Tony Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 As some know i bought Elaine this a few months back BMW 319i 2008 53k on the clock, one lady owner, FSH.... But up until yesterday i've never drove the car so my first impressions are..... Negatives 1: Not sure i like the seat adjustment... It goes back and down or forward and up rather than just back and forth meaning for my long legs it looks like i'm sitting in a bucket seat. 2: The steering feels heavy and positive but doesn't return after cornering. This a very different to the Vectra's steering return. 3: Not sure if this next one is good or bad but since it raises "at the time concern" then i'm going to call it a negative. That being the cars engine is silent so when stopped in traffic i keep thinking it's stalled. 4: When i first drove the car the fuel was low, within a few miles a picture of a fuel pump appeared on the dash soon followed by a constant bell/ dinging noise and the a warning triangle with an ! in the middle appeared on the dash. Now this got me worried because it also said fuel range 30 miles? Anyway i tanked it up and everything reset. Positives 1: As said it's silent so although i need faith in traffic it's not stalled the driving harmonics are near zero. 2: As some know i'm no lover of run-flat tyres but since Elaine has had a hip and total knee replacement there was no option for her sake... Nevertheless the actual ride is as soft as a babies bum but surprisingly also with very little body. roll. 3: It's full of gadgets and very well laid out. The ICE sounds unbelievable and the heater is hot in a matter of a mile which suits my boney frame. 4: There's no rear window wiper which i thought was going to go in the negative list but the rear de-mist clears the mist and rain water in minutes and then turns it self off, don't ask me how but it does. 5: The windscreen de-mist blower caught me out... Seemingly i had it set on high and when i turned it on my face looked like Clarkson driving the Arial Atom on track, but at least i didn't have to shave that day. 6: When i did fuel her up £30 gave me half a tank which i think is reasonable for a car it's size. Conclusion Having never taken much interest in BMW's i have to re-evaluate my opinion from "their ok" to "their good value", so i give it a thumbs up 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adam_r Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 And there was me expecting to see a video of you drifting it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liner33 Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 For the rear window something like Rain X will help, we have the same issue with the superb but wife doesnt let me treat the windows as she doesnt like the rain beading off (women eh?) Maybe the steering might benefit from a geometry check , do you know anyone? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 I was going to say maybe it needs a geo! Sounds good, I was impressed with my Grandad's (now my Dad's he's given up driving) BMW, you get alot for the money. I think newer engines are more refined so they do sound quiet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Glad you're happy with it! Negatives 1: Not sure i like the seat adjustment... It goes back and down or forward and up rather than just back and forth meaning for my long legs it looks like i'm sitting in a bucket seat. 2: The steering feels heavy and positive but doesn't return after cornering. This a very different to the Vectra's steering return. 3: Not sure if this next one is good or bad but since it raises "at the time concern" then i'm going to call it a negative. That being the cars engine is silent so when stopped in traffic i keep thinking it's stalled. 4: When i first drove the car the fuel was low, within a few miles a picture of a fuel pump appeared on the dash soon followed by a constant bell/ dinging noise and the a warning triangle with an ! in the middle appeared on the dash. Now this got me worried because it also said fuel range 30 miles? Anyway i tanked it up and everything reset. 1. Are you sure you're adjusting the slider and not using the height adjustment lever? Your description sounds like the latter. 2. That's standard RWD behaviour - it'll never self-centre in the way a FWD car does. I had the same issue when I first got the Lexus coming out of a FWD car, just takes a bit of getting used to. 3. That's not a negative! Impressed considering it's a 4 cyl diesel, in my experience they generally sound like tractors! 4. Fuel warning is fair enough but a constant dinging would get annoying, how often does it go off? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 The steering weight adds confidence but quite a transition from the Vectra, it's not a geometry problem. @Parthiban 1: I could only find two adjusters, one for the back rest and the one i described but i'll have another look. 2: Gyroscopic return i hear you. 3: It's petrol 4: It dings about every 5sec but to be fair there probably is a button to turn it off that i haven't found yet? @Rich I think it was a BMW advert they balanced a coin on while it was running. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 The slider adjustment will be under the seat at the front, most likely on the left of the drivers seat. Good man, for some reason I thought it was a diesel - that makes more sense then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Thanks, I'll have a look for that adjuster, at the moment it look like Chad driving the car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve-O Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Does it have the heated seats - thats a rare treat especially coming into winter I like beemers but personally i find Mercs are more to my liking these days Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P4UL T Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Try looking for a leaver like no 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Posted November 5, 2014 Report Share Posted November 5, 2014 Looks really tidy. Bet it was one if those no brainer buys where you just know its been looked after. It took me about 3 weeks to get my seat exactly how I wanted it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Thanks PaulT i've found it now..... @Funky, your spot on there. I bought it from a dealer with a years MOT and tax, i month 100% warranty FSH and AA mileage/ HPI blar blar checks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
parthiban Posted November 6, 2014 Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 Try looking for a leaver like no 1 Actually more levers on that seat than I was expecting! Which one were you using originally Tony? I'm guessing number 6? And what does number 3 do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Posted November 6, 2014 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2014 It hasn't got all those levers... It has #1 #6 and #7 is actually a wheel to move the backrest... #1 move the seat back/ forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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