[andrew520d]

Hi Guys,
Have the 330d since January coming from F10 520d and maybe I was expecting more but really not loving it.
I do enjoy the engine and think the new vis pack is brilliant but miss the quality feel that the 5 brings. I realise that the 3 series is inherently a cheaper base car and thought the driving experience would make up for the little extras that the 5 had, but now I am not so sure.
The opportunities to use the engine are few and far between and the new vis pack will be on the LCi 5.
Am half thinking of seeing whether I could change to an LCi 5 when available.
Am I mad.
I probably will not do anything especially when the dealer tells me how much I have lost on the 330d.
Any body else lost the loving feeling?

[Torque of the Devil]

I know what you mean, I have owned many BMWs across the range and the F30 does feel a bit low rent inside, still a nice place to be, just not as nice as an F10 in the right spec, it was a F10 520d for me or the F30 330d and the engine clinched it for me as I just wanted the extra power having had M3's & 911's in the past

[NISFAN]

Not good to be in your position. Gutting.

I would say you need to try do something about it sooner rather than later. The financial pain will always be there, unless you trade in for a used 5er, so better to trade into something that is more you ASAP.

[ThreethirtyDee]

My reasons for changing are identical. I'm hoping that this will bring pleasure back to my driving as a 520d was not engaging at all.

Having taken delivery yesterday of a 330D M/S my initial observations are:

no speed limiter
no electric handbrake
no seat map pockets
no boot release switch
no cubby hole on the RHS of the steering wheel
poorer graphics on the Nav and no spectacular views of mountains etc
tinny sound on closing the boot

However....
Adaptive suspension is great
258 bhp is addictive and I look forward to driving anywhere

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by andrew520d

Hi Guys,
Have the 330d since January coming from F10 520d and maybe I was expecting more but really not loving it.
I do enjoy the engine and think the new vis pack is brilliant but miss the quality feel that the 5 brings. I realise that the 3 series is inherently a cheaper base car and thought the driving experience would make up for the little extras that the 5 had, but now I am not so sure.
The opportunities to use the engine are few and far between and the new vis pack will be on the LCi 5.
Am half thinking of seeing whether I could change to an LCi 5 when available.
Am I mad.
I probably will not do anything especially when the dealer tells me how much I have lost on the 330d.
Any body else lost the loving feeling?

Not a nice feeling when you feel you've made a mistake on the second most expensive purchase after a house.
Did you not 'try before you buy'?

[MMY]

Hmmm, starting to get a bit worried... On order for July 1 delivery:

F30 330d M Sport
18 " 400 wheels
Vis pack
M performance grill
Full black panel
Sun protection

Have had two E39s, two E60s and two F10s ( latter both 2.0d): only picked up the 12 reg as I got a deal on a demo; was tempted by a 3 series last year but wouldn't have gone back to a two litre but have been bored with the f10 so hoping for a bit more fun. The f30 for me harks back in handling to the e39; I had an msport e60 before f10 - the f30 is not as harsh and I didn't go with adaptive as the stock msport feels compliant enough.... Hope I won't regret it!

[RichardM]

I had a F11 530D when they first came out and I prefer the F31. The car just suits me more particularly the size. The F11 I had only had the business Nav, no flappy paddles, no Xenons and the crap standard audio system so it always felt a bit poverty spec. Extras make a huge difference.

The cubby hole on the RHS of the steering wheel is included with one of the option packs and the speed limiter is easy to add through coding. It is there they just choose to disable it to keep it for the 5!

[andrew520d]

The car is great in lots of ways but I do miss some of the creature comforts and upmarket interior ambiance of the 5 series.
I thought the driving experience would make up for this and changed from the 5 as it was too "boring".
Will hold on and see how it goes.

[RobUK]

What would make the F30 interior feel more upmarket I wonder? Would it be 'better' leather, more leather (e.g. on the dash & doors), better soundproofing, more soft-touch materials?

Compared to my old E81, the F30 is much nicer inside but it's sometimes hard to put your finger on exactly what it is.

[andrew520d]

I think better soundproofing for a start, the f30 is much noisier than I expected. Better quality plastics also wouldn't go amiss.

[rich1068]

Well I've just got mine back after being without for nearly 4 weeks.

