Considering a 2015 F30

vaucist · 07-19-2018, 04:50 AM

New car time! I've been side-eyeing the F30 for a while now. I'm thinking of getting a 330i - what should I be looking out for in a 2015 model?

Many thanks!

Mike330iLux · 07-19-2018, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaucist

New car time! I've been side-eyeing the F30 for a while now. I'm thinking of getting a 330i - what should I be looking out for in a 2015 model?

Many thanks!

I've a 2016 model and cant report any specific problems, just the usual odd trim rattlle now and again. I went for the lux which has just about all I need. It is a bit of a soft ride that I struggled with initially, especially coming from a FWD Leon Cupra. However I have got used to it but would prefer the M Sport suspension.

SW6Steve · 07-19-2018, 10:55 AM

Go for a late 15 LCI! Don't think you can go wrong!

Dave-ncl · 07-19-2018, 10:57 AM

I've been looking for a 330d 65 plate on and the first thing id look at was whether it's lci.

I know I doesn't really answer your question but the D got the face-lift in July 15 so I'd expect the petrol to be the same.

Loads for for the money imo

Hopefully someone can clarify

Cero ceto · 07-19-2018, 11:26 AM

Make sure you buy the M Sport + model and I would also not buy one without the HEAD UP DISPLAY and sat nav.

teaston · 07-19-2018, 11:48 AM

Look out for two missing cylinders, it's very common on the F30 330i!

pdk42 · 07-19-2018, 03:57 PM

To avoid Teaston's two missing cylinder problem, see if you can find a 335i.

It's got the 6-cyl N55 which is one of BMW's all time great engines. They are pretty rare since at that time everyone wanted to buy the big diesels (330d and 335d). However, they are a much sweeter engine than any of the 4-cyl petrol or any of the diesels. Fuel economy isn't much worse than the 330i but the refinement is in another league.

If you do buy a pre-LCI model (and all 335i models are pre-LCI since the LCI brought the 340i) then consider an upgrade to ACS springs. It sharpens up the car's handling enormously for not a lot of money.

sensible · 07-19-2018, 04:51 PM

Go for a 2015 LCI model in M Sport trim. There are a lot of subtle changes including suspension tweeks but the main thing is the B48 engine that I understand was a big improvement on the previous engine. I went for the 320i (Dec 2015) which I am happy with and gives good mpg. The 330i is the exact same 2.0 turbo B48 engine but with more bhp. I have adaptive suspension, M-Sport plus pack and the 8 speed auto which I would advise you to go for if you can find one, but as the 330i''s are quite rare you may not have the option.

1966-TR4 · 07-19-2018, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sensible

Go for a 2015 LCI model in M Sport trim. There are a lot of subtle changes including suspension tweeks but the main thing is the B48 engine that I understand was a big improvement on the previous engine. I went for the 320i (Dec 2015) which I am happy with and gives good mpg. The 330i is the exact same 2.0 turbo B48 engine but with more bhp. I have adaptive suspension, M-Sport plus pack and the 8 speed auto which I would advise you to go for if you can find one, but as the 330i''s are quite rare you may not have the option.

The 330i has different pistons to the 320i, which lowers the compression ratio and allows more boost.

Soul_Glo · 07-20-2018, 01:20 AM

What is the budget OP?

sensible · 07-20-2018, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1966-TR4

The 330i has different pistons to the 320i, which lowers the compression ratio and allows more boost.

I don't think that is true. I know that the old N20 320i and 328i had different pistons but thought that the new B48 engines are identical with the same bore and stroke, but with a different bhp map. I thought that was the whole point of the modular engine that 3, 4 and 6 cylinder engines had the same parts.

I can't find much on the net about comparing the two, so would be interested to know for sure.

Found this though....http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/b48.html

nik patel · 07-31-2018, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSIIJAR

Make sure you buy the M Sport + model and I would also not buy one without the HEAD UP DISPLAY and sat nav.

HUD is wicked! I wish all cars had lol

330XDave · 07-31-2018, 10:27 AM

Don't discount a non-LCI car. I've got an early 2015 model and it's absolutely superb. Apart from the odd little frustration (none of which have been rectified with the LCI) I am very happy with the car. 90% of the changes are cosmetic anyway so unless you're really keen on this aspect you shouldn't turn your nose up at a non-LCI car. Condition and service history is more important in my opinion.

