 235/240 or just a stand alone package). Even the base model comes with the sport/memory seats, power everything, puddle lights, auto wipers, BFD tail lights, backup cam/bluetooth, keyless, dimming mirrors, and this goes back to 2016. Basically the stuff you get on a loaded honda or kia.

Seth

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by cooolone2

Mike Miller

^ This.

I've relied upon Mike for years and think his maintenance schedule for people who intend to keep their BMWs is well worth following.

Plus, if you're a BMWCCA member he'll answer maintenance questions specific to your circumstance. Mike is a real asset to the club.

My schedule: coolant every 24 months; diff every 12K, trans every 30K, and engine every 5K. I put on 3.8K last year; at that rate, I won't often be doing the fluid changes.

Originally Posted by sethwas

It is missing a spare tire but that's not an option anyway.

For those who want one, BMW does offer a spare tire: https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/sho...74#36110445045. I suspect it's not offered at the time of purchase because BMW didn't make a secure space for it (and a jack) in the trunk.

You can buy one at ECS Tuning: https://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-F22-M2...h/36110445045/. ECS also has the complete kit: https://www.ecstuning.com/b-genuine-...t/36112159860/.

[Middy2000]

Seth,

You post made me laugh, you state it comes with everything standard then list the things it's missing:-

Nice Stereo
Bigger Screen
Auto Close Trunk
HID Lights
Lane Departure
Auto Braking

Oddly enough the auto close trunk is about the only thing on my list.

Maybe we get a bum deal here in the Uk in terms of spec.

My car has a couple of packs which gave me cruise control and front parking sensors.

I see most of you guys get a sunroof.

Things I miss are:-

Folding Mirrors
Auto Dim Rear View Mirror
Light In The Sun Visor
Keyless Entry
Auto Full Beam

That's just a quick list off the top of my head.

[sethwas]

Originally Posted by Middy2000

Folding Mirrors
Auto Dim Rear View Mirror
Light In The Sun Visor
Keyless Entry
Auto Full Beam

Interesting because those things you don't get above we get standard.

Seth

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by Middy2000

My car has a couple of packs which gave me cruise control and front parking sensors.

I see most of you guys get a sunroof.

I think all US-spec cars come with cruise control. I don't use mine, but everyone else I know does.

To get a car without a sunroof here, you have to order it built for you that way. Dealers put a sunroof on every car they order from BMW.

[AndDown]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I think all US-spec cars come with cruise control. I don't use mine, but everyone else I know does.

To get a car without a sunroof here, you have to order it built for you that way. Dealers put a sunroof on every car they order from BMW.

I have seldom/never used my sun/moon roof in all my previous bimmers, so was glad I could order my F22 with the delete and get a $900 reduction.

[Middy2000]

Everything comes as part of a pack here and very often to get one thing you have to combine it with another pack. Clever marketing.

I don't mind not having a sunroof. Specifically had one last time and ended up selling the car because it started creaking and was circa £600 to repair. I only used it once or twice so it's not essential.

One thing we don't have is those horrible orange reflectors on the front wing (fenders).

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by AndDown

I have seldom/never used my sun/moon roof in all my previous bimmers, so was glad I could order my F22 with the delete and get a $900 reduction.

I stopped using sunroofs decades ago, around the time I started going to dermatologists regularly. They've got some brutal treatments for skin that's seen too much sun, so I stay out of it as much as possible.

Originally Posted by Middy2000

I don't mind not having a sunroof. Specifically had one last time and ended up selling the car because it started creaking and was circa £600 to repair. I only used it once or twice so it's not essential.

It's not uncommon for a BMW sunroof to need an expensive repair.

The principal reason I made sure I got a car without one was for the weight reduction. Since I'm planning to keep the car indefinitely, the other reason was to avoid a repair expense for something I wouldn't use.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I stopped using sunroofs decades ago, around the time I started going to dermatologists regularly. They've got some brutal treatments for skin that's seen too much sun, so I stay out of it as much as possible.


