BMW 330d Gran Turismo Xdrive M-Sport Plus
Discussion
I have waited since August to take delivery of this car, so I thought I'd post up some camera phone pictures and my initial thoughts...
First of all, it is quick. Quicker than any diesel I've driven before anyway. Sport mode really pulls and makes a decent enough noise too - the sport auto gear box is superb generally. Comfort mode is ideal for pottering about town and A road cruising. I have not yet explored Eco Pro, having only had the car for 100 miles and two days. Sport+ I need to understand better as it indicates "limited traction" when selected, so I haven't dared yet given the wet weather etc.
The looks are great from most angles apart from the rear three-quarter view. However, this is traded off by the impressive boot capacity and rear legroom. I like it as you can tell. There are some nice touches such as a power opening and closing tailgate, led puddle lights in all door handles, sport/classic lighting settings for the interior (white or red led strips around the trim front and back) and high definition displays in the instrument cluster and i-drive screens.
The 19" wheels and big brake kit set the car off to my mind, so I am pleased they were included in the deal. The car is leased through Gateway 2 Lease on a 2 year term. The spec over and above my post title is as follows:
Glacier silver
Oyster/Black leather
Fineline anthracite wood with pearl chrome trim
Business nav
Black panel display
Front sliding arm rest
Power folding mirrors
I will report back in due course on further thoughts, once I have got to grips with it. Here are some pics in the meantime.
First of all, it is quick. Quicker than any diesel I've driven before anyway. Sport mode really pulls and makes a decent enough noise too - the sport auto gear box is superb generally. Comfort mode is ideal for pottering about town and A road cruising. I have not yet explored Eco Pro, having only had the car for 100 miles and two days. Sport+ I need to understand better as it indicates "limited traction" when selected, so I haven't dared yet given the wet weather etc.
The looks are great from most angles apart from the rear three-quarter view. However, this is traded off by the impressive boot capacity and rear legroom. I like it as you can tell. There are some nice touches such as a power opening and closing tailgate, led puddle lights in all door handles, sport/classic lighting settings for the interior (white or red led strips around the trim front and back) and high definition displays in the instrument cluster and i-drive screens.
The 19" wheels and big brake kit set the car off to my mind, so I am pleased they were included in the deal. The car is leased through Gateway 2 Lease on a 2 year term. The spec over and above my post title is as follows:
Glacier silver
Oyster/Black leather
Fineline anthracite wood with pearl chrome trim
Business nav
Black panel display
Front sliding arm rest
Power folding mirrors
I will report back in due course on further thoughts, once I have got to grips with it. Here are some pics in the meantime.
Edited by AddledDad on Wednesday 24th December 09:07
^^^^ *tuts* 
Now, where's the "bad parking" thread?
We can get some crackign deals on these for leased comapny cars at the moment. A colleague's just ordered a 435xd (313bhp or something!?) when he only wanted to get the 420d, but the cost/month wasn't much difference - residual resale values I guess?
Interested to learn more when you've had this for longer.
Now, where's the "bad parking" thread?
We can get some crackign deals on these for leased comapny cars at the moment. A colleague's just ordered a 435xd (313bhp or something!?) when he only wanted to get the 420d, but the cost/month wasn't much difference - residual resale values I guess?
Interested to learn more when you've had this for longer.
5potTurbo said:
^^^^ *tuts*
Now, where's the "bad parking" thread?
We can get some crackign deals on these for leased comapny cars at the moment. A colleague's just ordered a 435xd (313bhp or something!?) when he only wanted to get the 420d, but the cost/month wasn't much difference - residual resale values I guess?
Interested to learn more when you've had this for longer.
I blame the delivery driver! He was probably being careful on my behalf before I signed for it, but fair play on the bad parking thread shout!!Now, where's the "bad parking" thread?
We can get some crackign deals on these for leased comapny cars at the moment. A colleague's just ordered a 435xd (313bhp or something!?) when he only wanted to get the 420d, but the cost/month wasn't much difference - residual resale values I guess?
Interested to learn more when you've had this for longer.
The HK stereo is powerful and clear, but then I had one in my last car (C250 Coupe) so am used to it. I have never heard the standard stereo so can't compare them. I am no audiophile so can't tell you much more than that.
In terms of space over the touring, I think its load capacity is marginally higher. The key benefit though is the rear seat legroom which is vast by comparison. I am 6ft 2" and have loads of room back there.
In terms of space over the touring, I think its load capacity is marginally higher. The key benefit though is the rear seat legroom which is vast by comparison. I am 6ft 2" and have loads of room back there.
Not keen on the looks at all, the front end is too fussy. I like the 5 GT though as that's less fussy. Love the interior though and that engine sounds fantastic. I do miss the old "classic" BMWs though. Mix the classic looks with modern technology and it would be perfect! Enjoy the car though :-)
robfen said:
hi
thinking of getting one of these soon
would really appreciate a review as you go along
i think its a grest looking car in the metal
you chose the best colour wheels etc
cheers
The colour and wheel combo go well, I agree. The car looks good clean or dirty. In terms of my thoughts on the car after one month of ownership, I am very pleased generally. The comfort of the seats, the grunt of the engine and the gearbox are the best bits. The car will pull hard in any gear and makes a great noise for a diesel. Flicking the driving mode in to Sport and the gear lever across to 'S' turns the car from a docile commuter in to a A / B road weapon which, combined with the xdrive-train, is as quick as anything I've ever driven. I'm not exaggerating - it is eye-openingly fast - any talk of a re-map is unnecessary! The fuel tank is a little small at 57 litres though, but the car is pretty economical so I am not at the pump very often. It will return anything from 30 to 50 mpg on a run. I am averaging 35 at the moment, as my commute is very urban and when it isn't I like to punch it. I expect the car to loosen up further and return a better result after a couple of thousand miles or so. I have only done 700 to date.thinking of getting one of these soon
would really appreciate a review as you go along
i think its a grest looking car in the metal
you chose the best colour wheels etc
cheers
I had a c-class coupe before which, despite having 18" wheels not 19" like the GT, was a much harsher choppy ride. I am impressed with the refined nature of the ride of this car. It is much easier to drive and looks and feels better built also. It's a bigger car than you think too. The load capacity is huge, like the rear legroom. This is a good thing for an expanding family like mine.
There aren't any real negatives I can think of at the moment, but I am happy to answer any questions.
Am I right in thinking these have quite a lot of standard kit over and above the regular M Sport saloon and touring models?
Like most people, the looks don't particularly appeal, but as a daily/family car it is undeniably attractive, especially at the prices you could get one for a few months ago.
Like most people, the looks don't particularly appeal, but as a daily/family car it is undeniably attractive, especially at the prices you could get one for a few months ago.
andrewparker said:
Am I right in thinking these have quite a lot of standard kit over and above the regular M Sport saloon and touring models?
Like most people, the looks don't particularly appeal, but as a daily/family car it is undeniably attractive, especially at the prices you could get one for a few months ago.
I don't think it has additional kit over and above the F30 and F31 M-Sports, but I may be wrong. One thing's for sure, it doesn't photograph well and looks much better in the metal. Having seen others on the road, the 19" wheels are a "must-have" aesthetically.Like most people, the looks don't particularly appeal, but as a daily/family car it is undeniably attractive, especially at the prices you could get one for a few months ago.
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