[FSE23]

I’m waiting to see M340i live.. might be my next car. They announced xdrive but current 340i is only RWD in UK due to technical issues, so I’m curious to see it

[JNW1]

Not wishing to rain on the OP's parade but I've just been reading EVO's first impressions of the G20 330i M-Sport and suffice to say they're more than a touch lukewarm about it. I suppose to some extent it depends on what you want from a car and in fairness I know other initial reviews have been positive; however, EVO's summary is "too much focus on tech, not enough on driving" and frankly that would have me running for the hills (or at least waiting to have a test drive so I could judge for myself before placing an order).

They were however more positive about their brief drive in an M340i prototype and suggest that model may be worth the wait - perhaps all is not yet lost then!

[Isow]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Not wishing to rain on the OP's parade but I've just been reading EVO's first impressions of the G20 330i M-Sport and suffice to say they're more than a touch lukewarm about it. I suppose to some extent it depends on what you want from a car and in fairness I know other initial reviews have been positive; however, EVO's summary is "too much focus on tech, not enough on driving" and frankly that would have me running for the hills (or at least waiting to have a test drive so I could judge for myself before placing an order).

They were however more positive about their brief drive in an M340i prototype and suggest that model may be worth the wait - perhaps all is not yet lost then!

Autocar gave the 320d a good write up.
The 340i will be a great car but also more money than the 330i.
As long as the new 3 is well built it will be a good car.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Isow

Autocar gave the 320d a good write up.
The 340i will be a great car but also more money than the 330i.
As long as the new 3 is well built it will be a good car.

True but almost every car at that level is pretty good and which is the right one for you really depends on where your priorities are. The bit that made me nervous in the EVO review was the reference to a harsh ride even on relatively smooth roads; obviously just the opinion of one journalist but, as the chassis would be a priority for me, I'd be wanting to try one on roads I knew before signing on the dotted line. Having been caught out ever so slightly with the suspension on my F31 it's really a case of once bitten and all that!

[Isow]

Originally Posted by JNW1

True but almost every car at that level is pretty good and which is the right one for you really depends on where your priorities are. The bit that made me nervous in the EVO review was the reference to a harsh ride even on relatively smooth roads; obviously just the opinion of one journalist but, as the chassis would be a priority for me, I'd be wanting to try one on roads I knew before signing on the dotted line. Having been caught out ever so slightly with the suspension on my F31 it's really a case of once bitten and all that!

That’s why I ordered a sport and not an MSport. ( Besides the extra £££ )

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by Isow

The Premium pack includes electric memory seats and a sunroof.
I’m not interested in a sunroof but I have to have one to get the electric
memory seats.
You can look up the rest on the configurator but this ‘pack’ business is probably
good for BMW but not the buyer.
You end up getting extras you don’t need or want because they are packaged
with extras you do want.

Unfortunately, WLTP emission regs and the work needed to get all options through the tests is driving many manufacturers towards packs. That and size of car cf bigger X3 is one of the reasons after 5 BMW's my next vehicle is a Macan rather than a new 330i Touring when available.

[Isow]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

Unfortunately, WLTP emission regs and the work needed to get all options through the tests is driving many manufacturers towards packs. That and size of car cf bigger X3 is one of the reasons after 5 BMW's my next vehicle is a Macan rather than a new 330i Touring when available.

I’ve driven a Macan.
A good choice and a different level of build quality than BMW.
My Cayman is over 5 years old and has been very reliable.
Not one warranty claim.
Discounts are very hard to come by of course.

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by Isow

I’ve driven a Macan.
A good choice and a different level of build quality than BMW.
My Cayman is over 5 years old and has been very reliable.
Not one warranty claim.
Discounts are very hard to come by of course.

As I buy outright if I had joined the queue for one of the 1st Macans, the actual depreciation would have been just over half that on my well equipped 320D touring. no guarantee of course that the future will be the same.

[225]

Originally Posted by Isow

I don’t know if I’m the first to order on here.
I was told delivery would be in March, but who knows.
PM me if you want to know which internet dealer I used.

Well fingers crossed for a shiney new 19 plate.
I'm not in a position to ditch the big barge yet but will hopefully tie in with the m340i touring released for a bit and decent discounts. However I can't see me picking one up as cheap as I did with the 340i!

The look is growing on me now and as with the new 5er familiarity means even the horrible big grille isn't as bad as first sight.

[dopper99]

This is showing about 25% off, but there is no indication if this is a F30 or G20.

Having said that, there is nothing shown under the Options and Specifications tabs which would make you believe its the newer model?


http://www.broker4cars.co.uk/Buy/New...+4dr+Step+Auto

I cant see this level of discount being offered yet so its probably a cock up on their website.


Seems Broadspeed are showing about 11% off.

[JNW1]

Originally Posted by Isow

That’s why I ordered a sport and not an MSport. ( Besides the extra £££ )

Does the Sport model have different suspension then (something more akin to SE than sports suspension?). If so I can see that making for a better ride but on my F31 it also compromises handling (although later models are apparently better). Having said that I guess you've got your Cayman to do the handling bit and no 3-series is going to match one of those in that regard!

[Isow]

Originally Posted by JNW1

Does the Sport model have different suspension then (something more akin to SE than sports suspension?). If so I can see that making for a better ride but on my F31 it also compromises handling (although later models are apparently better). Having said that I guess you've got your Cayman to do the handling bit and no 3-series is going to match one of those in that regard!

Correct, the Sport doesn’t have sport suspension.
Large wheels + MSport suspension + runflattyres = a poor ride on UK roads.
Having said that I drove a 540i with adaptive suspension and that had a really
good ride.

[pmgreenwood]

Originally Posted by Isow

Correct, the Sport doesn’t have sport suspension.
Large wheels + MSport suspension + runflattyres = a poor ride on UK roads.
Having said that I drove a 540i with adaptive suspension and that had a really
good ride.

Adaptive suspension and not going to the largest rims was what worked om the F30 series. Unfortunately adaptive on the G20 is currently only available in a package with 19-inch wheels.

[Isow]

Originally Posted by pmgreenwood

Adaptive suspension and not going to the largest rims was what worked om the F30 series. Unfortunately adaptive on the G20 is currently only available in a package with 19-inch wheels.

Yes, and only on the MSport not the Sport at the present time.

[Soul_Glo]

Very nice

[JustChris]

Congrats OP. Nice to see the G20 orders coming through. Sport model this time intrigued me...looks really good I think. I like the triangular bits at lower front edges.

Pics when it happens.