[derekh929]

Looks , loving it one of the nicest 3's IMHO , love the front end and yes black grill defo suit on EBii

Gear Box, well before I joined I said would not have auto box, thanks to you guys I took the plunge , do I miss my e90 manual after 1 day NO box is Superb and so good in sport

Engine very quite and lacks the feel of urgency my 2006 e90 330d had part could be smooth auto but I feel the map is very conservative for Eco reasons seems to dampen some of the real feel you are pilling on the speed without effort, I think new tunning kit would address most of that, another nice money spinner for BM , give them what they want

Interior big step up and love the lighting and dash lay out first time with idrive great touch controls and very intuitive , but playing music and finding songs I'm finding very frustrating, I need to sort this out

Adaptive big question is it worth £515 the jury is out on that one , tried the different mode on same road 4 times poor condition road yes in normal non sport it is more floaty and slightly less firm and slightly more comfortable, and tested on cats eyes on both setting and was a difference , but sport is so much better the e90 m sport and mine is on 19" F31 would be fine on standard m sport suspension IMHO. So neutral on it need option to pay more for proper adaptive IMHO

Tyre noise on Conti's very very poor and very disappoint to say the least don't know if Bridgestone or pirelli would be better but not pleased in this area although grip is good but you do feel is could let go if pushed very hard

Chassis excellent and hard pushing would needed to unsettle big improvement and less fidgety, and very stable , little over steer and under limited as well very well balanced IMHO

VSS well thanks guys very direct and great feel also great for change of direction near as direct as my cooper s and that is saying something

M Sport brakes well I was not sure for first few hours normal progressive feel , not grabby or over servo style, but stand on the brakes at speed very good at shearing speed on very smooth basis, impressed for hard driving and emergency , are they worth £570 yes IMHO , could I live without yes , but do like them

Visability pack Wow nothing else needs said

Leather poor Quality IMHO compared to e90 would I pay for the individual I would have said what a waste of money until seen one with it , but hey it's fine


Overall fantastic car , but standard suspension would work fine fantastic engine and gear box and interior, glad I took BPD and VSS , but tyre noise terrible IMHO , but hey it's a fabulos motor and very very pleased , comments welcome

[RichardM]

We need pictures! Come on Derek I know you are not fully detailing it until next week but you must have taken a picture in the showroom?

[derekh929]

Originally Posted by RichardM

We need pictures! Come on Derek I know you are not fully detailing it until next week but you must have taken a picture in the showroom?

pictures will be done don't want to get banned from DW by posting up pics , will copy my meet on Saturday sure to get pics the folowing weekend as coat takes 24 hours to cure can't wait

[dopper99]

I know what you mean about the power delivery compared to a 2006 330d. I had a both 2006 pre lci and 2011 lci with newer engine and the power is not so urgent in the lci and the f30 330d sounds similar. It's more linear and smooth but you soon get used to it and it is certainly no slower!

[changed]

Do you already have pics on DW Derek?

[Zero71]

Sounds great Derek. Still waiting on my 320d. Conti's seem to be the runts of the bunch - no doubt that's what I'll get. Glad your happy with the VSS as I have that on order too. Congrats!

[derekh929]

Originally Posted by changed

Do you already have pics on DW Derek?

No not yet go a meet on Next sat 11 people in total will be giving me a hand with a couple of very experienced Detailers to help get a super glossy finish will post it up when I get pics done though

[HiBee]

Nice one Derek
The wait wasn't that long, all forgotten, now you have it.

I'm the opposite regarding the tyres, my Bridgestone rears don't seem to have a good grip, even in the dry. A bit twitchy at times.

Good luck on the detail.

[derekh929]

Originally Posted by zerolight

Sounds great Derek. Still waiting on my 320d. Conti's seem to be the runts of the bunch - no doubt that's what I'll get. Glad your happy with the VSS as I have that on order too. Congrats!

Don't know if I will just get used to them but could be extra noise coming from coming from salon to touring?, was hopping for Bridgestone or p zero's

[ZigmundUK]

Originally Posted by HiBee

Nice one Derek
The wait wasn't that long, all forgotten, now you have it.

I'm the opposite regarding the tyres, my Bridgestone rears don't seem to have a good grip, even in the dry. A bit twitchy at times.

Good luck on the detail.

