Some differences with the 2014 Signature

[NOLa]

No daytime running lights, not on mine anyway, unless I'm not seeing some switch I need to activate. Manual explains DRL (if equipped). So...?

If I turn the light selection to the "parking lights" the "halo" around the lights turn on in front and brake lights in back.

Fog lights match the headlights (LED).

Mirrors automatically fold up when car is locked. If you walk by with the fob, they unfold, and will fold up again if you don't unlock the car.

Parking assist-the button does not stay depressed or "on" (so to speak) like in the previous Equus and Genny. When you shift to reverse, it comes on and will cut off shortly when you put the car in drive. If you want it on(like I do, parking in the garage), you must depress the button to turn it on. I'd rather the way it was.

Car comes with 3 keys, 2 fobs and a credit card looking key.

3-zone A/C-driver, passenger, and rear. In the system setting, you can have the back setting off unless you press the 3 zone button (or not)

Sport, normal and snow settings. By the way, I thought the steering in the normal setting (on previous year Equus) was too soft, it seems like its much better this year, but maybe its just cause its a new car with new tires. My traded in Equus needed new tires.

Blind spot warning.

Bigger screen on nav system-you have a choice of "route" colors

I think everyone has seen that the rims are changed and a new color exterior available and blue link is avaiable.

No massage seat.

Only one CD can be used at a time.


That's all I've noticed so far.

noLa

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Thank you. I'll add mine if I ever get it.

(Due at dealer Friday, but I'm gone through Sunday. Might just wait a week at this point.)

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Now that I have time for a proper response...

NO DRL?!? WTF are they thinking? I'll be really pissed if that's a "feature" they saved for the Ultimate (ala power rear side shades). (On edit: just saw (again) your comment on parking lights. This now seems a feature to me: driver choice DRL (parking light "halo") or off. Maybe my first reaction was overdone.)

Folding mirrors (unfolding actually) can be negated by:
Fold closed when pulling into garage (as I do) or parking lot, turn off car. If you leave the car after having done that, Smart key will not auto-unfold the mirrors (per the manual).
Btw, I do NOT want any automation of the mirrors when it's minus 20 degrees here. Or wipers.

Parking assist turns on automatically in reverse, and stays on in drive until you hit 12 MPH.
But you're right: gonna have to get used to turning it on coming home.
PIA, but minor irritant.

Also:
Manual says fog lights are a major battery drain, use only when needed. You mean we can't look cool without paying a price?

I'm told that some day I can experience these things for myself...

 

[NOLa]

I found the omission of the DRL peculiar as well. Thanks for the tips regarding the mirrors and fog lights.

I didn't mention all the nav/dash changes because it was way too much info. This might be a woman thing, but the new nav background is tan, which (I think) looks good with the interior color of the car.


NOLa

 

[imperial4ever]

The headlight configuration on the 2014 appears to be the same as the 2013 With that said, as we all know the DRL on the 2013 Equus is the halogen high beam at a reduced intensity. There is no mention of DRLs in the 2014 brochure. There is no mention of the DRL in the 2013 Equus brochure either even though the 2013 Equus had them. I think it is just a matter of going to the service dept and asking that they be activated since physically they appear to be already there. Also, maybe an oversight was made at the factory for these early 2014 units so later examples of Equus that arrive in showrooms will already be activated.

Please comment on your obeservations in improved seat comfort and materials used since you owned a 2011 Equus. I rememeber reviews of the 2011 Equus noted premature seat wear on the driver's side. Do rear seat passengers still have swivel reading lamps mounted in the ceiling headliner?

 

[NOLa]

I'll have to do as you suggest in regards to the DRLs. I'll be curious to see if BTHBC has DRLs.

Funny, in regards to the swivel lights, I had to go look, never sat back there. Yes the swivel lights are still there. There are also stationary lights too...not sure if its the same as before as I never noticed them.

As far as the premature wear of the 2011 seats...I didn't have the car long enough really. I traded 2011 in for a 2012, and the 2012 for a 2014, so I'd be the wrong person to ask. I do believe the seat is more comfortable, it seems to hug you a little more, but I wonder if I'm biased...you know how a car seems to run better when it gets cleaned, maybe it just seems better cause it's new!

NOLa

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Got mine on Friday, just in time for a 250 (round trip) weekend away.

I'll save a full review until I've had it more than 4 days, but to answer specific questions:

DRL: nope, don't have them. Imperial may be right, but it's certainly not a user option to enable them.

