G22 M440i 12 month, 9K review.

The car was delivered exactly 12 months ago today, how time flies when you are having fun. In that time the car has covered 9392 miles, and has averaged 37.8mph with 36.6mpg. The relative economy still surprises me, the use of 99RON probably helps to some extent, and the hybrid element certainly does help with the coasting and stop/start. BMW really have got this bang on with the B58 engine.

(Apologies for the dirty display, most unlike me!)



To celebrate the anniversary I have given the car a decent clean inside and out, the display is now free from dust and finger prints.

Since buying the Alfa my use of the G22 has declined significantly, it seems to be an expensive drive ornament, I have considered changing it for something cheaper and more performance oriented, possibly an M2 or even an E92 M3. However, a wee bit of sense has kicked in since then, I will use the car more often for work trips, leave the Alfa for the longer journeys, Oxford, Bognor, Cambridge etc. Maybe this time next year consider changing the BMW for something else, the M itch may very well have to be scratched at that point.

It really is an excellent car, covers all the bases so well and with such little fuss. The xDrive is simply awesome, it can be a little tail happy when in Sport, and can then grip like made on a hard acceleration.
The tech is superb, I shall update the safety camera option next week, may also consider the adaptive headlights if the sale is reasonable.

Not sure how I've lived without a heated steering wheel, certainly a revelation to me. A must have for the next car.

I've had to have the NS front wheel refurbished, had this done at Sytners, only a small nick but so annoying.
Changed the centre caps for the floating versions, possibly a daft upgrade, but I do like them. Also added the BMW valve caps, still there 12 months on!

The paintwork remains in excellent condition, I didn't go for a PPF coating in the end, so there are a few tiny chips on the front bumper, but I've touched them up as soon as I've noticed. I washed the car today and the paint is still smooth to the touch, the GuardX stuff seems to be holding out so far. Not as good on the leather though, there are a few water marks on the outside of the seats due to rain coming in when the doors are open, will look to get this remedied at some point.

The sound in Sport is good, not as good as the F32 was, but this does have the lovely OPF fitted, so somewhat muted. I've looked at upgrades to the exhaust, but these are £2.5K+, so a lot of money for a little aural gain.

All in all this is a tremendous car, it does everything so, so well. However, I haven't yet truly bonded with it, maybe it is too good? As an ownership experience it is fantastic, can't fault it at all, ticks pretty much all the boxes. But there is something a touch sterile about the car, there isn't the "edge" or "fizz" that makes me what to jump in and wring its neck. Oddly, the little Alfa does have this, which is odd as it is a 120bhp diesel with rattling trim, harsh suspension and only cost me £1400. Weird. I think this is the main reason why I have considered swapping it already, but then sense comes back and I realise that I need to re-assess how I view the car and how I use it, hence the decision to use it more for work driving.

Looked great after a wash and dry, nothing too fancy or time-consuming as it is going to rain tonight/tomorrow, but felt that it deserved a clean. We shall take a trip out in the morning and burn some of that 99RON off.....

So, 12 months and all is well. We shall see what the next 6-12 months bring.

 

A stunning looking car and surprised you’ve not gelled!

Re the screen OCD, I overcame this with the fitment of a screen cover, initially opted for cheap but then reverted to quality
Since this I’ve had no finger marks…..

Mileage & mpg is impressive!

 

Perhaps a car that does everything too well but sounds like many cars these days in that it doesn't provide enough feedback for the enthusiastic driver for it to get under your skin. BMW do however do a great job of hiding their weight on their modern cars - for me it's the steering feel that lets them down.

If I was lucky enough to be given the choice I'd be going Alpina over an M car which for me would be too "nervy" on British roads.

 

I'd agree with the above. Having had an F90 M5 (immensely capable, but most of it unusable in the crowded south east if you valued your licence or life!), then a b9.5 RS4 avant (better at the boring stuff when you have a dog, and as it was less fast you did at least feel like occasionally it worked up a mild sweat) before an iPace (a great all rounder!), I'm now choosing to get me fun from a Mini JCW (softtop!) which I am hoping will give me a bit more fun within the constraints of the real world.

 

A great conversation about cars in general, somewhat Renault heavy in places, also an interesting insight into how older cars can provide more of a an engagement in the driving and ownership experience. Worth a watch.

 

I enjoyed that, partly as I liked M cars from that era when they were much less showy than they are now - and partly because he talks about some old French cars that I could relate to as my best friend at uni would sometimes turn up in his Dad's Renault 25 with the computer voice... and I had an Espace - although not a mark 1, it was a mark 2 grand espace!

