u/Salt-Technology-3573

Context: Hi all, I was given the opportunity to purchase a 2018 base Macan from my dad with a “friends and family discount”, so I am aware of previous history with the car, but have not been in the market. The car in question has been babied, regular dealer maintenance, and has low miles. I would be looking to use it as a long term daily hopefully until 150k+ miles with regular maintaince. A quick google search identified the transfer case issue, and I confirmed the car does not have the updated transfer case (January 2018 build date). Below are some questions I’m having a hard time finding answers to:

Questions:
- Is the transfer case issue an IF or WHEN?
- If the transfer case goes out and is repaired, could it happen again? Or is it a one and done?
- Are there any other major issue that could arise?

I don’t have any issues paying to upkeep regular maintance, just would be hard to sell my wife on a car that could have a $5,000 bomb go off at any moment. Thank you very much in advance for any replies/help

A few weeks ago I got the message “Adaptive cruise assist: currently unavailable. See owners manual”. Ever since that day it hasn’t worked and is greyed out in settings. I live 1.5 hours from the dealer so I’m trying to avoid going there for something dumb. I called them and the technician said my cameras were probably just dirty. I’ve washed the car twice and specifically cleaned every camera with no luck. Has anyone experienced this/fixed it? I had to drive 6 hours this past weekend in a luxury car without even a basic cruise control.

Sorry…title is half rage bait.

Test drove an M340i and a W205 and W206 C43 AMG. Came away much preferring the AMG’s and it came down to the character of the transmission. The thumps into upshifts and crackles on overrun were so addicting. The M340i’s ZF was smooth to a point of being boring. No defined character or personality from the car other than the B58. This being said, I would never buy the AMG becuase of the reliability. I also like the idea of having a “project” with mods, which I could do with the BMW. Are there mods that will make the transmission have a noticeable thump both physically and audibly like the AMG’s? I know TCU tunes exist, but will they actually produce the results I’m looking for?

I have been a car guys for 10+ years and have test driven everything I could get behind the wheel of, but need help finding what I feel like I’m missing. I’ve always been into German and Italian cars. When I got out of college, I test drove an Audi S3 to kill time before a manual BMW M235i test drive that I thought was my dream car at the time. I came away BLOWN away how much fun I had in the S3. The go cart feel, the DCT farts on upshift, it was just a blast. The BMW felt like a muscle car right after. Big and brash but also kind of diluted in feel and character. I couldn’t believe it becuase all the automotive things I followed praised that car and didn’t care about the Audi. I’ve since driven Audi S4/S5/S6 (the TT V8 one), and those were fine, but had far less characters than the S3. Last year I test drove a M550i, and was shocked how bland and dumb it felt, even to the older V8 Audi S6. Now I’m married and live in a tough climate state so I need something bigger, slightly more practical, and AWD. For the past two years I’ve been foaming at the mouth to get in a BMW M340i. It seemed like the perfect car for me, reliable, AWD, but everything I was looking for and that B58 sounded so great online. I had heard so many rave reviews. Today I test drove a 2025 M340i XDrive, and when I got to the dealer, it turned out it had a MAD cat back exhaust, JB4 E85 and custom map 6 tune. I left again feeling really disappointed. The transmission was smooth and numb on up shifts and down shifts, the exhaust didn’t sound raw or that loud even, and yes it was fast, but the entire driving experience seemed like I was removed from everything exciting and raw. (Interesting too, I test drive a friend’s Supra GR with the same engine and ZF gearbox and felt like that was everything the BMW was missing). I thought I’d ask on here if anyone has had the same experiences becuase I would be crucified for these opinions to a car guy. Are BMW’s all just numb and I’m missing the hype everyone else is seeing?

But most importantly, what cars am I missing that would fit what I’m looking for? I’ve never driven any AMG’s, but I’m wondering if the new C43 everyone hates I’d like becuase it looks like a bigger version of an S3, atleast with the shift drama and excitement. I don’t feel like I can trust car reviewers online now becuase their opinions seem so much different than my experiences….

Ps. My dad is a big Porsche guy and has had every generation of Cayman/Boxster (all base models but manual), and even those low power base models provide the thrill I wanted BMW’s to have.

I grew up a car guy, and have always loved driving. I currently drive an Audi etron, as I was swayed by the low prices, high luxury, and getting a foot into the German car life. I’m realizing I’m missing out on having something thrilling and enjoyable to drive every day. My wife and I are also looking to start a family in the upcoming year, so having something practical to fit car seats and strollers is a must. I don’t want my wife and kids to struggle to accommodate for me not comprosing if I get something small or a coupe. Is an M340 too small or too compromising in the comfort/luxury department? Is the M550 too luxury focused and not fun? I know test driving is the answer, but until I’m able to do that has anyone decided between these two or have input? Ps I know the b58 will be more reliable. I’m ok with occasional maintaince, unless the V8 in the M550 will be TOO much or too unreliable.

My ‘19 is suddenly experiencing an issue where the interior door handle won’t release the door open. I have to come around and open the door from the exterior handle. I don’t know if the handle is fully electronic, but it feels like there is no mechanical pull or connection. Anyone experience this before or have any suggestions?