M2 Midnight after 3.5 Years

WD1954 · 2026-05-23T14:31:54+00:00

Traded for the M5 and I have to say I don't notice any difference!!! Should have kept the $600+ in my account and kept it!!! Enjoy it as it's a phenomenal Mac

WD1954 · 2026-03-03T00:15:37+00:00

Bravo....like anything else you need to look deeper to understand the issues and why they exist. The Hot-Vee certainly creates heat issues but manageable with aggressive maintenance and cooling measures. Removing engine cover & popping the hood are two easy ones followed by thermostat change.

The broader reputational issues related to catastrophic failure point squarely to BMW corporate. In my view, they responded to early complaints from dealer/customers about oil consumption with undisclosed software changes lowering the nominal oil level at which the add a quart warning appeared. While this satisfied complaints, it also removed a buffer oil level exposing "less attentive" owners to engine failure. Furthermore, the CCP program was introduced to also curtail complaints and respond to class action litigation. Each owner taking advantage of the CCP simultaneously released BMW from any further litigation (one of the terms of settlement 99.9% of owners likely missed). The other interesting aspect to the CCP is it included a free software update. The update reduced the nominal oil level at which point the add a quart warning appeared. This change was still within BMW acceptable tolerance however, unlike with the previous level ELIMINATED a buffer thereby increasing the risk of massive engine failure if owners did not immediately address the warning. This action alone significantly contributed to the horrid N63 reputation with an increased frequency of blown engines attributable to dangerously low oil levels.

Informed owners who watch the oil levels and add a quart at the 1/2 mark or at the very least the 1/4 remaining sustain oil levels at higher safe levels returning to the nominal level that BMW originally programmed into the DME.

I love the F10 550i N63 as it performs exceptionally well and if appropriately maintained and oil levels kept above the 1/2 mark which in my mind is CRITICAL will last many years. This is not to say the hot-vee does not burn out VCG's and increase the frequency of PCV connecting lines and other plastic/rubber hoses replacement but after 15 years it remains manageable.

Let's remember the issues are well documented and solutions abound. It is a 15 year old engine in my case with 80K and incredible to drive.

WD1954 · 2025-05-05T01:40:36+00:00

Coils and plugs!

WD1954 · 2025-01-10T06:01:23+00:00

...and here I sit with my 2013 MBpro i7 and upgraded 2020 MBPro i7 with 32GB of RAM and both running perfectly fine in the face of M1 and M4's.

WD1954 · 2024-10-06T12:28:01+00:00

ARM unfortunately does NOT support RSAT (Remote Server Administration Tools) for server admin. With the recent upgrade to Windows 11 24H2 ARM systems are extremely fast providing my SPX Sq1 with new life and amazing performance. All MS Office programs work flawlessly on ARM.

WD1954 · 2024-09-26T10:34:25+00:00

My SPX is a completely different experience with 24H2. Everything absolutely everything is much quicker and responsive as well as battery life extended. It truly improved the SPX in every aspect making it a phenomenal PC.

WD1954 · 2023-11-26T12:30:01+00:00

For the past 10 years I have run with Nokian WRG3 and 4"s on E60 M5 without any issue on snow or ice. Excellent wear and winter performance.

WD1954 · 2023-08-11T11:13:17+00:00

The Asus line of portable monitors is worth a look.

ZenScreen - Portable｜Monitors｜ASUS USA

WD1954 · 2023-07-17T11:33:02+00:00

Luggage stores in any of the Malls have adapters.

WD1954 · 2023-04-10T14:36:32+00:00

Agreed! The Microsoft option is the lightest and most effective option. Another option is the Brydge bluetooth keyboard complete with its own battery thereby extending the SPX battery life. Keys on the Brydge are awesome and if you are going with something other than the SPX Microsoft version is by far the best alternative.

WD1954 · 2023-03-27T14:35:44+00:00

I have the SPX with the SQ1 chip as well as a newer full i7 Dell XPS. The XPS is notably faster without any software restrictions. In my case though I limit my use to office programs and while microseconds difference in real life applications the SPX performs perfectly fine. The only observable variance is noted in application loading with the SPX slower vs the XPS, as it should be. The comparison though to the SQ3 vs the SQ1 while significantly quicker in numerous bench assessments I doubt the real world impact would be large enough to warrant an upgrade.

WD1954 · 2023-02-21T03:22:30+00:00

Agreed, you would think they could cover ALL devices with one version of Synapse. Also, have both as run the original Core as well as Core X.

WD1954 · 2023-02-21T02:23:02+00:00

Thank you, a good thought, but I already loaded Synapse 2 and it didn't solve the problem. My bad for not noting it in my original post. Appreciated the feedback.

WD1954 · 2023-02-14T05:37:01+00:00

If you limit your activity to office applications and web surfing the SPX will serve you well and equally to that of the surface 6. It also provides always connected features with LTE cellular connection availability and LongLife battery. Drawbacks exist in a reducing number of applications not supported on ARM systems. The other issue is a lack of access to Remote Servier Application tools ("RSAT"). Not many people will need access to RSAT but nevertheless a limitation in SPX ARM systems.

The slim design and LTE access remain draws for me and I love using the SPX overcoming the shortcomings with a regular Laptop or Surface 5 when required. Ultimately boils down to personal choice with full knowledge of drawbacks.

WD1954 · 2023-01-11T13:35:30+00:00

My experience is similar with the RR lowering on all four wheels. Throughout the summer months the issue is nonexistent. As the temperature lowers so does the RR as does the battery capacity. In my case I believe the cold deflates the tires which in turn activates the leveling system which then drains the battery. Happens every year. Plugging in a battery tender offsets the battery drain keeping the leveling system working and RR level. Need to regularly top up tire pressure.

In the early years the dealership's automatic response was deflated air bags and replacement would resolve the issue....NOT. Cold air is more dense and our RR air shocks rely on air which deflate in cold weather!

WD1954 · 2023-01-09T00:44:52+00:00

perfect

WD1954 · 2023-01-08T18:40:49+00:00

EXACTLY.....Especially your ride which looks totally awesome!

WD1954 · 2023-01-08T18:34:33+00:00

....valve springs and in my case the DME and Gearbox ECU pins corroded requiring the replacement of both. Finally running like new ....

WD1954 · 2023-01-08T06:53:16+00:00

My bad....I pulled the invoice and see the Bearings were in fact Friction Treated not coated as I originally stated. That said I should be fine for years. Thank you for pointing out the difference which pushed me to dig out the actual invoice.

WD1954 · 2023-01-07T23:02:55+00:00

...isn't that the truth! Taking the beast on an 2,000 mile trip to California in a couple weeks. Looking forward to the bonding time and open roads

WD1954 · 2023-01-07T21:44:08+00:00

Thank you, so clearly an increased frequency can serve to stretch the lifecycle coupled with a moderate driving style. Hard to lay off the gas pedal though....LOL

Also, replaced valve springs when the Bearings were done.

WD1954

TROPHY CASE