[chris.gid]

After 3 years with a e46 325i touring there only seemed to be 1 possible choice for a 2nd car and I should be picking up my new F31 330d in early March (girlfriend keeps the e46), does anyone have any tips, this will be my first new car.

I know to expect a sales pitch on the following, is there anything else?

Gap insurance - will probably go through car2cover
Paint protection - will get it done by a local 'detailer' who does it for a living
Servicing - the standard deal seems OK (£475) but £1500 for some brakes and wipers seems a bit much.

Any other advice on what to check/ haggle for on the day would be great.

[Beancounter_74]

I've picked up a fair few new cars over recent years and one of the most difficult things to do is to take 5-10 mins and go round the car yourself looking for any damage. I usually get caught up in the moment, but it's worth doing.
I found a scratch on my O/S/F window last time and a new one was easily ordered whilst I was still in site, it would have been a lot harder to prove once I'd driven off.

Also make sure you've got any extras you ask/paid for. They often forget mats and cables, so worth checking they're in there.

Agree re GAP, unless they get sub £200, I'd buy elsewhere.
Good that you're getting a detailed, Supaguard is not worth the advertising flyer it's printed on in my (and many others) opinion. I'm with you too on the servicing, £475 seems good, especially as I generally change my cars before 2 years is up.

Most of all, enjoy it, it's a lovely feeling collecting a new car, get lots of pics and post them up here

[JustChris]

I always try to sort out all the finance stuff in a last visit before collection. Just makes the pick up day much more enjoyable. You've got the other options well covered in your thoughts and its what I do, except my dealer pretty much insists on you taking their won seal and protect.

Good luck in the family undertaking business!

Edit: Most importantly no selfish driving about enjoying yourself, we need pics!

[....,,,,..,,..]

Nice choice of car.

What's spec etc?

Try for a key cover, you will get usual BMW car care kit, just make sure you have it.

Ask (for future reference) if they do ACS springs or PPK.

If they will give you first refusal on winter alloys / tyres dealership is selling pre owned etc.

Extra screen wash (on top of car care kit) is always handy.

Main thing is, give it a good look over when collecting and before handing to detailer.

[Beancounter_74]

^^^ Top tip there re getting the paperwork sorted in advance.
Makes the pick up a lot less onerous

[chris.gid]

Originally Posted by M Car Chris

I always try to sort out all the finance stuff in a last visit before collection. Just makes the pick up day much more enjoyable. You've got the other options well covered in yor thoughts and its what I do, except my dealer pretty much insists on you taking their won seal and protect.

Good luck in the family undertaking business!

Edit: Most importantly no selfish driving about enjoying yourself, we need pics!

Haha, its a temporary thing, i used to commute into London so had a scooter but now I'm not so though about car for ages and came back to BMW. Think the estate looks better than the saloon anyway and our e46 is leaking oil (garage says its a seal but its a fiddly job so a litre or 2 of oil a month is cheaper than a repair), it won't last forever and then she has her eyes on a 1 series.

Have sorted out all the finances in advance, so my guess is its just a matter of signing on the line.

[chris.gid]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Nice choice of car.

What's spec etc?

Try for a key cover, you will get usual BMW car care kit, just make sure you have it.

Ask (for future reference) if they do ACS springs or PPK.

If they will give you first refusal on winter alloys / tyres dealership is selling pre owned etc.

Extra screen wash (on top of car care kit) is always handy.

Main thing is, give it a good look over when collecting and before handing to detailer.

ACS springs or PPK?????

Have been thinking about winter wheels but was going to get aftermarket ones, what would be a good price for used, i was going to go for 17" so tyres are cheaper.

BTW how many miles do people get out of the 18" tyres, i can't believe how much more they are than our current ones!

[JustChris]

On a similar weight 5 series but less power (was 520D) I had 38,000 from RFT's, pretty damn good.

[Beancounter_74]

Just coming up 32k on my 520d with 18" RFT's and my original tyres are looking like they need a replacement soon. Still pretty pleased with them.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by chris.gid

ACS springs or PPK?????

