[dopper99]

My car is in for a few creaks and rattles to be fixed and I was very surprised to be offered a virtually new 320d Luxury as a loan car for the day . I simply couldn't refuse and even booked the afternoon off work to have a play

In fact the garage rang earlier and said they needed to keep my car overnight - no problem - so I've still got the 320d to have a play with. I'm off out again in a minute for another play.

First impressions........quite a big car with a huge boot that goes a long way under. Very nicely finished, nice switches/knobs/controls. Interesting choice of leather - but its actually really growing on me (see in the pics).

Driving it was an interesting experience as its an auto and I've not really ever driven an auto. And the auto stop/start is a real pain in the ass as well - but that can be switch off of course if desired.

Driving it........well comparing it with my E90 330d LCI.......it feels pretty rapid up to about 2500-3000rpm and up to these revs are a match for the 330d. But after that, it does not simply pull as hard as the 330d, as can be expected really with 60 odd bhp difference. But its not a bad performer all in all, but I do miss the punch and urgency of the 330d.

No idea what the gearbox is sport or non sport? No idea how to tell?

Pretty comfortable and great handling (what appears to be standard suspension). All in all a great car and would satisfy for 80% of the time.

But for me personally, an F30 would have to be an 330d M Sport again. But I'm really glad I've been given an F30 to play with for the day.

Sorry, I've OCD'd on the pics a bit......

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by dopper99

No idea what the gearbox is sport or non sport? No idea how to tell?

Sport auto... the 'stick' is the sport design.

HighlandPete

[JOHNBMWM5]

The brand new F31 328i luxury is quick that BMW have loaned me for a month, the 330D M Sport is quicker and much quicker than that 2.0D, you will be impressed.

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Sport auto... the 'stick' is the sport design.

HighlandPete

And it has flappy paddles

[dopper99]

Can you guys tell what box it is by looking at the pics?

Just been out in it again, give it some Sport mode

When you rev it - it makes a lot of engine racket, but forward momentum doesn't match the noise. I'm too used the the 330d I guess. Its great up to around 50mph, then loses momentum a little where the 330d just keeps pulling.

Very nice car though, but for me, I'd like a stiffer ride and probably variable sport steering as well as a bit more umph. Be interesting to see what the 328i is like as well as the 330d.

[RobUK]

Originally Posted by RichardM

And it has flappy paddles

...and a leather gaiter

PS - I get itchy every time I see those multi-spoke 416 wheels, thinking how much effort is needed to keep them clean, specially at this time of year

[NISFAN]

The 320D is a great car, but it is amazing how much more grown up the F30 330D feels in comparison.

Weird how an engine can completely transform the feel of a car. 330D feels heavier and more planted (that's probably because it is heavier ), but has constant thrust all the way to red line, and never feels 'thrashed' like the 320D.

The 320D is quite eager and 'zingy' by comparison though, nice......and as you say, very rapid in the lower rev range.

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Can you guys tell what box it is by looking at the pics?

Yes, it's definitely the sport auto.

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by RichardM

Yes, it's definitely the sport auto.

OK cool . Although I've no idea what a non-sport auto is like.

Seems a pretty good gearbox to me and to be honest the auto changing is that good, I couldnt see myself wanting to use the paddles that much at all. Had a quick go with them earlier today and it reminded me of playing a computer game.

Bit a palaver though when coming to a stop and getting out at the end of a journey:

Put stick in neutral
Press P button
Apply handbrake
Press Start/Stop button once
Press Start/Stop button again

Now you can get out of the car. Seems a lot more fuss than my manual. Something you'd get used to though.......

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by dopper99

When you rev it - it makes a lot of engine racket, but forward momentum doesn't match the noise. I'm too used the the 330d I guess. Its great up to around 50mph, then loses momentum a little where the 330d just keeps pulling.

The sport gearbox really needs a more powerful engine. The sport setting in the 535i works the gearbox properly, as would a 3.0d.

Mind you, if you flick to sport and use the paddles (even in the 535i with its wider rev range) you need to be snatching gears at a rapid pace. Best left in auto where it block changes (when necessary) and is virtually always in the right gear.