 

32 mile round trip in the car today, the heated steering wheel and seats were very much a bonus! Plans to head out to the Long Mynd for a drive, walk and discover tomorrow. Hoping for a good road and decent weather.

 

Lovely drive over to Church Stretton today, parked up at the Carding Mill Valley (National Trust) car park, then went on a cracking circular walk up and over the waterfalls there. Gorgeous scenery in that area of Shropshire.
Some decent roads as well, in-between 30mph zones there were some lovely sweeping left/right bends, very much enjoyed the rail like handling of the M440i. Driven as it should be driven I think.

Obligatory car/scenery photo:

 

Crazy man up a hill:

 

The Long Mynd is on the list of places to hike.

The "lads" have talked about a weekend staying at Bishops Castle so can also take in our love of real ale with the great Three Tuns Brewery being in the town.

 

I went to top-up the washer fluid this morning, had a bit of an issue with the bonnet release. The first three attempts didn't work, there wasn't the second click on the handle. The bonnet would pop up more on the OS than the NS. I had to firmly shut it a few times before the release would work correctly. Hoping this isn't a bigger issue in the waiting.

 

Finally got round to sorting the tyre pressures this morning. Even though they were all at 33psi (recommended for "comfort"), the car was wanting 39/40psi. Topped up to 37psi all round then reset and went for a drive. All sorted. However, the app is suggesting that the fronts should be 40.3psi, oddly specific!
Found that the valve cap on the NS front has been mullered by the person that did the wheel refurb. The thread seems to have been crossed. Annoying.

 

Think yourself lucky. Could have been a wheel nut.

Ahh - wait....

 

The G22 took us on a little trip between Xmas and the NY, a short trip to Malvern (we got married there back in 2008, so it's a very special place for us), then dropping down to Broadway for a night.
The car was as comfortable, precise and rapid as ever. Some tricky wet driving conditions, which the xDrive took in its stride. Some slight aquaplaning on the dual carriageway, but that was the only moment of concern.
Parked up on the Malvern Hills prior to our first walk:


I think this is probably my favourite view of the car, the rear/side flank is pretty well proportioned.

Plenty of wind up on the hill...!



Parked up outside the Abbey Hotel in Malvern, please note, the car was near the tree, not under it...! I could also see the car from the bedroom window. Always a bonus.



After some excellent food, cracking beer (I used the local taxi services) and a good nights sleep, we set off to Broadway.

Allocated parking in the Broadway Hotel, always a bonus, but some on/off rain disrupted the plans for a longer walk. More great food and beer, a fantastic breakfast and a short walk was all very enjoyed.



Managed to find some anti-heroes from my childhood when walking through Broadway, not sure what they were doing loitering around the Cotswolds...



Loaded the car back up and headed home, used the A44 to Evesham, then the A46 around Stratford to avoid issues on the M5. Only a few opportune moments to select Sport Individual...

Home and unpacked, time to clean those walking boots.....



Turned over 10K miles on the way there, must get around to having an interim oil change if I am to keep the car, waiting until the 18K or two years seems a long service interval to me. All in all a very well rounded car, does all the jobs I want it to do and more. I'd just like to have a little more of an exciting feel when driving the car harder, it is just so competent that it feels a wee bit inert. Maybe I'm wanting something that isn't there in new cars!

 

Love reading your updates and how much more committed you are to providing them than me who hasn’t said much since I picked my 4 up about 18 months ago.

I absolutely love the photo of your favourite angle of it, but I find myself torn between the rear 3/4 angle and the absolute side on one. I absolutely believe that the side on view of the 4 coupe is the best side on of any normal-ish car on the market just now. (It’s the angle that makes me keep mine!!!)

Probably not the first time I’ve said it, but I completely agree on the “inert” feel of the newer car. This is my 3rd consecutive new BMW and each one has felt slightly more boring than the last. (2016 320D, 2019 320D, 2022 420D). Albeit, I totally get that the 20D engine is entirely a practical choice compared to the 40i you have.

 

Had the same problem yesterday, wanted to clear some leaves from under the bonnet. Took 8-9 attempts to get the bonnet to open, annoying. Once it was open I saw that both locks were dry as a bone, no grease or oil on them at all. I sprayed some white grease onto both. Seems to be operating perfectly now.
Odd that both had no grease/lubrication at all.