F34 GT Loaner Gone
Discussion
Well, the F34 loaner when back yesterday to be replaced by my fire breathing F30 335D that after 15 weeks of waiting it has finally arrived, but I have to admit I’m probably going to miss the practically of a hatchback. The 3 series GT is definitely a very comfortable fast cruiser that’s both pretty economical and not bad on the twisties. It maybe bigger than F30 in terms of size, but at least you get a massive boot that easily swallows my bike.
Considering its a 2 litre diesel and heavy (1.7t in auto form), in the 325D GT shape it feels rapid compared to the VAG equivalent.
The first full tank of diesel in eco pro mode gave me 52.1mpg – around 600 miles with a little under 53 litres! Given that I’d spent 8 hours on the motorway on the naughty side of 70, 2 hours in stop/start traffic in York and 1 hour going to/from work this is nothing short of miracle, considering the tales of mpg woe on this site.
However the next tank, regardless of how carefully I drove, only returned 45.6mpg. The only reason I can give to explain the massive difference, is the first tank was consumed mainly driving on the flat at a constant speed with cruise on. The latter was mainly going to/from work, which though the average speed is lower, there are a lot of big hills, and stopping/accelerating for junctions/roundabout etc. So the 1.7t and my right foot comes into play then.
Handling Feedback and feel is very good when compared to VAGs and even Merc/Jag equivalents IMOH. Obviously it ain’t no racing car and whereas in my Ultima I can tell when the road navvy was having a bad day, the Bmer feels fairly numb and isolated. It seems gets better the more you throw the car around
The loaner came with standard M sport suspension on 50 profile tyres on the fronts. This made the ride excellent in a straight line across the worst potholed uk roads, but wallowing on the twisties. Having said that, when I grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and allowed it to settle into the corner, it drove fine! Push too hard though and I ended up with an understeer moment to contend with.
Considering its a 2 litre diesel and heavy (1.7t in auto form), in the 325D GT shape it feels rapid compared to the VAG equivalent.
The first full tank of diesel in eco pro mode gave me 52.1mpg – around 600 miles with a little under 53 litres! Given that I’d spent 8 hours on the motorway on the naughty side of 70, 2 hours in stop/start traffic in York and 1 hour going to/from work this is nothing short of miracle, considering the tales of mpg woe on this site.
However the next tank, regardless of how carefully I drove, only returned 45.6mpg. The only reason I can give to explain the massive difference, is the first tank was consumed mainly driving on the flat at a constant speed with cruise on. The latter was mainly going to/from work, which though the average speed is lower, there are a lot of big hills, and stopping/accelerating for junctions/roundabout etc. So the 1.7t and my right foot comes into play then.
Handling Feedback and feel is very good when compared to VAGs and even Merc/Jag equivalents IMOH. Obviously it ain’t no racing car and whereas in my Ultima I can tell when the road navvy was having a bad day, the Bmer feels fairly numb and isolated. It seems gets better the more you throw the car around
The loaner came with standard M sport suspension on 50 profile tyres on the fronts. This made the ride excellent in a straight line across the worst potholed uk roads, but wallowing on the twisties. Having said that, when I grabbed it by the scruff of its neck and allowed it to settle into the corner, it drove fine! Push too hard though and I ended up with an understeer moment to contend with.
Nice review, thank you!
Funnily enough I have just ordered a 335d GT M Sport and that should be delivered by mid/ end-Jan. I currently drive a 330d F30 SE and love the sport auto box and the engine.
The hatch and the space were the big sellers for me with the F34 and it sounds like you enjoyed the practicality too which is great.
Enjoy your new car!!
Funnily enough I have just ordered a 335d GT M Sport and that should be delivered by mid/ end-Jan. I currently drive a 330d F30 SE and love the sport auto box and the engine.
The hatch and the space were the big sellers for me with the F34 and it sounds like you enjoyed the practicality too which is great.
Enjoy your new car!!
its not for me. It does amuse me why BMW took all this time to get to a larger hatchback yet made such bad job considering every other manufacturer has been making the same or similar car for 30 years+ A Mondeo for example can do all this yet doesn't look anywhere near as disproportioned.
rokut said:
Nice review, thank you!
Funnily enough I have just ordered a 335d GT M Sport and that should be delivered by mid/ end-Jan. I currently drive a 330d F30 SE and love the sport auto box and the engine.
The hatch and the space were the big sellers for me with the F34 and it sounds like you enjoyed the practicality too which is great.
Enjoy your new car!!
Funnily enough I have just ordered a 335d GT M Sport and that should be delivered by mid/ end-Jan. I currently drive a 330d F30 SE and love the sport auto box and the engine.
The hatch and the space were the big sellers for me with the F34 and it sounds like you enjoyed the practicality too which is great.
Enjoy your new car!!
Make sure to specify the adaptive suspension - its worth the £515 and of course with the 335d M being 4WD, the standard M suspension is removed and ride height goes up. IIRC the adaptive brings it back down.
It early days, but the slightly extra weight of the 3 litre V6 and probably the 19"/adaptive in sport makes the turn in better. I'm now on 18" winter rubber so I'll see what difference that makes on my favourite twisties.
The 335D sounds dieselish at front on the outside at idle, but on the inside it pleasingly growls under hard acceleration as I remember so I'm looking forward to that as well.
tjlees said:
Make sure to specify the adaptive suspension - its worth the £515 and of course with the 335d M being 4WD, the standard M suspension is removed and ride height goes up. IIRC the adaptive brings it back down.
It early days, but the slightly extra weight of the 3 litre V6 and probably the 19"/adaptive in sport makes the turn in better. I'm now on 18" winter rubber so I'll see what difference that makes on my favourite twisties.
The 335D sounds dieselish at front on the outside at idle, but on the inside it pleasingly growls under hard acceleration as I remember so I'm looking forward to that as well.
I think the 335d is helped by a sound symposer that adds a little growl to it when heard from the inside, and also the slightly tappety noise of the diesel diminishes with the higher revs - but all in all it's immense performance and a decent noise from a diesel
My F30 was in for a service today and there was a 320d M Sport GT parked up in silver with 19" wheels it looked pretty good BUT it needs the bigger wheels to take the size away from the rear quarter which can look awkward.
I'm still not sure about these, but I've no doubt they are a superb car.
I'm still not sure about these, but I've no doubt they are a superb car.
Urban Sports said:
My F30 was in for a service today and there was a 320d M Sport GT parked up in silver with 19" wheels it looked pretty good BUT it needs the bigger wheels to take the size away from the rear quarter which can look awkward.
I'm still not sure about these, but I've no doubt they are a superb car.
My very car, in everything bar colour (poverty white). I agree that 18s make the rear end look quite bulbous - I really notice the difference when switching from my summer 19s to winter 18s.I'm still not sure about these, but I've no doubt they are a superb car.
Having said that though, it's a lovely car. Massive on the inside too.
gizlaroc said:
roofer said:
Yup, that's one ugly mofo , was looking at one yesterday, yuk.
I think I like it because it doesn't make you look like a photocopier salesman, hence I would always choose the touring or the GT. The touring and indeed coupe always look cool, however I like a debadged fire breathing F30 335D that everyone thinks belongs to a photocopier saleman that just about managed to scrape his car allowance together to afford a 316D - until you get to the fast twisties
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff