Buying a used Gen 4

[GavD101]

I had never really intended to change my 17 Gen 3 but I have been offered a very good deal on both a Sport and M Sport.

Both bikes are May 19 and from a main dealer (2 year warranty) and both have 5k on the clock which seems average for a year old bike. The Sport is 14.9k while the M sport is 17K.

The Sport has the Performance pack and pretty much every option ticked.

I am personally leaning towards the cheaper Sport. The bike will mainly be used on track and for the 3k difference i could use that to buy a spare set of wets etc and get it setup nicely. Like everyone you always have that one mate who says the more expensive option is the better option. I personally disagree and do not think the M will make much difference to my overall riding.

Owners of Gen 4s, is there anything that I should be looking out for? I am kind of hoping with the bikes being a year old that most issues should have been sorted early in their life. But if anyone has any points of view on what to look out for i would appreciate that.

Cheers

Gav

 

[mibridger]

Check if the front brake callipers are leaking, this is a known problem with the Hayes callipers.
Also check if the oil cooler has been replaced as this is another known problem.

It may be that these are demo bikes, worth asking if they have been registered by a customer or if they are all demo miles.

Otherwise make the usual checks for a used bike.


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[bmwbadboy]

As per above, buy Sport and spend 3k on something else.

With calipers, even if they havent yet been replaced, I would ask dealer to check their serial number vs. what is advised by BMW.
BMW is aware of this issue and instructed all dealers on how to troubleshoot it: if serial < X -> change caliper, if serial > X but below a factory fix -> change seals.

 

[alex]

Get the sport. If it has the forged rims.

- Alex

 

[soofsayer]

What these guys said, plus the oil cooler should have been done under official VOSA recall so I doubt they could sell either bike without it being carried out, but worth confirming.

As they are both very early bikes check I would tread carefully as it would appear that @carson and @noxx have had a fair few issues with their bikes also being very early off the production line.

I would go with the sport and spend the extra money on track bits.

 

[GavD101]

Thanks for the all the input guys. Some useful information. I knew the brakes had issues but didn't realise to the extent of leaking. I have had enough issues with brakes on my Gen 3 recently, don't really want another can of worms.

I will double check with the dealer to see what the SP is on both. The Sport is at Oxford so maybe it is known to you guys on the forum? And I agree, the Sport for me is the way to go. If I decide to go for the Gen 4.

 

[alex]

FWIW, I'm using my Gen3 for another 18months I'd guess...whilst I could PCP a Gen4 I've got my Gen3 to a good place, so much kit for it, that I don't feel a desperate urge to replace. The rider is more important atm.

 

[GavD101]

FWIW, I'm using my Gen3 for another 18months I'd guess...whilst I could PCP a Gen4 I've got my Gen3 to a good place, so much kit for it, that I don't feel a desperate urge to replace. The rider is more important atm.

To be honest i didn't even think about changing and I had planned on keeping my Gen 3. But financially it would make sense to change sooner rather than later. If i do change there are going to be a lot of Gen 3 parts for sale!

 

[GavD101]

I had a response regarding the oil cooler and brakes..Experts here is this correct?

This bike was not due the oil cooler recall as this was outside of the chassis range that was affected and the same with the brakes.

This was a demonstrator bike this came off the road in November and had a full service, new tyres and full brake carried out then. (hasn't been used since)

 

[alex]

I had a response regarding the oil cooler and brakes..Experts here is this correct?

This bike was not due the oil cooler recall as this was outside of the chassis range that was affected and the same with the brakes.

This was a demonstrator bike this came off the road in November and had a full service, new tyres and full brake carried out then. (hasn't been used since)

I expect they had a late 2019 and it's been used/tested heavily, they will know from the chassis, and you'll have 2 years of warranty to look after you.
Check for signs of a crash, having crashed a demo bike myself I know it happens (not a BMW).
Other things with the motorsport are the carbon rims, there's been defects around the spokes on early models.

 

[bmwbadboy]

I had a response regarding the oil cooler and brakes..Experts here is this correct?

