[no golf clubs]

Hi team,

Have a 330d msport e92 on lease purchase which is just needing an MOT, tyres, service, road tax and of course goes out of warranty. Have an option to pick up a F30 328i 4 SE with some reasonable options. Test drive Friday (2 days time).

I could benefit from the extra doors, but not feeling the sexiness ;-)

.. Hopefully the drive will help.

Glacier Silver
Black Dakota Leather
18" Light Alloy Wheels v-spoke style 398
Automatic Gearbox
Sport Steering Wheel
Brushed Aluminium Trim
Electric Front Seats + Driver Memory
Seat Heating Front
Black Panel Display
Headlining Anthracite
Advanced Parking Package
Media Package - BMW Business (Sat Nav, Bluetooth, USB, BMW Connected Drive)
*


Any thoughts? Comments?

[mgarvey]

Drive the F30 - it is a revelation compared to the E9x, or was for me anyway! It isn't as 'sharp' as the E9x, but more than makes up for it in ride comfort and general smoothness. The gadget count on the F30 is also nice and high, particularly given the options you've selected, and the interior is a nicer place to be, feeling a bit less spartan.

The 8 speed box is pretty good too, and the different driving modes means you can play about with the shift patterns, plus if the gearbox is the sport one with paddles the way the shifters work is much better than the E9x.

Can't comment on the 328i engine but all reports I've seen have been good and I suspect running costs aren't far off the 330d.

[dopper99]

Maybe your F30 doesn't feel as sharp as you previously had a M Sport (ie M Sport suspension)? I assume you have standard suspension so will have more body roll.

[no golf clubs]

I only have the above spec so far, no sport box, suspension or flappy paddles.

I didn't spec the car I think it's a cancelled order.

Will have a play and report back.


My 330d is sublime but only is returning 34mpg on my daily commute.

[mgarvey]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Maybe your F30 doesn't feel as sharp as you previously had a M Sport (ie M Sport suspension)? I assume you have standard suspension so will have more body roll.

Could be - my last BMW was an M-sport with 19" rims! Before that I had an SE on 17" rims though and the F30 seems smoother than that was.

[no golf clubs]

Smooth and quick. Completed a fairly extended test drive as a mix of town, twisties and motorway. Alarmed that fuel consumption went to 17mpg but immediately after reset on mway shot up to 40.

Eco, sport and normal modes used. All in pretty impressive, no xenons, no flappy paddles, 2 more doors and potential rep like looks.

:-/ it's a real possibility though.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by no golf clubs

Smooth and quick. Completed a fairly extended test drive as a mix of town, twisties and motorway. Alarmed that fuel consumption went to 17mpg but immediately after reset on mway shot up to 40.

Eco, sport and normal modes used. All in pretty impressive, no xenons, no flappy paddles, 2 more doors and potential rep like looks.

:-/ it's a real possibility though.

Was it a 328i? How did it compare performance-wise to your 330d?

[no golf clubs]

It wasnt as agressive if that makes sense.

Quieter and softer, but then again its not the msport version.

Quick though, but it didnt feel quite as quick as the 330D.

Dealer screwed his figures up after wasting my time, NOT going for this now.

Bunch of useless barstewards.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by no golf clubs

It wasnt as agressive if that makes sense.

Quieter and softer, but then again its not the msport version.

Quick though, but it didnt feel quite as quick as the 330D.

Dealer screwed his figures up after wasting my time, NOT going for this now.

Bunch of useless barstewards.

Sounds like what others have said who have a 330d and tested the 328i. I bet if you put them in a neck and neck race there wouldnt be a lot in it (according to the figures) but as you say, the high torque of the big diesel makes it feel faster.
For me - this is what swings it as it "feels" a lot faster than what it is. Even my mate with a Z4M that on paper is much quicker than mine comments that mine "feels quite fast".

[Isow]

With that specification it must be an ex BMW UK car.
These cars are usually exceptional value compared to list price.
The only problem with an SE is that they don't have sport seats.
This may or may not bother you.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by no golf clubs

Smooth and quick. Completed a fairly extended test drive as a mix of town, twisties and motorway. Alarmed that fuel consumption went to 17mpg but immediately after reset on mway shot up to 40.

Eco, sport and normal modes used. All in pretty impressive, no xenons, no flappy paddles, 2 more doors and potential rep like looks.

:-/ it's a real possibility though.

It will drop to 34/36 MPG unless driven by a nurse (not on call), you need IMO professional Nav not business.

[RichardM]

I know this is an old thread but I had the business Nav in the F11 530D SE I had and it was pretty poor. A TomTom is much better, it's nothing like the pro nav.