Software 'easter egg' found in new BMW M3.
Discussion
You may have already seen this but thought it would be of interest.
www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/0,12543,358540,00.html
www.popsci.com/popsci/auto/article/0,12543,358540,00.html
Ah very cunning,
The whiley boys of Bavaria have worked out a way to penalise you for driving their car the way it begs to be driven, while at the same time making them selves look there're encouraging it by hiding it computer game stylee, for "only the keen to find".
It seems to me it's is Blairite stealth tax on the fun loving PH's who stand to lose they're warrenties without realising.
Does the dash display how many burn-offs you have left?
Is it resetable a service time?
Will the number of burn-offs used effect the car re-sale value?
All a bit big bro' to me.
Mouse
The whiley boys of Bavaria have worked out a way to penalise you for driving their car the way it begs to be driven, while at the same time making them selves look there're encouraging it by hiding it computer game stylee, for "only the keen to find".
It seems to me it's is Blairite stealth tax on the fun loving PH's who stand to lose they're warrenties without realising.
Does the dash display how many burn-offs you have left?
Is it resetable a service time?
Will the number of burn-offs used effect the car re-sale value?
All a bit big bro' to me.
Mouse
No easter egg Im afraid the SMG 1 fitted to the E36 has the same function and yes it does log quantity of uses to the ECU. I found this out when mine was serviced at Barons of Farnborough recently and their M rep advised me that each launch takes the equivalent of 25000km out of the clutch life and puts a huge strain on the drivetrain components hence the invalidation of the warranty. BTW The function is mentioned in the Owners manual!!
I do not use this function any more for obvious reasons and it is quick enough off the lights anyway.
I do not use this function any more for obvious reasons and it is quick enough off the lights anyway.
How many launches had you done?
You quite easily find your self with a drivetrain that needs replacing more mile ago than the car even done...
...if M man is to be believed.
It beats me that BMW seriousiy fitted the car with a function that the the it's structure couldn't stand. It seems very unlikely to me.
As no one knew it was there, no one would have missed it if it wasn't, so why spend the time designing it?
You quite easily find your self with a drivetrain that needs replacing more mile ago than the car even done...
...if M man is to be believed.
It beats me that BMW seriousiy fitted the car with a function that the the it's structure couldn't stand. It seems very unlikely to me.
As no one knew it was there, no one would have missed it if it wasn't, so why spend the time designing it?
The manual suggests that it is for racing use and warns of a detrimental effect to the tyres and clutch.
I shall bring my manual in tomorrow for the exact wording.
I have only used it twice. The second was in North Italy against a CBR 600 at a set of lights entering a lovely dual carriageway. Hold SMG lever forward push accelerator to give 3500rpm let go of lever and ram accelerator into bulkhead. Presto! We have liftoff.
BMW said it had been used 6 times on my vehicle. They have since updated the SMG Software to a new level which seems to give a smoother (not quicker) change.
I shall bring my manual in tomorrow for the exact wording.
I have only used it twice. The second was in North Italy against a CBR 600 at a set of lights entering a lovely dual carriageway. Hold SMG lever forward push accelerator to give 3500rpm let go of lever and ram accelerator into bulkhead. Presto! We have liftoff.
BMW said it had been used 6 times on my vehicle. They have since updated the SMG Software to a new level which seems to give a smoother (not quicker) change.
AF are pretty expensive but do they give very good service and customised policies.
Years ago When Dr Mouse snr had a Citroen CX2400, Citroen GS1200, 2 Bedford CF campers, a Citreon Visa and a Twin Carb Ambassador all at the same time (we had a big driveway!). My dad was going through a Citroen phase, can you tell? AF tailored a policy where by he could cover all these cars under one policy on the premise that he could only drive one at a time.
Probably not relevent to your situation, but just goes to show that they are not afraid to go a bit out their way to consolidate your custom.
Mouse
Years ago When Dr Mouse snr had a Citroen CX2400, Citroen GS1200, 2 Bedford CF campers, a Citreon Visa and a Twin Carb Ambassador all at the same time (we had a big driveway!). My dad was going through a Citroen phase, can you tell? AF tailored a policy where by he could cover all these cars under one policy on the premise that he could only drive one at a time.
Probably not relevent to your situation, but just goes to show that they are not afraid to go a bit out their way to consolidate your custom.
Mouse
I used AF to insure my old but gold Porsche 928S after a DR10 ban. (morning after @12PM next day, I never take the car when I am going to drink, but felt 100% the next day) They gave me the best price by miles. £600 fully comp, 6000 miles classic policy WITH agreed value, but then I got made redundent, and when I enquired about windscreen cover they ran through the standard proposal questions again, and when they found I was unemployed cancelled my policy stating that it was a condition to be employed, as it affects my risk in driving to and from work. They said that as I was unemployed, I could spend more time in the car, when I should have been in work, and therefore I was a higher risk. I argued the case that my policy was a limited mileage policy and so the risk remains the same, whether I do 6000 miles in 6 months (and can't therefore drive anymore)or 6000 miles in the year. They declined, so I got another job two weeks later, re-applied for the same policy with the same job descrption and the premium had now gone up by £210. Grudgingly I paid it, but after it expires I will not go back to them again. When questioned about this, they said they must have underquoted me the first time.
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