01-22-2013, 06:10 AM | #221 | |
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A few more notes on my first days with the AH3: This car seems to have better/harder paint than my E92 M3 (Jerez Black). There were very few fine paint scratches after pickup from PCD and the drive home. I did a two stage compound/polish with my Porter Cable + Menzerna, along with a sealant and wax. Looks gorgeous! I got the high-gloss B-pillars looking especially great. Those were the only parts of the car that showed obvious damage, before I went to work on the car. My M3 would get fine scratches just from breathing on it. I also mounted a holder (ProClip USA) for my iPhone 5 just ahead of the iDrive controller. This includes a cable attachment to plug into the USB armrest port. Now I have better-sounding music (vs. Bluetooth streaming), charging, and convenient place to store my phone. I'll take a picture this weekend of the final setup. |
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01-22-2013, 09:25 AM | #222 |
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congrats SamS!
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01-22-2013, 10:01 AM | #223 | |
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On my commute to work today (16 miles), I averaged 44.9mpg, I used Eco Pro. If I can hit high-30's as an average, I will be a happy camper. A few other thoughts about the car, although most are just F30 vs. E9x observations:
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01-22-2013, 07:38 PM | #224 |
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If you're lazy I've found nothing better than Collinite's Insulator Wax. Goes on easy and lasts... Just make sure your surface is CLEAN!
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01-22-2013, 07:48 PM | #225 | ||||||
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01-22-2013, 07:53 PM | #226 | |
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Get some Sonax Full Effect (about once per month or every other month if you keep car clean), P21S (for most weekly care), Wheel wax, and Meguiars Brake Dust Barrier. Use the Mothers full wheel brushes and the detail toothbrushes and you'll be pretty happy. Good idea to remove and wax/coat the wheel interiors. Just get a deep brush to keep that clean too. BMW actually sells a decent brush at the parts dept. Griot is OK, its just they are $$$$ for the same "Made in China".. |
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01-22-2013, 08:39 PM | #227 |
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Good stuff, I'll look into this, thanks!
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01-27-2013, 04:53 PM | #228 |
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Hi everyone.
I thought I'd report back after a solid week with my car, as I now officially have 1200 miles on it MPG is a bit interesting. My trip back from PCD to Texas averaged about 32-33, which is what you'd expect based on the EPA window sticker. This week, I did a full run of "normal" driving, i.e. heavy traffic, some short trips, a few 'spirited' runs, etc. This tank pulled in at 25mpg. For some reason, I was expecting better. However, that is right in line with the EPA sticker of 25/28/33. I do use Eco Pro whenever I know I'm going to be in heavy traffic. This allows me to take off from stop lights up to a speed of ~20mph before the motor kicks in. And of course you AH3 owners know, this transition is seamless Passengers would never know, and I have to watch the tach to even realize when it happens. So to sum up, I was being optimistic to think I'd get 30+mpg in normal commuting. I think average driving will yield high 20's. Which is not bad! Based on what I read in the "what's your mileage" threads, I think the AH3 will get the same mpg as an equivalent 328i with regular use of A.S.S. Yes (!) it's a lot more expensive than a 328i. But two important things to consider: 1) Engage Sport/Sport+ mode and you have a real torque beast, and 2) You don't have think twice about A.S.S. because it's completely transparent in the AH3, while it's quite the distraction in a 328i. The car is a lot more "solid" feeling than my 2012 E92 M3. My driveway is a bit steep, and when I back out into the alley, there is a bit of a U-shape, where the back neighbor's driveway begins. So the car effective backs down into a shallow valley. This would cause my M3 to creak and groan every time I reached the bottom of the driveway. Not scraping, just flexing of what I assumed to be the interior panels. The AH3 is rock solid, with not a squeak or rattle to be heard. I also like how it is easier to get into, and out of vs. the M3. I'm not sure if it's the seats, the shorter doors of the sedan, or what. My only niggle with the NBT Nav is the seeming inability to "push" iPhone app music (aka Spotify, Live365, etc) because the iPod/iPhone music wants to override when connected via USB. I had a little progress on this today, and inadvertently got Live365 to play without the iPhone music overriding, but I can't duplicate this behavior It has something to do with the sequence in which the car recognizes the iPhone as a music source, and how you start the playback. More to come... BTW, my wife is not impressed with the AH3 The first two comments she made where in reference to the Nav screen not sliding down, and the fact that the ride (Comfort, mind you) was not "comfortable". Yes, she drives a CR-V and expects to float on a pillow down the road |
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01-27-2013, 08:22 PM | #229 |
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I agree with the average mpg of high-20's city and combined and low 30's highway. The best way of thinking about this car is that it has all of the 335i's power and refinement on tap with the ability to match or slightly exceed the 328i's fuel economy. And it makes ASS have the level of refinement it should have had in the first place.