This bike was not due the oil cooler recall as this was outside of the chassis range that was affected and the same with the brakes.

This was a demonstrator bike this came off the road in November and had a full service, new tyres and full brake carried out then. (hasn't been used since)

What is full brake ? I guess liquid flush ?

 

[GavD101]

What is full brake ? I guess liquid flush ?

I am guessing so. I haven't responded yet to the email but will ask.

I expect they had a late 2019 and it's been used/tested heavily, they will know from the chassis, and you'll have 2 years of warranty to look after you.
Check for signs of a crash, having crashed a demo bike myself I know it happens (not a BMW).
Other things with the motorsport are the carbon rims, there's been defects around the spokes on early models.

I will definitely check it all over when I go and see it. I am not too worried about having an Ex demo, my one is an ex demo and it was/is in amazing condition. And yeah exactly you get the warranty with the bike so it takes the worry out of things. I am going stay away from the M sport. Can't warrant the extra money and as i enjoy doing track days I wouldn't be as upset if i had a spill with it.

 

[soofsayer]

Originally you said May ?19 bikes?

 

[bmwbadboy]

I am guessing so. I haven't responded yet to the email but will ask.

So the current theory about leaking calipers is that they start to leak after a period of not use. Mine leaked after 1.5months of sitting in the garage.

I guess as long as you have warranty, the worst that can happen you would need to visit a dealer to fix them.

 

[alex]

Originally you said May ?19 bikes?

Oh alright, sheesh you and your habit of actually reading...trying to make me look bad

D'oh

 

[RammyRR]

Like Carsonr and noxx I got a reasonably early bike (July 19). Apart from oil cooler recall and (awaiting) the clutch mod that sorts the neutral issue out I?ve had no problems - notably this includes the brakes being sound (no leaks), carbon wheels not cracked, no ECU error codes, battery problem etc etc.

The warranty will mean you?re fairly cast iron and in the same boat as those who bought new.

Hopefully this post won?t signal the onset my bike going bad!

 

[GavD101]

So the current theory about leaking calipers is that they start to leak after a period of not use. Mine leaked after 1.5months of sitting in the garage.

I guess as long as you have warranty, the worst that can happen you would need to visit a dealer to fix them.

And this has been sat for way longer. Either way it is a main dealer has the warranty and will have a thorough check over before leaving. And to be fair my Gen 3 sat for 6 weeks and the brakes decided to it was a good time to get air trapped in them. (Now solved)

I think i will go for it, the deal is good, it has warranty (mine runs out in 2 months) and the bike is cheap enough that i won't be too upset if it decided to go walkies off the track.

 

[GavD101]

Like Carsonr and noxx I got a reasonably early bike (July 19). Apart from oil cooler recall and (awaiting) the clutch mod that sorts the neutral issue out I?ve had no problems - notably this includes the brakes being sound (no leaks), carbon wheels not cracked, no ECU error codes, battery problem etc etc.

The warranty will mean you?re fairly cast iron and in the same boat as those who bought new.

Hopefully this post won?t signal the onset my bike going bad!

Haha i am sure you haven't hexed yourself. And a friend of mine picked up his in April (somehow during lockdown) it did 500 miles, developed a fault where it would run really rough on start up then went into limp mode. Apparently it couldn't be fixed by the main dealer. It hasn't put him off as the dealer has been so good. There are always going to be faults on new bikes, as with cars it shouldn't happen but it does unfortunately. (Our Audi springs to mind) It is just good to know what you are getting into before pressing the button. And i think all the positives of the bike outweigh the niggles they have had.

 

[Carsonr6]

I'd go with the Sport purely because of the carbon rims if using it on track often. I think the carbon rims could be susceptible to damage from constant tyre changes and as nice as the carbon rims are I doubt there will be much difference performance wise between them and the forged rims.

 

[GavD101]

I do agree and it?s not like I?m chasing lap times. Overall weight is apparently the same as the carbon rims run a thicker brake rotor. Obviously less rotational mass is a bonus with carbon. But I?d rather the durability of a forged wheel.