Hockenheim M340d Touring
Discussion
I have no doubt some would (will…) argue with my logic in going diesel but I’m actually in the position where my annual mileage is the lowest it’s really ever been.
My e46 320Cd I owned for 10.5 years, 6-9 months it wasn’t in use during that period due to a rear wheel bearing I just couldn’t be bothered fixing
Anyways, I ran it from 15k to 232k so approx 217k in 10 years use giving 21,700/year.
My f32 430d I owned for 5.5 years, 3 months of that I didn’t have the use of it due to the EGR recall and 3 months it barely moved due to covid lockdowns. In those 5 years use it went from 86k to 146k so averaging 12,000/year but in the last 2 years it only turned 10,600 and 8,300 respectively.
This year I expect my mileage to go back up a reasonable amount. My commute is only 12 miles each way but it’s ideal diesel territory. 1 mile over roundabouts at each end, 10 miles clear motorway in the middle. Aim is to average 1 day a week cycling to work, 1 day from home, 2 days driving.
Aside from work, there will be probably ten trips to Knockhill and other circuit visits to include Anglesey, Brands Hatch, Croft, Donington, Pembrey, Silverstone, Snetterton, Thruxton. This is where the diesel really comes in to its own, I can finish work on Thursday, point the nose south and get to the track on 1 tank, refuelling before arrival. Then once racing is finished on the Sunday, I can point it north and cruise home. No need to stop to charge or fuel up at motorway services prices.
It’s probably the last combustion engine daily I’ll buy. Once our house build is out the way in the next couple of years I’ll be looking in to some eurotrips with it.
Got a brief sniff of sunshine so had a go at capturing some of the flecks of colour in the Hockenheim paint.
My e46 320Cd I owned for 10.5 years, 6-9 months it wasn’t in use during that period due to a rear wheel bearing I just couldn’t be bothered fixing
Anyways, I ran it from 15k to 232k so approx 217k in 10 years use giving 21,700/year.My f32 430d I owned for 5.5 years, 3 months of that I didn’t have the use of it due to the EGR recall and 3 months it barely moved due to covid lockdowns. In those 5 years use it went from 86k to 146k so averaging 12,000/year but in the last 2 years it only turned 10,600 and 8,300 respectively.
This year I expect my mileage to go back up a reasonable amount. My commute is only 12 miles each way but it’s ideal diesel territory. 1 mile over roundabouts at each end, 10 miles clear motorway in the middle. Aim is to average 1 day a week cycling to work, 1 day from home, 2 days driving.
Aside from work, there will be probably ten trips to Knockhill and other circuit visits to include Anglesey, Brands Hatch, Croft, Donington, Pembrey, Silverstone, Snetterton, Thruxton. This is where the diesel really comes in to its own, I can finish work on Thursday, point the nose south and get to the track on 1 tank, refuelling before arrival. Then once racing is finished on the Sunday, I can point it north and cruise home. No need to stop to charge or fuel up at motorway services prices.
It’s probably the last combustion engine daily I’ll buy. Once our house build is out the way in the next couple of years I’ll be looking in to some eurotrips with it.
Got a brief sniff of sunshine so had a go at capturing some of the flecks of colour in the Hockenheim paint.
Edited by emicen on Saturday 6th April 14:01
Road trip #1
First round of the MINI Challenge Trophy this weekend at Snetterton, so half day Thursday working from home so I can hit the road soon as I clocked off.
Prep before hand, had a slime kit and a bottle of tyre sealer in the garage but both were god knows how old. Bought a new slime kit and combined all 3. Car came with BMW first aid kit and a GardX one, also a couple of high vis vests.
Added my trusty fire-ex cause why not.
Now the challenge was to get it all stowed so it won’t fly about whilst driving!
The boot floor lockers are surprisingly shallow but there’s useful space tucked in the corners under the floor.
Fuelled it up and pointed it south!
6hr 40min drive time, all in just under 7hrs including pee stops at Scotch Corner and Peterborough services. A1 around Darrington is a delight at the moment with it being down to 1 lane, cost me easily 15-20mins.
Done about 2/3 of a tank on the way down, OBC says 48.1mpg but no idea how accurate that is. If it hadn’t been the A1 shambles, average speed would have been closer to 70 I reckon.
First round of the MINI Challenge Trophy this weekend at Snetterton, so half day Thursday working from home so I can hit the road soon as I clocked off.
Prep before hand, had a slime kit and a bottle of tyre sealer in the garage but both were god knows how old. Bought a new slime kit and combined all 3. Car came with BMW first aid kit and a GardX one, also a couple of high vis vests.
