[teaston]

Originally Posted by Wills2

When's it being delivered?

February last year!

[JLR1969]

Originally Posted by teaston

I'd still rather have a car that handles well.

I am no racing driver but my 530D M sport plus seems to handle pretty well, OK it's a big car but when you are used to it is very good.

[Wills2]

Originally Posted by teaston

February last year!

Well change your profile it still says you've got a 335d xdrive!

[teaston]

Originally Posted by JLR1969

I am no racing driver but my 530D M sport plus seems to handle pretty well, OK it's a big car but when you are used to it is very good.

I had a 530d M Sport courtesy car last year & it felt like a barge compared to F30's.

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Wills2

Well change your profile it still says you've got a 335d xdrive!

Oh, so you're jealous that I've got a car that handles better than yours in the wet?!

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by teaston

In luxury and refinement yes, but the F30 is faster, more economical & has better handling, so it's swings & roundabouts really.

Plus different cars, for different user priorities.

I went from 5-series to 3-series and back to 5-series, that says something about my priorities. I've tried an M4, great for those wanting that sort of drive, but for me wouldn't be my choice, however good it handles. Would have to be the M5 if I was wanting an M-car.

Both a 3-series and 5-series still 'handle' depending on the spec' and options.
I do wonder how a standard suspension 335d (xDrive) compares to a 535d with Adaptive Drive in the handling department. There's a lot of 'overlapping' in the model ranges, according to how we specify them.

[P1 PET]

Originally Posted by teaston

I'd still rather have a car that handles well.

Mazda MX-5 for you next?

[teaston]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Plus different cars, for different user priorities.

I went from 5-series to 3-series and back to 5-series, that says something about my priorities. I've tried an M4, great for those wanting that sort of drive, but for me wouldn't be my choice, however good it handles. Would have to be the M5 if I was wanting an M-car.

Both a 3-series and 5-series still 'handle' depending on the spec' and options.
I do wonder how a standard suspension 335d (xDrive) compares to a 535d with Adaptive Drive in the handling department. There's a lot of 'overlapping' in the model ranges, according to how we specify them.

Exactly. If I did mainly motorway driving I'd have a 5 series, but as I do almost all town and country road driving, the 3 series definitely suits better.

All I know for sure was the 530d M Sport sdrive was far softer and wallowyer than my standard 335d with adaptive in comfort mode, it was almost comical how much it leaned over in the corners!

[Roberto71]

Does anyone know the exact info on these new driving assistant packages? The BMW website is pretty vague on it. For example, with Driving Assistant Plus, it gives semi-autonomous driving, lane assist and crossroads warning but it states it can help in traffic jams with stop-start autonomous driving but it doesn't indicate whether you need to spec active cruise control for this to work. With the basic drive assist it just gives you lane departure warning I think.

With the driving assistant plus, it seems quite constrained to other marques. You can take your hands off the wheel for about 10 seconds while the Merc version is about 45 seconds and Tesla is 2 minutes.

It's an expensive option IMHO. I can see the attraction of is if your commute is motorway everyday and you're typically in stop-start driving. But I think to get the most out if it, you would need to spec the active cruise as well.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Roberto71

Does anyone know the exact info on these new driving assistant packages? The BMW website is pretty vague on it. For example, with Driving Assistant Plus, it gives semi-autonomous driving, lane assist and crossroads warning but it states it can help in traffic jams with stop-start autonomous driving but it doesn't indicate whether you need to spec active cruise control for this to work. With the basic drive assist it just gives you lane departure warning I think.

With the driving assistant plus, it seems quite constrained to other marques. You can take your hands off the wheel for about 10 seconds while the Merc version is about 45 seconds and Tesla is 2 minutes.

It's an expensive option IMHO. I can see the attraction of is if your commute is motorway everyday and you're typically in stop-start driving. But I think to get the most out if it, you would need to spec the active cruise as well.

DAP includes active cruise control. I used it at Donnington at the dealer launch and was impressed. As you say great for motorway driving, wouldn't get much use here in Ireland unless you were driving up and down the M1 every day.

[Chompers]

Having driven a good few of the new G30's in various engine forms. I'm impressed. My pic so far is the 530i sDrive. Very sharp handling, strong pull from the engine. This is the car that will sell in the lowest volume which is a shame. If I'm honest xDrive doesn't do it for me in any form, I get the traction thing but much prefer the rear drive feel to a car. On the tight handling course at Donnington, the 540i xDrive was a bit cumbersome in tight corners. The 530i on the other hand felt light and agile as well as keen to pull out of the corners. All this being said, most G30 drivers won't push their cars in this way in the real world.

[Roberto71]

Originally Posted by Chompers

DAP includes active cruise control. I used it at Donnington at the dealer launch and was impressed. As you say great for motorway driving, wouldn't get much use here in Ireland unless you were driving up and down the M1 every day.

