[djcowlin]

Hi all. Thanks to you lot on here I've decided to replace my F31 330d with an F31 340i. Here are my initial thoughts re. spec - any feedback welcome.

Estoril blue OR MG again

442M wheels - like the design - OR 403M. I note that the latter are an asymmetrical set-up, which you don't get with the 442Ms - what are the pros and cons?

Anthracite hexagon cloth/Alcantara - I don't much like Dakota leather and actually prefer the cloth/Alcantara seats in my Golf.

Aluminium hexagon trim with black high-gloss finisher.

M Sport Plus package.

Adaptive suspension.

Professional media - apparently this is being updated with some features from the 7 series (not sure what these are).

Interior comfort package.

Folding mirrors.

Electric memory seats.

Folding rear head restraints.

Adaptive LED headlights.

I'm also thinking about getting a set of winter wheels and tyres - 18" 397s would fit the bill.

Having driven diesels for the last 10 years I've lost touch with octane ratings, etc. Does BMW recommend/prescribe RON 98 fuel for this car, or will RON 95 do?

Thanks a lot in advance for any replies.

[Mark1966]

What about the prostate warmers or are they in a pack nowadays

[225]

Comfort access and definitely lumbar support.

[elstoof]

Says 95 in the fuel flap.

[elstoof]

Take the 442s as well, the 403 look a bit flat and wagon-esque with all those spokes.

I know what you mean about the cloth and alcantara, I had no complaints with it in my 1 Series - but there's no way I'd choose it over the standard issue leather which is equally fine. Imagine that conversation on selling day as well...

[Daftasabrush]

Estoril blue OR MG again - Estoril

442M wheels - like the design - OR 403M. I note that the latter are an asymmetrical set-up, which you don't get with the 442Ms - what are the pros and cons? - 442M - much easier to clean and look better

Anthracite hexagon cloth/Alcantara - I don't much like Dakota leather and actually prefer the cloth/Alcantara seats in my Golf. - Alcantara all the way, dakota is crap and Alcantara and cloth is so much more comfortable

Aluminium hexagon trim with black high-gloss finisher. - I quite like the hexagon trim, many don't though, black high gloss scratches easily but you'll have it around the radio anyway.

M Sport Plus package. - of course

Adaptive suspension. - not sure if needed tbh, see if you can try both, if planning on keeping long term, consider the cost of replacing shocks in the future.

Professional media - apparently this is being updated with some features from the 7 series (not sure what these are). - same idrive as 7 series plus carplay coming as a retrofit

Interior comfort package. - yup

Folding mirrors. - horribly expensive to replace/repair, now only dimming on drivers side.

Electric memory seats. - useful but too expensive IMO

Folding rear head restraints. - yup, no longer included in comfort package.

Adaptive LED headlights. - yup

I'm also thinking about getting a set of winter wheels and tyres - 18" 397s would fit the bill. - probably

Having driven diesels for the last 10 years I've lost touch with octane ratings, etc. Does BMW recommend/prescribe RON 98 fuel for this car, or will RON 95 do? - Engines are rated at 98 RON, 95 RON will do but in theory you won't get the rated output. Also worth noting that Tesco Momentum is known to sludge up engines as confirmed by their own investigations.

Thanks a lot in advance for any replies. - you're welcome!

[Rob 1267]

Great spec djcowlin! I'm very glad to have gone with M Sport + pack, Professional Media and Adaptive M Suspension.

[RobUK]

I'd agree with most of what's been said, including going for blue over grey (why buy a car the same colour as the road).

Electric seats are a god send for the memory function if there are two of you regularly driving the car and you do get a finer range of adjustment with the electric motor, but if you're the only driver it is expensive for what is often just a 'set & forget' setting. I'd always go for lumbar support.

Only other thing I'd spec is the HUD - it's such a great safety feature.

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by djcowlin

442M wheels - like the design - OR 403M. I note that the latter are an asymmetrical set-up, which you don't get with the 442Ms - what are the pros and cons?

Not sure what you mean by this. Both wheel sets are staggered. 225 (8j) fronts and 255 (8.5j) rears.

Great spec either way. But, I'm in the MG camp (again) for my 340i Touring.

