[metrathon]

I drive a 2012 328i Sport and when I dropped it in for 15k miles service, they gave me a no-line, bare-bones 2014 328i. Feels cheaper of course, doesn't drive as well, BUT here are a few important things they fixed during the 2 year period:

- Much less road noise.
- Doors shut easily. I almost gotta slam mine.
- Front doors makes a German "thump" when closed as opposed to mine which sound like a tin can.
- Cannot feel the ASS anymore. Mine shakes and shudders. Also when stopping, the engine shuts-off immediately.
- Locking/unlocking the doors is very silent. Mine sounds like a steam-punk machine.
- Less wind noise.
- Engine sounds VERY different, almost like an NA 6-inline. Love it.

I had the exact same experience with my 2009 A4 vs a 2011 A4 loaner.

I always knew it's wrong to buy a 1st year production car, but it's hard to buy a 6 year old design when the new one just came out. I swear it'll never happen again.

[Tommy_hf]

Well that explains a lot. I'm driving a late 2013 F30 and it's silent, no rattles, doors closes softly with the well known soft thump. I almost thought the US models were inforior built quality allowing them to be much cheaper than euro cars, but that's just taxes and production years I think :-)

[pedroF31]

Yep, I really appreciate guys like you that do all the suffering and make all the complaints so that I can come along a few years later and get a great car that's sorted - thanks fella !!

[f30luxline]

I do not notice any of the quality issues you have noticed. I had my car in for service last week and was given a '14 base loaner. I actually noticed the opposite. This could be because of the base trim compared to luxury line. There was not a single thing I like over my car except that is seemed to have more power on demand, I think this may be due to the '14 having an e-wastegate which reviews have shown to be more responsive. I don't use ASS so I can't comment on it. I have noticed (months ago) the induction sound is different with the '14 and liked that as well.

I also don't have a lot of issues I read about here either. Maybe I was just lucky....

[300hp]

2013 Msports, these were a disaster according to this forum. 50% rate of getting limp mode. Here is to the 2014s not getting any

I never got limp mode but I suffered serious mechanical faults with the engine. The first I already have a thread about, the second I am yet to create one for. My car is back but I already have the green light for a trade assist from BMW (a thread will follow soon once everything is done).

On the issue of first year production cars, I can't resist the 435i Gran Coupe. Fools will always be fools I guess, lol

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by 300hp

On the issue of first year production cars, I can't resist the 435i Gran Coupe. Fools will always be fools I guess, lol

435i GC is 90% the same car as the F30, and the differences should not be vulnerable to the "1st year" bug. If anything, the hatch will keep popping to the top-most position and slam to the ceiling of your garage

[300hp]

Originally Posted by metrathon

435i GC is 90% the same car as the F30, and the differences should not be vulnerable to the "1st year" bug. If anything, the hatch will keep popping to the top-most position and slam to the ceiling of your garage

Lol, I completely agree. I foresee people breaking the rear window in their garages with that hatch set up.

[ny325]

I had my fair shair of problems with first year model 2007 335I. I will no longer buy a first year model, however, I will consider the 3rd or 4th year.

[ska///235i]

I got my e90 when it first came out in 2005. I feel your pain and now I might jump on the 4GC. Goodluck to u all lol

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by ny325

I had my fair shair of problems with first year model 2007 335I. I will no longer buy a first year model, however, I will consider the 3rd or 4th year.

LCI is the best time to buy.

[f1point0]

Originally Posted by metrathon

LCI is the best time to buy.

How many more years will BMW typically stay with the same model following an LCI, before the next new model? Are we due for an F3x LCI in 2015?

[SamS]

Originally Posted by f1point0

How many more years will BMW typically stay with the same model following an LCI, before the next new model? Are we due for an F3x LCI in 2015?

Yes, for model year 2016.

[ny325]

Hopefully BMW does something with the electric steering in the LCI. Maybe tweak the frontend and add more HP, and torque. Going back to the inline 6 NA is wishful thinking but would be nice.

[zeezz]

July 2012 build (last month for 2012 production)... mine has held up pretty well over 25k miles. I think the tire noise is louder now, but that's probably more a function of the lower wear on tires. My doors close very well after a slight adjustment by the dealer. ASS disabled via coding.

the main thing I *do* wish I had was the NBT navigation, now that looks slick!

[MikeRR]

When I decide to buy a car I buy it now and not in 3 years, till then I have changed cars 3 times - haha

[chetman7]

My 435 has been in for random repairs 3x so far. I've had it since late october with only 3k miles.

[BavarianFanatic]

Originally Posted by 300hp

2013 Msports, these were a disaster according to this forum. 50% rate of getting limp mode. Here is to the 2014s not getting any

I never got limp mode but I suffered serious mechanical faults with the engine. The first I already have a thread about, the second I am yet to create one for. My car is back but I already have the green light for a trade assist from BMW (a thread will follow soon once everything is done).

On the issue of first year production cars, I can't resist the 435i Gran Coupe. Fools will always be fools I guess, lol

No offense, but this is wrong. You can't use forums as any indication of reality. My M Sport has been flawless. In fact, I just bought out the lease at only one year in.

The upside of a first year model is that they often have content that either disappears in subsequent years or becomes optional. You just need to go in with eyes wide open and be patient if issues do surface. Everyone has unrealistic want it now expectations these days that will always lead to dissatisfaction and dismay. If they do offer improvements over the cycle (inevitable) there's always the option of upgrading along the way. If you wait for perfection you'll be in great shape from walking everywhere for the rest of your life.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by BavarianFanatic

No offense, but this is wrong. You can't use forums as any indication of reality. My M Sport has been flawless. In fact, I just bought out the lease at only one year in.

The upside of a first year model is that they often have content that either disappears in subsequent years or becomes optional. You just need to go in with eyes wide open and be patient if issues do surface. Everyone has unrealistic want it now expectations these days that will always lead to dissatisfaction and dismay. If they do offer improvements over the cycle (inevitable) there's always the option of upgrading along the way. If you wait for perfection you'll be in great shape from walking everywhere for the rest of your life.

I was talking about the 1st year, not waiting for perfection or wishing the impossible. And in the same way the forums are no barometer, neither is your particular case.

[metrathon]

Originally Posted by ny325

Hopefully BMW does something with the electric steering in the LCI. Maybe tweak the frontend and add more HP, and torque. Going back to the inline 6 NA is wishful thinking but would be nice.

The electric steering is here to stay and it won't change and it does EXACTLY what you hate: it kills the road feedback, like in texture, grip limit, etc. That's its nature. It can be sharp, heavy, exact, but it cannot give you the hydraulic road feel back.

It was something BMW decided to take away from the enthusiast to improve the fuel consumption, save weight and please the legions of southern californian, white or asian, stay-home moms who gonna lease the 320i

[ft1330]

Yep, if you can't wait until LCI at least wait until 3rd year. 1st and 2nd years are a roll of the dice.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by ft1330

Yep, if you can't wait until LCI at least wait until 3rd year. 1st and 2nd years are a roll of the dice.

Third year means you're driving a car with 3-year styling, and none of the benefits of LCI. Considering both the 1st year car and the third year car have the exact same warranty, there's little point to the third year model.

[ny325]

I would wait for the LCI. Hopefully by then the bugs have been worked out.