Have been thinking about winter wheels but was going to get aftermarket ones, what would be a good price for used, i was going to go for 17" so tyres are cheaper.

BTW how many miles do people get out of the 18" tyres, i can't believe how much more they are than our current ones!

well after you have been on the forum a while, you will realise you need:
Black Grills,
MSport kit, various bits.
ACS springs,
a power upgrade,
different bulbs for your fogs,
different bulbs for your indicators,
a new lap top and cable for coding and actual coding.
BP Ultimate fuel, nothing less will do,
a boot liner,
oh and bound to be stuff I have missed

There was you thinking buying the Car was all there was to it

[chris.gid]

Originally Posted by Brigand

well after you have been on the forum a while, you will realise you need:
Black Grills,
MSport kit, various bits.
ACS springs,
a power upgrade,
different bulbs for your fogs,
different bulbs for your indicators,
a new lap top and cable for coding and actual coding.
BP Ultimate fuel, nothing less will do,
a boot liner,
oh and bound to be stuff I have missed

There was you thinking buying the Car was all there was to it

I have enough toys on it keep me going for a while, have gone for
M sport version
Mineral grey
RWD
Xenon
Sunroof
Prof nav system
Hk audio
Active cruise control
Heated seats ( would have loved electric but how bmw can charge best bit of £1k for it is beyond me)
Electric mirrors

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by chris.gid

I have enough toys on it keep me going for a while, have gone for
M sport version
Mineral grey
RWD
Xenon
Sunroof
Prof nav system
Hk audio
Heated seats ( would have loved electric but how bmw can charge best bit of £1k for it is beyond me)
Electric mirrors

I give you 2 months before you realise you 'want' black grills or fog light bulbs

[zofinger]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Try for a key cover, you will get usual BMW car care kit, just make sure you have it.

What's this??? I seemed to have been short changed.

Ps. Got the key cover as an Xmas present - it went back. Not for me (key didn't fit inside very well).

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by zofinger

What's this??? I seemed to have been short changed.

Ps. Got the key cover as an Xmas present - it went back. Not for me (key didn't fit inside very well).

Yes all new cars come with a decent car care kit in a fancy BMW bag.
Hard wax, tyre gel, shampoo, cloths, stuff for inside etc. As its all Sonax stuff it's good

[Beancounter_74]

Never had that on my previous 3 BMW's

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Yes all new cars come with a decent car care kit in a fancy BMW bag.
Hard wax, tyre gel, shampoo, cloths, stuff for inside etc. As its all Sonax stuff it's good

I think it's only when you have seal and protect from BMW...

[xenon]

Yes, only if you have the seal & protect stuff.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by M Car Chris

I think it's only when you have seal and protect from BMW...

Ah I see, I get that thrown in as part of my deal.

Well, it's quite a good pack with a decent set of stuff.

I also got the winter protect back for next to nothing, so can keep my wintery stuff in that, all neat and tidy

[MarkG_M5Comp]

Originally Posted by Brigand

Ah I see, I get that thrown in as part of my deal.

Well, it's quite a good pack with a decent set of stuff.

I also got the winter protect back for next to nothing, so can keep my wintery stuff in that, all neat and tidy

So do you give the kit to the Romanians to clean your car with?

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by MarkG335

So do you give the kit to the Romanians to clean your car with?

Like Fu##.

I sold it to a mate £20

It's actually good stuff, I used the Hard Wax on my previous E91.

I actually have to clean my car next month, it's totally minging, not washed since October (beginning).

That will be a full weekend getting it sorted for spring.

[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by chris.gid

Heated seats ( would have loved electric but how bmw can charge best bit of £1k for it is beyond me)

I feel the same about the pano roof - but that's even more!

[chris.gid]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

I feel the same about the pano roof - but that's even more!

Specific request from the GF, and the M sport black roof liner and black leather make the car so dark inside, thought it would be nice to have some extra light coming in.