Bye bye G T I...

[Jim_mk7.5]

So I parked my GTI up last Thursday, awaiting collection as there's a backlog from Leaseplan at the moment so it's insured but can't be driven. Had a good little drive last week and I've done just over 14k in the 2 years.

If you don't like BMWs, stop reading now... 

My new one was delivered today and got to say, very pleased with the choice. It's a 330e M Sport in Mineral Grey with privacy glass. I couldn't find any lease deals for the M Sport+ version so I'm on the 18s and no adaptive dampers, M brakes etc. But visually, I love it. The 330e seems to have larger brakes than the regular 3 Series so they do look quite beefy, guess they are needed as it will push out around 292bhp on Xtra Boost (petrol and electric working together). Only driven back from the office where it was delivered and did that in hybrid mode. Really quiet and lots of engine braking. As most of my normal driving is in town, think it's going to be a relaxing car to drive. And when run in, it should have a good turn of pace when needed - 0-62 is 5.9 and seen a guy who did some timing and got 5.5 to 60.

Inside is very nice and feels like a huge step up compared to the GTI. Not really had much chance to play around but its got the lastest Connected Drive with lots of tech and wireless Apple Play is standard so that's a nice feature. BMWs seem to be much better spec'd as standard these days so its got a fair bit of kit. Don't think the dash can be configured much but it seems to show everything you need. The iDrive controller is very simple to use and means you can do stuff on the move and the touch screen works very well.

Will be interesting to see how it is to live with. But as a company car driver, the immediate saving in BIK is massive for me and hopefully, once I can regularly charge overnight (we are moving in 4 weeks or so) then I'll be able to make the most of the expected 30-35 mile range using electric only. Also, the reviews seem to say once on the move, it doesn't suffer too much with the extra weight and they are renowned for good handling.

Here are a few snaps for anyone who interested.





Been great on this forum and I can imagine coming back to a GTI or similar at some point... 

[jv]

Very nice.
Sorry you are off, I've enjoyed your posts

[Exonian]

Stick around Jim.
Massively biased but I much prefer the looks and size of the Golf, however the 3er will be a great place to spend driving time with a new experience of hybrid motoring coupled with the pleasurable knowledge of more money in your pocket courtesy of the taxman/lady/non-specific-gender

I and I’m sure many others would be keen to hear your ongoing experiences with the ‘e’
It’s kind of odd seeing the 330 badge knowing there is no inline six under the huge bonnet but the instant torque from the leccy motor should provide interesting performance even if the soundtrack is as absent as your company car tax!
I expect there is enough synthesised sound to make it feel like a 3.0 six from inside at least.

BMW’s are always nice solid feeling cars with interiors that are well executed and unmistakably BMW in feel. I’ve never heard a bad word said against iDrive either.

What is the petrol motor only BHP and torque figure? Is it an engine shared with a 1 series with the electric gubbins added?

[Sootchucker]

Jim, nice car but just because you have swapped from a VW to a BMW, doesn't mean you now need to forget how to use indicators, need to tailgate everyone and generally drive like a nob 

I shame they are over £40k list, as it then attracts the £462 per year car tax for subsequent years for us private drivers.

[Watts]

Looks great Jim, hope you are as pleased with it as the extra money in your bank account! Actually from those two pictures, it doesn't look much longer than the Golf or is that not the case? Anyway, your knowledge and experience even sans GTI will still be valued here and if you do pop by now and then it will give me hope that eventually I'll catch you at a weak moment and somehow get you to offer to detail my car!

[Jim_mk7.5]

Thanks guys... Sure I will stick around and lurk a bit!

Exonian - its only 181bhp on petrol alone so when the electric is gone, it certainly won't be too rapid. Not sure how it works out but 111bhp electric motor and combines to give around 250bhp with an Xtra Boost function that gives 290bhp (10 secs at a time!). Yes, even the 330i is a 2.0 litre these days. You can adjust the cabin noise so will be changing that depending on how it sounds when pressing on a bit in the Sport mode.

jv - Cheers!

SC - ha, my pet hate is bad driving and not indicating so I'm sure to be flying the flag for indicators! 

Watts - it is a good bit longer - the Golf is actually still parked behind the Beemer! Yes, I'm sure we can sort some detailing at some point 

[Yusee]

Send us a review in a few weeks- it will be interesting to hear if you miss the drive in your golf, particularly on the great roads you have near you!

[N14ll]

Congrats Jim great looking 3. Having come from the last gen 3 I know exactly what you mean about the interior fit & finish. It is a step above that of VW, it might not be as exciting as the Golf but a very comfy relaxing place to cover some miles.

[AGB]

Thanks guys... Sure I will stick around and lurk a bit!

Can we look forward to a rebrand, Jim_330e? 

Does your car have a HUD? Interested in your opinion of it as I have tried it in an M2 and really liked it. Never understood why Volkswagen didn't embrace HUD and put it in their cars (until recently). The perfect blend of usability and tech for me is analog instrumentation combined with a HUD but manufacturers seem to have gone screentastic.

[fredgroves]

Nice one Jim.

As a former company car man I understand the choice you made - you'd be daft not to.

Its not like you have ended up in a Zoe.

BMW is nice, the M135i is pretty similar inside and I really liked it. I guess thats the effect of it (and your BMW) being a current generation design. The Mk7 is a bit old skool now and we are still waiting for a Mk8....

Sure BMW is a safe choice, its a popular choice, its not left field or whatever but really a VW Golf being the most popular car ever, I don't think you are exactly being a radical by choosing one of them either.