F31 330d Touring xDrive - Review after 5 Months
Discussion
330d SE Touring xDrive: First 5 months.
I've now had this car five months or so and though it might be of interest to do a review. As ever, this is a personal opinion, and obviously different people will have different priorities. So this isn't meant to be prescriptive - just some thoughts relevant to anyone considering a potential purchase. Contrary opinions and experiences obviously welcome ....
BMW 3 Series Touring
330d straight-six turbo-diesel
Sports Automatic Transmission
xDrive
Wheels & Tyres
Summer: Style V-Spoke 395 - Front 7.5J x 17" 225/50 R17 RF - Rear 8.5J x 17" 255/45 R17 RF
Winter: Style V-Spoke 413 - Pirelli Sottozero™ Serie II RF - Front 7.5J x 17" 225/50 R17 RF - Rear 7.5J x 17" 225/50 R17 RF +Chains
Interior
FLCDF Venetian Beige Dakota Leather
S04AB Burr Walnut Wood Trim
Packages
S0ZVI Visibilty (High-beam Assist; Adaptive Headlights; Headlight Wash; Xenons)
S0ZIC Interior Comfort (Storage; Split-fold rear Seats; Interior Lights; Head Restraints)
S0ZNB Media BMW Business (Teleservices; Emergency Call; Business SatNav)
S0ZAP Advanced Parking (Park Assist; PDC F/R; Reversing Camera)
Options
S0676 BMW Advanced Loudspeakers
S0430 External folding & auto-dim mirrors
S0482 Panoramic Glass Sunroof
S0420 Sun Protection / security glass
S03AP Grey band windscreen shade
S04AE Front armrest
S0459 Electric Front Seats & Driver Memory
S0488 Lumbar Support
S0494 Front Seat Heating
S0496 Rear Seat Heating
S0481 Front Sports Seats
S0248 Steering Wheel Heating
Accessories
[36 112 220 163] Style V-Spoke 413 Winter Wheels & Tyres
[36 112 296 312] Set of snow chains for 225/50R17 (rear)
[82 712 295 099] Roof Rack – BMW base support system, lockable
[63 310 432 670] Rechargeable LED torch
Summary
It’s now close to 5 months since I got my new BMW 330d SE Touring xDrive, replacing an Audi A3 Sportsback Black Edition 170. Highlights have been the hugely better ride and relaxed driving on the 8-Speed auto, offering easy driving on long journeys, with instant power when needed. Lowlights have been around the ridiculous Bluetooth (non) music streaming and (non) availability of any useful apps. Regrets? Perhaps over not getting the head-up display (HUD) and whether the electric sports seats, lumbar and heating were really worth the cost. I’ve been Impressed by the adaptive headlights that turn with the steering, and frankly astonished by how well the high beam assist and adaptive lights work on dark cross-country roads. Definitely a convert to paddles, even if they’re just an alternative to kick-down for overtaking. Rueful about the lovely beige leather interior (the floor mats aren’t going to survive the winter).
Glad I got xDrive when driving over the Jura Mountains en route to the Alps, and very happy with the neutral xDrive handling after the FWD antics of the Audi (and by the way, you can get a new A3 Sportsback Quattro up to the £40K mark by specifying a similar range of options, and that’s just a 2.0L diesel or 1.8L Petrol engine).
I’d recommend the straight-six 3.0L diesel plus Sports Auto as the basic choice, if at all possible, and then see what else you can afford. The Xenons and Adapative lights would be next on the list. If you endure extreme winter weather and/or drive to the Alps regularly, then I’d put xDrive in as a basic requirement, but I don’t see the point unless you also go for winter wheels and tyre package as well. Go for 18” summer wheels, or 19” if you strongly prefer handling over ride. I think that tinting of the rear windows is a big security aid. The sunroof makes the interior light and airy, especially in dull weather. The beige upholstery is similarly refreshing, but get a set of darker carpets for winter.
What’s Good
The ride is better than I could have hoped for and puts the standard Audi bone-jarring, lowered suspension, low-profile-wheels configuration into the shade. Long journeys in this car are so, so much better than in the Audi. And in ‘real’ UK pothole-riven daily driving, the same applies.
The 8-Speed Sports Auto is a dream. The car quietly sits around 1500rpm and you don’t notice the changes. The combination of paddles and sports auto works very well – allowing easy change-down for overtaking etc.
I’d go for the 3.0L diesel again, over the 4-cyl options. It’s worth the extra.
I think that the BMW Winter Wheels and Tyres offerings are good for those who use the car for Alpine trips and/or who are likely to encounter bad winter weather.
Glad I got the sunroof. This makes the whole interior much brighter and airy. Especially for the rear passengers.
The combination of Adaptive Headlights and High-beam Assist is terrific. If you have to choose between the two, get the former.
Fuel consumption over the last 12 weeks has been 45.5MPG, in mixed conditions, 90% Comfort / 10% Sport modes.
In retrospect
I’d opt for 18” summer wheels, trading some ride comfort for more agility.
