[Betoni]

So I have had my 320d F31 in alpine white for exactly one month today and thought I would give a review of my thoughts on the car especially as its my first ever BMW after 9 years of Lexus cars.

Spec was:
Sun Glass Protection
Full Electric Towbar
Professional Media
Rear parking Sensors
Full Leather
Heated Front Seats

Overall I love it. The mix of power yet efficiency is sublime. I appreciate 325, 330 and 335 owners have way more power but 0-60 in 7.5 seconds is quick enough for me and even with that I don't get to use it very often as there is too much traffic most of the time. I am getting 47mpg on a city commute everyday (no motorway) and lots of stop start which I think is really good.

I love the colour although I seem to be washing it every few days and it seems to attract tar spots (any good remover suggestions appreciated).

I had the MSport with the suspension deleted so I have the regular suspension which suits me perfectly.

So what do I dislike:
Having to adjust two knobs to set the temperature, Every other car I have owned with dual climate control allows you to lock the temperatures together (unless I have missed a trick)

THe vibration judder when the car restarts using the stop start mode. Its the only time the car feels unrefined.

THe front and rear fog light buttons are in the most unergonomic place imaginable.

A bit picky but I find the boot load cover hard to fold back. Its easy to fold upwards with the flick of a wrist but not to slide directly back.

The automatic wipers seem useless I have to override them all the time (unless I am not using them correctly)

Daytime running light drive me mad but thats not BMW's fault I blame the damn EU for that one.

I wish I had the reversing camera as I don't trust the parking sensors

Other Info:
I have my winter tyres ready and waiting in the ensuite bathroom! Maybe get them fitted early next weeks as the temp is set to drop here in the midlands. Tyres are:

Rear Pirelli Sottozero II 255/40 R18 95 V N1
Front Pirelli SottoZero 225/45 R18 95 H XL AO

I am going to have them fit to my 400M alloys.. I appreciate the BMW recommendation is to have a separate wheel set but talking to my tyre fitter of 15 years he reported no problem with cracking alloys or issues with refitting. So I guess time with tell on that but I see little point in spending an extra £1000 plus for another set of alloys.

I will update on the winters when I fit them.

[RichardM]

Originally Posted by Betoni

THe front and rear fog light buttons are in the most unergonomic place imaginable.

Hopefully it will make people think twice about using them. How often is visibility really down to less than 100m to need to legally use them?

[Defero]

All the dislikes are a bit kit picking but I have to agree with you on all of them, they are all things I have come accoss.

I would also add in the poor design of the rear seat belt buckles and the car has a few rattles at times.

[Banksy]

Thanks for posting the review and congratulations on the new car.

Quick question - what troubles you about the DRLs?

[kitster]

Originally Posted by Betoni

Daytime running light drive me mad but thats not BMW's fault I blame the damn EU for that one.

You can code the DRL on/off option in the iDrive Lights menu. I did it for my car, on the days I'm fiddling about in my car and don't want the DRLs on. However when I'm out and about, I'll leave them switch on.... Visibility Pack

[F30AM]

Originally Posted by Betoni

So what do I dislike:
Having to adjust two knobs to set the temperature, Every other car I have owned with dual climate control allows you to lock the temperatures together (unless I have missed a trick) - You get used to it. It's not a deal breaker but it did nark me a bit at first.

The vibration judder when the car restarts using the stop start mode. Its the only time the car feels unrefined. - The 2 litre 4cyl Diesel is to blame. No probs with the 6cyl Diesel.

THe front and rear fog light buttons are in the most unergonomic place imaginable. Can't comment as never used the fogs.

A bit picky but I find the boot load cover hard to fold back. Its easy to fold upwards with the flick of a wrist but not to slide directly back. Go for weight training!

The automatic wipers seem useless I have to override them all the time (unless I am not using them correctly). Mine are superb and work like a wet dream come true.

Daytime running light drive me mad but thats not BMW's fault I blame the damn EU for that one. Love 'em. Love the EU.

I wish I had the reversing camera as I don't trust the parking sensors. Trust the PDCs as they are superbly safe.

Answers in Red^

[Alkidrew]

Re: wipers, I presume you know there is a sensitivity toggle? Mine work great but I do change the toggle sometimes to get it wiping at the right time.

Re: temperature settings, why are you changing them? I've had my car since July and never touched them since I set it a 19, The climate control sorts everything.

[Defero]

The Auto Start Stop is not a big issue its just not refined, I have a 325d and have been in a 330d, I personally find it unrefined in both I just don't like it.

The wipers in my old VW where better. The BMW system is not great, my main issue is that on a damp morning where the car is wet the wipers at times in Auto mode will not turn off even when the screen is clear. If VW could get it right 10 years ago why is it not right on my F31 poor on BMW's part I think.

