[yippy77]

Hi All

Currently have a 2009 335xi sedan that I love but with 120k miles on it, it’s time for something newer and bigger. I am (almost) settled on a 2015 328xi GT. It’s a CPO and only has 10k miles on it. It has everything I want except sports seats (boo!) and it has some fugly 18” rims that I will just use for my winter setup and replace with another prettier 18 or 19” set for normal, warm weather tires.

So a few questions:

- Any others come from a BMW sport seats to a GT with non sports seats? If so do you regret it or did you just get used to em?

- For all the golfers out there how many golf bags can you get in the trunk without having to put the seats down? Additionally , can you get one or more packed golf travel bags in there?- think ClubGlove type travel bag. My 335xi can get 2 carry bags width way as it has the trunk scalloped out behind the rear wheels. The GT does not have that usable width.

- for those who bought a CPO, what, if any, additional dealer plans did you buy? I am skeptical of a lot of the stuff the dealers push. I will be warrentied to May 2020 but fully aware a lot of stuff is not covered. Thoughts?

Thanks in advance - I have been through most of this forum and searched. If I missed some appropriate threads, apologies in advance and please just point me in the right place.

Steve

[Billfitz]

I have standard seats. They're not the best I've ever ridden on, but pretty close. Far better than my '07 Altima. You can get two sets of clubs behind the rear seats.

[yippy77]

Thanks for the info Bill. Much appreciated!

Anyone else have info on the additional maintenance and warranties the dealers try to sell you on to top up the CPO? My gut feel is to NOT go with anything additional and then get a Rt66 plan later..

[yippy77]

So decided on the 2015 CPO 328xi GT from BMW Peabody. it’s Mineral Gray,with black Dakota interior. Picking it up on Friday afternoon! I’ll post some photos in the appropriate thread later!

[Lazarus.Bird]

Congrats!

[wisbimmer]

Did you end up going with any of the additional plans?

[yippy77]

Originally Posted by wisbimmer

Did you end up going with any of the additional plans?

I have not officially agreed to the additional plans yet but probably going to go with the extended warrenty offered. Picking her up on Friday at 4pm.

[yippy77]

Now I just need to find some OEM 18” 397 or 400 style rims and get some decent tires for warmer weather.

[Billfitz]

I'd go with extended power train warranty only, as a blown engine or tranny can get real expensive. Extended maintenance will cost you more than if you just had the work done at an indy, let alone anything you can do yourself, like oil and filter changes.

[yippy77]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I'd go with extended power train warranty only, as a blown engine or tranny can get real expensive. Extended maintenance will cost you more than if you just had the work done at an indy, let alone anything you can do yourself, like oil and filter changes.

Agreed Bill. They want $2.5k for the extended maintenance which is separate from the warrenty. That’s not happening!

[yippy77]

Ok final couple of questions on here before I go pick it up,later today

1). This car does not have paddle shifters. I thought they came as standard on all GTs. No big deal as I have them in my current car and rarely used them but anyone know why they are not included? Does Luxury Line not include them?

2] as I mentioned I am going to get some better rims for warmer driving as not a big fan of the OEM 396 style that is fitted. Are the various companies that sell reconditioned OEM rims for $200 to $250 legit?

Thanks in advance for any responses and I am really excited to join the GT owners family later today!

[Billfitz]

I have paddles on my base line, never used them. There are companies that sell reconditioned wheels starting around $100, so $200-$250 is very doable. Just be sure you equip them with the correct TPMS.

[ipilcher]

Your going to miss those 2 cylinders way more than the sport seats.

[Billfitz]

I've never found my 328 wanting for power, not even on the insane parkways in Connecticut, where there are no on ramps for merging, just an intersection, or on the Garden State Parkway, where 90 MPH is the rule rather than the exception.

[yippy77]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

Your going to miss those 2 cylinders way more than the sport seats.

Yes I probably will miss them a bit I did have a 2015 335xi GT lined up but it was not a CPO and it had another 23k miles on it over and above the mileage on this 328. And it still cost more! There really are not that many low mileage 335 GTs on the used market in this area.

I agree (sort of) with Bill that the 328xi is still perfectly fine power-wise and anyway the long-term cunning plan is that this will likely becomes my wife's car. She is driving an Acura MDX with 200k miles on it and when (if?) that dies she will get this 328xi GT and I can look for something else!

[yippy77]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

I have paddles on my base line, never used them. There are companies that sell reconditioned wheels starting around $100, so $200-$250 is very doable. Just be sure you equip them with the correct TPMS.

Thanks. Planning to run the current 396 rims and All-Season RFTs until I can pin down some 397/400 rims and decide what summer tires I want. I need to decide if I can make the jump to non-RFT that most people seem to recommend...

[Billfitz]

My Conti RFT give just as good a ride, if not better, than my Altima did shod with Michelin Primacy MXM4. But I've got 17s, didn't want 18s because they ride harder and are more prone to pothole damage. I'd be wary of RFT on 18s, absolutely wouldn't use them on 19s.

[Crassus]

I had standard seats in my 320d and they were awful. No support and anytime you had a go at driving enthusiastically you were sliding out of the chair. My then pregnant girlfriend didn't appreciate the lack of support when going around roundabouts.

[Billfitz]

There's a strong likelihood that the standard seats in a UK 320d are different than those in a US 328iX GT.

[yippy77]

Ok - picked it up. Took some photos and will post later.

First impressions driving familiar roads i know like the back of my hand....my wife may be getting this car a whole lot sooner than i had planned!

Seriously it’s a very nice luxurious car and it’s so much nicer cruising on inter-states than my old car and its just so much more practical and comfortable but.....it’s going to take quite some time to get used too and dial down my performance and handling expectations.

[Billfitz]

Spend four or five hours cruising on the interstate and you'll get an appreciation for what the car is about. I can drive to New York or Montreal and arrive not the least bit road weary. Grand Touring means just that, it's not a tooling around town ride.

[yippy77]

All - sorry I have not provided photos yet or given anymore detailed feedback. I am back in the UK for a week so driving the 328 GT is on hold until early April. Will try and set up a separate thread with photos and thoughts then.

I did have chance to drive it some more on Saturday and yes I am getting used to the handling and engine response a bit. As Bill posted it is a delight to cruise on the freeway but for general driving around town, for me, Comfort Mode does not cut it and Sport mode is a must. I wish it had a Sport+ mode.

Couple of other things I have not mentioned before and do not like 1) REALLY dislike the braking response. Very soft and feels there is a lot of travel and a delay before the car slows. I presume this could be fixed with brake upgrades. Any suggestions? 2). My last car had the HK sound upgrade and the GT does not. I guess it’s what you are used to but the sound on the GTs standard system is nothing special and just does not involve you like the HK system.

My current thought on the car is that it’s fine and will do it’s job and I am sure I will come to like it more and appreciate it’s utility. In hindsight I wish I had gotten an 335xi or 340xi Sport Mode with better stereo - my bad. Should have spent the extra $$$