RE: BMW 340i manual (F30) | Spotted
Discussion
Manuals might be preferable in some marques, but from my experience BMW ones are the worst out there - I sold my F30 320d purely due to how much I hated the manual gearbox which is notchy and clutch which has a huge throw (to the point you can buy aftermarket clutch stops, but they run the risk of grinding gears).
Worst of all, the pedal position just doesn't work in a manual, the brake and accelerator feel really far forward because of the long clutch throw, which meant i sat diagonally in the seat and got a bad back on long journeys.
I noticed all of this on the test drive and convinced myself it's a 3 series, they sell millions of them, it'll be fine - it really wasn't.
Worst of all, the pedal position just doesn't work in a manual, the brake and accelerator feel really far forward because of the long clutch throw, which meant i sat diagonally in the seat and got a bad back on long journeys.
I noticed all of this on the test drive and convinced myself it's a 3 series, they sell millions of them, it'll be fine - it really wasn't.
Clivey said:
My point is that if "even" a GT3 car only needs 18"s, a road-going saloon doesn't need anything larger, especially as ride quality and dealing with the kinds of surfaces a race car never sees are priorities on the road. Basically it's a case of function dictating form and 19"s make the car measurably worse in every performance metric.
The only "opinion bit" here is me saying that I think whilst the 19"s still look nice, they're not really an improvement on the 18"s. I'd rather put the money towards interior upgrades or an LSD.
Good for you, but a GT3 car has nothing to do with a road car. Road cars have larger wheels because a lot of customers like how they look. In many cases, the ride is still perfectly acceptable and, where it's not, many are happy to accept a compromise in ride for the improvement in looks.The only "opinion bit" here is me saying that I think whilst the 19"s still look nice, they're not really an improvement on the 18"s. I'd rather put the money towards interior upgrades or an LSD.
Like I said, it's about opinion. There's no right or wrong answer, just personal preference.
Wills2 said:
BMW manual gearboxes are very disappointing rubbery, notchy and long throw (don't let that stubby lever fool you) that coupled with a poverty spec gives this car zero appeal to me.
This.I had a notchy Z4 manual that felt like I was driving something ancient.
The spec on this car is crap. Manual gearbox is all well and good when you're on it, but sat in traffic, with a s
t stereo, no heated seats on a cold morning and can't even cruise control your way through a 50mph average speed camera set whilst you're sat in Postman Pat shade of red is about as appealing as driving a convertible roof down on a wet day.Jon_S_Rally said:
Clivey said:
My point is that if "even" a GT3 car only needs 18"s, a road-going saloon doesn't need anything larger, especially as ride quality and dealing with the kinds of surfaces a race car never sees are priorities on the road. Basically it's a case of function dictating form and 19"s make the car measurably worse in every performance metric.
The only "opinion bit" here is me saying that I think whilst the 19"s still look nice, they're not really an improvement on the 18"s. I'd rather put the money towards interior upgrades or an LSD.
Good for you, but a GT3 car has nothing to do with a road car. Road cars have larger wheels because a lot of customers like how they look. In many cases, the ride is still perfectly acceptable and, where it's not, many are happy to accept a compromise in ride for the improvement in looks.The only "opinion bit" here is me saying that I think whilst the 19"s still look nice, they're not really an improvement on the 18"s. I'd rather put the money towards interior upgrades or an LSD.
Like I said, it's about opinion. There's no right or wrong answer, just personal preference.
Of course you can want the big wheels and rubber band tyres, but you must admit that to those that prioritise ride quality over looks a 19" wheel is absolutely the wrong answer.
Pica-Pica said:
My ‘66 plate 335dx is about 50% of purchase price, according to WBAC. Note: at that time, purchase price was a lot lower than list price. Discounted by about 20%.
ETA: I change my wheels from 19” to 18” after two years, looks and rides better.
Its a shame that the tyre choice is a bit limited in the 255/40 - 18 rears. No Michelin 4 S or Continental Sportcontact 7's.ETA: I change my wheels from 19” to 18” after two years, looks and rides better.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Tuesday 9th August 09:02
Wills2 said:
BMW manual gearboxes are very disappointing rubbery, notchy and long throw (don't let that stubby lever fool you) that coupled with a poverty spec gives this car zero appeal to me.
Depends which is is. My e91 manual m sport shift was perfect IMO.The e92 m3 box was worse, similar to the F range, too light but mine still had a sweet shift.
