[desertman123]

note: posted the same thing on 1addicts as well

My parents had a 2013 Volvo XC60 that we don't really need/want anymore. We had it to tow a boat, but the boat is sold. So we started looking for a great car for them - after all these years they deserve it.



We weren't really a fan of the Volvo anyway, its seats were uncomfortable and it has a few issues. I'd get a clicking noise on sharp turns at low speeds, and sometimes from a standstill (there's even a thread about it http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthr...r-s-Side-Wheel). The sunroof also started leaking (there was stain in the headliner) and on top of it all I'm not a fan of the clunky FWD transverse engine/trans setup.

So we started looking at the brands we're familiar with - Volvo, Lexus and BMW. We wanted to like Volvo but our experience with our particular XC60 left some to be desired. The IS350 almost won, but we decided it's a little on the small side. So basically we compared the GS350 with a 5 series. Guess which won .

Both my parents had BMWs back in the 80s - My dad an E30 325 and my mom an E30 318 and E28 528. She loved the thought of getting back into a 5 series. She's also wanted a white car for years, but each time the deal got away from her (ex: we were looking at a white '14 XC60, but they sold it from under us). So now begins the hunt for a white 2013+ 5 series with a beige, saddle or white interior. Wasn't that hard to be honest, but finding one close to us was. Luckily a dealership right down the road from my school had a 2014 and I went to go check it out. The salesmen were very nice to me (a kid!) as I explained my parents' situation. Might've helped I showed up well dressed and in my 1 series.

Without further ado, here's our new (to us) 2014 528i! 1 owner, no accidents, fresh off lease. 32k mi, Mineral White on Ivory White (leather), got Luxury Line trim, HUD, comfort access, nav, surround view, HK sound, heated/cooled seats, lane assist/etc. some other things I'm probably forgetting. This thing is fully loaded: neither me nor my parents have had such a spec'd out car. Guess who gets to learn all the systems, then teach it to them

*if you see any paint chips in these pictures, they've been dealt with - some of these are just what the dealer originally posted online.













We're excited - life's too short to drive a clunky car. We're now a 100% BMW family!

First things up it needs oil - now the dealer mentioned they'd have the BMW dealer handle the inspection/oil change for free so I'm not too sure what'll happen and when. If it ends up being my job, I'm tossing some Castrol 0w-40 Euro in. I'll do an oil analysis then too. At 50k (maybe 60k) I'm planning on doing trans/diff fluid and maybe spark plugs if they're not due earlier. Might have to do brakes soon too (or at least pads). No big deal though, good excuse to switch over to low dust, quiet pads. I'll check brake fluid when I do this too.

Now some questions:

• Any special maintenance I need to do? Ex: when should we walnut blast? we're at 32k mi. Any common issues that need to be dealt with regarding the N20?
• Does the electric power steering system require any maintenance?
• Any critical mods? This IS my parents' car, so I'm not really looking for anything that adds 'sportiness' (that's for my car ), something that might make preventative maintenance easier, or faster (etc.)
• Do any of the new fancy technologies need special care?
• 2014 is the first year for LCI right?
• HOW DO I TURN OFF AUTO START/STOP FOREVER?

There's some decent writeups on F10post but nothing like there is here. I've taken 1Addicts for granted! All the N52 problems and systems are so well documented, then I try and find info on the N20 and ZF8 and I'm led 10 pages deep into some random forum post looking for the answer.

[lsturbointeg]

hey CONGRATS!

[EL Jeffe 5]

Looks Good Welcome

[desertman123]

Thanks guys! I updated the OP with a lot more detail

[Ickdeep]

Originally Posted by desertman123

Now some questions:

• HOW DO I TURN OFF AUTO START/STOP FOREVER?

Take the car to the dealer and have them program that for you. I did that the first week I got my car. Its super annoying. The programming should be free of charge.

and Welcome!

[thebmwjunkiee]

Originally Posted by Ickdeep

Take the car to the dealer and have them program that for you. I did that the first week I got my car. Its super annoying. The programming should be free of charge.

and Welcome!

Quick question regarding this, anyone I ask says they hate the start stop function and they want it turned off forever. But on mine all I did was hit the "off button" and now it never returns. I can still turn it back on, but if I don't touch it it stays off (has been off for months now). Is this not how it is for everyone?


Anyways, to the original poster and your parents, welcome to the club! I would recommend some mods but all the ones I did were purely for sportiness/speed and cosmetic reasons

[Ickdeep]

Originally Posted by thebmwjunkiee

Quick question regarding this, anyone I ask says they hate the start stop function and they want it turned off forever. But on mine all I did was hit the "off button" and now it never returns. I can still turn it back on, but if I don't touch it it stays off (has been off for months now). Is this not how it is for everyone?

It depends on the years. I believe 2013 and prior didn't have the option of remembering what setting you had it on. So BMW offered a free programming to get it fixed.

[thebmwjunkiee]

Originally Posted by Ickdeep

It depends on the years. I believe 2013 and prior didn't have the option of remembering what setting you had it on. So BMW offered a free programming to get it fixed.

Appreciate the info, glad mine doesn't return. On my F30 it drove me absolutely crazy

[desertman123]

Thanks guys! I'll figure out if the car remembers it or not already (its a 2014 so like you said I'd think it would), if not I'll just head to the dealer. No big deal. I'm just gonna detail it and focus on all the maintenance items for now.

[lsturbointeg]

so are you planning on pimping out your parent's car lol! dropped...rolling on bags! lol! that would be cool seeing your parent's driving around like that!

[desertman123]

Originally Posted by lsturbointeg

so are you planning on pimping out your parent's car lol! dropped...rolling on bags! lol! that would be cool seeing your parent's driving around like that!

Hmm.. 20" Vossens on air, M-Sport kit swap, JB4, downpipe...

Hahaha I kid! If I'm gonna do any modding it'll be real small stuff here and there to tweak something. Like the CDV delete or clutch stop on most manual BMWs - even if you're not the enthusiast you'll still benefit.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Congrats!!