F30POST
F30POST
2012-2015 BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BMW 3-Series and 4-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST > 2012-2019 BMW 3 and 4-Series Forums > Regional Forums > UK > New member and 4 series owner
Studio RSR
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      07-16-2017, 06:05 PM   #1
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

New member and 4 series owner

Hi All,

Newbie to bimmer post so thought I'd do a little intro about my recent purchase and how I got there...

My situation was this, running a BMW 2011 320d as a company car and had a Porsche Boxster which I used for personal use for the rest of the time (mainly because hated the 320d the company provided).

With a recent job change which allowed me to opt out of a company car and take a healthy allowance and a baby on the way the it made sense for the Boxster to go.

Having a Boxster the past 3 years and really enjoying open top motoring I really wanted to keep a convertible. The only restrictions I had on running my own car for work was it had to have a minimum of 4 seats and had to be a diesel.

So after a few test drives of various difference cars I ended up settling on a BMW 430d convertible.

The spec of the car is:
Registered 2016
Metallic Black
Coral red leather interior
M sport trim
Professional nav with extended Bluetooth
M sport + pack
Convertible comfort pack

I've made some small modifications with adding my private number plate and having the windows tinted with a light tint.

Future modifications could be a new set of wheels, a change in springs, tuning box or remap and an m4 style grill.

First impressions of the car are really good, cracking on fuel, very quick for an oil burner, very refined (unlike any diesel I've driven before), reasonable handling for a large heavy car, and love the auto box.

Ive been browsing the forum over the past couple of weeks and don't see many convertible owners, I'm interested to see what issues anyone has had and any modifications owners have carried out.

Thanks for reading!
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 01:58 AM   #2
JustChris
General
JustChris's Avatar
No_Country
17423
Rep
25,088
Posts

Drives: Tesla MYRWD
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Welcome and congratulations! Back on red looks great
__________________
My car made front page of Bimmerpost
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 02:47 AM   #3
moff
Colonel
moff's Avatar
United Kingdom
1361
Rep
2,495
Posts

Drives: X4M Competition
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nottingham GB

iTrader: (0)

Welcome!!!

I love the convertible and would have one if the boot space wasn't so limited!

Enjoy
__________________
Arrived! 2022 X4M Competition, SPY + Black Merino

Gone: 2019 X3M Competition, Toronto Red, Adelaide Grey.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 03:39 AM   #4
Rbrown
Brigadier General
Scotland
2758
Rep
4,574
Posts

Drives: X3 M40i
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Glasgow

iTrader: (0)

Welcome

Souds like a great car!
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 04:23 AM   #5
Chrismac13
Captain
England
201
Rep
607
Posts

Drives: BMW F31 335i
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Blyth

iTrader: (0)

Hello & Welcome

Lovely motor
__________________
Current: 2016 BMW M5 F10
Gone: 2015 BMW 335i F31, MPPK, DMS Remap, Eibach Pro kit
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 05:42 AM   #6
willjames
Lieutenant Colonel
willjames's Avatar
United Kingdom
708
Rep
1,696
Posts

Drives: G01 X3 3.0d M Sport
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Dukinfield, Cheshire

iTrader: (0)

Welcome 👍
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 10:45 AM   #7
Dyl
Captain
Dyl's Avatar
433
Rep
778
Posts

Drives: 4GC
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Greater Manchester/Edinburgh

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by A15X View Post
.

Ive been browsing the forum over the past couple of weeks and don't see many convertible owners, I'm interested to see what issues anyone has had and any modifications owners have carried out.
Welcome.

I take it your partner has a more baby friendly car?

I moved to a 4 GC because of the 4 doors and big boot because we had a baby. I had a 3 door golf GTI and though it was okay for the few months it was not sustainable even with my wife having a 5 door A3. Good access is one thing but wait till you see how much stuff you need to cart about. It's incredible.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 11:03 AM   #8
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

Hi, thanks for all the comments and warm welcomes.

Moff - the boot isn't too small, providing the roof divider is in the up position. For work I require a telescopic ladder and tool bag which fits in the boot no isssues and can still get the roof divider down so can still have the roof down during the week.

Dyl - yeah my wife has a Mini Countryman which is mainly used for when the three of us are out and does make life easier with the 4 doors over the 2 doors in my car. Although the buggy does fit quite nice in the back of my car and having an isofix 2 way fix base makes getting the baby seat in the back of my car easy enough.
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 01:49 PM   #9
F30Andy
Brigadier General
F30Andy's Avatar
United Kingdom
1749
Rep
3,477
Posts

Drives: An Entire Fleet
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Welcome.
I didn't know hairdressers used ladders and tools these days.

There are two main rules in this forum.
You have broken the first one by not showing us pics.

Your doing ok on the second one by asking us for suggestions on how to spend your money.

The tuning box I would definitely do. Search Surrey Rolling Road day for some real life forum member stats on them.

The black grills is a must for any BMW modder with any degree of self respect.

Suspension I can't comment on as it's something I have not fukked with on a car in years.
There are many on here that have gone the ACS/Birds route and many of the many would be happy to help you out in this department.

Wheels are a very personal thing, and personally I would stick with OEM ones as opposed to aftermarket. But this is one of the many things debated on here quite often.