It's not uncommon for a BMW sunroof to need an expensive repair.

The principal reason I made sure I got a car without one was for the weight reduction. Since I'm planning to keep the car indefinitely, the other reason was to avoid a repair expense for something I wouldn't use.

The sunroof in mine was unavoidable due to option package content. With it being there, I don't use it, but was advised to "exercise" it periodically with a momentary open/shut cycle of the retraction and vent positions. I do this about once every month or so. Five+ years later, it still works perfectly, if it was ever desired.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by Middy2000

One thing we don't have is those horrible orange reflectors on the front wing (fenders).

They don't bother me a bit for two reasons:

1) Clear data from research that they reduce the chance of nighttime side impacts at intersections. That is good for me and for the person who might have otherwise not seen me as well.

2) They don't detract much from a Valencia Orange exterior!

[morriscat]

Originally Posted by sethwas

... so the phone sits just below the AC knob and doesn't block anything.

Seth

Except your cupholders, of course. =P

[jgalaxy]

Originally Posted by dopefishz

I hate that i couldn't get the manual+AWD combo, which makes me miss my E90 every single day.

Turn radius not that great.

Fuel consumption, higher than my E90 which again makes no sense.

Front suspension noisy in very cold climates here.

I hear you. Loved the manual on my E92xi. Now, some 2K Km later on the M240 and I'm digging the auto with paddles.

Some peeves:
1) Drone of muffler pipped in over the audio system.
2) The too far forward door handle to get out easily every time.
3) The junk standard audio system. My wifes X1 is great. I'm happy I didnt pop for the HK. Learned my lesson from my E92.
4) Speech recognition not working for my wife's French accent. Works pretty goof for my accent though. Hmmmm?
5) Double door handle pull to get out and double push on start/stop to shut everything off.
6) Bitch wheel offset.
7) 1st gear brain dead performance (or rather lack thereof)
8) And most unpleasant ... that vague, lifeless and somewhat imprecise steering.

But, I bought it for the 6 cylinder turbo power. So the world is set correct and all is good.

[Rocky58]

With a convertible and the top up, I miss not having BLIS. I read a reason they didn't include it somewhere, but I can't remember.

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by Middy2000

Things I miss are:-

Folding Mirrors

It may be there.
I used Bimmercode app to modify the default setting and now my mirrors fold automatically when I lock the doors.

[Middy2000]

Don't think it is. I seem to think that here in the UK folding mirrors only come with electric seats which is.......an additional pack.

[Fitz335]

Dont need to double push to turn everything off. Push once. Get out, lock car, everything turns off.

[Middy2000]

Originally Posted by alyabiev

Your steering wheel is just too close to instrument cluster

I have long arms....

[sethwas]

Originally Posted by morriscat

Except your cupholders, of course. =P

Which was only used to hold the phone anyway

[CodySyd]

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

Some peeves:
1) Drone of muffler pipped in over the audio system.

-- You can turn this off with Bimmercode

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

4) Speech recognition not working for my wife's French accent. Works pretty goof for my accent though. Hmmmm?

-- It hates my Kiwi accent too! But Waze understands me every time so Apple Carplay is the way to go

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

7) 1st gear brain dead performance (or rather lack thereof)

-- Ahh comfort mode

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

8) And most unpleasant ... that vague, lifeless and somewhat imprecise steering.

-- If you only drive BMWs for 2 decades you get used to it xD

[morriscat]

Originally Posted by CodySyd

-- If you only drive BMWs for 2 decades you get used to it xD

This really makes me wonder what kind of coked up go-carts y'all have been driving that make a 2 feel lifeless by comparison. Mine changes direction like Doug seeing a squirrel.

[Sportstick]

Originally Posted by jgalaxy

8) And most unpleasant ... that vague, lifeless and somewhat imprecise steering.
.

A swap of M2 lower control arms from Turner Motorsports solves this very well!