[timesone]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

Aren’t recordings always 40s max? (20s before, 20s after).

My 2023 has data ports and I start my drive recorder to usb memory stick every trip… duration only limited to the capacity remaining on the stick

[FlashMonkey929]

Originally Posted by John27

I thought that onboard Drive Recorder could only hold a maximum of 10 recordings with each recording having a maximum length of one minute (being 30 secs before and after the incident)? Happy to be corrected on this as I cannot check with my car at this time. But if this is right, the maximum export of data can only be about 10 minutes video without deleting existing recordings first on Drive Recorder?

Given the onboard memory capacity of Drive Recorder is unlikely to have been changed, then there should be no difference in what can be exported whether by wifi or by USB.

Perhaps others with more experience of using Drive Recorder can confirm or correct?

On iDrive 8, I've exported to the USB stick only. I haven't tried or confirmed that my early '23 model can export to the app yet. Technically it's a total of 40 minutes of recordings since it records the perspective from all 4 cameras per one minute clip, and the files from each camera are exported as a separate file. They natively do not play on my Mac, I've had to convert them since the codec used seems to be a non-standard one.

[Ukfraser]

Originally Posted by Pganders

Thats a big downgrade - which model do you have?

I have a 2023 model MSport which luckily missed all these downgrades. I’m now getting to the stage that with so many bits of trim being removed along with the, as yet unresolved, IBS issue and countless software glitches I will not be buying another BMW.

We just went with the sport 2.0i sdrive which is the base model in the uk and just upgraded to the sports seats as i wanted the additional adjustments over the base seat. But the online product spec isnt the most detailed i have seen compared to other manufacturers.
We have had it just over a month, it did come with os 9 which isnt the best operating system ive seen and there are lots of features i would like to see such as a dedicated adjustment just for the screen brightness independent of cabin level and a dedicated traffic alert volume. But the reversing camera is much better than on previous cars.

[Pganders]

Originally Posted by Ukfraser

We just went with the sport 2.0i sdrive which is the base model in the uk and just upgraded to the sports seats as i wanted the additional adjustments over the base seat. But the online product spec isnt the most detailed i have seen compared to other manufacturers.
We have had it just over a month, it did come with os 9 which isnt the best operating system ive seen and there are lots of features i would like to see such as a dedicated adjustment just for the screen brightness independent of cabin level and a dedicated traffic alert volume. But the reversing camera is much better than on previous cars.

A quick look at Autotrader would suggest that the standard seats in the Sport trim don’t have the fold down arm rest. I think its a case of who knows what you’ll get with BMW unless you actually see it with your own eyes pre purchase. One of the many reasons I’m put off now buying another factory order BMW.

[Ukfraser]

Originally Posted by Pganders

A quick look at Autotrader would suggest that the standard seats in the Sport trim don’t have the fold down arm rest. I think its a case of who knows what you’ll get with BMW unless you actually see it with your own eyes pre purchase. One of the many reasons I’m put off now buying another factory order BMW.

And lets face it, no dealer is going to stock the base model as they want people to buy the more expensive ones. Though we nearly didnt buy because the m suspension was too stiff for us, even on its softest setting, and they sent us out in a series 2 which they had and shares the same platform. The 17" wheels suit our requirement for comfort.

In the past we have typically bought a car with only a few k miles on the clock so you know exactly what you are getting but we thought we would treat ourselves this time.

But it was interesting seeing what wasnt included when we got it. Nothing, we really needed, just a few surprises such as only a close button on the boot and no pad on the handle to unlock or lock when the key is in your pocket but the essentials are there and the key is enough.
The only thing i really miss is a dipping passenger mirror when reversing.

[Pganders]

Originally Posted by Ukfraser

The only thing i really miss is a dipping passenger mirror when reversing.

You might actually have this function!

The switch (assuming you have one on the Sport) on the drivers door is counterintuitive (UK model & my car at any rate) where you have to have the drivers door mirror switch enabled for the passenger door mirror to dip on reverse. Took me ages to figure out why mine wasn’t working - either mine is wired wrongly or BMW couldn’t be bothered reversing the wiring for RHD models!

[Ukfraser]

Originally Posted by Pganders

You might actually have this function!

!

I did try switching the mirror setting but according to the list of extras, this is included in the auto dimming mirror package which is part of the technology package which also includes high beam assistant, adaptive led headlights and auto dimming rear view mirror, comfort access and wireless charging. At £1,680 I couldn't justify for just reversing. I really dont like auto dimming mirrors as the threshold was far to sensitive on my previous cars which had it so didnt want that feature.

[ficuswhisperer]

Do the front USB ports really not do data, or are they just marked as power only? Has anybody tried them to see if they do data? That seems like such a weird and nonsensical thing to change between model years.

[J-RO]

Yes, yes and yes.

[pottering_pasty]

And from me - yes - they do not do data, yes - tried it and no USB stick is recognised and yes it is completely nonsensical

[saltydog]

Another yes, yes and yes. PIA. I like my songs on the USB and data recording on a USB, the USB can hold more data than the internal storage.

