I'm starting to really not like my '14...

[Bimmer-Bob]

I had a 2009 335 XDrive sedan. I loved the ride, but hated spending money after the warranty expired. I learned my lesson and will never buy a BWM unless it has the extended warranty. I still eventually would like to get an M3, but I don't see it happening in the near future. The car you have feels way slower compared to the new turbo 4. I actually enjoyed driving the 328 loaner more because it felt lighter with the new engine.

Yeah, I've heard a lot of horror stories about N54's of that vintage. Suposedly they've ironed out a lot of the issues, but who knows? An M car would be killer out of warranty, just on maintenance alone - never mind if it broke down.

My car is actually about 300# lighter than the new 328i's, and has only 10 HP less (stock 240 vs 230). But I'm making more power than that after a manifold swap and tune. Headers next. Should be at 249-250 WHP by then, per all the dynos I've seen (which is right around 300 at the crank, if my math is right). And the power delivery is super linear. Wouldn't trade it for a 328i if you paid me! Plus the new cars have that EPS - yuck!

I drove an E92 335i once, but couldn't really flog it because it was my buddy's and we were just going a few blocks. Definitely torquey as hell, with immediate power everywhere. Had a 'vert as a loaner, but that felt like a yacht. Never drove the xi...I hear the AWD cars feel pretty heavy, so probably somewhere in between the two.

Even though mine has never broken down, it seems like I'm always spending money on maintenance or go-fast parts. The 4Runner is definitely "easier to own."

 

[Orlyg1521]

I will do a write up tomorrow

 

[T.Rock]

I have yet to hear anyone rave about any factory navigation system on a reasonably priced vehicle. You typically fall into two camps, the regular joes and the audiophiles.

2015 Chrysler 200C Uconnect 8.4AN Review & Rating | PCMag.com

Hands down the best factory in-dash navigation system I've ever experienced. It's still not perfect by any means, but it's closer than anything else I've ever used and certainly much better than any portable unit.

 

[T.Rock]

Mostly because it's wrong way more than it's right. Compared to Google Maps it's harder to find the locations, isn't as up to date, and gets the route wrong often.

For instance, I was trying to find my way to a park I had never been to for mountain biking. I'm sitting in my driveway for 5 minutes trying to get the nav to work. Finally gave up and used Google Maps on my phone. Took me 30 seconds and I was on my way.

Not that I'm complaining as I have never heard of someone who liked their OEM nav. I just use Bluetooth and Google Maps now.

Here's a tip when you're trying to find "difficult" destinations that may not have a valid (or actual) street address like a mountain bike trail. Before your trip, find the trail on google maps and write down the GPS coordinates of the trail head. Then enter those coordinates into the navigation system and it will take you to the exact spot with no issues whatsoever. I just did exactly that to find one of the entrances to "Six Mile Run" in NJ. Worked like a charm.

 

[T.Rock]

PS, no factory Nav is ever going to measure up to a 3rd party, frequently up-datable Nav. Reading and searching would reveal this..

We are very close to seeing a transformation of factory navigation system that are powered by smart phones. Essentially, the touchscreen display in your dash will be an interface for your phone, where you can run google maps or something similar as your navigation device, built right into the car. I can guarantee you that this is the direction all vehicles will be headed in the near future. Smartphone integration is already happening and will only get better in the near future.

 

[T.Rock]

Curious what kind of BMW you had? I'm going on 5 years with a 128i and it's been dead reliable. Of course, the engine is an N52 (straight six, no turbo, no direct injection) so it's not as fast as some of their other models, but with a few key mods it does very well.

I'm actually scared off by overcomplicated engine tech, as it seems to result in more gremlins a few years down the line. Turbos & DI account for a lot of issues not just in BMW's but also Audis and VW's. Supposedly the tech is getting more reliable, but I'd just as soon have tried and true engines in my vehicles.

I've owned an Audi A5 with the 2.0T engine (and it's modded too) and it's also been dead reliable. Not a single issue in the four years I've owned it. I think Audi, at least, has worked through the issues on the 2-liter turbo engines. Carbon build-up was an issues with the older generation of the engine, but the EA888 that has been around for quite a few years seems rock solid and has no glaring issues that I've seen on the forums or experienced.

