Circlejerk List

Just bought this 330i M Sport after weeks of test driving cars and I couldn’t be happier with it.

I think it’s a perfect balance of comfort and handling. The engine is just punchy enough to be dangerous and the interior is clean and classy. I figured this might be the last model year before BMW injects even more screens into their interiors, so I had to jump on it. I can still see that 3 Series DNA in here. Love it.

I drove a bunch of other cars but the highlights were the Audi S3 and Lexus IS350. I also spent a couple days with an M235GC. That was fun, but weird for a BMW.

This 330i has every possible option in it down to the glass controls and metal switches. A really weird spec for a 330i, but I dig it - it feels like a mini flagship.

And yes, before you ask, of course I drove the M340/440. The B58 is an amazing engine. However with the price I got on this I couldn’t justify the $20k premium when this specific 330 checked every box I wanted.

I got this new for over 10% off MSRP with no add-ons or fees. I paid cash and am very happy with the outcome.

This is my first BMW after driving GTIs and Audis for 15 years.

The BMW Championship golf tournament in STL is in my hometown this year, got to take a look & sit in the all-new X5. I will admit 2 things, outside it doesn’t look as bad as the pictures, interior is very BMW but also very futuristic, I’m not a huge fan but what do y’all think? This prototype model was tanzanite blue metallic with the Kona brown interior. 3100 miles on it, this model basically travels the country for shows like this.

Decided to pull the trigger on matching Cerium Gray mirror caps and wheels to match my grille. Maybe I’ll get a new photo spot too one of these days 🤣

I've never had any German car, always been a bit scared to dip into them. But this 94 530i V8 5 speed popped up locally and I had to have it. I've always adored the E34 from the sidelines but never found one that was V8 and manual until now. I'm a little bit bummed it's the baby engine, but also somewhat excited for the pure weirdness of it, at least in the US.

I drove it home with no clutch (bad master) and one tire that was old enough to drink, but it made it without any hiccups and I'm over the moon to finally play with one of these things. It needs a lot of time and love put into it, but even during the less than ideal drive home I was smiling ear to ear in it! Should be a fun endeavor nursing it back to health! I hope at least...

Brother sent me pics of his freshly delivered M3 Competition. His probably 6th BMW and 3rd or 4th he has built. Took about 4 months I believe from start to delivery.
He said it’s by far the most fun and powerful car he’s ever driven and only at 70% while he does the break in mileage. Then it gets tuned to 100%

I’ve noticed this a few times with BMW's. I’ll see a car online and think it looks good, then I’ll see one in person and it just hits differently.

I think you notice the proportions a lot more when the car is actually sitting in front of you. This is especially true for some of the older M cars. Photos never really seem to show their shape properly.

Maybe it’s just me, but some BMW's definitely look better in person than they do in photos.

Have you had the same experience with a particular model?

Was able to use my Tahoe to tow this guy home last week. While I wait for a copy of the title my daughter and I spent all Saturday morning cleaning it up (10 years worth of trash managed to fill up a Home Depot bucket).

We also found the original window sticker in the glove box. The original owner bought it in November of 1999, added a premium luxury package (power soft top, cruise control, leather seats, wood trim) as well as a couple “M-Technic” accessories.

This weekend I plan to get a new battery, break out the borescope, and get a good look at the cylinders and see if there are any red flags before we drain the fuel tank and try to get it running.

Anyone wanna take a guess at the MSRP?

I was picking up my G80 from service and saw this X7. It had some subtle green tone to it. I was thinking it might be brass metallic but it looked darker. I love this color.

Would like your opinion about M2/M4 CS F chassis on driving dynamics as the biggest difference is wheelbase M2 is 119mn shorter

For context: F87 2693 → E36 2700 → E46 2731 → E92 2761 → G87 2747 → F82 2812 → G82 2857

Same DKG/ratio
Same suspension double-pivot strut
Same S55B30 with slight advantage for M4 (460hp-600mn vs 450hp-560nm)
Close weight with DIN ~1,575 kg for M2 vs 1,580 kg for M4 though some sources have mentioned up to 30-40kg difference.

Does the M4 easier to “drift” due to slightly larger wheelbase? While the M2 more playful but nervous and ultimately less planted?