I would go for the HUD. Not just because of the viewpoint but because the HUD’s navigation graphics (which also appear on the central SatNav screen) are more clear and accurate than the spoken directions.
I’m not sure whether the whole panoply of electric seats, lumbar support and sports seats was worth it. Especially since I can’t seem to get the seat memory to work in tandem with our two ignition keys. I’d say not if you’re going to hand the car back after a lease, but yes if you plan to hold on to it.
I'd have got some harder-wearing front mats for the winter.
Biggest Frustrations?
Bluetooth Audio Streaming (or lack of): A £45K car and I can’t use the Bluetooth for music (although I can for ‘phone calls) – I have to buy a £48 cable from BMW or £7 equivalent from Amazon. Or a £150 docking station.
Apps (or lack of): A £45K car and there are basically no Apps enabled (such as fuel status, MPG analytics, remote pre-ventilation, location, etc.). I have to spend another £1,000 to get these. £4.95 for a BMW App would be OK - £1,000 isn’t. Get real, BMW: trying to make money this way just pisses customers off.
SatNav: A £900 SatNav and I don’t get real-time traffic updates. (you guessed it, only in the £1,900 SatNav version).
The fuel tank is small at 50L – this gives only around 500 miles on a full tank. I’m used to 700+ on my A3.
The SatNav voice calling a motorway slip-road or junction a “street”. Even in the original German, I can’t imagine these are called “Straße”.
We just haven’t been able to get the seat memory to work with the ignition keys.
The intermittent wipers are not sensitive enough. This is a known deficiency.
SatNav & HUD
The voice directions are usually fine 95% of the time, but just too often they’re ambiguous (some Y-junctions, for example) or plain wrong. What is spot-on is the oblong graphic that’s also on the HUD if you have one. If I have a passenger as navigator, we’ll usually turn the voice off and refer to the graphic at key points. I often put my current location in as a contact after visiting a new customer for the first time. This can be hard to find in the menus – the location is counter-intuitive.
BMW: Why don’t you?
o Provide one £1,500 ‘SatNav, Software & Apps’ option: Install full-size screen and enable all the Apps and services if this is chosen.
o Enable Bluetooth audio streaming as standard?
o Have a set of video guides on YouTube for owners?
o Generate a bespoke Owner’s Manual, using the options chosen by the customer? Or have it available on-line.
o Give all customers the ‘free’ plug-in torch and tell them it can be charged under the glove compartment or in the rear passenger console.
Interior Photo
I've now had this car five months or so and though it might be of interest to do a review. As ever, this is a personal opinion, and obviously different people will have different priorities. So this isn't meant to be prescriptive - just some thoughts relevant to anyone considering a potential purchase. Contrary opinions and experiences obviously welcome ....
BMW 3 Series Touring
330d straight-six turbo-diesel
Sports Automatic Transmission
xDrive
Wheels & Tyres
Summer: Style V-Spoke 395 - Front 7.5J x 17" 225/50 R17 RF - Rear 8.5J x 17" 255/45 R17 RF
Winter: Style V-Spoke 413 - Pirelli Sottozero™ Serie II RF - Front 7.5J x 17" 225/50 R17 RF - Rear 7.5J x 17" 225/50 R17 RF +Chains
Interior
FLCDF Venetian Beige Dakota Leather
S04AB Burr Walnut Wood Trim
Packages
S0ZVI Visibilty (High-beam Assist; Adaptive Headlights; Headlight Wash; Xenons)
S0ZIC Interior Comfort (Storage; Split-fold rear Seats; Interior Lights; Head Restraints)
S0ZNB Media BMW Business (Teleservices; Emergency Call; Business SatNav)
S0ZAP Advanced Parking (Park Assist; PDC F/R; Reversing Camera)
Options
S0676 BMW Advanced Loudspeakers
S0430 External folding & auto-dim mirrors
S0482 Panoramic Glass Sunroof
S0420 Sun Protection / security glass
S03AP Grey band windscreen shade
S04AE Front armrest
S0459 Electric Front Seats & Driver Memory
S0488 Lumbar Support
S0494 Front Seat Heating
S0496 Rear Seat Heating
S0481 Front Sports Seats
S0248 Steering Wheel Heating
Accessories
[36 112 220 163] Style V-Spoke 413 Winter Wheels & Tyres
[36 112 296 312] Set of snow chains for 225/50R17 (rear)
[82 712 295 099] Roof Rack – BMW base support system, lockable
[63 310 432 670] Rechargeable LED torch
Summary
It’s now close to 5 months since I got my new BMW 330d SE Touring xDrive, replacing an Audi A3 Sportsback Black Edition 170. Highlights have been the hugely better ride and relaxed driving on the 8-Speed auto, offering easy driving on long journeys, with instant power when needed. Lowlights have been around the ridiculous Bluetooth (non) music streaming and (non) availability of any useful apps. Regrets? Perhaps over not getting the head-up display (HUD) and whether the electric sports seats, lumbar and heating were really worth the cost. I’ve been Impressed by the adaptive headlights that turn with the steering, and frankly astonished by how well the high beam assist and adaptive lights work on dark cross-country roads. Definitely a convert to paddles, even if they’re just an alternative to kick-down for overtaking. Rueful about the lovely beige leather interior (the floor mats aren’t going to survive the winter).
