[Mixitt]

Originally Posted by mscot

But we're all just feeding a troll at this point.

But you, as another offended LCI owner, just can't resist.

Change gears, girlfriend finally pulled the trigger on a new SUV and lo and behold wouldn't you know it, no buttons to push for changing music stations! You have to use an awkward and non-intuitive screen. Oh well, she'll get used to it, LOVES her new car.

BMW needs to bring back the row of 8 programmable, easy to use buttons on the dash. Period. The fact that you can have a few buttons for your favorite music choices and some for stuff like climate control and such is very cool.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by Mixitt

But you, as another offended LCI owner, just can't resist.

Change gears, girlfriend finally pulled the trigger on a new SUV and lo and behold wouldn't you know it, no buttons to push for changing music stations! You have to use an awkward and non-intuitive screen. Oh well, she'll get used to it, LOVES her new car.

BMW needs to bring back the row of 8 programmable, easy to use buttons on the dash. Period. The fact that you can have a few buttons for your favorite music choices and some for stuff like climate control and such is very cool.

Consider taking a break from trashing the LCI everday and learn something if you are able to do so.
The rotary in the idrive will select whatever audio input or station you desire without reaching, leaning forward, or making any other outdated maneuvers.
You may consider adjusting your attitude as the world along with the technologies and products we all use are changing rapidly whether you are on board or not. Change WILL occur with or with out your blessings.
Do you really want to be considered a "Luddite" and beat your head against a wall for the rest of your life.
Change is cool, learn to embrace it and enjoy life.

[Kgerry59]

I readily admit I have "old guy" tastes and like a traditional look to my vehicles. I ordered my GLE400 in 2017 because i did not like the look of the big screen Benz went to for the 2018 MY and i did the same this winter when i was planning to order a new vehicle and looked at all the available offerings. The 2023 X5 had the look I like with the two screens more sunken into the dash. I am just not a fan of the big wide "gamer boy" screens in todays vehicles. Heck, i would prefer if my new vehicle still had analogue gauges. haha

also, as I stated already I am a big believer in not buying the first year of a new run, sure I am probably losing out on some new tech they've held back from the previous model, but i feel more confident getting the last year of a chassis i like the looks of where theoretically all the bugs have been worked out.

just my 0.02 worth.

[RPA8888]

Originally Posted by Kgerry59

I readily admit I have "old guy" tastes and like a traditional look to my vehicles. I ordered my GLE400 in 2017 because i did not like the look of the big screen Benz went to for the 2018 MY and i did the same this winter when i was planning to order a new vehicle and looked at all the available offerings. The 2023 X5 had the look I like with the two screens more sunken into the dash. I am just not a fan of the big wide "gamer boy" screens in todays vehicles. Heck, i would prefer if my new vehicle still had analogue gauges. haha

also, as I stated already I am a big believer in not buying the first year of a new run, sure I am probably losing out on some new tech they've held back from the previous model, but i feel more confident getting the last year of a chassis i like the looks of where theoretically all the bugs have been worked out.

just my 0.02 worth.

I can identify with that.
I don't yet own an X5 - I'm in the information collecting / evaluation mode on them. The '23 model year looks like it could be a good possibility.

When I have to get an "analog" fix, I'm fortunate that I still have this to drive -

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by RPA8888

I can identify with that.
I don't yet own an X5 - I'm in the information collecting / evaluation mode on them. The '23 model year looks like it could be a good possibility.

When I have to get an "analog" fix, I'm fortunate that I still have this to drive -

Your 911 appears to be in awesome condition. Not sure exactly what year it is but it reminds me very much of my first 911 which was an '86 that I bought used in the early 90s. Pure, unadulterated, raw, sports car there my friend.
NEVER let that trophy go.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by RPA8888

I can identify with that.
I don't yet own an X5 - I'm in the information collecting / evaluation mode on them. The '23 model year looks like it could be a good possibility.

When I have to get an "analog" fix, I'm fortunate that I still have this to drive -

I am also going back in time too. My all time favorite is this. Not mine, but a friend's. But I am going toward that for sure

[Giggler]

Originally Posted by Kgerry59

also, as I stated already I am a big believer in not buying the first year of a new run, sure I am probably losing out on some new tech they've held back from the previous model, but i feel more confident getting the last year of a chassis i like the looks of where theoretically all the bugs have been worked out.

just my 0.02 worth.

This is not a “new run”. It’s a life-cycle impulse. The iDrive 8 experience and associated technology made its debut in 2021 in the i4/iX and it’s now present in almost all other models across the entire lineup. They’ve been working out bugs for nearly 3 years now.

The 50e drivetrain is a big question mark, but the other engines are not new either The mechanical revisions associated with the B58 technical update debuted last year in X7 and 7 series. The M60 owners got the mother of all upgrades because they got upgraded to a detuned version of the bullet-proof S68! So no, this isn’t a new run, it’s an upgrade over the previous year using technology already tested in other models.

[T3PO]

Originally Posted by Giggler

This is not a “new run”. It’s a life-cycle impulse. The iDrive 8 experience and associated technology made its debut in 2021 in the i4/iX and it’s now present in almost all other models across the entire lineup. They’ve been working out bugs for nearly 3 years now.

The 50e drivetrain is a big question mark, but the other engines are not new either The mechanical revisions associated with the B58 technical update debuted last year in X7 and 7 series. The M60 owners got the mother of all upgrades because they got upgraded to a detuned version of the bullet-proof S68! So no, this isn’t a new run, it’s an upgrade over the previous year using technology already tested in other models.

Good callout, one of a handful of reasons I ended up going with the M60 over the 50e. Buying a first year motor/drivetrain is always a concern.

