[ciantosca]

Hi There, I have enjoyed many members photos and stories over the years so wanted to share my delivery photos from this weekend.

Background: longtime CCA member, track addict & BMW enthusiast currently driving '11 E90 M3 ZCP / DCT as summer car, 2005 Mini JCW in winter. Both of these I ordered new, with the M3 starting as an epic 5 week Euro delivery. I tracked the heck out of these cars and love them both to death.

Having two growing kids who enjoy snowboarding, stand up paddle boarding, and other activities that aren't practical in my current cars, I realized I needed a wagon. My wife drives 07 Volvo V70R, which is wonderful but getting older and more not mine.

After trying to spec a Cayman GT4 to add on as a track only car ( I am now disgusted with the brand and dealship integrity ) I decided to be more practical and order the 3 wagon instead. I always loved the E90 wagon lines, huge sunroom, and rarity but I had the M3 already. This summerour family vacation was to Germany and Sixt rented us an f82 M3 for two weeks. I fell in love with the new platform and the F31 was the most practical iteration for our family at this point.

So in early Oct I nailed down a great deal on a fully loaded ( see window sticker image below )- custom ordered F31 wagon. I am in Boston and found a really great new salesman who gave no nonsense. The icing on this cake was the availability of NON RUN-FLAT tires! Pilot Supersports are incredible and having them on from the factory told me this car could be fun to drive. I told myself I would never buy a BMW that came with runflats - too much handling tradeoff and harshness. Also the LCI redesign seemed fresh and tastly.

This Fri my 6yr old and I stopped by to see the car and sign the docs. Delivery is not until Mon but we took it for a 10 min ride and grabbed a few photos to share. It's getting Dinan Tune on Monday before I take it home.

First impressions:
-Gearbox is amazing - felt as quick as my M3 DCT which is surprising.
-Estoril Blue is hot hot hot - it stands out and makes you notice this Wagon.
-Oyster interior is very sporty & unique. Great contrast with the EB. Not so great for messy kids though.
-Steering wheel is proper M - feels really great in hand.
-N20 was somewhat quick, even going easy on break in. Dinan tune should make it fast.
-Handling around a rotary was respectable, more lean and ride height than I'm used to for sure but will be good for snow clearance here in New England.

A few questions came up:
-Can you change the adaptive M suspension dampening on demand?
-Why are the climate dual zones not able to be linked like my E90?
-How do we get some engine, intake, or exhaust noise out of this car. Seemed silent almost.

That's it for now. Happy to put more extensive - better photos once I have it. Look foreward to 34 MPG highway vs current 19 in the M.

Already have winter rims, 398M square with Dunlop wintersport M4 mounted up ready to go on. Also have Thule box for snowboards.

Can't wait to enjoy this car. I wonder If I will like it enough to sell the M# and get a dedicated track car instead...

Thanks for reading - now some photos:

[CHCCubs]

Great looking wagon, congrats!

[Twenty2Three]

A big thumbs up from across the pond in the UK... a 328i wagon is a very rare car indeed!

[psuibmw]

Great looking wagon ... Son seems to enjoy it, he wants to take it for a spin

[Bleser]

Really love the color combo (interior + exterior)! Those EB strips on the doors really look great with Oyster.

Originally Posted by ciantosca

A few questions came up:
-Can you change the adaptive M suspension dampening on demand?
-Why are the climate dual zones not able to be linked like my E90?
-How do we get some engine, intake, or exhaust noise out of this car. Seemed silent almost.

- Changing the drive mode (Comfort/Sport) will change the dampening on demand.
- Common complaint of the F30 with no remedy that I am aware of. Really surprised they didn't fix this with the LCI.
- MPE is a common upgrade.

[Mike.F31.MSport]

Looks great! Nicely spec'd!

[NorthNJ]

Great looking wagon. Congrats!

[kdub335]

oh how I wish I could have my car in a wagon too.... I love the look. Nice choice.

[ciantosca]

Originally Posted by kdub335

oh how I wish I could have my car in a wagon too.... I love the look. Nice choice.

Thanks for the positive comments. Surprising more people don't buy the wagon. Seems like most don't even know it exists. I guess it's too expensive, compared to X1 or X3. Hopefully it will be more fun to drive than the X's.

[IM2C]

Beautiful combo! That sticker blew my mind, though. For 3k more one can get an M3.

[ji99lypuff]

Originally Posted by e90im

Beautiful combo! That sticker blew my mind, though. For 3k more one can get an M3.

Although the stickerprice blew my mind as well, i have a hard time finding m3 or m4 brand new for anything less than 70k in nyc. Some are wayyy more than that even. At least this wagon will be more rare than tje m3 or m4 at least in nyc. I see at least one m4 a day here but only have seen one wagon so far. Also great looking car!!! Almost exactly the way i wouldve built it if i had the chance.

[vladberca]

Does it have somehow a track pack?
Michelin PSS and MSport Brakes are an indication for that!
Awesome choice!
What about an M2 for a weekend/ track car?

[ciantosca]

I agree the sticker is crazy high - especially for a four cylinder. I did get it at invoice ( 56k ) plus a few other incentives. But I already have an M3 ( E90 ) and it seems more sensible to have a wagon to go with it. To me the utility factor makes it sort of worth it.

Vladberca, there is a package call track handling that includes tires, brakes, suspension and VSS. That was important for me.

[BOSSCR]

Get an air intake to give you some induction noise. I went aFe and I'm very happy with it.

On a side note, your's cost about the same as my F31 328i here in Aus, however I don't have the Oyster interior, cold weather pack or auto high beams. Believe it or not, that makes me feel somewhat better as I keep reading that M3's aren't that much more expensive (they must be poverty pack M3's).

[.BMW.]

Beautiful wagon, congrats!

[cncmastr]

Bravo! Let us know how you like the ride as you drive! I ordered the same but in Melbourne!

[geezee]

Hi I have also just ordered this combo in 320i F31 Form. What are the wheels like in "real life"?

[(-_-)BmwF30xdrive(-_-)]

enjoy

[ciantosca]

geezee, the rims are pretty awesome. I had seen them in regular silver previously and was not much of a fan. I think they go well with the black trim and blue paint. Sets the car apart a bit.

cncmastr, Melbourne looks amazing! It was my only other consideration. I liked the EB being an option for the interior trim as well.

So far the car is amazing. And again I am comparing it to my e90 M3. I will post an extensive review after I get some quality driving in this weekend. So far the HUD + speed limit + Nav in HUD really cool. Heated steering wheel ( which I keep forgetting to use ) is life changing.

[geezee]

Just been told my car will come with LED front lights FOC as the spec changes next year!

[ciantosca]

I feel violated! As I left my office and approached my car I noticed some punk had stolen the large X drive badge on the rear tailgate. Must have used a key to pry it off. Scratches and glue is all there is left.

Who wants to steal an X drive badge? For 5 years I have parked my M3 in the same lot and no one ever touched it. I have the 328i wagon for 3 days and its already vandalized. Ruined my day. Has this happened to anyone else?

[MassBimmer]

Wow that's ridiculous. Who steals an xDrive badge of all things? Sorry to hear.

Otherwise very cool car. I live 15 mins from BMW Gallery so hopefully I'll see you around. Don't know that I could ever spend $60k on a 328 but props for a unique build. You'll have to let me know who you worked with at BMW Gallery on your order. I've never bought from them but having just moved to the area, would be good to have a contact there for when I'm ready.