[SkyJawa]

Originally Posted by 454697819

it hasn't itched the scratch for a really fast car as there is not enough drama but by eck its a good motor and has bedded in really well in the last 5k.

Remap. Had mine done a month or so ago, its now a beast!

[454697819]

So its been 12 months and a few days since collecting the car -

Nothing major to report but list some musings below.

25638 Miles, slightly less than planned but this is owing to greater use of the wifes car and my motorbike.

The car has been excellent and has cost nothing above usual routine servicing (note I am still getting the oil changed every 10k)

Tyre wear of the bridgerocks is very good and it looks like it will be high 30’s before they need replacing on the rear and nearly 60k on the front, but I do hate these tyres and feel they don't flatter the cars true ability.

Warranty work has extended to a new gear selector only, nothing else to date.

Best feature(s) on the car –
Digi Dash and heated steering wheel huge power and the electric towbar

Mods
Bespoke Coding using VGate
Car Play Added
Sunglasses Holder

Worse Feature –
Some cheaper plastics are becoming more noticeable as I spend forever in the cabin the shiny steering wheel seems to be a permanent feature despite however hard I try to shake it.

It has averaged 41mpg real world, which equates to 625 gallons of fuel or about £3650 on fuel which is perfectly reasonable.

At an average of 44 mph over the total, this has meant I have spent 24 and a quarter days sat in the car driving – that’s a depressing figure.


So a fairly uneventful year, the Gtechniq was and is still worth it as it allows me to be slack with taking care of the car as per the norm for me.

It has suffered a small dint, a minor gouge to a wheel and now a windscreen, but I cant grumble that's just life.

Now I have re positioned this car in my mind as a very fast competent dad motor, not a fun toy it is fulfilling my expectations 100% with hoidays and towing sorted its a really excellent car.

here's to the next 5 years with it!

[454697819]

Well time flies when you are having "fun"

Since my last update the car now sits on 32500 miles (in 16 months and 4 days and has just had its third oil change at my reputable independent, once again all genuine BMW parts and it feels a lot better for it.

Tyres still have life in them at this mileage but not too much (maybe another 3k)

The car was damaged in September but is all back together and as good as new- They did do a good job.

More interestingly I had some "spare money" and so fitted the ACS springs at the weekend and adjusted the headlights etc.

It has genuinely transformed the car, I am so very pleased I did this,

So 16 months in, the car is still great, It continues to excel at everything I throw at it and still very much enjoy it.

Any questions please ask.

All the best

Alex

[johnnybforbacon]

Originally Posted by 454697819

Well time flies when you are having "fun"

Since my last update the car now sits on 32500 miles (in 16 months and 4 days and has just had its third oil change at my reputable independent, once again all genuine BMW parts and it feels a lot better for it.

Tyres still have life in them at this mileage but not too much (maybe another 3k)

The car was damaged in September but is all back together and as good as new- They did do a good job.

More interestingly I had some "spare money" and so fitted the ACS springs at the weekend and adjusted the headlights etc.

It has genuinely transformed the car, I am so very pleased I did this,

So 16 months in, the car is still great, It continues to excel at everything I throw at it and still very much enjoy it.

Any questions please ask.

All the best

Alex

Hey mate,

I have the F31 330D xDrive and thinking of getting the ACS springs fitted. Do they make much of a difference and what price fitted were they? (if you don't mind me asking!).

I've kind of fell out of love with mine recently and been looking at the M135i as I miss a little hot hatch with good performance. Still not massively quicker than the F31 though and will I miss the xDrive, extra space and apparently better build quality of the 3 series.

Trying to weigh up whether to tweak mine slightly or chuck it in for the M135i....

[seenthelight!]

Originally Posted by Ti Rich

If yours is like mine you may find the actual mpg is about 10% less than the on board computers says. mine was saying 45mpg average but when i worked it out it is 40mpg.

Corrected this via the hidden menu.............now reads accurate.

Re other comments I totally agree the adaptive lights are stunning.

can you please give details on accessing the 'hidden menu'
ta

[454697819]

Originally Posted by johnnybforbacon

Hey mate,

I have the F31 330D xDrive and thinking of getting the ACS springs fitted. Do they make much of a difference and what price fitted were they? (if you don't mind me asking!).

I've kind of fell out of love with mine recently and been looking at the M135i as I miss a little hot hatch with good performance. Still not massively quicker than the F31 though and will I miss the xDrive, extra space and apparently better build quality of the 3 series.

Trying to weigh up whether to tweak mine slightly or chuck it in for the M135i....

Ill be honest, I was sceptical of modifying a car, I haven't done it before but the difference is night and day, I am really enjoying driving it again where as I like you was a bit "meh" about its handling.