I've found bridgestones rubbish for the 1 and the 5 series we've had. Like you say slippery. The Dunlops and good years on the other hand were much better.

[derekh929]

Originally Posted by HiBee

Nice one Derek
The wait wasn't that long, all forgotten, now you have it.

I'm the opposite regarding the tyres, my Bridgestone rears don't seem to have a good grip, even in the dry. A bit twitchy at times.

Good luck on the detail.

Thanks for that, as for tyres I think some of the extra noise is from touring , but supprised withe Bridgestone and grip , as had the them on e90 , but different car and likely new compound

[Zero71]

Originally Posted by ZigmundUK

I've found bridgestones rubbish for the 1 and the 5 series we've had. Like you say slippery. The Dunlops and good years on the other hand were much better.

Based on Johns post in another thread comparing all these RFTs, it looks like the Pirelli and Goodyear are the best, followed by Bridgestone then Conti. Fingers crossed for Ps or Gs when mine comes.

[jbtco]

I am disappointed that BMW seem not to be using Michelins anymore, I don't know if they do run flats. I have had Michelins on all the BMWs I have had except the X5. Currently have Michelin Pilot Super Sports on the Z4MC and they are brilliant. As Michelin seem to do a free puncture rescue service I might be tempted to change to non run flats though would be an expensive option.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by derekh929

Don't know if I will just get used to them but could be extra noise coming from coming from salon to touring?, was hopping for Bridgestone or p zero's

P-Zero's are quieter Derek, I have them on mine.

[oop north]

The Bridgestones (on 18 inch wheels) on the 330d SE saloon I had a 4-day test drive on last November were hideously noisy - drove me nuts, but nobody else who had a ride in the car knew what I was on about

[derekh929]

Originally Posted by johnbmw6

P-Zero's are quieter Derek, I have them on mine.

Thanks , I suspect with the spread of tyres BMW using know going to annoy some, but many wont have any idea was thinking if I would ask dealer for swap with demo car, but I think I will soon get used to them

[F30AM]

Congratulations Derek and thanks for the write-up.
Glad you are enjoying your station wagon.
Can we have some piccys please before you wear out the car?

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by HiBee

Nice one Derek
The wait wasn't that long, all forgotten, now you have it.

I'm the opposite regarding the tyres, my Bridgestone rears don't seem to have a good grip, even in the dry. A bit twitchy at times.

Good luck on the detail.

Same here when you hoon the car in Sport. Twitchy tail. But then it was a really sh!tty road, had a bend and the camber was up sh!t creek. Excuses, excuses. Every car I buy has Bridgestones. Are the buggers giving them away?

Must check tyre pressures. I have not for 6 months!

[derekh929]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Congratulations Derek and thanks for the write-up.
Glad you are enjoying your station wagon.
Can we have some piccys please before you wear out the car?

Thanks , pics we be along after I get it all prepped as was not touched by dealer ready for machine polish to increase gloss

[HiBee]

Originally Posted by oop north

The Bridgestones (on 18 inch wheels) on the 330d SE saloon I had a 4-day test drive on last November were hideously noisy - drove me nuts, but nobody else who had a ride in the car knew what I was on about

I also have the Bridgestone 18", although i don't think mine have much of a noise, not that i can really hear anyway.
I & other drivers can definitely feel the slip though.
Suppose it's something to get used to, or more expense buying better tyres.

[HiBee]

Originally Posted by derekh929

Thanks , pics we be along after I get it all prepped as was not touched by dealer ready for machine polish to increase gloss

Hi Derek.
Are you putting a wax on top after the ceramic protection ?
Just curious, as i never got SB to give it a wax. I notice alot of rain water marks on bodywork, in which i have not had before, well not as bad. Other cars were waxed & water marks didn't show as much.

[HiBee]

Originally Posted by F30AM

Same here when you hoon the car in Sport. Twitchy tail. But then it was a really sh!tty road, had a bend and the camber was up sh!t creek. Excuses, excuses. Every car I buy has Bridgestones. Are the buggers giving them away?

Must check tyre pressures. I have not for 6 months!

What's suprising is that i maybe in sport mode, it seems to happen in comfort also.
Never tried eco-pro for longer then 10 minutes.
Agree with the Bridgestones, my last three cars had them, all German.