[robbiep]

Having driven a few 30d / 35d variants (3 and 5 series), but owning the 2.0 in '25d' guise, I have to say I do like the refinement of the 6 pots. They are very smooth, power delivery is immense, and they gain speed at an incredible rate.

But my car, with it's twin-turbo 4 pot and manual box ... you have to work it. It rewards that work when you get it right, when you drop through the cogs, balance the throttle, keeping the turbos on song, and then knock it up through the gears as you straighten out again. Yes, it's a 2 litre diesel. But it's got 218ps and does 0-60 in sub-7.
That's similar figures to the Volvo 850 T5-R I had 20 years ago, but without the savage torque steer and the 25mpg economy it gave (not to mention going through a set of front tyres every 6-8k miles).

The 30d / 35d are just that bit too sanitised for me. Quick, yes, but the autobox leaves me not feeling involved with the car. Want fun, get a manual gearbox, and really DRIVE the damn thing.

When this car eventually goes, it'll be somewhere around the time when the F31 is on runout - and I'll certainly be getting another F31. I'll probably go for a 320d or a 330i. Mainly because BMW, in their infinite wisdom, have decided that F30 drivers can have the 40i with a manual box, but F31 drivers can't.

[MashinBenzin]

Originally Posted by robbiep

When this car eventually goes, it'll be somewhere around the time when the F31 is on runout - and I'll certainly be getting another F31. I'll probably go for a 320d or a 330i. Mainly because BMW, in their infinite wisdom, have decided that F30 drivers can have the 40i with a manual box, but F31 drivers can't.

Appreciate it's not the same as a real manual, but does the manual mode on the 8ZF not appeal? I really don't miss manual at all, but then my driving has become heavily urban in the last 3 years, so I rarely got to enjoy the process of being in the right gear - it just became a chore.

[Bored of Audi]

Originally Posted by Lobb

Everyone has switched to petrol. Did you not get the email?

I like petrol and had a V8 but the black stuff is not dead yet !

[isleaiw1]

Originally Posted by MashinBenzin

Interesting thoughts, cheers. I've not driven one, but also think that an X3 might fit into our lives quite well as the family wheels. The Macan GTS is a bit and would fit equally well, but more expensively!

loving the love for the GTS

[goodbyalfa]

If anyone is suffering similar vibration/rattles from the glovebox/nearside front air vent area, mine was fixed thankfully.
They removed the glovebox, insulated the contact points and replaced it. They also removed the EB trim piece and reapplied it.
It was driving me nuts, but now thankfully all is quiet, well as quiet as an F30 diesel with fat low profile bridgestones can be that is...