Launch model problems?

[ShePearl]

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Hi folks.

I've personally never owned BMW before. However, I am considering on getting F82 M4 soon. (If I'm not mistaken worldwide availability is around July).

Almost always, I tried avoiding launch models when I buy cars. Because it's my understanding that launch models are usually prone to problems and later on, manufacturers usually release updated/fixed models (be it cars, PC components whatnot)

Perhaps, this maybe a prejudice when it comes to BMW M. What do you guys think?

I'd love to hear opinions from those who plan to buy M3/M4 launch models and also from those people who plan to avoid launch models and wait for refreshed version (about one year?).

Also, has anyone experienced E92 M3 launch model? I'd love to hear your experience.

Thanks.

[JS919]

I had an early production E92 M3 with a DCT and never had any problems. There were other people that did have some DCT problems, but it was software related and it was fixed fairly quick. My car was reprogrammed at the 1200 mile service. I only had it a year and put about 10,000 miles on it, but I never any trouble while I had it.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by evo2point0

Hi folks.

I've personally never owned BMW before. However, I am considering on getting F82 M4 soon. (If I'm not mistaken worldwide availability is around July).

Almost always, I tried avoiding launch models when I buy cars. Because it's my understanding that launch models are usually prone to problems and later on, manufacturers usually release updated/fixed models (be it cars, PC components whatnot)

Perhaps, this maybe a prejudice when it comes to BMW M. What do you guys think?

I'd love to hear opinions from those who plan to buy M3/M4 launch models and also from those people who plan to avoid launch models and wait for refreshed version (about one year?).

Also, has anyone experienced E92 M3 launch model? I'd love to hear your experience.

Thanks.

Launch models always tend to have a few bugs/quirks. However, not every car will be affected by these problems.

For what it's worth, my "launch model" F30 M Sport 335i was a lemon. It had a faulty taillight assembly, rust on the seat frames and seat belt equipment, faulty Comfort Access, and a problematic electric cooling fan that caused the car to die on the middle of the highway. The cooling fan had to be replaced 4 times.

Fortunately, if you do experience severe problems, BMW will take care of you. BMWNA, in conjunction with my dealer, bought back my F30 and ordered me a brand new one for the same price. They even added some additional options for free.

[m3ct]

Originally Posted by evo2point0

Hi folks.

I've personally never owned BMW before. However, I am considering on getting F82 M4 soon. (If I'm not mistaken worldwide availability is around July).

Almost always, I tried avoiding launch models when I buy cars. Because it's my understanding that launch models are usually prone to problems and later on, manufacturers usually release updated/fixed models (be it cars, PC components whatnot)

Perhaps, this maybe a prejudice when it comes to BMW M. What do you guys think?

I'd love to hear opinions from those who plan to buy M3/M4 launch models and also from those people who plan to avoid launch models and wait for refreshed version (about one year?).

Also, has anyone experienced E92 M3 launch model? I'd love to hear your experience.

Thanks.

I had a 2013 S4 that was the first year in a mid cycle refresh, so you wouldn't expect many issues - but it turned out to be a lemon. Limp mode 3 times along with probably 10-15 visits to the shop for other things. Audi gave me a new car for free, it was only the dealership that tried to screw me over - but It worked out in the end (at least for me). No issues since getting a replacement.

[BMWJ]

I had a very early '08 e92 M3 - Only issue I had was the techs in the service department aren't that great, so unless there's a documented issue by BMW they don't know how to fix it. For example - I had the issue at slow tight turns of the clutches sticking in the LSD, turned out all they needed to do was use a different oil in the LSD. Problem with the service department is it took them over a week to replace almost the entire steering system..... What??? yea, that's right, even after I brought it in and told them where the problem was they worked on the wrong side of the car. Gave it back to me and told me it was fixed. It took a while and eventually a bulletin came out from BMW and they finally learned how to fix my issue

Aside from that I had no early model problems

[Benjamin]

You can always wait and see how the first year goes, then decide to buy one.

[ShePearl]

Originally Posted by Benjamin

You can always wait and see how the first year goes, then decide to buy one.

That's the hardest part. Waiting kills. :-(

[stressdoc]

My E90 335 was a first week build, and I think it may have been better as a consequence. Trade-offs in regard to paying extra attention to early builds vs. catching glitches. At this point I wish I could get an early build F80, but sales rep says it will be a year wait now...

[GotEM4]

Originally Posted by evo2point0

Hi folks.

I've personally never owned BMW before. However, I am considering on getting F82 M4 soon. (If I'm not mistaken worldwide availability is around July).

Almost always, I tried avoiding launch models when I buy cars. Because it's my understanding that launch models are usually prone to problems and later on, manufacturers usually release updated/fixed models (be it cars, PC components whatnot)

Perhaps, this maybe a prejudice when it comes to BMW M. What do you guys think?

I'd love to hear opinions from those who plan to buy M3/M4 launch models and also from those people who plan to avoid launch models and wait for refreshed version (about one year?).

Also, has anyone experienced E92 M3 launch model? I'd love to hear your experience.

Thanks.

I'm in the exact boat you're on! At first, I was sure about the M4 1st launch, but now may wait and take a back seat and see if any if there will be 1st yr problems, update, upgrade, or what have you. I find ironic that on all of these forums, the choice between the F80 and F82 is almost split 50/50, so it's not unanimous or yet sold to many people about the F82. For this reason, makes me want to think twice or at least wait until you hear more about them after production.

The excitement is there with the buildup of these new cars, so there is a frenzy going on right now, and the wait of the production just adds to the excitement. Who knows, maybe you'll have a better chance negotiating below MSRP on 2nd yr in production as high demand will highly and unlikely that you get below sticker price for them.