 

[apollo]

digging my '14 TE

17k since June, few minor gripes, but overall it's what i thought it was when i researched it...even changed my mind on the icon stage 2 lift after driving it stock, it gets us where we want to go as is for the time being

power...it's a v6 in a 2+ ton vehicle...i've learned to wind it up...i like loping, undersquare v8s too, but this isn't one, and if you apply the rpms, it has plenty of power for anything i need to do with it

nav unit has rebooted itself 3 times on me the last two weeks after no problem until then...i think it's utterly ridiculous i can't load a map into it without rooting the software, but that's just how it is with any vehicle afaik

i don't like the way toyota markets or the dealer network within the gulf states, and the way they advertise the TE as having a 1500lb payload seems nothing short of blatant false advertising (someone should challenge them legally on this), but this was the only option standing for what i need right now...jeep jku--not good crash rating for rear seats, otherwise, i'd have purchased a rubicon...

end of the day, i compromised to get what was best for me and my family...and after 7 months and two 3500+ mile adventures through the SW US, i've validated my choice and glad i went with the '14 TE

 

[Titanpat57]

5 pages and not a peep from the OP...

I think we done been trolled boys...
[MENTION=109929]T.Rock[/MENTION] ....there is a multi quote funation on the forum

 

[Ammomac]

i've been thinking the same... ;-)

 

[Ras_Thavas]

I've had my 14 for almost a year now. I also have a 2008 FJC.

I think you have a lot of valid points. I love the acceleration on my FJC. Throttle response is great. With the 4R it seems like I have to mash the gas to get the same response, or put it in shift mode and manually shift it. The engine sounds like crap at idle also. I can live with it, but I don't like it.

My nav system has never crashed, but I don't think it gives me the best directions to where I am going. I have a Tom Tom in the FJC and once I sell it I'll start using it in the 4R.

I notice that the audio system sucks at producing mid range sounds. Eventually I'm going to take it to an audio shop and see if replacing some speakers will improve on that.

I have had no TPMS problems. I would ***** at the dealer until they fix it.

Hood glare, never had the problem. Maybe it is my seating position. How about getting a piece of flat blue vinyl to put over it? Maybe do a ghost stripe over the whole 4R?

Tires, I think they are not great, but it is an item that will need to be replaced eventually. Looking at the amount of wear on mine I doubt I will get 30k miles out of them.


Still, overall I find it to be a much better vehicle than my FJC for my needs.

 

[Orlyg1521]

"If your spare has a TPMS sensor in it, then 1 of the 4 on the ground does not have TPMS. The ECU only has slots for 4 sensor IDs.
Did you happen to buy used? Or do you do a 5-wheel rotation (and the current spare was on the ground when new)?"

I bought the truck w/o a spare (had 35's), TPSM light was on. Swapped out new wheels/tires (285's) with TPSM's for each wheel, still no spare: TPSM light still goes on. If there are only 4 slots then what's the deal?

 

[bittwiddler]

I bought the truck w/o a spare (had 35's), TPSM light was on. Swapped out new wheels/tires (285's) with TPSM's for each wheel, still no spare: TPSM light still goes on. If there are only 4 slots then what's the deal?

Sounds like maybe the computer in there doesn't have the right TPMS entries for the wheels. I would think the shop that installed the new wheels and TPMS sensor should have been able to do this - or did they just reuse the ones you had before which may have already been out of whack.

If you have the Techstream software and the right cable you can have it learn your proper TPMS ids right there in your driveway

 

[Dario]

Nav System - it seems to be about the same as most other car nav systems. I think they all suck. Every phone I've owned in the last 6 years has better nav. Car manufactures need to allow us use the car screen as a display for our phones. I'm looking at doing this now. Not as easy as it sounds. Will be easier in a year or two. I suspect (and hope) auto makers are headed this way. It has to be painful for them too. Same issue with voice recognition - it just be from a personal device rather than part of the car.