[RPA8888]

Originally Posted by cobramite

Your 911 appears to be in awesome condition. Not sure exactly what year it is but it reminds me very much of my first 911 which was an '86 that I bought used in the early 90s. Pure, unadulterated, raw, sports car there my friend.
NEVER let that trophy go.

Thanks.

It's an '88 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe. Complete restoration in 2014 - 10k miles ago.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Giggler

The M60 owners got the mother of all upgrades because they got upgraded to a detuned version of the bullet-proof S68! So no, this isn’t a new run, it’s an upgrade over the previous year using technology already tested in other models.

Out of curiosity, why would you call the S68 bulletproof? It is a brand new engine that only debuted last year. I'm not saying it is bad or has any problems, just that it is an entirely new engine with only a little over a year in the field so not sure it earned the bulletproof moniker yet.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by RPA8888

Thanks.

It's an '88 3.2 Carrera Sport Coupe. Complete restoration in 2014 - 10k miles ago.

Gotta be the cleanest , most detailed engine compartment I have seen on an air cooled 911. You must have replaced a few gaskets etc. to stay that clean for 10,000.
You are driving it, good for you!

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Out of curiosity, why would you call the S68 bulletproof? It is a brand new engine that only debuted last year. I'm not saying it is bad or has any problems, just that it is an entirely new engine with only a little over a year in the field so not sure it earned the bulletproof moniker yet.

I wondered about that statement also. Possibly he is making reference to the S68's fully forged rotating assembly.

[Giggler]

Originally Posted by T3PO

Good callout, one of a handful of reasons I ended up going with the M60 over the 50e. Buying a first year motor/drivetrain is always a concern.

It's also super important to note that that the model year does not necessarily represent a cut-off point on reliability improvements on a platform.

Examples:
The B58 originally had an oil pump with failure prone plastic components that was upgraded to metal parts halfway through the production year. Wiring harnesses are sometimes relocated to prevent pinching in the middle of production. Chassis welding and structural optimizations are made on the fly. Electronics and software are upgraded/updated on the fly. Certain types of squeaks and rattles are resolved in the middle of production. Just look at this chart of service bulletins for the G05 platform... look how it steadily decrease year over year. These service bulletins get integrated into the assembly process on an ongoing basis, not on a year over year basis.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by T3PO

Good callout, one of a handful of reasons I ended up going with the M60 over the 50e. Buying a first year motor/drivetrain is always a concern.

? The M60i engine is in its first year.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

? The M60i engine is in its first year.

2nd year. First was in the 2023 X7 M60i, right?

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by cobramite

2nd year. First was in the 2023 X7 M60i, right?

That is why my original post said it was out just over a year. Was talking about the first year of production for the G05. The drivetrain for the 50e also debuted earlier in the 7 series in Europe so that could be considered the second year for that also as well as the B58TU2 debuting in the X7 also.

[Giggler]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Out of curiosity, why would you call the S68 bulletproof? It is a brand new engine that only debuted last year. I'm not saying it is bad or has any problems, just that it is an entirely new engine with only a little over a year in the field so not sure it earned the bulletproof moniker yet.

My opinion of the S68, like the S63 before it, is that this engine is designed for the abuse of racing/tracking compared to the N63 variant that has less cooling/lubrication and strengthening. These engines are engineered to be bulletproof. I should point out though that all engines can become "unreliable" if you drive like a goon, don't maintain them or you tune them.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by cobramite

I wondered about that statement also. Possibly he is making reference to the S68's fully forged rotating assembly.

Isn't it the typical case? Many BMW engines has forged crank, rod and cam. Piston is usually casted.

[TurtleBoy]

Originally Posted by Giggler

My opinion of the S68, like the S63 before it, is that this engine is designed for the abuse of racing/tracking compared to the N63 variant that has less cooling/lubrication and strengthening. These engines are engineering to be bulletproof. Should point out though that all engines can become "unreliable" if you drive like a goon, don't maintain them or you tune them.

Understandable, just wanted to make sure people weren't misled into thinking it was a proven engine that has been out awhile and not the brand new engine that it is.

[eelnoraa]

Originally Posted by Giggler

My opinion of the S68, like the S63 before it, is that this engine is designed for the abuse of racing/tracking compared to the N63 variant that has less cooling/lubrication and strengthening. These engines are engineering to be bulletproof. Should point out though that all engines can become "unreliable" if you drive like a goon, don't maintain them or you tune them.

Depend your definition of bullet proof. For the ability to create very big power out of the block, yes, very good in this regard. For longevity with average level of maintenance (already better than BMW manual stated), no, none of BMW turbos belongs here. Best bet for this within BMW family maybe M54 or N52, the version right before turbo.

[cobramite]

Originally Posted by eelnoraa

Isn't it the typical case? Many BMW engines has forged crank, rod and cam. Piston is usually casted.

Yeah, what I read a while back was that the crankshaft is now a higher grade forged unit along with forged connecting rods and now forged aluminum pistons. Obviously there are many different grades of these critcal components.

[Giggler]

Originally Posted by TurtleBoy

Understandable, just wanted to make sure people weren't misled into thinking it was a proven engine that has been out awhile and not the brand new engine that it is.

I'm speaking to the performance optimizations BMW makes for their "S" engines that make them more tolerant to the stresses of heat and high RPM compared to the "N" engines. Regarding the efficiency optimizations of the S68.... they seem to be very similar (if not the same) to the latest B58 optimizations with regard to electronic VANOS, latest 48V mild hybrid and such. There's really not a lot of information on the S68, but one would have to assume that BMW ran with the latest optimizations/improvement present in the S63B44T4.