All BMW owner thread

[eleong]

Hope for some advice.

Bought a 2019 BMW225xe about half year back. Not full EV but PHEV with a small high voltage battery providing claimed 40+ km electric range. About 3 months later amount of full charge going into car dropped 20% and got intermittent low battery warning and AC stopped working when battery low. So off to PML to check on battery but had to jump through many hoops before finally battery health check was done.

From the check, residual capacity is 42%. Car is only 5.5 years in very good condition and very low mileage (22k) so it’s surprising how much battery has degraded. But even more surprising is PML insisting battery degradation is not covered by the 6 years high voltage warranty. According to them battery will only be repaired under warranty if OBD registers battery fault which did not occur in my case even with such severe degradation. My impression from PML is this is normal and I’ll just have to live with it. 

I believe BMW in other countries (eg. Aus, UK, US, HK) warranty against excessive capacity loss for their EVs and PHEVs with threshold at 70%. This also seems to be the case for other car brands in Singapore. 

Anyone with similar experience or advice on what I can do? I do not have warranty docs from the first owner and BMW/PML are not forthcoming on the exact warranty terms. Any BMW EV/PHEV owners can share their warranty terms specifically for cars around 2015 to 2020? I think my battery modules would be similar to those in the 3, 5, 7, X3, X5 PHEVs and maybe i3. 

[mersaylee]

On 3/12/2025 at 2:08 PM, eleong said:

Hope for some advice.

Bought a 2019 BMW225xe about half year back. Not full EV but PHEV with a small high voltage battery providing claimed 40+ km electric range. About 3 months later amount of full charge going into car dropped 20% and got intermittent low battery warning and AC stopped working when battery low. So off to PML to check on battery but had to jump through many hoops before finally battery health check was done.

From the check, residual capacity is 42%. Car is only 5.5 years in very good condition and very low mileage (22k) so it’s surprising how much battery has degraded. But even more surprising is PML insisting battery degradation is not covered by the 6 years high voltage warranty. According to them battery will only be repaired under warranty if OBD registers battery fault which did not occur in my case even with such severe degradation. My impression from PML is this is normal and I’ll just have to live with it. 

I believe BMW in other countries (eg. Aus, UK, US, HK) warranty against excessive capacity loss for their EVs and PHEVs with threshold at 70%. This also seems to be the case for other car brands in Singapore. 

Anyone with similar experience or advice on what I can do? I do not have warranty docs from the first owner and BMW/PML are not forthcoming on the exact warranty terms. Any BMW EV/PHEV owners can share their warranty terms specifically for cars around 2015 to 2020? I think my battery modules would be similar to those in the 3, 5, 7, X3, X5 PHEVs and maybe i3. 

You may try this contact with the car VIN to  https://www.bmw.com.sg/en/ssl/contact.html#/bookmark=aHR0cHM6Ly9ibXdhc2lhLmZvcmNlLmNvbS9CTVdBc2lhQ29udGFjdFVzRm9ybQ=

Good luck...

 

 

 

[eleong]

Thanks. BMW Asia is aware of my case with PML. I’ve written to them but no help so far.

[Beemerlord]

I just booked the X1 M35i, hope to collect it within next week. Super excited !!!

[ER-3682]

On 4/14/2025 at 4:09 PM, Beemerlord said:

I just booked the X1 M35i, hope to collect it within next week. Super excited !!!

Wow,over 300Bhp.!👍

[waser_Ken]

On 4/14/2025 at 4:09 PM, Beemerlord said:

I just booked the X1 M35i, hope to collect it within next week. Super excited !!!

Can share what is the effective price? With trade in?

[Beemerlord]

@waser_Ken basically around 40k discount with trade-in at market level.

[Sturtles]

On 3/10/2025 at 7:34 PM, inlinesix said:

😅

 

 

 

Yea... The amount of plastics for parts under tension or thermal stress means the engine is designed to fail...

Part of the reason why I don't even consider BMW during my car purchase.

Was already caught out a few times and its crazy stupid...

A Mitsubishi Lancer seems more reliable in this sense

[inlinesix]

On 4/16/2025 at 8:11 AM, Sturtles said:

 

 

Yea... The amount of plastics for parts under tension or thermal stress means the engine is designed to fail...

Part of the reason why I don't even consider BMW during my car purchase.

Was already caught out a few times and its crazy stupid...

A Mitsubishi Lancer seems more reliable in this sense

Despite its problem, it always bring me smile when I drove BMW E39 520.

 

 

[Sturtles]

On 4/16/2025 at 8:16 AM, inlinesix said:

Despite its problem, it always bring me smile when I drove BMW E39 520.