Added my trusty fire-ex cause why not.
Now the challenge was to get it all stowed so it won’t fly about whilst driving!
The boot floor lockers are surprisingly shallow but there’s useful space tucked in the corners under the floor.
Fuelled it up and pointed it south!
6hr 40min drive time, all in just under 7hrs including pee stops at Scotch Corner and Peterborough services. A1 around Darrington is a delight at the moment with it being down to 1 lane, cost me easily 15-20mins.
Done about 2/3 of a tank on the way down, OBC says 48.1mpg but no idea how accurate that is. If it hadn’t been the A1 shambles, average speed would have been closer to 70 I reckon.
Edited by emicen on Thursday 11th April 22:13
Hockehnheim really suits the Touring; very lovely colour
I have the Alpina version of your car so can't fault you going diesel as well instead of the 340i. I change my engine oil every 6k miles as these run very hot. Already done all the diff fluids and gearbox flush too
Code Bowers & Wilkins via bimmercode, makes a difference to the audio in these cars. If you're ever bored, Laser Lights are a straight retrofit with no faffing about with modules, just need to code them to the car.
I have the Alpina version of your car so can't fault you going diesel as well instead of the 340i. I change my engine oil every 6k miles as these run very hot. Already done all the diff fluids and gearbox flush too
Code Bowers & Wilkins via bimmercode, makes a difference to the audio in these cars. If you're ever bored, Laser Lights are a straight retrofit with no faffing about with modules, just need to code them to the car.
I'm considering one of these or a 340i to replace both my 430d coupe and a knackered old Kia estate.
How do you get on with the instruments?
I had a 320i courtesy car a couple of years ago and found them unclear, cluttered and hard to read but as I only had the car for 1 day I didn't bother seeing if there were different options.
I don't really understand why they moved away from having the simple round dials that both spin the same way....
How do you get on with the instruments?
I had a 320i courtesy car a couple of years ago and found them unclear, cluttered and hard to read but as I only had the car for 1 day I didn't bother seeing if there were different options.
I don't really understand why they moved away from having the simple round dials that both spin the same way....
Richtea1970 said:
48mpg isn’t bad, I guess you weren’t hanging around!
Doing distance I tend to try and hit the happy middle ground. I don’t want to hang about but equally I don’t want the fuel economy going through the floor.I don’t hypermile but I don’t tend to go north of 10% +2 either.
Escort3500 said:
Really great looking car, and fortunately doesn’t have the god-awful looking grille that adorn many in BMW’s current range.
Interesting point, found a paddock pal today and I was looking at an iX1 and 2 series on the way down.It appears on the LCI 3er they’ve toned the grill situation down a bit. The kidneys are actually very slightly smaller on the 330e next to mine.
jackcactii said:
Hockehnheim really suits the Touring; very lovely colour
I have the Alpina version of your car so can't fault you going diesel as well instead of the 340i. I change my engine oil every 6k miles as these run very hot. Already done all the diff fluids and gearbox flush too
Code Bowers & Wilkins via bimmercode, makes a difference to the audio in these cars. If you're ever bored, Laser Lights are a straight retrofit with no faffing about with modules, just need to code them to the car.
Interesting stuff, thanks.I have the Alpina version of your car so can't fault you going diesel as well instead of the 340i. I change my engine oil every 6k miles as these run very hot. Already done all the diff fluids and gearbox flush too
Code Bowers & Wilkins via bimmercode, makes a difference to the audio in these cars. If you're ever bored, Laser Lights are a straight retrofit with no faffing about with modules, just need to code them to the car.
I’m going to investigate some coding. Struggling to get my head round paying £200 for adaptive!
Last service was done about 2000 miles ago and it’s saying 7000 to go at the moment. I tend to give new cars an oil change as soon as I get them, in this case it’ll likely be the end of the month by which time I’ll have stuck nearly 2000 miles on it.
5 In a Row said:
I'm considering one of these or a 340i to replace both my 430d coupe and a knackered old Kia estate.
How do you get on with the instruments?
It’s got the heads up display which is tremendous for the speedo, absolutely love it.How do you get on with the instruments?
I don’t have any direct experience of using it but the LCI dash with the long sweep of digital panel put me off facelift models. Much prefer an instrument binnacle and supplementary screen for other stuff.
The reverse rev counter is taking a bit of getting used to but I find the general info on display better than my 430d which was pre-facelift.
SmithCorona said:
Not the OP, but I find the ID7 instruments far less practical than the ID6, which were peak clarity.