[djcowlin]

Originally Posted by Rich9600

Not sure what you mean by this. Both wheel sets are staggered. 225 (8j) fronts and 255 (8.5j) rears.

Great spec either way. But, I'm in the MG camp (again) for my 340i Touring.

On the configurator only the 403s are listed as asymmetrical - not the 442s - but maybe that's just an oversight. What are the benefits of an asymmetrical set-up? (My 330d is a non-M Sport and doesn't have it.)

[djcowlin]

Originally Posted by RobUK

I'd agree with most of what's been said, including going for blue over grey (why buy a car the same colour as the road).

Electric seats are a god send for the memory function if there are two of you regularly driving the car and you do get a finer range of adjustment with the electric motor, but if you're the only driver it is expensive for what is often just a 'set & forget' setting. I'd always go for lumbar support.

Only other thing I'd spec is the HUD - it's such a great safety feature.

We're going down to one car because of radically reduced annual mileage so will both be using it regularly. I find the manual seats a real pain to adjust and can't get entirely comfortable, so electric is a must.

[Rich9600]

Originally Posted by djcowlin

On the configurator only the 403s are listed as asymmetrical - not the 442s - but maybe that's just an oversight. What are the benefits of an asymmetrical set-up? (My 330d is a non-M Sport and doesn't have it.)

More wide rears give more rear end grip for traction. This is noticeable when pulling away and when pressing on through a corner. You can basically put more power down before the rear end squirms. Also, it seems to aid directional stability at speed.

So, better acceleration and high speed stability.

My winters are symmetrical, 225's all round, and there is notably less traction in all but the poor conditions, 1" less rubber width for dry contact. The car feels more nimble round corners, but less directionally stable. It feels more likely to step out and move to fun oversteer.

[djcowlin]

Originally Posted by Rich9600

More wide rears give more rear end grip for traction. This is noticeable when pulling away and when pressing on through a corner. You can basically put more power down before the rear end squirms. Also, it seems to aid directional stability at speed.

So, better acceleration and high speed stability.

My winters are symmetrical, 225's all round, and there is notably less traction in all but the poor conditions, 1" less rubber width for dry contact. The car feels more nimble round corners, but less directionally stable. It feels more likely to step out and move to fun oversteer.

Thanks! I do occasionally notice some squirrelling from the rear when overtaking on a dodgy road surface. Almost came to grief overtaking a bin lorry in darkest Bavaria a couple of years ago.

[djcowlin]

Originally Posted by Mark1966

What about the prostate warmers or are they in a pack nowadays

Heated front seats are part of the Interior Comfort Package these days, along with steering wheel heating.

[BMWChap]

Great spec, I would seriously consider HUD.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Great spec, agree with Daft' and also another vote for HUD.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Great spec, agree with Daft' and also another vote for HUD.

Ooh yeah, I meant to say HUD, I think it's included in the professional media plus package. Adaptive cruise is good too.

[djcowlin]

Originally Posted by Daftasabrush

Ooh yeah, I meant to say HUD, I think it's included in the professional media plus package. Adaptive cruise is good too.

Thanks for that. Anything else good about the Pro Media Plus package?

My Golf has adaptive cruise and I've never really got on with it - the minimum distance setting leaves a big gap to the car in front, and people keep moving into it, which seems to defeat the object.

[stefan4]

pro media plus is just pro media and hud bundled together to make it a little bit cheaper. HUD is great, go for it if it fits in your budget

[djcowlin]

Thanks for all the replies.

Is Park Distance Control front and rear included as part of the M Sport spec, or do I have to order the advanced parking package? My 330d Luxury had it as standard.

[HiBee]

Daftasabrush.

Do you have a link to relate to findings about super unleaded ?
I've used this for a good number of years & found no issues.
May have to change to V-power if TM is known to cause problems.

[Daftasabrush]

Originally Posted by HiBee

Daftasabrush.

Do you have a link to relate to findings about super unleaded ?
I've used this for a good number of years & found no issues.
May have to change to V-power if TM is known to cause problems.

The report they commissioned from Milbrook goes into quite a lot of detail: https://d16vpkeamxept2.cloudfront.ne...fece4a1a23.pdf

source: https://www.tescopfs.com/our-fuels/tesco-momentum99

Another copy attached and my original post on this: http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...6&postcount=23