[Jamin320]

Hi Guys,

Long time lurker stepping out of the shadows. I started reading this forum back in July as I was researching what car to get next but have stuck with it and joined because I have enjoyed reading it. A brief history of my cars began with a run of 3 Fords (Escorts and Orions) then bought my first BMW in 2001 an E36 328i sports coupe. I then moved to a job with with a mediocre car list and had a Golf V5 followed by a Seat Leon FR.

In 2009 I got a better company car list and ordered myself a 320d M Sport and found it to be a fantastic car despite the spine crushing ride. I replaced it in 2012 with an F30 320d M Sport in mineral grey and loved it. In fact I loved it so much that I ordered another one in the same colour again back in August. I did try to change colours but none of them look as good as mineral grey IMO.

I did consider other cars before pulling the trigger on another F30;

520d PROS extra space for the family. CONS driving on my own 95% of the time and don't want to drag around big lump of car. Will start looking old next year

420d PROS does look better than F30 CONS doesn't look better enough to warrant extra £3k

330d. PROS a lot quicker than 320d. CONS about another £1000 per year of company car tax vs 320d with similar spec, lose a lot of options which I love in order to afford it and can't get in manual (I love manual)

So my car was finally delivered this morning. Another company car provided by Leaseplan and the order was placed with Sytner in Leicester. I found there service to be good enough with a lady called Sandy in their corporate dept being very helpful. The slight let downs were that they didn't order the M Performance parts in advance of them receiving the car so in the end they had the car almost 2 weeks before delivering it. They also quoted for MPPK when I ordered the car but then when it came to them ordering the kit
Sat week they only then found it wasn't available for the new engine in the 320d LCI until next year.

The spec of my new car is

F30 320d M Sport LCI
Mineral grey
Black Dakota leather
Brushed aluminium trim
6MT
Pro Nav
M Sport + pack
EBT
Folding mirrors
Folding seats
Sliding armrest
M Performance Splitter
M Performance side sill blades
M Performance rear diffuser (non OEM, still to be fitted, got the sand paper at the ready)
Black grilles
M Performance alloy pedal covers

Possible future additions

ACS springs though I'm concerned that the car will sit a bit too low and start catching the splitter
MPPK when released

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the great advice on this forum as you've helped me creat my perfect spec ( you've also cost me a lot of money!)

[versailles]

Genuinely looks great!! Wheels and colour match perfectly, I was going to go for mineral grey then found my f32 in a deal I couldn't let go.

Interested in why go for a 20d when you're clearly a enthusiast (reference manual only)

[Jamin320]

Originally Posted by versailles

Genuinely looks great!! Wheels and colour match perfectly, I was going to go for mineral grey then found my f32 in a deal I couldn't let go.

Interested in why go for a 20d when you're clearly a enthusiast (reference manual only)

I love cars and I'm not a great lover of 4 cylinder Diesel engines. I would much rather be driving around in a 6 cylinder petrol. However a company car list which is diesel only and car tax system which is based on CO2 mean that it would be (for me) an extravagance too far to be driving a 6 cylinder. So the answer to your question is money. By increasing the spec on this car over my previous F30 320d I have increased my lease costs and company car tax so the additional £500 per year of tax that I would have to pay on top because of the increased CO2 of the 330d was just a step too far. The fact that I'd have to give up some great options and my manual gear box just helped seal the decision.

You can still have a lot of fun in a 190bhp diesel car, just not quite as much fun as you can have in a 258bhp diesel car.

[Portimao Blues]

Congratulations! It's beautiful! Welcome to the club!

[ronanz]

Howdy...and don't put your wallet away just yet!

.

[CIWS]

Originally Posted by ronanz

Howdy...and don't put your wallet away just yet!

.

[.BMW.]

Looks great. Congrats!