[danb1979]

Hopefully looking to finalise everything on this on Friday:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-det...ceDeposit=true

Just one last look over it properly, another test drive (I'll read the codes whilst I'm out & about) and another test of everything inside and out (iDrive, windows, mirrors, heaters, heated seats, autobox in all settings, braking etc)

Does anyone have any thoughts on this car; any obvious concerns at all (never owned an F3x car before so happy to read anything said etc)

I've had BMWs since 2010 and I'm fairly tech savvy and mechanically minded.

Have already done a CarVertical check and paperwork check and it all adds up as it should etc inc the BMW EGR recalls and paperwork from the main dealers in 2020 and 2022 re these and other bits



I've also done the 320/325D vs 330D and I'm more than happy with the 4 pot, we've no need for the 330D and cannot find one with as good a spec etc for the price we want and the price is about as good as they get. Can't find one again within the price range we want to spend and for a change; I'm not looking to travel the length/breadth of the country for a car, more so as trains are massively unreliable currently

Really not looking to spend more than c£15k currently. We've other priorities for our money (ie. Getting rid of the mortgage ASAP)

Cheers

[Ennoch]

Looks shiny enough but that's easily done. One thing is that every tyre on it is different; NSF is a Pirelli, OSF is a Bridgestone, NSR is an Azenta and OSR is something else entirely although I can't see what - less of a mechanical on a non-XD car and more potential cheapskate maintenance. Personally that would be enough to put me off, along with the clearly aftermarket (i.e cheap) M Perf splitter. However, I am fussier than average and if you're comfortable enough with completely mixed tyres then just do the usual checks and get the good warranty on it. Keep an ear open for any light knocking at the front which could be down to the rack.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Ennoch

Looks shiny enough but that's easily done. One thing is that every tyre on it is different; NSF is a Pirelli, OSF is a Bridgestone, NSR is an Azenta and OSR is something else entirely although I can't see what - less of a mechanical on a non-XD car and more potential cheapskate maintenance. Personally that would be enough to put me off, along with the clearly aftermarket (i.e cheap) M Perf splitter. However, I am fussier than average and if you're comfortable enough with completely mixed tyres then just do the usual checks and get the good warranty on it. Keep an ear open for any light knocking at the front which could be down to the rack.

Thanks for that.

Tyres ready noted. I saw that as soon as I saw the car in the flesh but I'll be getting rid of those wheels ASAP / fitting winter alloys with winter tyres and sourcing replacement 18s or 19s down the line. So it's not too much of an issue

Thanks re the splitter. That I didn't know. Thought it was all OEM as per the spec decode on Mdecoder.

I'll be fitting OEM grilles ASAP. So will look into an OEM splitter too unless there's not that much difference?

Re knocking. Nothing thankfully. I took it down some really rough roads and TBH it handled superbly. But will be repeating this again on Friday as well as some more faster driving to run the ZF8 through its paces etc

[SR-25]

Originally Posted by danb1979

Thanks for that.

Tyres ready noted. I saw that as soon as I saw the car in the flesh but I'll be getting rid of those wheels ASAP / fitting winter alloys with winter tyres and sourcing replacement 18s or 19s down the line. So it's not too much of an issue

Thanks re the splitter. That I didn't know. Thought it was all OEM as per the spec decode on Mdecoder.

I'll be fitting OEM grilles ASAP. So will look into an OEM splitter too unless there's not that much difference?

Re knocking. Nothing thankfully. I took it down some really rough roads and TBH it handled superbly. But will be repeating this again on Friday as well as some more faster driving to run the ZF8 through its paces etc

it's fitment more than anything, not the best picture but this is mine. I got it from ML Performance.

Defo get rid of those grills. Other than what Ennoch's spotted I'd agree looks good.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by SR-25

it's fitment more than anything, not the best picture but this is mine. I got it from ML Performance.

Defo get rid of those grills. Other than what Ennoch's spotted I'd agree looks good.

Thanks for that

I'll get the grilles sorted first and once winters out the way; look to get the splitter sorted also

Quite like the look of the OEM M Sport side strips too that go on the sills; but may leave them until I've decided what alloys to go for; whether to stick with OEM or go for wheels from the likes of BMAutosport etc

[YODI]

Its been for sale for at least a couple of months as I had it saved it my Autotrader too, personally, I would want a facelift.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by YODI

Its been for sale for at least a couple of months as I had it saved it my Autotrader too, personally, I would want a facelift.

Budget doesn't stretch to facelift examples

And most cars have been up for sale for a few months. Time of year etc...

I've loads in my watch lists that have been up for sale for 3-4months etc...

[Jon TDI]

Signature seem to get some decent examples in & I’ve had a few of theirs in my saved list when I was looking a couple of years ago (and more recently when my 330d got written off!).
This one looks decent enough.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Jon TDI

Signature seem to get some decent examples in & I’ve had a few of theirs in my saved list when I was looking a couple of years ago (and more recently when my 330d got written off!).
This one looks decent enough.

Cheers & yes, seems to get some good examples through and they sell too. They never seem to hang around long and the ones I watched, that have sold, didn’t crop up anywhere else afterwards if that makes sense…

[robbiep]

It even has the rare adaptive suspension, I see. (picture 61 on the advert, with the option for 'chassis' in Sport setting). Nice spec car

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by robbiep

It even has the rare adaptive suspension, I see. (picture 61 on the advert, with the option for 'chassis' in Sport setting). Nice spec car

Thanks - the VIN decode states:

S704 M Sports Suspension

So isn't that standard M Sport suspension or does the active suspension fall under that category too?

[xenon]

M-Sport suspension and adaptive are different - the "Chassis" setting is a red herring; mine had that too on standard suspension and it just alters the steering assistance in "sport" to make it "sportier" (i.e. heavier)

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by xenon

M-Sport suspension and adaptive are different - the "Chassis" setting is a red herring; mine had that too on standard suspension and it just alters the steering assistance in "sport" to make it "sportier" (i.e. heavier)

Cheers; thought as much

[robbiep]

Originally Posted by xenon

M-Sport suspension and adaptive are different - the "Chassis" setting is a red herring; mine had that too on standard suspension and it just alters the steering assistance in "sport" to make it "sportier" (i.e. heavier)

I stand corrected, thankyou !

[dholdi2]

S2VFA = Adaptive M suspension

[PX3]

Originally Posted by SR-25

it's fitment more than anything, not the best picture but this is mine. I got it from ML Performance.

Defo get rid of those grills. Other than what Ennoch's spotted I'd agree looks good.

What's wrong with the grills!?

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by PX3

What's wrong with the grills!?

Aftermarket double slat shite

They're being replaced as soon as the OEM grilles land

[PX3]

Originally Posted by danb1979

Aftermarket double slat shite

They're being replaced as soon as the OEM grilles land

Nothing wrong with them, but each to their own