Seats: MUCH more comfortable, better bolster too. First thing Mrs.Bthbc noticed, followed by:

Cabin: seems much "cozier". Maybe the new center stack is larger, maybe the console/cupholders are smaller(!)? Either way, not a bad feel, just different.

Ride: MUCH smoother over bumps and expansion joints. Quieter too.

More later as I said, but I'm loving it. Especially the new brown color that rarely looks brown.
Ask NOLa what I'm talking about!

 

[imperial4ever]

Got mine on Friday, just in time for a 250 (round trip) weekend away.

I'll save a full review until I've had it more than 4 days, but to answer specific questions:

DRL: nope, don't have them. Imperial may be right, but it's certainly not a user option to enable them.

Seats: MUCH more comfortable, better bolster too. First thing Mrs.Bthbc noticed, followed by:

Cabin: seems much "cozier". Maybe the new center stack is larger, maybe the console/cupholders are smaller(!)? Either way, not a bad feel, just different.

Ride: MUCH smoother over bumps and expansion joints. Quieter too.

More later as I said, but I'm loving it. Especially the new brown color that rarely looks brown.
Ask NOLa what I'm talking about!

Thank you. Look forward to your full review.

 

[LanceP]

I got my 2014 Night Shawdow Brown Ultimate on Saturday. I had to drive to Houston to get it but I LOVE the car.
Here's a brief review.....

-The ride AND steering has been improved. My car came with nitrogen in the tires so not sure if that attributes some of it.(aside from the supsension/bushing updates)
-Maybe I have my seat set low, but the steering wheel doesn't come as far as the 2011-2013's
-I have seen the post about the front parking sensors and I agree.
-The same goes for the front (all around monitor).. They come on when you put the car in reverse but doesnt come on automatically when you are around 5mph and under like in the 2011-2013's.
-The seats are a lot more comfortable
-I love how the current speed limit shows on the Nav screen
-The power door closures, new wheels, heads up display, credit card smart key and auto-folding mirrors are a few of my favorite new features.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

I got my 2014 Night Shawdow Brown Ultimate on Saturday. I had to drive to Houston to get it but I LOVE the car.
Here's a brief review.....

-The ride AND steering has been improved. My car came with nitrogen in the tires so not sure if that attributes some of it.(aside from the supsension/bushing updates)
-Maybe I have my seat set low, but the steering wheel doesn't come as far as the 2011-2013's
-I have seen the post about the front parking sensors and I agree.
-The same goes for the front (all around monitor).. They come on when you put the car in reverse but doesnt come on automatically when you are around 5mph and under like in the 2011-2013's.
-The seats are a lot more comfortable
-I love how the current speed limit shows on the Nav screen
-The power door closures, new wheels, heads up display, credit card smart key and auto-folding mirrors are a few of my favorite new features.

Congrats!
3 out of 3 here opted for brown. It'll be interesting to see if that trend holds up nationally.
One quick thought:
This is just a fantastic car now, especially at this price point. I loved my '11, but this is so much nicer.

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[imperial4ever]

I would love to see the reaction of passengers as they go to shut the door only to have the door close by itself! Dark Brown is quickly being expanded to many differently car manuacturers. One of my favorite colors.

I wonder if driver's side seat AC ventilation has improved in the 2014 over the 2011-2013 Equus.

I had a 2010 Lexus IS with AC ventilation in the driver's seeat but too much air went to the seat cushion and not enough to the seat back itself. Kinda left your back sweating alittle more on hot days.

 

[LanceP]

I would love to see the reaction of passengers as they go to shut the door only to have the door close by itself! Dark Brown is quickly being expanded to many differently car manuacturers. One of my favorite colors.

I wonder if driver's side seat AC ventilation has improved in the 2014 over the 2011-2013 Equus.

I had a 2010 Lexus IS with AC ventilation in the driver's seeat but too much air went to the seat cushion and not enough to the seat back itself. Kinda left your back sweating alittle more on hot days.

The power door closure is certianly a crowd pleaser! Im loving the blind spot monitor and how it is integrated in the HUD. The Xenon headlights also seem to have a better focus beam/pattern. The rear cross traffic is another favorite item.

The AC ventilation has been improved. I can feel the cool air through my jeans now! lol.. Granted its been in the 80's/90's here in Dallas so I need to reevaluate when the temps are in the triple digits.

 

[T_E]

How's the nav system-can you input city before street name?

 

[PMCErnie]

The 2014 Equus has no "angel eye" DRLs?