It's lush

[Torque of the Devil]

Has anyone used a sound meter to compare road/cabin noise at 70mph compared to other similar cars like A4 or C Class ?

[Doc943]

It used to be said that real quality could be measured by the sound of a closing BMW door

I agree with the wind noise on my 320d SE - not good. The plastics and trims seem to come from the Anycar plastics & trims factory. And standard configurations seem to be getting more minimal every year. Not convinced that a 3 series is a poor man's 5 but it makes me wonder sometimes...

[Sabo]

The F10 M Sport is a nicer car specially the inside quality but the F30 M Sport not bad and the 330d is a beast but so just try to enjoy it for a while, you not going to loose money in a year time then you would now. But I agree it feels a bit cheap plasticky

[Alkidrew]

Looking forward to seeing how I view my F31 when it arrives. I had an Audi S3 before my 120d and although the Audi seemed more 'luxurious' in the feel and fit, I wouldn't say it was any better quality despite the 1 series getting a bit of a kicking.

Both cars had some creaks and rattles to start but I soon sorted those with some Velcro on the Audi and rubber treatment on the BMW. Shouldn't have to do those kind of things but nothing compared to the horror I went through with the Alfa Romeo prior to the Audi.

When I test drove the F31, I thought it was great but that's not the same as living with it day to day.

We shall see.....

[Sabo]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

Looking forward to seeing how I view my F31 when it arrives. I had an Audi S3 before my 120d and although the Audi seemed more 'luxurious' in the feel and fit, I wouldn't say it was any better quality despite the 1 series getting a bit of a kicking.

Both cars had some creaks and rattles to start but I soon sorted those with some Velcro on the Audi and rubber treatment on the BMW. Shouldn't have to do those kind of things but nothing compared to the horror I went through with the Alfa Romeo prior to the Audi.

When I test drove the F31, I thought it was great but that's not the same as living with it day to day.

We shall see.....

That's a rare choice of engine but I'm sure it will be great

[drnat]

These issues are holding me back too. I too have had M3 & 997 in the past and loved the F11 for its desirability and great interior with good 'toys' but didn't find it fun to drive. I have tried 520dSE & 530d M Sport & neither hit the mark. The F31 was great to drive with both 20d & 30d guise but just doesn't have the desirability.

Not sure what the best option is.....

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by drnat

These issues are holding me back too. I too have had M3 & 997 in the past and loved the F11 for its desirability and great interior with good 'toys' but didn't find it fun to drive. I have tried 520dSE & 530d M Sport & neither hit the mark. The F31 was great to drive with both 20d & 30d guise but just doesn't have the desirability.

Not sure what the best option is.....

435d or 640d

[ZigmundUK]

Originally Posted by NISFAN

435d or 640d

OMG the 640 GC looks beautiful. Outside and in...

[browellm]

I'm hoping that by speccing individual leather in mine, and some other nice toys that it pushes the quality feel up. A lot of the showroom models are quite drab with plain black interiors and not much in the way of options.

I saw a 330d luxury today in Xirillac Blue with Venetian beige interior. That looked nice.

[F30AM]

I must admit I rather like the simplicity and the lack of clutter of the F30's interior. It's not overtly 'busy'. It's also pretty hard wearing. I find it an enjoyable place to be in. Maybe the Coral Red Leather lifts the ambiance to another level.

[ZigmundUK]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

Looking forward to seeing how I view my F31 when it arrives. I had an Audi S3 before my 120d and although the Audi seemed more 'luxurious' in the feel and fit, I wouldn't say it was any better quality despite the 1 series getting a bit of a kicking.

Both cars had some creaks and rattles to start but I soon sorted those with some Velcro on the Audi and rubber treatment on the BMW. Shouldn't have to do those kind of things but nothing compared to the horror I went through with the Alfa Romeo prior to the Audi.

I went from 120d SE 2005 To an A3 s line 2007 and it was a step down for sure. Just never felt like the a3 was a premium car. Although the 1series was an se and cloth inside it just had a premium feel.

Nothing compared to the e61 though. That's v comfy and feels very luxurious. I've sat in a few f11s and they're another step up from that to be sure.

Hoping the f31 meets my needs for a couple of years. And I've listed after a 330d m sport touring for a good many years now to time to get it out of my system!

4 days and counting!