Glad I got xDrive when driving over the Jura Mountains en route to the Alps, and very happy with the neutral xDrive handling after the FWD antics of the Audi (and by the way, you can get a new A3 Sportsback Quattro up to the £40K mark by specifying a similar range of options, and that’s just a 2.0L diesel or 1.8L Petrol engine).
I’d recommend the straight-six 3.0L diesel plus Sports Auto as the basic choice, if at all possible, and then see what else you can afford. The Xenons and Adapative lights would be next on the list. If you endure extreme winter weather and/or drive to the Alps regularly, then I’d put xDrive in as a basic requirement, but I don’t see the point unless you also go for winter wheels and tyre package as well. Go for 18” summer wheels, or 19” if you strongly prefer handling over ride. I think that tinting of the rear windows is a big security aid. The sunroof makes the interior light and airy, especially in dull weather. The beige upholstery is similarly refreshing, but get a set of darker carpets for winter.
What’s Good
The ride is better than I could have hoped for and puts the standard Audi bone-jarring, lowered suspension, low-profile-wheels configuration into the shade. Long journeys in this car are so, so much better than in the Audi. And in ‘real’ UK pothole-riven daily driving, the same applies.
The 8-Speed Sports Auto is a dream. The car quietly sits around 1500rpm and you don’t notice the changes. The combination of paddles and sports auto works very well – allowing easy change-down for overtaking etc.
I’d go for the 3.0L diesel again, over the 4-cyl options. It’s worth the extra.
I think that the BMW Winter Wheels and Tyres offerings are good for those who use the car for Alpine trips and/or who are likely to encounter bad winter weather.
Glad I got the sunroof. This makes the whole interior much brighter and airy. Especially for the rear passengers.
The combination of Adaptive Headlights and High-beam Assist is terrific. If you have to choose between the two, get the former.
Fuel consumption over the last 12 weeks has been 45.5MPG, in mixed conditions, 90% Comfort / 10% Sport modes.
In retrospect
I’d opt for 18” summer wheels, trading some ride comfort for more agility.
I would go for the HUD. Not just because of the viewpoint but because the HUD’s navigation graphics (which also appear on the central SatNav screen) are more clear and accurate than the spoken directions.
I’m not sure whether the whole panoply of electric seats, lumbar support and sports seats was worth it. Especially since I can’t seem to get the seat memory to work in tandem with our two ignition keys. I’d say not if you’re going to hand the car back after a lease, but yes if you plan to hold on to it.
I'd have got some harder-wearing front mats for the winter.
Biggest Frustrations?
Bluetooth Audio Streaming (or lack of): A £45K car and I can’t use the Bluetooth for music (although I can for ‘phone calls) – I have to buy a £48 cable from BMW or £7 equivalent from Amazon. Or a £150 docking station.
Apps (or lack of): A £45K car and there are basically no Apps enabled (such as fuel status, MPG analytics, remote pre-ventilation, location, etc.). I have to spend another £1,000 to get these. £4.95 for a BMW App would be OK - £1,000 isn’t. Get real, BMW: trying to make money this way just pisses customers off.
SatNav: A £900 SatNav and I don’t get real-time traffic updates. (you guessed it, only in the £1,900 SatNav version).
The fuel tank is small at 50L – this gives only around 500 miles on a full tank. I’m used to 700+ on my A3.
The SatNav voice calling a motorway slip-road or junction a “street”. Even in the original German, I can’t imagine these are called “Straße”.
We just haven’t been able to get the seat memory to work with the ignition keys.
The intermittent wipers are not sensitive enough. This is a known deficiency.
SatNav & HUD
The voice directions are usually fine 95% of the time, but just too often they’re ambiguous (some Y-junctions, for example) or plain wrong. What is spot-on is the oblong graphic that’s also on the HUD if you have one. If I have a passenger as navigator, we’ll usually turn the voice off and refer to the graphic at key points. I often put my current location in as a contact after visiting a new customer for the first time. This can be hard to find in the menus – the location is counter-intuitive.
BMW: Why don’t you?
o Provide one £1,500 ‘SatNav, Software & Apps’ option: Install full-size screen and enable all the Apps and services if this is chosen.
o Enable Bluetooth audio streaming as standard?
o Have a set of video guides on YouTube for owners?
o Generate a bespoke Owner’s Manual, using the options chosen by the customer? Or have it available on-line.
o Give all customers the ‘free’ plug-in torch and tell them it can be charged under the glove compartment or in the rear passenger console.
Interior Photo
Edited by msej449 on Tuesday 11th March 14:45
Edited by msej449 on Tuesday 11th March 14:46
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