 

[Kemp]

I am driving a 2014 while my 2012 is in the shop. First thing I noticed is how much better it drives, like my old 7 car. The 12 is mushy. The new dials are meh. They are more confusing and harder to navigate. I like the lower middle arm rest, but you lose a lot of storage. No massage, boo. This took my advice on the rear speakers, the rims are now black and don't reflect. I think the new gas gauge is stupid.
The seats are more comfortable. I like the new tire rims, less tacky. I am thinking about trading up for this loaner, but no massage, less storage and the confusing new screen layout are making me reconsider.

I have no clue what you all are talking about the door closing itself, is that only for passengers? I am sure the driving light issue is a simple computer fix. They are required in Canada, so you know they are on the car. All BMW have them, you just have to ask the dealer to turn them on. I don't like them.

 

[LanceP]

I am driving a 2014 while my 2012 is in the shop. First thing I noticed is how much better it drives, like my old 7 car. The 12 is mushy. The new dials are meh. They are more confusing and harder to navigate. I like the lower middle arm rest, but you lose a lot of storage. No massage, boo. This took my advice on the rear speakers, the rims are now black and don't reflect. I think the new gas gauge is stupid.
The seats are more comfortable. I like the new tire rims, less tacky. I am thinking about trading up for this loaner, but no massage, less storage and the confusing new screen layout are making me reconsider.

I have no clue what you all are talking about the door closing itself, is that only for passengers? I am sure the driving light issue is a simple computer fix. They are required in Canada, so you know they are on the car. All BMW have them, you just have to ask the dealer to turn them on. I don't like them.

Kemp...
Its sounds like your 2014 loaner is not an Ultimate model. The 2014 Ultimates come standard with the power door closures on ALL doors. The instrument panel is also a TFT so its completely different from the Signature model instrument panel. I really like the TFT display.
***Something cool I noticed the other night: The cupholder lid has a LED light strip to light the cupholders.

 

[BacktoHyundaibychoice]

Kemp...
Its sounds like your 2014 loaner is not an Ultimate model. The 2014 Ultimates come standard with the power door closures on ALL doors. The instrument panel is also a TFT so its completely different from the Signature model instrument panel. I really like the TFT display.
***Something cool I noticed the other night: The cupholder lid has a LED light strip to light the cupholders.

And have you driven through a time zone change yet? The hands on the clock move forwards or backwards, and you get a message telling you the new zone.
As for DRLs, don't get me started...

 

[Kemp]

You are right my loaner is a Sig. I decided to keep my 2012. The new blue link is stupid. You do a voice dial and then instead of dialing the number it asks you if that is the number, another step in a simple command made harder. There is no lumbar support? The massage seat is meh, but the lumbar support is good.
The clock is on the GPS. Nice, but I like to set my clock ahead 5 minutes, now you can not do that. The DRL lights are not something I am very happy about. I DON'T want them. I speed. No since making yourself visible to a cop. I would like the choice on or off. Bottom line, it was not worth another 10K to swap cars. I've got four more years of warranty and my guess is next year they will redo the car. I'll buy the second year of the redo. Always a good plan.

Oh, and my 2012 gets better gas mileage than the 2014. I drove to ATL and never got more than 22 mpg. The 2012 gets 25.

 

[falcon999]

You are right my loaner is a Sig. I decided to keep my 2012. The new blue link is stupid. You do a voice dial and then instead of dialing the number it asks you if that is the number, another step in a simple command made harder. There is no lumbar support? The massage seat is meh, but the lumbar support is good.
The clock is on the GPS. Nice, but I like to set my clock ahead 5 minutes, now you can not do that. The DRL lights are not something I am very happy about. I DON'T want them. I speed. No since making yourself visible to a cop. I would like the choice on or off. Bottom line, it was not worth another 10K to swap cars. I've got four more years of warranty and my guess is next year they will redo the car. I'll buy the second year of the redo. Always a good plan.

Oh, and my 2012 gets better gas mileage than the 2014. I drove to ATL and never got more than 22 mpg. The 2012 gets 25.

i don't think the 2014 has a maage feature, but lumbar support.

i thought the clock was analog on the dash can you not set that one faster?

I just got the 2014, so far really happy with it. love the speed controll cruise control.

 

[ComputerBudda]

How's the nav system-can you input city before street name?

Exactly. Well next year they are switching to Android so hopefully, Google maps will work. <G> I believe DRL (which I assume are Daytime Running lights) are a federal law so there must be some way to turn them on. Maybe they just need to move the connecter pins around like they had to do before.