Though there is a digital readout of the speedo in the middle to rely on.
Rev watching definitely requires more brain power.
I'm not sure what ID6 or 7 means?Though there is a digital readout of the speedo in the middle to rely on.
Rev watching definitely requires more brain power.
My current 2017 vintage 4 series has the full digital dash but I only ever have the display on 'Comfort' which gives you the traditioanl BMW look.
Sport and EcoPro displays are rubbish.
I've always found digital speedos hard to read, starting with my parents 2002 Citroen Picasso and their later Scenic.
I much prefer a dial.
emicen said:
It’s got the heads up display which is tremendous for the speedo, absolutely love it.
I don’t have any direct experience of using it but the LCI dash with the long sweep of digital panel put me off facelift models. Much prefer an instrument binnacle and supplementary screen for other stuff.
The reverse rev counter is taking a bit of getting used to but I find the general info on display better than my 430d which was pre-facelift.
Thanks, I prefer a proper binnacle as well.I don’t have any direct experience of using it but the LCI dash with the long sweep of digital panel put me off facelift models. Much prefer an instrument binnacle and supplementary screen for other stuff.
The reverse rev counter is taking a bit of getting used to but I find the general info on display better than my 430d which was pre-facelift.
I think I'm just going to have to try one for an extended period.
emicen said:
6hr 40min drive time, all in just under 7hrs including pee stops at Scotch Corner and Peterborough services. A1 around Darrington is a delight at the moment with it being down to 1 lane, cost me easily 15-20mins.
Done about 2/3 of a tank on the way down, OBC says 48.1mpg but no idea how accurate that is. If it hadn’t been the A1 shambles, average speed would have been closer to 70 I reckon.
Lovely car, spec & colour. Got to be one of the best looking estate cars around. Done about 2/3 of a tank on the way down, OBC says 48.1mpg but no idea how accurate that is. If it hadn’t been the A1 shambles, average speed would have been closer to 70 I reckon.
Edited by emicen on Thursday 11th April 22:13
I am surprised at how small the mpg gap actually is between the 3.0 Diesel & Petrol on a run though.
This is my return with a B58:
Went to install my dash cam before Snetterton but first needed to de-install the one fitted when I got the car. As it was a bit of a time crunch, I decided just to leave it in for the trip and put the power cable back in.
Half way down the M74, I wondered why Waze was alternating voices and volume. Then I realised, the dashcam was talking to me
It’s now staying in permanently. It’s a Thinkware F800 Pro iirc, has GPS and more significantly, tells you when approaching speed cameras, an ongoing gap in Waze’s capability.
Anyways, week after Snett, an unwelcome visitor appeared on my morning commute.
Dealer arranged a local garage to investigate and loaned me their courtesy car whilst it was in. Only away for a day, needed a sensor in the DPF replaced. Interestingly that same code and sensor was the subject of a warranty campaign on the F series cars not so long ago.
Weather finally sorted itself out for a brief period this weekend so went to give it a proper wash. Then found this
Absolutely no idea how that’s happened. There’s no other evidence of damage in the area, best guess is someone’s bag walking past in a car park.
Temporary fix so I can wash it and not worry about water ingress whilst I source a replacement.
Not my finest work, if things go tits up in the day job I won’t be starting a new career in a nail bar that’s for sure
The car has a ceramic coating applied and gave it a top up with a spray on - wash off sealant just to maintain.
Edited by emicen on Monday 6th May 10:50
5 In a Row said:
emicen said:
It’s got the heads up display which is tremendous for the speedo, absolutely love it.
I don’t have any direct experience of using it but the LCI dash with the long sweep of digital panel put me off facelift models. Much prefer an instrument binnacle and supplementary screen for other stuff.
The reverse rev counter is taking a bit of getting used to but I find the general info on display better than my 430d which was pre-facelift.
Thanks, I prefer a proper binnacle as well.I don’t have any direct experience of using it but the LCI dash with the long sweep of digital panel put me off facelift models. Much prefer an instrument binnacle and supplementary screen for other stuff.
The reverse rev counter is taking a bit of getting used to but I find the general info on display better than my 430d which was pre-facelift.
I think I'm just going to have to try one for an extended period.
The silver inserts in the steering wheel are flat/concave, whereas the F series wheel had much more curvature. The steering wheel is blinding when the sun is coming in over your right shoulder. The instrument cluster is tough to read in the same situation.
Nothing I can do about the instruments but I’m going to look for some matt wrap to put on the steering wheel inserts.
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