I have the adaptive dampers and the combination is very good, it shows up my tyres wearing out for sure and unlocks the potential of the car.

I had the alignment done today which should further improve the handling.

Cost wise, I fitted mine myself (because I enjoy spannering), so including bits of kit and alignments, it was £450 ish.

To have it done by a workshop including alignment is between £600 and £750 including the springs.

If you wish to know anything else, just ask.

Cheers

[seenthelight!]

alex, try adding millers diesel power economax additive to the fuel - gives better economy, better running (engine sounds a little smoother/quieter), bit better throttle response, turns supermarket fuel into premium/super, and has the benefit of looking after/maintaining the fuel system/engine internals.
takes a couple of tankfuls to notice the difference, but it is noticable, and if you buy in bulk, works out at approx 75p per tank to treat. i have been using millers additive for over 10 years, and wouldn't run a car without it.
also, ask your independant dealer how much for the oil change if you supply the oil and filter yourself - look here https://www.opieoils.co.uk/
i bought 20l of oil and 3 filters for £125 delivered, enough for 3 changes, and any top ups. my local inde bmw specialist charges £40 for an oil and filter change if i supply the parts, so just over £80 for an oil and filter change. i use fuchs oil btw.
great review, btw

[Ti Rich]

Originally Posted by seenthelight!

can you please give details on accessing the 'hidden menu'
ta

https://youtu.be/TFJdW4Hy0yM

[454697819]

Originally Posted by seenthelight!

alex, try adding millers diesel power economax additive to the fuel - gives better economy, better running (engine sounds a little smoother/quieter), bit better throttle response, turns supermarket fuel into premium/super, and has the benefit of looking after/maintaining the fuel system/engine internals.
takes a couple of tankfuls to notice the difference, but it is noticable, and if you buy in bulk, works out at approx 75p per tank to treat. i have been using millers additive for over 10 years, and wouldn't run a car without it.
also, ask your independant dealer how much for the oil change if you supply the oil and filter yourself - look here https://www.opieoils.co.uk/
i bought 20l of oil and 3 filters for £125 delivered, enough for 3 changes, and any top ups. my local inde bmw specialist charges £40 for an oil and filter change if i supply the parts, so just over £80 for an oil and filter change. i use fuchs oil btw.
great review, btw

Hi - I have used Millers and will use it again, as you rightly point out it makes quite a difference :-) I reference the use of it in the first post (which is edited to keep everything in one place, usually)

At this time because its under warranty I will keep using the BMW oil, to avoid any "issues" but when it is out of warranty, I have no doubt I will go the route you have suggested.

Thanks again

Alex

[johnnybforbacon]

Originally Posted by seenthelight!

alex, try adding millers diesel power economax additive to the fuel - gives better economy, better running (engine sounds a little smoother/quieter), bit better throttle response, turns supermarket fuel into premium/super, and has the benefit of looking after/maintaining the fuel system/engine internals.
takes a couple of tankfuls to notice the difference, but it is noticable, and if you buy in bulk, works out at approx 75p per tank to treat. i have been using millers additive for over 10 years, and wouldn't run a car without it.

Never heard of this before. Thinking of giving it a try though. Could you recommend the best place to get it? Also do you just put this in when filling up? Thanks

[johnnybforbacon]

Originally Posted by 454697819

Ill be honest, I was sceptical of modifying a car, I haven't done it before but the difference is night and day, I am really enjoying driving it again where as I like you was a bit "meh" about its handling.

I have the adaptive dampers and the combination is very good, it shows up my tyres wearing out for sure and unlocks the potential of the car.

I had the alignment done today which should further improve the handling.

Cost wise, I fitted mine myself (because I enjoy spannering), so including bits of kit and alignments, it was £450 ish.

To have it done by a workshop including alignment is between £600 and £750 including the springs.

If you wish to know anything else, just ask.

Cheers

I've heard many good things about the ACS springs and so far have one quote back of £725 (includes supply, fitting and wheel alignment).

Very tempted to do another cheeky little mod of transforming the steering wheel a bit (http://royalsteeringwheels.com/). Apparently for under £200 you can get a complete wrapped alcantara wheel done very nicely as opposed to the M Performance variations which start at around £500. Not approached them for a price as yet though.

[seenthelight!]