Cheers for that. I changed jobs in January and now do a commute of 74 kms a day to and from work on the M50 here in Dublin, the big orbital motorway here that's always rammed. I can see the uses for a commute like that. That's good to know that active cruise is included. It's one of those things I'll consider when changing my car for sure.

Surely insurance companies are going to have to start to take these aids into account when quoting?

I'm still not sure on X Drive. Even though I live in the foothills here in South Dublin, it still rarely gets icy. When it does though it's a nightmare. But a couple of days a year of potential ice, is that really justification for X drive? I'm wary of X Drive because the impression I get is that it will give a more wallowey drive and takes a bit away from the driving experience. But I may well be wrong....

[ajfoggy]

Originally Posted by Roberto71

Does anyone know the exact info on these new driving assistant packages? The BMW website is pretty vague on it. For example, with Driving Assistant Plus, it gives semi-autonomous driving, lane assist and crossroads warning but it states it can help in traffic jams with stop-start autonomous driving but it doesn't indicate whether you need to spec active cruise control for this to work. With the basic drive assist it just gives you lane departure warning I think.

With the driving assistant plus, it seems quite constrained to other marques. You can take your hands off the wheel for about 10 seconds while the Merc version is about 45 seconds and Tesla is 2 minutes.

It's an expensive option IMHO. I can see the attraction of is if your commute is motorway everyday and you're typically in stop-start driving. But I think to get the most out if it, you would need to spec the active cruise as well.

Active cruise is in Driving Assistant Plus pack.

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by Roberto71

Cheers for that. I changed jobs in January and now do a commute of 74 kms a day to and from work on the M50 here in Dublin, the big orbital motorway here that's always rammed. I can see the uses for a commute like that. That's good to know that active cruise is included. It's one of those things I'll consider when changing my car for sure.

Surely insurance companies are going to have to start to take these aids into account when quoting?

I'm still not sure on X Drive. Even though I live in the foothills here in South Dublin, it still rarely gets icy. When it does though it's a nightmare. But a couple of days a year of potential ice, is that really justification for X drive? I'm wary of X Drive because the impression I get is that it will give a more wallowey drive and takes a bit away from the driving experience. But I may well be wrong....

The G30 is the first car to come with both xDrive and MSport suspension. I have a G30 520d xDrive sitting outside my window as I type. It's a very good drive but prefer the sDrive. Feel very much the same as you regarding xDrive

[teaston]

Originally Posted by Chompers

The G30 is the first car to come with both xDrive and MSport suspension. I have a G30 520d xDrive sitting outside my window as I type. It's a very good drive but prefer the sDrive. Feel very much the same as you regarding xDrive

It has the same springs and dampers as the sdrive M Sport? That would be amazing if they do the same for the G20! Lorcan won't be happy though!

[Chompers]

Originally Posted by teaston

It has the same springs and dampers as the sdrive M Sport? That would be amazing if they do the same for the G20! Lorcan won't be happy though!

They have MSport suspension, instead of the SE on all other xDrive cars. Without looking at the part numbers on different cars, I can't say they are the 'same' springs and dampers of the sDrive cars.

[ajfoggy]

It's built!!!!


5300 Pre-Assembly Start @ 10:00 20th

5500 Assembly Complete @ 15:00 20th


Doesn't take long to build a car!!! Takes me longer to build a lego Porsche!

[Notechy]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

It's built!!!!


5300 Pre-Assembly Start @ 10:00 20th

5500 Assembly Complete @ 15:00 20th


Doesn't take long to build a car!!! Takes me longer to build a lego Porsche!

Mine got into and out of the factory ahead of time then stalled before setting sale. When stalled I was given a collection date of 1 March. But now collecting day after tomorrow, 22 Feb.

[ajfoggy]

Originally Posted by Notechy

Mine got into and out of the factory ahead of time then stalled before setting sale. When stalled I was given a collection date of 1 March. But now collecting day after tomorrow, 22 Feb.

Your not waiting a week for new plate??

[JustChris]

Great news Foggy. You're in for a real treat I'm sure. Saw my first one in person last weekend and very very nice it was too. not sure if it's grown a little length again but they looked long to me, maybe I'm used to my own skyrise car though.

Can't wait to see the pictures and hear your thoughts

[ajfoggy]

Originally Posted by JustChris

Great news Foggy. You're in for a real treat I'm sure. Saw my first one in person last weekend and very very nice it was too. not sure if it's grown a little length again but they looked long to me, maybe I'm used to my own skyrise car though.

Can't wait to see the pictures and hear your thoughts

Just hope it fits on the drive with the wife's car as well... might need some alterations

[Notechy]

Originally Posted by ajfoggy

Your not waiting a week for new plate??

No, for a range of complicated reasons. But aim to keep 7 years or so, therefore little financial impact.