 

 

Agree the BMWs of old have more soul

The E36 320s had such great steering feel that my IS200 couldn’t compare

Also had a F22 coupe until recently, and it is worse than the IS.
 

Electronic power steering made it as such even though it is RWD

Made worse is the melting soft touch surfaces, but BMW is not the only culprit.

[inlinesix]

On 4/16/2025 at 10:21 AM, Sturtles said:

Agree the BMWs of old have more soul

The E36 320s had such great steering feel that my IS200 couldn’t compare

Also had a F22 coupe until recently, and it is worse than the IS.
 

Electronic power steering made it as such even though it is RWD

Made worse is the melting soft touch surfaces, but BMW is not the only culprit.

I hate EPS on my Mini as it is too light for my liking.

I found a hack which is to increases tyre pressure.

Michelin tyre has more contact patch with higher tyre pressure.

I guess this is why McLaren still use hydraulic rack (even though it is electric-powered).

1G IS suppose to compete against E36.  I guess that's the best IS.

[ER-3682]

On 4/16/2025 at 8:16 AM, inlinesix said:

Despite its problem, it always bring me smile when I drove BMW E39 520.

 

 

Same as my F22.

[steveting99]

On 3/12/2025 at 2:08 PM, eleong said:

Hope for some advice.

Bought a 2019 BMW225xe about half year back. Not full EV but PHEV with a small high voltage battery providing claimed 40+ km electric range. About 3 months later amount of full charge going into car dropped 20% and got intermittent low battery warning and AC stopped working when battery low. So off to PML to check on battery but had to jump through many hoops before finally battery health check was done.

From the check, residual capacity is 42%. Car is only 5.5 years in very good condition and very low mileage (22k) so it’s surprising how much battery has degraded. But even more surprising is PML insisting battery degradation is not covered by the 6 years high voltage warranty. According to them battery will only be repaired under warranty if OBD registers battery fault which did not occur in my case even with such severe degradation. My impression from PML is this is normal and I’ll just have to live with it. 

I believe BMW in other countries (eg. Aus, UK, US, HK) warranty against excessive capacity loss for their EVs and PHEVs with threshold at 70%. This also seems to be the case for other car brands in Singapore. 

Anyone with similar experience or advice on what I can do? I do not have warranty docs from the first owner and BMW/PML are not forthcoming on the exact warranty terms. Any BMW EV/PHEV owners can share their warranty terms specifically for cars around 2015 to 2020? I think my battery modules would be similar to those in the 3, 5, 7, X3, X5 PHEVs nd maybe i3. 

@eleong another bimmer owner experienced the same battery issue that you are facing.@andrewasl managed to get PML to replace 1 out of the 6 battery modules on his 530e. At least there is a precedent set where PML has replaced defective batteries within the 6 year warranty period. 

[Ysc3]

No wonder ppl like BMW's handling !

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/16vm3Abtsv/

[Confusedboi]

is this price too good to be true without gimmicks or hidden problems etc ? dealer selling at much lower depreciation than other similar year model bmw 116d??

Most of the depreciation is around 12-14k plus a year vs this one at 10K plus depreciation  a year 😅

https://www.sgcarmart.com/used-cars/info/bmw-1-series-116d-1420718?dl=3750#popup-closed

[citydrivingsg]

@Confusedboi Looks like a steal with only one owner giving assurance on its condition. Such prices can't even qualify for a new car down payment LOL. Can just pay full cash and drive for one year til scrap still can take back some monies. Caveat is of course the higher maintenance costs for diesel cars compared to its petrol variant.

The low price is likely driven by the January 1, 2025 diesel ban for imported cars, which reduces demand and resale value, and the expected increase in diesel parts costs post-COE renewal, which deters buyers due to higher maintenance expenses.

[Etnt]

On 8/2/2025 at 1:22 PM, Confusedboi said:

is this price too good to be true without gimmicks or hidden problems etc ? dealer selling at much lower depreciation than other similar year model bmw 116d??

Most of the depreciation is around 12-14k plus a year vs this one at 10K plus depreciation  a year 😅

https://www.sgcarmart.com/used-cars/info/bmw-1-series-116d-1420718?dl=3750#popup-closed

check if went for the egr recall already. also when starting the sound are their mouse/bird chirps, if so vibration damper and tensioner might need replacement. else the 116d is pretty fuss free.

[Freeder]

On 8/2/2025 at 1:22 PM, Confusedboi said:

is this price too good to be true without gimmicks or hidden problems etc ? dealer selling at much lower depreciation than other similar year model bmw 116d??

Most of the depreciation is around 12-14k plus a year vs this one at 10K plus depreciation  a year 😅

https://www.sgcarmart.com/used-cars/info/bmw-1-series-116d-1420718?dl=3750#popup-closed

Mebbe no signal stik option..