[J-RO]

If someone (probably from China) comes up with a retrofit please let me know.

[Graemeb2812]

(M-Sport November 2024 build - UK)

I was offered the chance to drop by the dealership to have a quick look at the car, pre-delivery and noticed a few things;

Keys - Gone are the smart polished silver and black keys with the blue/red M trim, replaced with two-tone black plastic and grey keys. I actually thought they were some spare/pre-delivery keys; they were not - they were that bad, IMO.

Interior - The front seat pockets netting has gone, as mentioned previously. Part of a travel pack now, apparently.

Tyres - They have fitted some 'Vredestein Ultrac MO' tyres. It's a brand I've never heard of, but that's not to suggest they are any worse than the main brands, just never heard of them.


I'm expected to take delivery next weekend, so I will have a better opportunity to look at the car then.

My initial feelings are that they have sacrificed some small premium touches (the keys, for example), which isn't what you expect from this brand, sadly.

[Pganders]

Originally Posted by Graemeb2812

(M-Sport October 2024 build - UK)

I was offered the chance to drop by the dealership to have a quick look at the car, pre-delivery and noticed a few things;

Keys - Gone are the smart polished silver and black keys with the blue/red M trim, replaced with two-tone black plastic and grey keys. I actually thought they were some spare/pre-delivery keys; they were not - they were that bad, IMO.

Interior - The front seat pockets netting has gone, as mentioned previously. Part of a travel pack now, apparently.

Tyres - They have fitted some 'Vredestein Ultrac MO' tyres. It's a brand I've never heard of, but that's not to suggest they are any worse than the main brands, just never heard of them.


I'm expected to take delivery next weekend, so I will have a better opportunity to look at the car then.

My initial feelings are that they have sacrificed some small premium touches (the keys, for example), which isn't what you expect from this brand, sadly.

That’s very disappointing, particularly the key fob. What next??

BTW are MO marked tyres not “Mercedes Original” - seems strange on a BMW?

[paulockenden]

Originally Posted by Pganders

BTW are MO marked tyres not “Mercedes Original” - seems strange on a BMW?

Many tyres now are both MO and star. Where there used to be separate versions for each marque, now they are combined.

[Taylor66]

Yep loss of data port is a poor move by BMW. The key fob feels cheap, as its very light. My guess is that they expect everyone to upgrade to a higher spec and use your phone. Mine is six months old and the silver is peeling off (Its sharp as well) pointed this out at the latest service, the rep said it was classed as wear and tear.

[tmgp]

Originally Posted by John27

A bit of a mixed bag. I am not sure all the changes are a bad thing? The glove box doesn't need a light and the loss of door sill covers isn't really an issue (only see them when you open the door - unless you tread on them, of course) plus the loss of mesh map pockets - who uses them (for maps at least)? I do agree loss of a hard copy of the owners manual would be pain but the big issue would for me would be the loss of usb data ports.

it's not a mixed bag, it's clearly negative, these are not $15k cars and they are shaving everything to cut costs. I was about to purchase a new usb drive until i read this post and i'm shocked. in every other car i always have used a usb drive for music playback.

and recently i had to retrieve something at night from the glovebox and i can't understand how you say that it doesn't need light... unless you have night vision at night it's a dark black hole.

door sills, you clearly don't have kids, my painting is already scratched there from the chaotic clims to the car so it's useful for sure

ps: not related but very cheap atitute as well to remove radio logos when the digital premium ends... my 10 year vw allows for logos on the radio without paying...

can't wait to see the new 3 series to see where BMW is heading to, but not looking good...

[SilverGrey]

Is the new key the same shape and size of the one it replaced? If so, I’ll be purchasing a cover.

My car (which should be arriving soon) has comfort access so the key probably isn’t going to be used much anyway.

[Graemeb2812]

Originally Posted by SilverGrey

Is the new key the same shape and size of the one it replaced? If so, I’ll be purchasing a cover.

My car (which should be arriving soon) has comfort access so the key probably isn’t going to be used much anyway.

I belive it's same size. Perhaps what they have done is remove the M-Sport key and given all model variants the standard key.

I'll have comfort access also so the actual keyfob will probably stay in a pocket or faraday case somewhere


What dissapoints me is that these are the small obvious things they appear to be doing to cut cost, and in my opinion, devalue the brand.

What concerns me slightly is the things that we don't see that's been done to cut costs.

[paulockenden]

The new key has the buttons on the side (apart from lock) and is, I think, slightly thinner. In various YouTube reviews most people seem to like it.

[Pganders]

Originally Posted by paulockenden

The new key has the buttons on the side (apart from lock) and is, I think, slightly thinner. In various YouTube reviews most people seem to like it.

That sounds just like my 2023 model year key with M Sport decal and gloss black/silver finish. Looks great but try getting it onto a keyring - I ended up using a cable tie.

[Ukfraser]

Originally Posted by Pganders

That sounds just like my 2023 model year key with M Sport decal and gloss black/silver finish. Looks great but try getting it onto a keyring - I ended up using a cable tie.

The dealer had already put key rings on mine. Service!