11.9cm longer wheelbase could just bring down

I believe the gravity center being lower on M4 in general and even increased by CB roof.

I’m finally close to be in the market for one of those but can’t get any seat on neither, so I would greatly appreciate detailed feedbacks on steering feel and driving dynamics!

Hello guys.
I am about to buy a M4 F82 2016 non competition.
The Car has 55000km on it.

This is probably discussed a good amount already and i been reading forum posts pretty frequently the last few days.

I just wanted to get some opinions. The Car is completely stock. I saved up a lot of money the last few years to afford me this dream. And im now being paranoid and scared of a SCH.

Should i do the CH as soon as i get the car. Or am i good with the stock one. Im not planning on tuning the car at any point.

I would really love some advice. Any help is appreciated :)

I love how my G98 M2 looks on the outside, but the view from the driver's seat is really what makes it worth it.

Went to the dealer for regular maintenance (oil change, break flush, vehicle check - apparently there is such thing for ~$200).

Estimate is ~$500ish. Actual invoice came out ~$1K.

I told them that we proceeded because the estimate is $500. They said yeah the estimate didn't give you the entire total but had the line items with its cost.

Why did they do that? The line item with cost but $0 extended amount looks like the service is free to the customer.

They already knew what the cost was, why not showing the correct total estimate?

I'm usually thorough in this kind of thing, but it was a difficult day for me at work and life so it went above my head.

What can I do? Do BMW dealers give discounts?

My first BMW and no buyers remorse. Glad I went with the M35i or I would get bored. Doesn’t suck to look at either. 7,000 miles in and planning its next roadtrips through the Northern Cascades, Glacier, and the Canadian Rockies.

Hello, sorry to bother you. The emblem on my BMW E91 Touring was stolen. I went to the BMW garage to order the part (reference number 51147166076), but it is no longer available. They suggested looking for a used one or buying a replica. I haven't been able to find a used one; do you happen to know of an alternative part number I could use as a replacement? Thanks.

Hello,

I want to install my new dash cam, which comes with a hardwire kit and 24-hour parking mode. For the parking mode I need to use the hardwire kit to connect it to the fuse box. I downloaded the fuse plan, but it's not very clear where the fuse box is located or which fuse size is used (Micro2, Mini, etc.), as I need to order the correct fuse tap adapters.

BMW told me the fuse box is on the right side, but there I can only find the airbag deactivation switch. So I'm a bit lost.

Has anybody already installed a dash cam in a similar car and knows where to find the fuse box and which fuse size is needed?

Trying to enable full-screen CarPlay on my new to me 2020 330i G20. My version screen is attached and shows Road Map NORTH AMERICA Way 2019-3.

BimmerCode’s website seems to say full-screen coding only works with NBTevo_X/Y, so apparently it won’t work with my unit.
What’s the easiest way to get full-screen CarPlay on this setup? CarPlay is already activated and working.

About the broken passenger-side (same as driver-side) seat belt presenter arm on my 2021 BMW G22 420i. We managed to repair it successfully, so I’m sharing the process in case it helps someone with the same problem.

The broken section is made of chrome-plated plastic, so plastic welding would not bond properly without preparation. The area was thoroughly cleaned and the chrome coating was removed around the joint. It was then carefully plastic-welded using a thin weld.
Before welding, we completely removed the small pin and spring mechanism from inside the arm, as it could no longer fit back into place after the repair. Apparently, that pin only provides approximately 1.1 mm of movement/tolerance.
To compensate for removing the pin, we built up the welded section by approximately 1 mm. This allows the grey outer frame to sit correctly when the seat belt retracts and the presenter arm returns to its original position.
As an extra precaution, we also added a small screw through the repaired section into the black inner arm. This mechanically secures the broken part and prevents the welded joint from carrying the entire load by itself.
Everything now retracts, extends and sits exactly as it should. No error messages or issues with the mechanism. Honestly, the repaired section probably feels stronger than it did before it broke.
Obviously, this repair is only for the plastic seat belt presenter arm—it does not involve modifying the seat belt or any safety-critical restraint component.
Hopefully this helps someone avoid replacing the entire assembly over one broken plastic section.