I too am a first-time BMW buyer and is yet to be swayed 100% to buy one because I hear a lot too about the quality of their cars, but have always eyed on the old M3 which is why I want the best M performance car out there. Coming from a Japanese sports car enthusiast, quality to me is high when it comes to performance cars, so I'm not sure yet about the quality of the F80/F82.

So, to sum it up, I may wait and sit this out until I hear more news after the 1st launch You ever had that feeling when you come out of the lot and you are so psyched about the having the best, latest and top of the line model...then a few months later, they release the next version which is better than the 1st? (Like what Apple does to iPhones)? well, I don't want to be in that situation, so I may have to wait and see.

But if you're too excited and want to join in on the frenzy, then pitch your tent to your BMW dealer near you and wait for the 1st production. Sometimes they say "good things happen for those who wait!"

[m3ct]

On the other end of the spectrum for people who only keep cars 1-2 years, I'd rather deal with some bugs than wait another full year. Life is too short! If it's a lemon then you get a new ride anyways!

[ShePearl]

Thanks for the input so far.

A question. what kind of changes has there been for E92 M3 since its debut in 2007 ?
Is there any website which shows list of changes/updates for E92 M3 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 models ?

[Wah]

For the E92 M3, I think the two biggest changes were in 2009 when they put in the new idrive, and 2011 for the LCI (LED tail lights) and competition package. Other than that, I think there were only minor tweaks like button locations, colors added/deleted, package changes.

[TTG]

At least wait until Sep production cars.....

BMW updates / incorporates changes in Sep or March. My 335 was a 2006 Sep built and my M3 was a 2010 April built. Never had any problems with either car.

To answer your question, I would not buy a launch car, especially if you are planning on keeping the car.

Having said all of that, my wife has a 2002 Mini Cooper S that is a May 2002 built. We still have it and had no problems with it.

[ss134]

1 M Coupe had no problems from launch. There is no reason to believe the F8x will be any different.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by TTG

At least wait until Sep production cars.....

BMW updates / incorporates changes in Sep or March. My 335 was a 2006 Sep built and my M3 was a 2010 April built. Never had any problems with either car.

BMW has changed to three changes a year, so it's March/July/November now. So next update happens in July, such as additional colors and Individual options.

That being said, I had an early build E92 M3 and, in 3 years of ownership, didn't run into any problems at all. Hope it'll be the same with the F80.


Best regards,
south

[ozinaldo]

Originally Posted by ss134

1 M Coupe had no problems from launch. There is no reason to believe the F8x will be any different.

Not a good comparison for two reasons:

1) 1M was built using essentially existing parts (other than bespoke body parts); M division picked whatever best and well-tested, mature parts, components they had to bring the car together in order to save time and money. This is not the case for the F8X platform.

2) BMW knew and let the World also know that one way or another 1M would be a limited car; essentially a one-year-only model. They ended up almost tripling their initial plan of producing 2700 or so cars up to 6309 produced cars but this was done without extending production duration; from March 2011 to 29th of June 2012 excluding pre-production models. This also won't be the case for the F8X platform; new M3 and M4 will be produced around 5, maybe 6 model years and BMW will build as much as they can sell so there will be plenty of time to fix and upgrade this and that.

I am not saying shit will happen for launch models but yes there is enough reason to think that it may happen because this is not 1M story repeating itself which BMW could not risk even the slightest delay or unexpected (and essential) error due to lack of time. They did not even finish the design of side creases of 1M which were supposed to be open, mimicing the air curtains (kind of like the ones in F80) because the company that was outsourced couldn't meet the deadlines and instead of risking a production delay they just gave up on that part of the design idea

While F8X platform continues many details of the 1M into this generation of M3s and obviously uses all the lessons learned from it, I can safely say that in this particular topic they are two very different cases.

Weirdly, sometimes a parts bin car has its own advantages!

[karbonphiber]

Originally Posted by evo2point0

That's the hardest part. Waiting kills. :-(

The way that i look at it is the potential of enjoying the car outweighs that of the potential of having to deal with problems

[TTG]

Originally Posted by southlight

BMW has changed to three changes a year, so it's March/July/November now. So next update happens in July, such as additional colors and Individual options.

That being said, I had an early build E92 M3 and, in 3 years of ownership, didn't run into any problems at all. Hope it'll be the same with the F80.


Best regards,
south

Thank You South. I love it when I learn something new.

[ss134]

Did F30 or F32 have many problems after launch?

[m3ct]

Originally Posted by southlight

BMW has changed to three changes a year, so it's March/July/November now. So next update happens in July, such as additional colors and Individual options.

That being said, I had an early build E92 M3 and, in 3 years of ownership, didn't run into any problems at all. Hope it'll be the same with the F80.


Best regards,
south

Good to know! Thanks for the info

[AhsanU]

Originally Posted by evo2point0

That's the hardest part. Waiting kills. :-(

Patience almost always has its rewards.

Unless you want the car that badly (and let's face it, a lot of us do) then it's worth the wait. A good example is the current 991 GT3; customers are being forced to stop driving the beast and are getting full engine replacements. While it's awesome of Porsche to be doing that, the customer suffers because of it, and subsequently the resale value will plummet for the affected model year on top of being unhappy because of the issues.

[ybbiz34]

Originally Posted by ss134

Did F30 or F32 have many problems after launch?

Yes. See the 3rd post of this thread (on page 1).

3 of the big ones were:

- Faulty taillight assembly

- Rusty seat frames

- Faulty electric cooling fan