Anyone told you about coding the car yet?
Appreciate 0
      07-17-2017, 03:34 PM   #10
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

Hi F30andy,

Appreciate the post and yep got from one hair dressers car to another!

I was waiting to be called out on the photo front! Isn't there an issue with Photobucket at the moment? That's the only reason I haven't posted a photo yet.

I was unsure about the black grill on a black car but may just try one and see how I get on as they cost so little, I'll get one on order!

I'm up for a tuning box until it's out of warranty, I'm still enjoying the power I have at the moment so will keep it stock for the next couple of months. Also that gives me time to replenish my bank account after all the baby expenses. What are the best options for a tuning box for a 430d s drive?

With regards to the wheels I'd stay OEM, I do like the standard m sport plus wheels but just think they look a little dark on a black car.

I've done a little coding on the car using the Carly app and dongle, some items which I really want coding are mirrors to fold on opening and locking using the key fob and also the opening and closing of the roof via the key but have no options for that on the Carly app.
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2017, 05:25 AM   #11
sensible
Lieutenant Colonel
sensible's Avatar
807
Rep
1,703
Posts

Drives: BMW 420i M-Sport Gran Coupe
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: West Midlands UK

iTrader: (0)

Welcome , sounds good. Let's see some pics.

Appreciate 1
Soul_Glo13282.50
      07-22-2017, 05:44 AM   #12
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by sensible View Post
Welcome , sounds good. Let's see some pics.

What's everyone using to host photos now Photobucket isn't providing that service now?
Appreciate 1
      07-22-2017, 07:39 AM   #13
sensible
Lieutenant Colonel
sensible's Avatar
807
Rep
1,703
Posts

Drives: BMW 420i M-Sport Gran Coupe
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: West Midlands UK

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by A15X View Post
What's everyone using to host photos now Photobucket isn't providing that service now?
I just add them through this forum. If you click edit on a post you get the option to upload pics.
Appreciate 0
      07-22-2017, 04:32 PM   #14
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

Quick photo of the car after it was washed and then rained on ��
Attached Images
 

Last edited by A15X; 07-23-2017 at 02:45 AM..
Appreciate 3
JustChris17423.00
Wills28616.00
      07-22-2017, 09:42 PM   #15
TouringPleb
Brigadier General
4325
Rep
4,221
Posts

Drives: SRB 440i GC
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Cambs

iTrader: (0)

Definitely go for the black grill. Looks so much better on black cars.
Attached Images
 
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2017, 02:45 AM   #16
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

Finally managed to get a photo working!
Appreciate 0
      07-23-2017, 03:27 AM   #17
sensible
Lieutenant Colonel
sensible's Avatar
807
Rep
1,703
Posts

Drives: BMW 420i M-Sport Gran Coupe
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: West Midlands UK

iTrader: (0)

Good looking car. Chrome grilles all the way for me to add contrast and define the grille shape.
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2017, 04:56 PM   #18
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

Ive gone ahead and bought some black grills, need to give them a try I'm not a 100% on them but want to see my car with them on.

Will post some photos once fitted!
Appreciate 0
      08-01-2017, 08:37 PM   #19
moff
Colonel
moff's Avatar
United Kingdom
1361
Rep
2,495
Posts

Drives: X4M Competition
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Nottingham GB

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by A15X View Post
Ive gone ahead and bought some black grills, need to give them a try I'm not a 100% on them but want to see my car with them on.

Will post some photos once fitted!
Good work - they will look great.
Attached Images
 
__________________
Arrived! 2022 X4M Competition, SPY + Black Merino

Gone: 2019 X3M Competition, Toronto Red, Adelaide Grey.
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2019, 11:54 AM   #20
A15X
Lieutenant
125
Rep
458
Posts

Drives: BMW 430d M sport Convertible
Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: Hertfordshire UK

iTrader: (0)

Well I thought I better update this thread been a while and have some updates!

So around 2 years and 30,000 miles later and still enjoying the car although I still miss my boxster...

Had the car detailed and ceramic coated 2 weeks ago paint work was showing some swirling and I've been a little lax on the car washing front. Wish I had the car coated when I first got it makes such a difference to washing it's so much easier and stays cleaner for longer.

I also invested in a resin water filter which takes all the shit out of the tap water reducing the water to 0ppm again which I had bought one of these 10 years ago! Washed a black car at midday today and didn't bother drying it and not a water mark in sight!

I'm half way into a 4 year pcp with the vt point in 12 months time and still find myself looking at auto trader although it's a great all rounder I do miss a 6 pot petrol...we will see!
Attached Images
    
Appreciate 1
Soul_Glo13282.50
      05-04-2019, 12:06 PM   #21
Soul_Glo
Major General
Soul_Glo's Avatar
United_States
13283
Rep
7,483
Posts

Drives: G20
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Manhattan, NYC

iTrader: (1)

Welcome to the forum where many piston heads members now reside.
Appreciate 0
      05-04-2019, 05:06 PM   #22
Panchoa
Major
United Kingdom
657
Rep
1,481
Posts

Drives: BMW F30 330d M Sport
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Leicester

iTrader: (0)

Lovely pic off some bloke showing his mid rift off in the 3rd pic reflection in the bumper
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:35 AM.




f30post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST