[sygazelle]

My 2014 328i turned 10 years old yesterday. I picked it up in Munich on the European Delivery Program on August 12, 2013. My wife and I drove it around Europe for a couple of weeks and then dropped it off in Zurich to be shipped home.

It was so fun getting to know the car on European roads but a bit sad handing it off to the shipper knowing it would be weeks before I saw it again.

Well, it's been 10 years and 85,000 miles since then. It's been a perfect car for me. I went from a BMW 540i to this 328 with 1/2 the cylinders. It is just as quick as the V8 and gets 50% better mileage. I've kept it clean and garaged and had normal maintenance except for changing the oil more frequently than required (old school habits). The only modifications I've done are ditching the runflats, adding Dinan Shockware, and installing Monoball upper and lower control arms. Bone stock otherwise.

Usually I'm in a new car by now, but this 328 has been so good I have no plans to get rid of it.

I'll be back in 10 years and give you all another update.


Here's a few pics including my 328 on the turntable at Welt during the unveiling, the key ring they gave me dated the day I picked it up, and a couple of photos out in the wild.

Here's hoping for more years of trouble-free miles.

[tturedraider]

Congratulations!! It looks great!! Post a couple of photos from today! I’m really enjoying my Apline White.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Congratulations!! It looks great!! Post a couple of photos from today! I’m really enjoying my Apline White.

I can understand why you are enjoying yours. That beautiful inline 6. My wife has the B58 in her G05 X5 and it is simply amazing.

When I did the build on my 328 in 2013, I had the choice to get the 335 instead of the 328. Of course, we didn't know (or at least I didn't) about timing chain guide issues. I chose the N20 engine at the time. I'd come from an amazing 2003 540i m-tech package. I never used all that power and the 328 had comparable performance so I saw no need to stuff a big 'ol inline 6 into my new 3er. Having less weight in the front and better gas mileage were an added pluses. Now that I've fallen in love with my wife's X5 with the B58, I find myself browsing cars dot com for a 340 from time to time. Not really serious, but that's always how it starts.

Anyway, enjoy your 340. To me, its perfect. I'll probably go there when I have a compelling reason to get rid of my 328. Right now, I have no compelling reason to swap my 328; it drives better than new (monoballs and Dinan Shockware are amazing and transformed the ride), it still looks new as seen through my fuzzy eyeballs, and it's low miles for a 10 year old car.

I used to pass my old BMWs off to my son and he'd drive the wheels off of them for another 5 or 6 years. Now he has gone to the dark side with a Tesla 3 dual motor. So I will keep my 328 for now. I'll get the camera out and take some new pics.

[tturedraider]

I don’t want to create discontent, but since you mentioned the B58. Have you seen this? https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2039236


Looking forward to your photos!!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

I don’t want to create discontent, but since you mentioned the B58. Have you seen this? https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2039236


Looking forward to your photos!!

Tempting but I'm going with that old CSN&Y song "Love the One You're With".

[sygazelle]

...as requested, here are some current shots of my 10 year old 3er. It's held up very well, I'd say.

I'm also including a shot of pick up day in Munich.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Tempting but I'm going with that old CSN&Y song "Love the One You're With".

[tturedraider]

The photos look great!!

How does the car handle the hills of San Francisco? I was stationed at the Presidio of Monterey and I had a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and I used to worry about my transmission failing with all the steep hills. Made it to San Francisco once while I was there with some buddies. Drove down Lombard Street and I remember driving up a really steep street in the downtown area. I’m remembering now in was Memorial Day weekend and we stayed in guest housing on the Presidio of San Francisco for $12/night. I’m pretty sure no one else was staying in San Francisco that weekend so cheaply!!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

The photos look great!!

How does the car handle the hills of San Francisco? I was stationed at the Presidio of Monterey and I had a 1982 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and I used to worry about my transmission failing with all the steep hills. Made it to San Francisco once while I was there with some buddies. Drove down Lombard Street and I remember driving up a really steep street in the downtown area. I’m remembering now in was Memorial Day weekend and we stayed in guest housing on the Presidio of San Francisco for $12/night. I’m pretty sure no one else was staying in San Francisco that weekend so cheaply!!

It's funny you ask. I just drove to San Francisco with some relatives visiting from Switzerland. We did the steep hills up to the Fairmont and then did Lombard. The car handles those hills like they aren't even there, both up hill and down. The 8AT is perfect. It always knows what gear to be in.

While not important in San Francisco, the go flat tires, Dinan Shockware for my DHP, and VAC monoballs (upper and lower) make my 328's handling superb. Night and day difference from stock. Everytime I get in the car I'm glad I did those upgrades. They've kept me loving the car long after I would normally be looking for my next one.

[sgovind]

Congratulations! Great car and pictures! I have the same car in Estoril Blue (2014 328xi) - Production 7/13 and ISD 2/14. I bought it CPO in 2/17 and just hit 80k kms. Owned it for 6 years, but the car will turn 10 next feb. I was just reflecting on this a few days back. I couldn’t agree more about this being a solid car. Even after 10 years, the M Sport F30 looks better than many newer BMWs.

