My last post about 330d (I promise - now ordered)

[drisser]

well said 

I wasn't aiming to start a them v us debate with my test drive post, simply to share some thoughts and in the main that is why I like this forum a lot because everyone is very open minded and appreciates good cars for whatever personal reason that might be..

As someone who previously ordered a GTI I love the brand ( more so than the R to be honest - I get the appeal, but feel it is just too marketing driven and all about headline numbers, whereas the GTi has more heritage for me )

What really sank in for me during my extended test drives, especially the 2nd weekend when I had 3 cars for 2 hours each.. that is when you really get under the skin of a car - the initial rush about the look, or the acceleration, which blinds you on the first drive, floats away a bit. 

2nd time round you analyse a lot more about the brakes, the tech and music connectivity, the nav quality, real world fuel economy, ride quality over a range of roads, how does the engine and gearbox gel together, does it FEEL expensive and differentiated, does everyone cut you up and think you are a to55er etc !

It was only after considering all these things I came to a conclusion re the BMW.  I felt that the depth of engineering in particular, especially engine and gearbox combination was by far the best for the money, however the Golf Gti was probably my 2nd choice because it does so many things well and is considerably cheaper to buy and run, so its a great all rounder..

One final point that I consider very important - local dealer and their service.  Lets face it a lot of 30-40k cars are all VERY good indeed.  I have found Audi service to be slipping, and my local BMW dealer is just fantastic to deal with - loads of stuff and quotes sent by email, always unaccompanied test drives for as long as I like - really good discounts and deals and good after sales support.  This definitely had a factor in my choice.

I did consider your point about winter, having had BMW's before they are useless, however I do know people who have fitted winter tyres to BMW's and say its night and day.  To be honest if the weather is that bad, most cars will struggle - especially to stop and having had an Audi with Quattro before I was left a bit disappointed with bad weather performance.. it also encourages a degree of invicibility which can be dangerous.. plus if it snows that bad, its an excuse to work from home 

[matchboy]

I agree with the open mindedness about this forum - its great to see chat about other cars and not just VW's as real world comparisons are good to have without the fanboy bias!

Great choice of car drisser, and a really good spec!  You'll love it I'm sure!

Re: the point with BMW's in the winter, yes that is an issue.  But, my view on that is unless you really, really, have to go out when the weather is that bad, why would you?  Let's face it, you can be driving the world's best 4x4 but that won't stop someone else sliding into you and damaging your car.  I'd rather stay at home with my BMW sitting comfortable on the driveway, work from home, then give it a few days for the snow to thaw - rear wheel drive problem sorted!

[Rhyso]

Nah just get a decent set of winter's and give it your best Ken Block skillz 

[AndyG]

Enjoy the BMW drisser,it's only light weight banter,I would expect nothing less if I posted that I was changing to a golf on a BMW forum.

[corgi]

There is one other issue for me with BMW in general (not sure if this has been resolved in anyway outside of x Drive so open to correction) and that was in last bad winter seeing my company car park littered with BMW who slipped and slide away from the rear and were eventually left abandoned. 

I never had that issue with my 123d (which I drove throughout the bad winter a few years ago) and it was on run-flats (I couldn't source any winter tyres)... but it did have the e-diff which helped.

In those conditions with summer tyres fitted, four wheel drive might help you get moving but little else. It is certainly a hindrance when it comes to slowing down and stopping.

Again, many of the cars that get stuck do so because their drivers often don't rive appropriately. A few years ago on the Yorkshire Dales, it started snowing very heavily and driving home, I came across a BMW X5 going up a hill (or not going up). Driving my GTI Ed30 I cruised gently past by this stage there was 3 inches of snow and I wasn't going to stop on the hill to render assistance because I knew that I'd struggle to get moving again.

The best answer to conditions like these is appropriate tyres... my mate's fwd Skoda Flelicia rally car will go places in the snow on appropriate tyres that his VW Touareg can't go on summer tyres...

[david25]

Will it look like this?

http://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=784227&d=1353267078

[drisser]

not quite..  that looks like luxury line which has tan coloured part dash..

the M sport has black only dash so the leather is only the seats and doors..

[am1w]

drisser dear chap:

Your car will come with Bridgestone RF tyres. In 19" guise the ride is a bit harsh from what I remember. As you have not ordered M Sport Adaptive Suspension, which is a pity IMO, it might be a good idea to change your tyres to Michelin PSS ones if the ride bothers you. Our 330d M Sport is on 18" wheels with Adaptive. Unfortunately, it cost a bit extra to fully spec the car without the M Sport+ Pack. However, the ride and handling are sublime, though the handling is definitely not as good as an R as the BMW is more softly suspended; R's ride is slightly harder but still excellent especially in comfort mode.

Enjoy the wonders of a 6 pot Diesel RWD Auto BMW. The depth of engineering excellence is truly wonderful.