[jctg]

Originally Posted by MarkyMarkOz

I have done over 4,000klms now and this is my first 3series bimmer and the one thing that bugged me when I first drove it and still does today is the 'clunk-e-ness' of the front end over rough surfaces both in sound and feel. I like a drivers car that gives good road feedback, but this is different. It is a minor gripe and I live with it, but not what I expected from a car of this pedigree.

You should have driven my 2010 X1. That was way worse. But that's BMW unfortunately - probably due to RFT. It is getting better though.

I have one big gripe tho and that is the halogen headlights. YES, it was my decision to go with the Xeons but the quality of the Halogens is just not up to BMW standard and I feel ripped off on this point. Much cheaper jap cars have far superior halogens as standard. HID kits on their way,...

Well now you know - you never ever pass up on Xenons in a BMW (or Merc or Audi). I don't even think BMW thinks it has a standard to uphold on halogens ....

[djw007]

Originally Posted by MarkyMarkOz

is the 'clunk-e-ness' of the front end over rough surfaces both in sound and feel.

Yes, my one and only issue. The suspension in this car is appalling for day to day commuting on slow and bumpy roads. i.e. all of Sydney and 95% of my driving. The jarring feeling right thru the steering column and that hollow loose noise when going over small sharp bumps at low speed is reminiscent of an old taxi with worn shocks. Very very disappointing and sub standard for a luxury car. And i have adaptive!!!

[CKau]

Originally Posted by djw007

Yes, my one and only issue. The suspension in this car is appalling for day to day commuting on slow and bumpy roads. i.e. all of Sydney and 95% of my driving. The jarring feeling right thru the steering column and that hollow loose noise when going over small sharp bumps at low speed is reminiscent of an old taxi with worn shocks. Very very disappointing and sub standard for a luxury car. And i have adaptive!!!

Really? When i went for the test drives i thought the standard suspension was good. The adaptive is meant to be better.

I am wondering if one man's meat is another man's poison? Some complain about the lack of feedback on the F30, but this is probably the first i have read about feeling jarring. Isnt this the feedback that peole are looking for or am i missing something?

Almost wondering if i should go for another test drive to see for myself if this is an isolated or common issue?? I am about to pick up my car but didnt think the F30 was really this bad.

[jctg]

Originally Posted by CKau

Almost wondering if i should go for another test drive to see for myself if this is an isolated or common issue?? I am about to pick up my car but didnt think the F30 was really this bad.

Mate I don't think you should allow other's comments cloud you into thinking your car, which you have not yet picked up, is poor.

I have heaps of things to say about my F30 (and did not mince words in the Nielson Consumer Research) but at the end of the day it is still a very good car.

The ride on the F30 is exceedingly good. RFT have come a long way.

[JonoNZ]

Originally Posted by djw007

Yes, my one and only issue. The suspension in this car is appalling for day to day commuting on slow and bumpy roads. i.e. all of Sydney and 95% of my driving. The jarring feeling right thru the steering column and that hollow loose noise when going over small sharp bumps at low speed is reminiscent of an old taxi with worn shocks. Very very disappointing and sub standard for a luxury car. And i have adaptive!!!

Are you sure the shipping blocks have been removed? I have adaptive and it's very soft in Comfort mode, good (firmer) in Sport mode though.

I'm sure Auckland roads are the same if not worse than those in Sydney!

[djw007]

Originally Posted by CKau

Really? When i went for the test drives i thought the standard suspension was good. The adaptive is meant to be better.

I am wondering if one man's meat is another man's poison? Some complain about the lack of feedback on the F30, but this is probably the first i have read about feeling jarring. Isnt this the feedback that peole are looking for or am i missing something?

Almost wondering if i should go for another test drive to see for myself if this is an isolated or common issue?? I am about to pick up my car but didnt think the F30 was really this bad.

Perhaps "Jarring" was the wrong term to use. I actually like the feedback you get through the steering and i run my adaptive in Sport more often than comfort. My issue is the loose rattly feel over sharp bumps at low speed. I've never had a car that handles or sounds that way over small bumps. Perhaps i have an issue, perhaps the adaptive needs adjusting electronically. I have to take it in for something else so i will ask them to look at it. A good test is to run your car over the small centre road markers, do that and tell me if you think it feels/sounds right. Don't get me wrong the car is still awesome. And no shipping blocks BTW..

[Alpine F31]

I feel really badly for all the owners that are having problems. I had the loose tailight issue that was fixed quickly by the dealer. I've had zero problems since. I love my car. It's far and away the best car I've ever owned. I hope that continues. I have 8400 miles, bought in Aug 2012 (2013 model).