My mods - M brakes, 340i muffler, LCI Tail Lamps, CarPlay Retrofit, LCI radio trim.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

It's funny you ask. I just drove to San Francisco with some relatives visiting from Switzerland. We did the steep hills up to the Fairmont and then did Lombard. The car handles those hills like they aren't even there, both up hill and down. The 8AT is perfect. It always knows what gear to be in.

While not important in San Francisco, the go flat tires, Dinan Shockware for my DHP, and VAC monoballs (upper and lower) make my 328's handling superb. Night and day difference from stock. Everytime I get in the car I'm glad I did those upgrades. They've kept me loving the car long after I would normally be looking for my next one.

How much was the total cost, parts and labor, for the monoballs? I had never thought about that, but it sounds like it’s worth doing.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

How much was the total cost, parts and labor, for the monoballs? I had never thought about that, but it sounds like it’s worth doing.

I spent a total of $1,100 if I recall for both upper and lower VAC monoballs. I think was $600 for parts and $500 for labor.

I just checked the VAC site and they don't show F30 monoballs in inventory. I don't have experience with Dinan, Turner, or others. I can say the VAC monoballs are awesome and the $1,100 was money well spent.

[shoman24v]

Congrats, awesome post!

[Solidjake]

Awesome happy bday!

[Dave turbo]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

My 2014 328i turned 10 years old yesterday. I picked it up in Munich on the European Delivery Program on August 12, 2013. ...
Well, it's been 10 years and 85,000 miles since then. ...

Usually I'm in a new car by now, but this 328 has been so good I have no plans to get rid of it.

...
Here's a few pics including my 328 on the turntable at Welt during the unveiling, the key ring they gave me dated the day I picked it up, and a couple of photos out in the wild.

.

My 320i turned 10 years 2 months earlier and also picked up in Munich. However, it's a 2013 and lacks the standard back up camera that 2014s have.

My key ring is the same except mine was engraved the German way, day month year.

My 320i has a manual transmission, which is no longer possible in the 3 series except a diesel in European markets so I plan to keep the car much longer than usual. I am shooting for either 20 years or as soon as 2027 if the current 3 series is the last gasoline powered car. I do not like the complexity of a hybrid. It's possible that my current car will be the last gasoline powered car and the last manual transmission car.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by Dave turbo

My 320i turned 10 years 2 months earlier and also picked up in Munich. However, it's a 2013 and lacks the standard back up camera that 2014s have.

My key ring is the same except mine was engraved the German way, day month year.

My 320i has a manual transmission, which is no longer possible in the 3 series except a diesel in European markets so I plan to keep the car much longer than usual. I am shooting for either 20 years or as soon as 2027 if the current 3 series is the last gasoline powered car. I do not like the complexity of a hybrid. It's possible that my current car will be the last gasoline powered car and the last manual transmission car.

Do you have any photos at pickup? How about current photo?

Congratulations on keeping it 10 years...and counting.

[drf30]

Congratulations! Car is looking great after a decade. Props to you for maintaining it so well!

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by drf30

Congratulations! Car is looking great after a decade. Props to you for maintaining it so well!

Thanks.

I grew up at the beach. My dad always told me to keep cars waxed because the salt air would ruin them otherwise. So, keeping cars washed and waxed was part of my DNA from the get go. I'm also lucky enough to have garage space to keep my cars in the garage when I'm not driving them. I'm not as good about it as some on this forum (wrapping, using two buckets, detailing to perfection, etc.), but I've found that simply keeping them clean and garaged keeps them looking new.

[drf30]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

Thanks.

I grew up at the beach. My dad always told me to keep cars waxed because the salt air would ruin them otherwise. So, keeping cars washed and waxed was part of my DNA from the get go. I'm also lucky enough to have garage space to keep my cars in the garage when I'm not driving them. I'm not as good about it as some on this forum (wrapping, using two buckets, detailing to perfection, etc.), but I've found that simply keeping them clean and garaged keeps them looking new.

Nice! If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your car maintenance routine? Like how do you wash and what wax do you use?

For context, I just picked up my F30 335i and want to keep it in the best condition possible.

[sygazelle]

Originally Posted by drf30

Nice! If you don’t mind me asking, what’s your car maintenance routine? Like how do you wash and what wax do you use?

For context, I just picked up my F30 335i and want to keep it in the best condition possible.

I wash it myself probably once a month or if it gets visibly dirty. Alpine White is great in that regard. It's in the garage 99% of the time it stays pretty clean. I use a microfiber wash sponge and dry it with cotton towels dedicated to washing the car. I've tried microfiber towels and I like cotton better.

If I get something on the paint that won't wash off, I use goo be gone and that almost always works. I've not yet felt a need to clay bar the car since the paint is smooth to the touch. If I was a perfectionist, I probably would use a clay bar, but it looks fine to me as it is.

Here are photos of the products I use. I probably wax it twice a year. This wax I use is not more time consuming than washing. I've found if you keep it generally clean and don't let it go, it's much easier to maintain.

The leather cleaning products were recommended on this forum and I like them.

Congratulations on your 335i. Great car. Share photos when you get a chance.