G30 520d

[matt21]

With my BMW in the shop I have been loaned a 66 plate G30 520d - 1000 miles in so far.

Having driven countless BMWs over the years, and owning a 2016 330d Touring I am slightly underwhelmed. The spec is ok, but the interior in all black doesn't feel a step forward from the F10. Some of the plastics feel cheap (air vents as example), and the new tech is pretty pointless - gesture control is annoying, getting heated seats to come on automatically below a certain temp and so on.

Its not the best of looking cars, and is huge (bigger than E38 7-Series) but handling is great, although a little wollowy in SE spec. Performance is adequate, but economy is poor. First tank with probably 60-70% motorway was 43.5mpg on clock (measured actual 45mpg though), and second tank it doing 42mpg on the clock. On my 60 mile commute of mixed A-roads its doing 44mpg on the clock, my 330d X Drive does 41mpg. Would expect closer to 50.

However, the best thing about it is its refinement. As a tool to cover miles its amazing. 70 genuinely feels like 50, 80 like 60 and so on. Everyone who has been in it comments the same.

Overall not as blown away as I thought, but sure with some extra toys, a 6 or 8 cyl engine and some Individual leather it will be the perfect all rounder....!

[Wills2]

Has to be a huge step up inside from the empty plastic lined room that is the F30/31 though surely? My F10s were leagues ahead of my F31, I'd even say my 520d SE handled better than my F31 335d xdrive which was woeful.

.

Edited by Wills2 on Friday 21st April 21:41

[Trabi601]

Not sure why you're disappointed with the economy.

I think it's a miracle that you can get low to mid 40s mpg from a 1.8 tonne car being punted along by a 2lt diesel with nearly 190bhp and an auto box.

If you'd suggested that 20 years ago, you'd have been laughed out of the room.

[335d]

Wills2 said:

Has to be a huge step up inside from the empty plastic lined room that is the F30/31 though surely?

The F3x interior is a little disappointing to me having come from a F10, although it is a lot more enjoyable to drive.

However, given your extreme view it's odd that you went back to an M3 which has essentially the same interior as the F30, but with a higher price tag. There is nowhere in the BMW range with a greater discrepancy between price and interior quality.

[matt21]

I wouldn't say a G30 is a step up from an F10 quality wise but definitely nicer than an F30. However my F31 has individual leather seats and dash which make a significant difference, otherwise I would agree

Regarding economy I don't think early 40s is great. A 6cyl BMW would do the same, and the kerb weight of this G30 is supposedly 5kg less than a 320d

[Trabi601]

matt21 said:

I wouldn't say a G30 is a step up from an F10 quality wise but definitely nicer than an F30. However my F31 has individual leather seats and dash which make a significant difference, otherwise I would agree

Regarding economy I don't think early 40s is great. A 6cyl BMW would do the same, and the kerb weight of this G30 is supposedly 5kg less than a 320d

But a 6 pot wouldn't do it whilst only putting out 109g/km (I think that's the new figure) or have the restriction of a DPF and EGR system.