[ipilcher]

It took 9 weeks, a bizarre honey-bee dance by the Bishu Highway, and an unexpected red-eye flight, but I finally picked up my F34 on Friday.

I haven't had a chance to actually drive it that much lately. (I've spent most of the last two days working in freezing conditions to prepare my garage.) My main observation thus far is that this thing is absolutely made for highway driving. It's disturbingly easy to blow way past the speed limit without a thought, and the feeling of stability at highway speed is really amazing.

My only complaints are the silly "gear shift" control on the 8AT and the lack of "get up" off the line in Comfort mode. I'm sure that I soon won't have to think so much when putting the car in gear, and I'm hoping that the MPPK will help a bit with the latter. If not, I'll just continue driving in Sport mode all the time. Oh, the horror!

[SamS]

Looking real good, enjoy!

[mcoops]

Glad to see it has finally arrived - it was certainly an epic journey. I know what you mean about comfort mode. I only have 160 miles on the clock but gave up today and stuck it into Sport for a few miles, albeit I kept it under 4000rpm. Instant smiles.

[Alex57r]

Congrats! When I first got the car I was always in sport mode too but now I am finally setting into comfort. . Car looks great in blue!

[ipilcher]

Well ... after a week of travel, I had the chance to run a couple of errands this afternoon, and I have to say that I found the experience disappointing. The car seemed really sluggish off the line, even in Sport mode with ASS off.

I also noticed that this is the first vehicle I've ever driven that doesn't have any tinting along the top of the windshield to help with early morning/late afternoon sun. Why in the world would they not have this?

And I continue to be stymied by the utter uselessness of the manuals for things like iDrive, BMW Assist, and even the seat/mirror position memory.

I knew that the bloom would come off the rose, but I thought it would take more than 50 miles.

[qdtjant]

Congrats to a nice car and do get the MPPK, it makes a nice difference.

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by qdtjant

Congrats to a nice car and do get the MPPK, it makes a nice difference.

Heh. The MPPK is sitting in a box in the garage, where it will likely stay for a while.

All of my attempts to get this car set up to my liking (seats/mirrors, phone, nav, BMW Assist, etc.) have been so frustrating that I really just want to leave the damn thing in the garage and get on with my life.

[FunRevn]

The PPK will def help. Also the computer adapts to your input. Give it some stick.. 4 or 5 full throttle,close to redline runs throughout 2-3 gear should wake her up and hopefully help you smile a bit. It always works for me if my wife's been driving my car for a few days.

[lmcq784]

Let it run in for a while first. I find the drive got nicer as I drove it more, and especially after the "break in" period. And I only have the N20 engine.

Give it some time.

[Alex57r]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Heh. The MPPK is sitting in a box in the garage, where it will likely stay for a while.

All of my attempts to get this car set up to my liking (seats/mirrors, phone, nav, BMW Assist, etc.) have been so frustrating that I really just want to leave the damn thing in the garage and get on with my life.

Where did you get the MPPK in the US? Is it available from delaers?

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by Alex57r

Where did you get the MPPK in the US? Is it available from delaers?

I got it from getbmwparts.com. My CA was able to confirm that the dealership would install it for me and that there would be no impact on the warranty, but they couldn't actually source it. Talk about leaving money on the table!

[ipilcher]

I'm not actually someone who normally debadges. In fact, I actually find it disconcerting when I see a BMW without a model identifier on the right, rear corner. The X-Drive badge and the '70s-style "GT" just had to go, though.

[kooch51]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

I'm not actually someone who normally debadges. In fact, I actually find it disconcerting when I see a BMW without a model identifier on the right, rear corner. The X-Drive badge and the '70s-style "GT" just had to go, though.

I'm right there with you. I have never de-badged a vehicle, but I think I will fully de-badge when I get it. Did you use the dental floss trick? Any problems removing them?

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by kooch51

I'm right there with you. I have never de-badged a vehicle, but I think I will fully de-badge when I get it. Did you use the dental floss trick? Any problems removing them?

Hair dryer, fishing line, WD-40, and some micro-fibre polishing cloths. Easy peasy.