Originally Posted by johnnybforbacon

Never heard of this before. Thinking of giving it a try though. Could you recommend the best place to get it? Also do you just put this in when filling up? Thanks

most convenient place is from halfords, 500ml bottle MILLERS DIESEL POWER ECOMAX. put into tank before diesel, so mixes well.
1ml per 1 litre of diesel, so 50ml for 50 litre of diesel. use double for the first tank (100ml for 50 litre of diesel), then as directed. will take up to 3 tankfulls to notice difference.
i would suggest buying the 500ml from halfords, then when you are convinced it works, buy 5 litre can from opie oils (works out half price when in bulk)
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60222-m...treatment.aspx

[seenthelight!]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

Remap. Had mine done a month or so ago, its now a beast!

what map mate, and figures please ?

[454697819]

So at 19 and a bit months the car has turned 40k miles exceeding my 4 year contract allowance :-)

I am not concerned because I intend to purchase the car at the end regardless.

And nothing significant to report - Still on original tyres, no nasty breakdowns so far, engine is now really nicely broken in and this thing just flies.

ACS is a god send and worth every penny.

Booked in for second BMW service end of May at circa 42k

I hope you are all enjoying yours as much as I am mine.

All the best

Alex

[g9icy]

Originally Posted by seenthelight!

most convenient place is from halfords, 500ml bottle MILLERS DIESEL POWER ECOMAX. put into tank before diesel, so mixes well.
1ml per 1 litre of diesel, so 50ml for 50 litre of diesel. use double for the first tank (100ml for 50 litre of diesel), then as directed. will take up to 3 tankfulls to notice difference.
i would suggest buying the 500ml from halfords, then when you are convinced it works, buy 5 litre can from opie oils (works out half price when in bulk)
https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-60222-m...treatment.aspx

I'm curious as to whether this is a cheaper option than using BP Ultimate, seeing as I have a cost-co membership I can get regular diesel very cheap. (it's not premium, they say it is, but it isn't)

Would this stuff be safe to put in with BP Ult?

Regarding ACS springs, I had them done on my 435d and swapped the tyres for MPS4Ss and the car feels, and looks, so much better. I love taking this thing out for long drives on the weekend through the twisties now more than ever.

[skyliner34]

nice write up mate, nice of you to take the time, the feedback people get from these write ups is invaluable.

simon

[454697819]

Originally Posted by g9icy

I'm curious as to whether this is a cheaper option than using BP Ultimate, seeing as I have a cost-co membership I can get regular diesel very cheap. (it's not premium, they say it is, but it isn't)

Would this stuff be safe to put in with BP Ult?

Regarding ACS springs, I had them done on my 435d and swapped the tyres for MPS4Ss and the car feels, and looks, so much better. I love taking this thing out for long drives on the weekend through the twisties now more than ever.

Yes, its a cheaper alternative to premium fuels but I find it better all round.

People might say its being tight but at an extra £5 a tank it would soon add up for me to use premium each time I fill up.

[454697819]

So as is the norm now, a bit of an update -

The car went in the week before last for its second service at 42 267 miles in about 19 and a half months, which comprised all filters and a vehicle inspection - Pleased to report that all was ok (mostly) the bill - Over £600 if you paid on the day but I have a dealership service pack (not the BMW one) which reduced the actual cost to nearer £350 and was pre paid for.

This was its 4th oil service since purchase and combined with running millers is as smooth as a smooth thing with extra smooth.

Things I asked them to check on were the steering wheel heating and leather as the leather looked like it had odd wear on the top (not where you hold it) and the heating was uneven - Result was brand new steering wheel fitted FOC as there was a fault on the heating circuit.

I also was getting battery discharge notices regardless of the dashcam being plugged in or not - Result was a dead cell in the batter so a new battery fitted and coded FOC.

Happy customer.

As a result of the warranty work they had to keep the car over night and they lent me a 340I saloon in bog spec - it lacked the nice bits on my car (all of them it would appear) but that engine is a PEACH! if I only did half the mileage I would have had the 340I in an instant, so smooth and super super fast, I reckon it was about 40% less efficient than my 335 over the same journeys for a day and a bit but was good for a giggle - Very pleased to have my car back though.

So there we go, good dealer service as usual from cooper Colchester and no real problems to report at 42k in

Any questions - Do shout

on to the next million miles.

[454697819]

couple of minor updates for prosperity purposes.

[KRS_SN]

go on. im all ears enjoyed reading your thread that I have just stumbled upon.

[GOWRIN]

Very detailed and quite a nice read thanks.

I am interested in your wifi set up in the car, I too have a cloud based Thinkware dashcam and see that you have come up with a nice solution to possibly have it running while the car is off? If you don't mind what router did you buy and how was it set up in the car. I don't have LTE option in my car but maybe I could adapt something to power the router.

Cheers
Gaz

[454697819]

Originally Posted by KRS_SN

go on. im all ears enjoyed reading your thread that I have just stumbled upon.

Updates in first post so it reads as one generally 🤪

52k and 55k miles iirc