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01-27-2013, 09:52 PM | #230 | |
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OK guys, important information regarding AH3 specific warranty: A few months ago, before I got my car, there was talk about the AH3 not having any additional warranty on the hybrid components beyond the standard 48mo/50K period. This is not true! Page 17 of the Service and Warranty Information Guide makes specific reference to "Specific Control Devices" have either 7yr/70K or 8yr/100K warranty, and directs you do a chart on page 28. On this chart, we see specifically that the AH3 has 7yr/70K warranty on the following components:
So, anyone considering keeping the car longer than 4 years can rest a bit easier knowing some of those expensive components will be covered for 7/70K. Oddly, some components (Catalyst, HPBP, Intake Manifold, etc) are actually covered for 8yr/80k on the 328i/335i, vs. only 7yr/70K on the AH3 and 328i SULEV/PZEV. Strange. |
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01-27-2013, 10:00 PM | #231 |
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I think PZEV requires the longer warranty period. But indeed; the hybrid warranty is really nice and does make ownership less painful. I think the real risk of ownership is resale value if one plans on reselling in the 5yr window. At that point, I wouldn't expect the ActiveHybrid to compete well with the next gen of hybrids.
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01-31-2013, 12:34 PM | #232 |
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Some further thoughts on fuel economy as I approach 1500 miles. I have to assume with break-in, engine management software and fuel economy should be fairly stable at this point.
Assuming I use Eco Pro 90% of the time I'm in heavy-traffic situations, I average 27-28mpg. I would like to see better, but I have to remember I'm driving a 3800lb car that can also zoom around when needed. Highway can manage 33mpg for extended trips. I think the EPA estimates of 25/28/33 are accurate for this car. Although I've never experienced as low as 25mpg myself. If you use Sport mode more often, and get on the throttle, 25mpg for city might be appropriate. When the battery has sufficient charge, and I'm gentle with the throttle, I can take off from a light and hit 33mph on pure battery power. I think BMW says this can occur "up to 47mph", but I think anything over 20mph is impressive. When I look at it overall, I'd say this car nets me 328i fuel economy, with 335i performance. Technically, the AH3 is currently a $3K premium over a 335i, but I would imagine any moderate negotiating skills would cut the delta between the AH3 and a 335i to ~$1500 or less, based simply on the high demand, low stock of 335i cars, currently. |
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01-31-2013, 12:44 PM | #233 |
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That's great to hear, Sam. My fuel economy numbers are very similar to yours. 33ish highway, and 27-29 when I drive it on my normal routes. This is way more than I used to get in my A4 2.0T driving the same routes (23mpg), and this car makes over 100 more HP and lb-ft.
It really is, as you said, 328i fuel efficiency with 335i performance (or even a bit beyond that thanks to the torquey personality eBOOST gives you). Plus as mentioned before, a heavy duty starter motor that is able to kick on the engine so smoothly that it makes ASS a pleasure to have. As far as running on electric, in Eco Pro I find the best use of electric power is for takeoff and for coasting. Once I'm at 45mph, if I'm light on the throttle the engine shuts off and the electric motor is able to maintain my speed with no issue. Usually for takeoffs, I like the motor taking me up to 15-17mph before the engine kicks in. Remember that the ICE is the least efficient in that 0-1500RPM range that's exercised in low-speed takeoffs. So this in effect avoids the ICE's least efficient zone and by the time the ICE kicks in, it's as if the car were cruising already. |
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01-31-2013, 12:58 PM | #234 |
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Interesting comparison to your A4. My previous daily driver was a 2006 Accord with the 166hp I4. The AH3 has 2X the horsepower and torque, and averages 10% better economy than my Honda!
Speaking of A.S.S....it is kind of unfair to compare the AH3 fuel ecomony numbers to the 328i/335i. I think to get respective mpg out of the 328i/335i, you'd have to use A.S.S. With the AH3, I really can't notice ASS. The engagement is so smooth I never notice unless I deliberately watch the tach. Passengers don't notice either. They just plain cannot tell. When I'm in a 328i (especially), the ASS transition is terribly distracting to me. I only recall a light shudder a single time recently, while at a light on low battery the ICE kicked back on while stopped at a light. This is less intrusive than what happens in the normal F30. During normal driving, I never feel it. Seriously. |
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01-31-2013, 04:42 PM | #235 |
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Yeah, it's amazing how smooth it is. If you're moving faster than 5mph when the transition occurs, the road noise covers 100% of the ASS event. Seriously. Blindfold a passenger and they won't even be able to tell you when the engine turns on and off. Most of the times too, that's when the transitions happen.
