[ORIGIN M.]

IF he is referring to the one on the outside, that is covered by the bumper, it is where the air leaves the passenger cabin.

Originally Posted by sanchorb

I assume you are refering yourself to the picture with a silver chassis being checked by a worker. Isn´t that box where the battery is located in the F30?

[BMWPower06]

Looks amazing! Can't wait to start seeing em on the streets!

[SomeRandomer123]

Owning an LCI 330d here, I can positively say its fantastic! Brutally fast, a sound like you wouldn't believe from 1500-redline and it is always hanging about the 44-47mpg mark. It gets a heavy right foot too! On one motorway cruise we did, (200mls) it spent most of its time between 85-110mph and included a 160mph sprint when chasing a Mercedes SLS AMG. MPG? 45. No arguments .
In winter, it does drop between 39-42mpg. This car was once driven at 70mph for a cruise to see what kinda mileage it would return. 52. 52MPG in a straight 6 turbo!!
I strongly recommend this car in the same way I recomend winter tyres for it. Unlike your 118d, this has some fat 255's at the back which means it sits on top of the snow making it absoloutely shite. Its huge fun if you can get it moving and it won't stop (driver dependent) but getting it moving - its a 3 man job along with one good driver and good knowledge of how DTC/DSC works.
If you have any queries, please send me a message and I'll only be too happy to respond.

LCI 330d MT 63k Miles

[advantage20]

Totally agree, the 30d (post-FL 245ps version) is absolutely stunning as well performance-wise, sound-wise (nothing to do with a 4-banger diesel) and mileage-wise (mine is doing 6.5liters/100km average in highway mode at 130Km/h with regular accelerations, AC on and loaded trunk).

[bavarian19]

nice!

[umpqua5]

I toured the factory in '07 and it is worth seeing. The savings from Euro delivery pay for the trip, more people should do it. Do plan ahead as you will need another car to drive for 2 mos before your car makes it back.
With that being said, these are the first flattering pictures of F30 that I've seen. It puts it back in the game for me, especially that my E92 is the best car I've owned.

[EHDEN]

nice pix! wish i can be there in person to see it. hood does look wierd propped open w/o the emblem

[rmani]

awesome post.

[e92miami]

Originally Posted by kv12

The Hood line is cut this way due to the new EU Pedestrian Safety Standards. They had no choice.

That's what I keep hearing from BMW yet Audi and others don't do those ugly lines....

[mun]

Originally Posted by Nater

I am sorry to say, but I have to agree with you. The more I look at this, the more I notice that awful hood line. It absolutely ruins the front end.

Amazing what a seemingly small flaw can do to a design of a car. I would venture to say it has something to do with the newer European pedestrian impact regulations.

I think the front hood line should have been this way.

[Jay-K]

Jawdropping, LOVE.

[Ali.K_BMW]

Originally Posted by BMW Fanatic

WOW that looks sick! Wish I could see all this in person

Can't wait until the production begins of the M4.

PS - what are they doing in the last picture? Looks like the car is taking a dive in some milk

The liquid prevents rust and helps the paint electromagnetically adhere to the car.

[NC]

Definitely a non-US plant. No one is wearing safety glasses.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by NC

Definitely a non-US plant. No one is wearing safety glasses.

Yes, the Euro factories only require safety glasses in the body shop and paint shop.
Unlike USA factories that require them in the assembly hall aswell.

Factory shown is Munich

[Joop!]

Nice to see the pictures and videos from the factory...

[Laid Black 335i]

Damn... absolutely amazing!

[bmwF10]

I only point out two faults to this car: the not-LED lights (turn signals) and the hood line, although I understand the reason it exists, and SCOTT has explained it very well and it makes sense. Nevertheless, the car is great, and this new language of connecting the headlights with the kidney-grill works really great. Anxious to the M3/M4, but first the 4 series
BMW, checkmate.

[Morning Hawk]

I could watch this all day...

[jtuds]

Originally Posted by ravi355

I will bet that there will be a facelift within an year to fix this Bad design .

If this is bad, what the heck is the e90?

[funftouring]

Great videos. Amazing how automated auto factories have become. There is so much more they could have shown, maybe next time.

Hey, I didn't know Chris Harris worked for BMW? I'm sure that was him putting the roundel on the trunk.............

[SamS]

Originally Posted by coolhandshin

I wonder how much of an extensive routine testing BMW puts on a new car before it's let out?

You only see 2 or 3 miles on the odometer with a new car..

Barely any. I have been to the Munich plant, and Spartanburg SC, and seen cars leave final assembly to the transporter.

At Munich, the 3 series get an alignment, then a systems check on a rolling tester to make sure all electronics work. Then they are driven a short distance (a few hundred meters) to the transporter. You can pick up a new car at the Welt with <.2 miles. However, my M3 from Regensburg had 2 miles upon pickup.

The Spartanburg factory for X3/5/6 is almost the same. After final assembly, the vehicles drive 30m or so over some simulated rough terrain (this is all indoors) to check for rattles. Then, driven straight to a transporter. This has to be less than .5 miles.

The extra 1-2 miles you see on top of this are from loading on the ship, customs, VPC, and additional transportation. In short, there is no "testing" once the car is assembled, it's straight off to final destination.

[ZhengHai]

Just truly amazing!!