Auto-up feature on driver's window not working.
Various creaks from instrument panel.
This car is a great deal of fun. The handling is brilliant. Steering is very quick and perfectly weighted.
The performance is good. Acceleration is lively and pick up at highway speeds impressive, even in 6th gear. I find there is plenty of torque, even below 4000rpm. The engine is smooth and very refined. The supercharger whine is audible, but not intrusive, it adds great character.
The ride is too harsh with the standard 16" run flat tires. Road ridges and rail crossings transmit serious jolts to the passenger cabin resulting in creaks and some rattles. I am surprised that the ride is harder than my previous BMW Z3.
I personally find there is too much lumbar support in the standard sport front seats. This feature should be adjustable or otherwise made less extreme. The rear seats are comfortable, but leg room is minimal.
The details in this car are superb. The fit and finish is great, initial quality impressions are good. Paintwork is faultless. The black plastic cladding attracts dust due to static though.
The operation of the tailgate lock/latch is irritating. There is no audible unlock sound leading to uncertainty that the tailgate is indeed unlocked. The outside latch "button" requires too much effort and needs accurate placement of the the finger operating it to actuate.
Night time illumination of the instrument panel is impressive as is the power of the Xenon headlamps.
The "base" audio system is adequate. Power is acceptable, but the clarity of sound is just average. Base response is good though with no vibration of trim panels surrounding the speakers.
In summary a really fun car offering great handling and detail design, but with room for improvement.
I'm not sure about the USA, but in Canada, neither the driver's side nor the passenger's side window has the auto-up feature, only the auto-down.
In the UK the auto up seem to work fine on both windows???
But I feel that using the key fob to lower windows could easily been adapted to using the lock button to raise windows... also the pedal placement causes problems when using cruise control, try looking down when your feet are not on the pedals (looks like 4 pedals???) twice I have hit the brakes only to press the foot rest and clutch... not nice... but overall a fun toy 9/10 thanks BMW.
No "auto-up" window feature in the USA that I am aware of, probably a liability issue.
The 17" tires are an even stiffer ride than the 16"s, however the improvment in grip makes it worth it.
Love it so far.
Pathetic for a supercharged engine.
You think 100 horsepower per litre is pathetic? What is it for the average car on sale in the US...50, 60 maybe?
Also check out Yank-wagon fuel consumption...
I have just done 500 miles in mine and loving it. Strait line speed is not the key it's how fast you can corner that puts a smile on the face. I had an MR2 turbo before, this car makes me smile not hold on for dear life.
Update:
3 years have passed and my lease is up. I have been unable to decide on a replacement so have decided to buy the car. The depreciation is about as good as it gets so it is a reasonable deal.
The earlier comments are correct re: the auto up window. Not included on the Canadian spec cars, how irritating.
I have not suffered any major issues with this car over 3 years and 60000 Km. The biggest problem was a wiper motor with a short that took 3 dealer visits to sort out. They damaged the body in the process of replacing the motor on the last visit which meant a body shop trip too.
There are still rattles and squeaks that change with the season. The hatch latch is one of the biggest culprits in warmer temperatures. I have given up asking the dealer to fix it – the “fix” only ever lasts a few weeks, if that.
The motor is still strong and smooth. Average fuel consumption has been around 33 miles per imperial gallon. I travel 30 miles to work, mixed city and freeway driving including a congested Canada/US border. I enjoy the performance so am not the easiest on the gas pedal. With this kind of driving the service indicator has directed only 2 oil changes – 25000 Km and 55000 Km. The first was an $80 Canadian oil change only, the second an “inspection 1” service which cost $299 Canadian. No included maintenance in Canada!
I prematurely replaced the Dunlop run-flats with conventional Toyo Proxies and a can of “puncture goo” at 25000 km. The ride is much better as is the wet road and snow traction. I drove 3 southern Ontario winters without snow tires or problems. The Dunlop’s were marginal through the first winter.
Overall a good experience.
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