*edit* just realised you specifically want a 330i which I think is an LCI change anyway doh. Was using my example in that I bought a 330d which is an engine that did not change.

07-19-2018, 04:50 AM	#1
vaucist Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: '66 Seat Ibiza FR (rental) Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	New car time! I've been side-eyeing the F30 for a while now. I'm thinking of getting a 330i - what should I be looking out for in a 2015 model? Many thanks!
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07-19-2018, 10:55 AM	#3
SW6Steve Lieutenant 94 Rep 431 Posts Drives: F30 330d Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Southeast iTrader: (0)	Go for a late 15 LCI! Don't think you can go wrong!
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07-19-2018, 10:57 AM	#4
Dave-ncl Second Lieutenant 73 Rep 255 Posts Drives: F30 320d Black Shadow Edition Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Newcastle iTrader: (0)	I've been looking for a 330d 65 plate on and the first thing id look at was whether it's lci. I know I doesn't really answer your question but the D got the face-lift in July 15 so I'd expect the petrol to be the same. Loads for for the money imo Hopefully someone can clarify Last edited by Dave-ncl; 07-19-2018 at 01:15 PM..
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07-19-2018, 11:26 AM	#5
Cero ceto First Lieutenant 86 Rep 381 Posts Drives: 335d M Sport+ Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Huntingdon iTrader: (0)	Make sure you buy the M Sport + model and I would also not buy one without the HEAD UP DISPLAY and sat nav.
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07-19-2018, 11:48 AM	#6
teaston Banned 10995 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	Look out for two missing cylinders, it's very common on the F30 330i!
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07-19-2018, 03:57 PM	#7
pdk42 Eh? Team member 514 Rep 1,190 Posts Drives: F31 335i Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Leamington Spa iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 Audi TT Roadst ... [0.00] 2014 f31 335i M Sport [9.50]	To avoid Teaston's two missing cylinder problem, see if you can find a 335i. It's got the 6-cyl N55 which is one of BMW's all time great engines. They are pretty rare since at that time everyone wanted to buy the big diesels (330d and 335d). However, they are a much sweeter engine than any of the 4-cyl petrol or any of the diesels. Fuel economy isn't much worse than the 330i but the refinement is in another league. If you do buy a pre-LCI model (and all 335i models are pre-LCI since the LCI brought the 340i) then consider an upgrade to ACS springs. It sharpens up the car's handling enormously for not a lot of money.
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07-19-2018, 04:51 PM	#8
sensible Lieutenant Colonel 810 Rep 1,705 Posts Drives: BMW 420i M-Sport Gran Coupe Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: West Midlands UK iTrader: (0)	Go for a 2015 LCI model in M Sport trim. There are a lot of subtle changes including suspension tweeks but the main thing is the B48 engine that I understand was a big improvement on the previous engine. I went for the 320i (Dec 2015) which I am happy with and gives good mpg. The 330i is the exact same 2.0 turbo B48 engine but with more bhp. I have adaptive suspension, M-Sport plus pack and the 8 speed auto which I would advise you to go for if you can find one, but as the 330i''s are quite rare you may not have the option.
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07-20-2018, 01:20 AM	#10
Soul_Glo Major General 13347 Rep 7,484 Posts Drives: G20 Join Date: May 2013 Location: Manhattan, NYC iTrader: (1)	What is the budget OP?
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07-31-2018, 10:27 AM	#13
330XDave Major 629 Rep 1,470 Posts Drives: 330d xDrive Touring Join Date: Jun 2018 Location: Nottingham, UK iTrader: (0)	Don't discount a non-LCI car. I've got an early 2015 model and it's absolutely superb. Apart from the odd little frustration (none of which have been rectified with the LCI) I am very happy with the car. 90% of the changes are cosmetic anyway so unless you're really keen on this aspect you shouldn't turn your nose up at a non-LCI car. Condition and service history is more important in my opinion. edit just realised you specifically want a 330i which I think is an LCI change anyway doh. Was using my example in that I bought a 330d which is an engine that did not change.
	Appreciate 0 Quote