The only time you notice the transition is when it happens at standstill, which generally is only when the air conditioning drains your battery to 7%. In that case, you hear the starter motor, feel a really faint vibration as the engine kicks in, and that's it. My passenger's reaction was "Hey, I could actually notice it that time!" It really surprises me that BMW didn't put this sophisticated a start-stop system into the regular 328i/335i. The low voltage system in the AH3 consists of 2 12V batteries. Ordinarily they are connected together in parallel, but during starting, the car will disconnect one of the 12V batteries, use it for starting, then reconnect it. This prevents the sudden voltage dip when starting from affecting vehicle electronics. If you pay attention to the engine starting in a 328i/335i, you can notice cabin lights and electronics dimming a bit during the start. In fact some people on this forum have reported their music volume changing / popping. |
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01-31-2013, 04:52 PM | #236 |
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An Addiction That Cannot Be Satiated....
I am addicted to eBoost and not ashamed to admit it. I have never owned a car so powerful. I'm out of the break-in period and seek opportunities to fully experience eBoost. The other night in second gear, I floored the car and watched how long the car remained in eBoost mode. On dry and smooth blacktop, the thrust was so powerful that the rear wheels spun during the 2nd to third shift.
I have yet been able to stay in eBoost well before my courage escapes me. I've always wanted a car that could be frighteningly quick. I think I need some track time to fully experience the limits of this car Does anyone have experience driving a car with overwhelming midrange performance? |
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02-01-2013, 08:42 AM | #237 | ||
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No doubt about it, this car is fast. |
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02-10-2013, 11:57 AM | #238 |
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Crossing the Atlantic on the Athens Highway...
My ActiveHybrid 3 is on K-Lines "Athens Highway", just west of Spain. The next scheduled port stop is Baltimore, Maryland, then on to Brunswick, Georgia by about February 20th where my vehicle will disembark and be processed in at the BMW Vehicle Distribution Center and prepared for delivery to BMW of Austin.
I ordered a Sport line in Mineral White Metallic with Black Dakota Leather sport seats. Extras include Premium Package, Driver Assistance Package, Technology Package, HK Audio, and Heated Seats. I also specified all season tires, as I hope to drive it across a good bit of the country over the next few years. I wanted good performance in a car that is fun to drive, and look forward to driving it on the open highway (new 85 mph toll roads in Texas are great!) or through the twisting back roads in Texas hill country. In the last decade or so I have been equally intrigued by the advanced technology being integrated (not always well) into new vehicles. That is what drew me to the AH3, and I ordered mine after a several test drives of various 3-series and learning more from posts on this site. Thanks to Sam S, BMW Cali, jdong, Boosted John, MotoEV, and zon (among others) for all the information you shared. It helped me decide to pull the trigger and has kept me entertained while I am waiting for my car. Over the last decade we have owned a 2006 330i, a 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, a 200? Jaguar X-Type, the last model year Thunderbird convertable, and a Lincoln MKX. My wife presently has a 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid, and I have been driving a 2011 Infiniti EX that I bought after considering a 2011 BMW X3. I look forward to adding thoughts and experiences from my perspective after logging some miles in my AH3. |
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02-10-2013, 02:07 PM | #239 |
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^^^ Another AH3 in Texas! You have had some interesting cars, I'll be anxious to read your thoughts about the AH3 compared to your other hybrids.
You probably only have 3-4 weeks to go. This part is the hardest |
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02-10-2013, 07:35 PM | #240 | |
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As a matter of perspective, there are many much more powerful cars. The F30, in any variant, is nicely a bit over mid-pack. |
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02-16-2013, 10:15 PM | #241 |
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Im locking in the programs this month to lease an Active Hybrid 3 that is at the VPC. I will probably buy it early next month and do a Pull-ahead on my 550xi GT lease. My gas savings will be alot 18mpg vs. 40-42mpg. I will be picking up a Silver/Black Msport with Drivers Asst, Premium, Technology, Sport Auto, Lane Dept, Alum trim, Prem Sound, Blk Grills - I cant wait!
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02-19-2013, 11:24 PM | #242 |
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My girlfriend picked up her Active Hybrid 3 last night that we ordered back in December. Such an awesome car, lease payments on it are crazy low!
A couple things I thought were cool that I wasn't expecting. 1. She didn't order navigation but it still comes with the larger navigation spec iDrive screen rather than the small non-navigation screen that all other F30 3 Series come with not equipped with nav. 2. Didn't do Sport Line but still has black exhaust tips and a lot of shadowline trim. 3. The leatherette is very high quality, seems better and less "grainy" than the X3 and F30 328i. I might be crazy on this but for some reason it feels and appears more like normal leather like I have in my E90. I will report more on what she says after she puts some miles on it but so far it is all we hoped it would be! |
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