HighlandPete

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by dopper99

OK cool . Although I've no idea what a non-sport auto is like.

Seems a pretty good gearbox to me and to be honest the auto changing is that good, I couldnt see myself wanting to use the paddles that much at all. Had a quick go with them earlier today and it reminded me of playing a computer game.

Bit a palaver though when coming to a stop and getting out at the end of a journey:

Put stick in neutral
Press P button
Apply handbrake
Press Start/Stop button once
Press Start/Stop button again

Now you can get out of the car. Seems a lot more fuss than my manual. Something you'd get used to though.......

You don't need to put it in neutral before you press P. Also if you don't press the Start/Stop the second time then the auxiliaries go off when you lock the door.

Paddles were the main thing I missed not having the sport auto on the F11.

[TMP]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

The sport gearbox really needs a more powerful engine. The sport setting in the 535i works the gearbox properly, as would a 3.0d.

Mind you, if you flick to sport and use the paddles (even in the 535i with its wider rev range) you need to be snatching gears at a rapid pace. Best left in auto where it block changes (when necessary) and is virtually always in the right gear.

HighlandPete

Bit funny how we both ended up moving to 35i's from 330d's

Oh and that interior colour looks awe full dopper!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by TMP

Bit funny how we both ended up moving to 35i's from 330d's

Sense we are both pleased with the move to 35i petrol as well.

I'm blown away by the F11, I know we are on the 3-series forum, but pleased I went 5 instead of waiting for the 3 to come right.

HighlandPete

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by RichardM

You don't need to put it in neutral before you press P. Also if you don't press the Start/Stop the second time then the auxiliaries go off when you lock the door.

Prob the service guy talking baloney then. He also told me "good engine this, twin turbo", err no - try "Twin-Power" single turbo. Service staff, what-do they know.

Originally Posted by TMP

Bit funny how we both ended up moving to 35i's from 330d's

Oh and that interior colour looks awe full dopper!

Yeah, I thought that about the leather when I first saw it. But in a weird way it's almost growing on me and not so bad when you see it for real. If it was my car though I'd still be ordering black leather.

Good comment about the wheels and no I would not want to be cleaning them too often.

With regards to the tyres, looks like they are Good Year run flats on this and not bad at all, you cant tell you are on run flats. Not the awful Bridgestone Potenza RE050A as fitted to my 330d.

[rjberry]

It seems you are in the opposite position to me. My F30 320d is parked up whilst waiting a windscreen and the hire car I've got is a E90 330d M Sport.

After trying the 330d today it is a fantastic engine, coupled to the auto box it pretty well flew out the toll booths on the Severn Bridge! I almost wish I'd waited and ordered the F30 equivalent but the queue of traffic on the M32 into work this morning and then on the M4 on the way home made me realise why I didn't.

Did you get your car from Bristol BMW? I'm sure I've seen that one parked up whilst I've been back and forth there.

[john08135i]

10th pic down of dash...what does the 3 red people supposed to mean?

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by john08135i

10th pic down of dash...what does the 3 red people supposed to mean?

Rear seat belts not fastened?

[MaestroAl]

Shame about the dog-bowl brown leather

[NISFAN]

Originally Posted by MaestroAl

Shame about the dog-bowl brown leather

[Nick the Greek]

Big difference between my LCI 330d and the 320d F30 given the way it used to leave em for dead on the motorway.......

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by rjberry

Did you get your car from Bristol BMW? I'm sure I've seen that one parked up whilst I've been back and forth there.

I got this loan car from Dick Lovett in Swindon. But I think Dick Lovett is in Bristol too so you may have seen it. However, it only had about 180 miles on the clock when I picked it up yesterday so I dont think they have had it long. Couple weeks at most I guess?

[dopper99]

Anyway, this loan car is handed back now and I'm back in the 330d . And they seem to have sorted the various rattles and the car is nice and silent at the mo. Service staff said one guy spend the whole day on it yesterday trying to sort out the rattles and creaks.

Felt weird to drive it again tonight, especially going back to my manual box.
I've noticed one thing, my E90 does seem to have a slighter slower steering rack against the F30. Turning into my road I noted how much I had to turn the wheel in the F30 and tonight I was having to turn my E90 that bit further.