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by Defero

The Auto Start Stop is not a big issue its just not refined, I have a 325d and have been in a 330d, I personally find it unrefined in both I just don't like it.

+1
it's the biggest marketing gimmick ever. Hate it.

I'm from an era where we believe constantly switching your car on and off consumes more fuel than just leaving it running.

Also it makes certain passengers feel car sick when they usually never do in other cars.

[Moxie]

Can't you turn off the start/stop? US versions you can -

[Wo-Wo]

Originally Posted by Moxie

Can't you turn off the start/stop? US versions you can -

Yes with coding, it can be told to remember what the last settings were.

[F30Andy]

Originally Posted by BigNPT

Yes with coding, it can be told to remember what the last settings were.

And without coding it just resets to on everytime you switch the car on or switch into eco pro.

[Betoni]

Originally Posted by Alkidrew

Re: wipers, I presume you know there is a sensitivity toggle? Mine work great but I do change the toggle sometimes to get it wiping at the right time.

Re: temperature settings, why are you changing them? I've had my car since July and never touched them since I set it a 19, The climate control sorts everything.

Yes but I still end up with a soaked windscreen and have to force a wipe so to speak! Had auto wipers in my last two cars which worked brilliantly 98% of the time.

I normally adjust my temp between 19 and 22 depending on the weather or if I am suited and booted etc. It just narks me to have to adjust the dials twice!

Plus I have 4 kids ranging in age from 17 to 4 who mess with knobs and buttons grrrr.....

[Betoni]

Originally Posted by Banksy

Thanks for posting the review and congratulations on the new car.

Quick question - what troubles you about the DRLs?

I believe we should be able to choose when we illuminate the front of our cars. I don't want or need some politician to pass legislation to decide when my lights should be on during daylight hours.

I don't want to start a politics debate but I find them quite distracting when I get a car in broad daylight with very bright LED shinning away.

I haven't got into coding yet but as a programmer by trade I know I won't be able to resist for much longer but need to do some serious research and background reading first.

[sahajesh]

Originally Posted by Betoni

I don't want to start a politics debate but I find them quite distracting when I get a car in broad daylight with very bright LED shinning away.

May I recommend you get a 70s Datsun Cherry, you should be OK with that <joke of course>

[mckmcr]

I bought the car around 4 months ago (F31) and I like it however its very noisy inside and unrefined, I even bought insulating mat and put it on one side of the wheelarch to see if the road noise will be reduced but no...

There are also rattles inside (poorly put together) and I took it last week to check and I got a courtesy car (BMW X1) which to my amazement was much quieter inside... X1

you cant have it all but im really disappointed in that area

[dopper99]

Originally Posted by mckmcr

I bought the car around 4 months ago (F31) and I like it however its very noisy inside and unrefined, I even bought insulating mat and put it on one side of the wheelarch to see if the road noise will be reduced but no...

There are also rattles inside (poorly put together) and I took it last week to check and I got a courtesy car (BMW X1) which to my amazement was much quieter inside... X1

you cant have it all but im really disappointed in that area

Agreed about the rattles, all my BMWs have done this.
Shocking really for a premium brand car.

[Quakered]

How foggy has it been in Brum over the last month?

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by mckmcr

I bought the car around 4 months ago (F31) and I like it however its very noisy inside and unrefined, I even bought insulating mat and put it on one side of the wheelarch to see if the road noise will be reduced but no...

There are also rattles inside (poorly put together) and I took it last week to check and I got a courtesy car (BMW X1) which to my amazement was much quieter inside... X1

you cant have it all but im really disappointed in that area

Totally agree about the rattles and general road noise issues. I am looking in to getting a professionally fitted sound insulation kit fitted to the car. I can live with a bit of wind noise (as long as it's not whistling!) but the constant tyre rumble on some of our motorways is quite tedious.

[SkyJawa]

My niggle for the morning. Spec'd the extended storage, but because I have lane change warning and active cruise they remove the driver cubby for the sake of 2 tiny buttons

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by SkyJawa

My niggle for the morning. Spec'd the extended storage, but because I have lane change warning and active cruise they remove the driver cubby for the sake of 2 tiny buttons

Yep, same here. If i knew then what I knew now after 6 months experience I would have probably done without active cruise, and enjoyed my little cubby hole instead. And the £600 saving!

[mckmcr]

Originally Posted by dopper99

Agreed about the rattles, all my BMWs have done this.
Shocking really for a premium brand car.

What is more shocking is that we stick with the brand. I had E46 before and it wasn't that rattly but it had electrics gimmicks - other BMW famous bit

I would consider honestly other brands but what choice do we have with RWD?
Lexus, Audi quattro (which is FWD most of the time), Mercedes (whaat? heck no).. thats it if you want something bigger than 2 door coupe/cabrio

So we're left with bimmer in hope to fix it ourselves in the end we do love it.