Focus manual 6 speed in the 1.6 tdci I have is admittedly better than the M3 was if you completely ignore everything else.
Drove an old boxter, it was s
te. Like an old taxi. Sat in new GT4 manual and that box felt perfect.Old Honda civic was great, super tight and neat.
Which normal price range car has the best box in your opinion?
Matt_T said:
Stupid question time... how does cruise control work with a manual gearbox? In my auto Honda, when it's in cruise it changes through the gearbox for hills to maintain the same speed. What happens in a manual car when you get to a uphill?
It doesn't change gear. Simple as that. If you have to change down a gear, it stops cruise control and you have to 'resume' it - the same as if you brake in an auto.
Adaptive cruise control in a manual is the same as the above.
Reminds me of the sort of company cars I used to order pre-co2 bik and fuel cards for personal use included.
Simple rule was fastest thing within grade budget and back then the e46 was our preferred model.
In the car park were:
A lot of the 318i models with auto, nice wheels, leather, stereo upgrades etc.
And people liked the 320i with a handful of modest options to make them more liveable.
I went for a 328i. SE spec with zero options because I had about 30p/mth left. That model was full use of the grade money and was fast, job done.
Even the fleet manager called me to query just how spartan it would be and that resale for him would be tragic.
No matter, I've followed all the rules, please proceed with order - thank you
Simple rule was fastest thing within grade budget and back then the e46 was our preferred model.
In the car park were:
A lot of the 318i models with auto, nice wheels, leather, stereo upgrades etc.
And people liked the 320i with a handful of modest options to make them more liveable.
I went for a 328i. SE spec with zero options because I had about 30p/mth left. That model was full use of the grade money and was fast, job done.
Even the fleet manager called me to query just how spartan it would be and that resale for him would be tragic.
No matter, I've followed all the rules, please proceed with order - thank you
Edited by The spinner of plates on Tuesday 9th August 10:22
Krikkit said:
Surely somewhere like PH we can acknowledge the fact that bigger diameter wheels are only about vanity and compromise the actual driving experience?
Of course you can want the big wheels and rubber band tyres, but you must admit that to those that prioritise ride quality over looks a 19" wheel is absolutely the wrong answer.
Why? Car enthusiasm is a broad church. It isn't vanity to prioritise appearance over performance, or to prefer bigger wheels. Different people just like different things. Of course you can want the big wheels and rubber band tyres, but you must admit that to those that prioritise ride quality over looks a 19" wheel is absolutely the wrong answer.
Also, the ride of a car depends on more than just the wheel and tyre size. Yes, a larger sidewall makes it easier to achieve good ride quality, but there are plenty of cars out there with low profile tyres that ride perfectly well.
There's no right or wrong answer when it comes to cars. They're just a series of compromises; either ones made by the designers/engineers, or ones chosen by the customer depending on their budget/preferences.
SmartVenom said:
Looks to me like a 5 year lease deal coming to an end. Low optioned because the lease companies rip you off on options.
When I see a base-spec ex-lease car, I think "someone maxed out their budget just getting the car". I know a lot of company car schemes make you pay for any extras you get over the life of the lease - so if BMW Professional Media cost £840 (and it did), over 5 years that's £14/month. Not a lot - unless you're already at your ceiling. Add electric seats (£945), heated seats (£350), a sunroof (£895) and it can get much more expensive on the monthlies.Regarding the M-Sport suspension delete (a no-cost option), the owner probably read unfounded stories about crashy ride quality, so steered away from it.
To me, it looks like a police-spec car (albeit the colours are wrong). Extremely basic indeed.
Even the metallic Melbourne Red was a standard colour on the 340i.
tenmantaylor said:
Wills2 said:
BMW manual gearboxes are very disappointing rubbery, notchy and long throw (don't let that stubby lever fool you) that coupled with a poverty spec gives this car zero appeal to me.
Depends which is is. My e91 manual m sport shift was perfect IMO.The e92 m3 box was worse, similar to the F range, too light but mine still had a sweet shift.
TREMAiNE said:
Matt_T said:
Stupid question time... how does cruise control work with a manual gearbox? In my auto Honda, when it's in cruise it changes through the gearbox for hills to maintain the same speed. What happens in a manual car when you get to a uphill?
It doesn't change gear. Simple as that. If you have to change down a gear, it stops cruise control and you have to 'resume' it - the same as if you brake in an auto.
Adaptive cruise control in a manual is the same as the above.
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