Stock tires are what they are. If you want good snow tires you likely need a 2nd pair. There are a few options for good snow and summer tires. Very few. I don't think you can expect stock tires to do any better than sucking in snow.

I haven't noticed the engine issues you have. But comparing it to a very big V8 is going to frustrate you. It's not that and won't be.

Scoop - have heard similar complaints. Seems you can go flat black on it or swap for a non TE hood. I'm sure somebody would trade straight across. Imo Toyota needs to do away with the fake scoop.

TPMS - as others said this issue has to be fixable. I hate the TPMS on most cars. Kludgy and doesn't really help. I hope in the future they'll optionally show the pressure in each tire.

 

[T.Rock]

[MENTION=109929]T.Rock[/MENTION] ....there is a multi quote funation on the forum

Separate subjects, separate posts.

 

[T4Trail]

i have to admit that i'm posting to this thread more for the entertainment value than anything. I suspect it's going to bring out the *ahem* "coddling crew" quite soon.

That said, let my at least try to help:

1. Your post sounds more like you're trying to find reasons to complain and get others to side with you. Not gonna happen here. This forum doesn't play like that.

2. Factory nav system - let's take a reality pill here. All factory installed nav systems that i've ever seen are overpriced and typically under-deliver (compared to aftermarket options). You have two choices: Live with it and operate within it's functionality.....or replace it with a significantly better aftermarket add on. Period. Those are your options. Complaining about what it can't do isn't going to help. Comparing it to a "better" aftermarket solution isn't going to help. I personally miss the days where i could "opt-out" of a factory radio altogether and just have my vehicle delivered with a $500.00+ additional discount that i could then apply toward a superior aftermarket unit. Unfortunately, there are no car manufacturers that i know of who are doing that anymore. In reading countless posts on the factory system here on this forum, i've noticed that most of the functionality issues tend to be in many cases related to the device being paired with the nav system. You might consider searching and reading to see if anything jumps out as a possible match for your issues. I have the factory (non nav) system in mine, and i find that it functions just fine as a radio and simple head unit for an ipod or usb drive with some music. It also works perfectly for me as a hands free interface to my android phone.....so i have no need to change it out.

3. Your tpms issue - this should be solvable by your dealer. Tip: If your dealer hasn't been able to solve it in multiple visits, you might consider bringing it to another dealer with better techs. At the end of the day there are a finite number of components involved that could be the issue. Either you're driving on low tires (doubtful), or you have a sensor or part or the computer interface infrastructure that is faulty and needs to be replaced.

4. You talked about appreciating the reliability of you old corolla. All you need to do is look through the depths of this forum and you'll see that the track record of the 4runner is unsurpassed in it's class. These vehicles are time proven and tough. There are many 10+ year old 4runners on this forum that have had the living crap beat out of them and are still going strong.

5. I had an fjc for 6 years before i got my 4runner. I loved them both, but the 4runner is definitely a "step up" in my opinion. From the sense i got from your post, it seemed like you really wanted an fj, but "settled for" a 4runner. Now you're looking for reasons not to like it, and came to the wrong place looking for "supporters" of your whining. I don't think you'll find much support here, but i'm betting it'll be fun to watch. Good luck.

amen!!

 

[T4Trail]

Reading the original posters post about the very vehicle I'm thinking of buying scares me... the factory NAV is really that bad? The ride is harsh and eats tires?

I'll have to research aftermarket units a little more I guess..

Wife's 08 highlander has a Navi ( Complete piece of shit ) Too complicated and wierd, however, does the job.

My 2010 trail has a navi 10 times better than the wife's. I dont have any problems with it. Yes its not your aftermarket but it isint that bad either. Its all personal preference.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Here's some perspective:

I have always had used vehicles and so over the lat 5 or 6 years I needed to retro fit stereo kits to get me the functionality I want. Not a big deal, but I'd rather limit it to replacing speakers and that's it. So my point is this - the Entune has an apps suite, Pandora and Bluetooth streaming, proper iPod connectivity, SiriusXM radio and HD Radio. That, right out of the box, is a major appeal to me. I know most new cars have most if not all of this, but I am thrilled to have it right from the factory.