[MarkyMarkOz]

Originally Posted by djw007

Yes, my one and only issue. The suspension in this car is appalling for day to day commuting on slow and bumpy roads. i.e. all of Sydney and 95% of my driving. The jarring feeling right thru the steering column and that hollow loose noise when going over small sharp bumps at low speed is reminiscent of an old taxi with worn shocks. Very very disappointing and sub standard for a luxury car. And i have adaptive!!!

To be clear, I love the way the car handles, however the sound of the front end over rough surfaces makes it sound like there are things floating around loose in there somewhere or the shocks are shot, similarly with the feedback through the steering wheel sometimes. Just not what I expected in this level of car. Overall I love my car and it gives me great pleasure to drive.

[MarkyMarkOz]

Originally Posted by jctg

Well now you know - you never ever pass up on Xenons in a BMW (or Merc or Audi). I don't even think BMW thinks it has a standard to uphold on halogens ....

Yes I do know now. However there is a BMW badge on the car and if the company cant keep everything they fit to the vehicle up to the BMW standard then they should not fit it. Those lights are just taking the piss and makes one feel ripped off.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by jctg

I don't even think BMW thinks it has a standard to uphold on halogens ....

It's clear to me that BMW purposefully made the halogen lights poor & ugly so as to 'coax' the buyer into Bi-Xenons.

[screenshot]

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

It's clear to me that BMW purposefully made the halogen lights poor & ugly so as to 'coax' the buyer into Bi-Xenons.

+1

Nice conspiracy theory there. The halogen day time running lights looks poorly thought out. Would've being better to just leave them off during the day and only ever use the low beams.

[MarkyMarkOz]

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

It's clear to me that BMW purposefully made the halogen lights poor & ugly so as to 'coax' the buyer into Bi-Xenons.

If it is, then that is a lose/lose strategy. I wouldn't call them ugly, in comparison to the Xeons side by side yes, but on their own, no.

Off topic - Know someone locally who has just fitted the JB Stage1 to their 328 and is very happy.

[J1n]

These blind eyes.. can't do without xenons no more.

MMMM JB Stage 1... more power

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by MarkyMarkOz

Know someone locally who has just fitted the JB Stage1 to their 328 and is very happy.

Shhhh, it's a secret, but I'm told yes, he is very happy with it. Every F30 328i owner should get one.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by J1n

MMMM JB Stage 1... more power

Go for it. You will be very happy

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by screenshot

+1

Nice conspiracy theory there. The halogen day time running lights looks poorly thought out. Would've being better to just leave them off during the day and only ever use the low beams.

+1 right back at ya!!!
Some people say the halogen DRLs look like welled up eyes, ready to burst out into tears. I say they ARE welled up eyes, ready to burst into tears. Yes I agree they should not be on EVER!

[MarkyMarkOz]

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

Shhhh, it's a secret, but I'm told yes, he is very happy with it. Every F30 328i owner should get one.

Oh you know someone too? The torque increase is immediately noticable and makes Comfort mode so much more driveable, and in Sport Mode it simply produces a big silly HP grin. V nice and great performance/value $$.

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by MarkyMarkOz

V nice and great performance/value $$.

Nothing (other than another boost tune like AFE) comes close to giving the car a bang for bucks power & torque boost. Super easy to install (and remove) and, as you posted, gives immediate results.

Perhaps a 4" catless ER downpipe (nice looking - shame it's hidden) will give the car a decent performance boost, but at a somewhat higher cost.

[CKau]

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

+1 right back at ya!!!
Some people say the halogen DRLs look like welled up eyes, ready to burst out into tears. I say they ARE welled up eyes, ready to burst into tears. Yes I agree they should not be on EVER!

I thought the halogen drl's look great in person when I saw it on the road. I didn't realise it was the F30 at first and took a few seconds to realise.

I always felt xenons they should be std on a luxury car - particularly the 328. Understand they may want to differentiate the entry level 3 series such as 318d and 320i. The previous 325i came with xenons

[J1n]

Ok lets do a handsup who's going for the tune..I had a brief look at the manual in terms of setting it up.. did my head in

[David328M-Sport]

Originally Posted by J1n

Ok lets do a handsup who's going for the tune.

me

[MarkyMarkOz]

Originally Posted by David328M-Sport

Nothing (other than another boost tune like AFE) comes close to giving the car a bang for bucks power & torque boost. Super easy to install (and remove) and, as you posted, gives immediate results.

Perhaps a 4" catless ER downpipe (nice looking - shame it's hidden) will give the car a decent performance boost, but at a somewhat higher cost.

Agreed, exhaust would be a logical next step however nowhere near the same Performance $ value. The most enjoyment for the money spent there would be on sound IMHO (and some good torque and throttle response value given mostly road use). Intake seems a waste of time at this point

BTW - It took 10mins to install the tune from the time of disconnecting the battery -ve lead to reconnecting it. Simple. Connector #1 is not used on the AU cars and has no detriment to performance.