Discussion
A G21 M340i is top of the list to replace my F31 335d albeit I won't look at one until the discounts are the right side of 20% (which may not actually be that far away given the likes of TRL are offering circa 17% already!).
However, I've noticed that C63 estates at less than 12 months and under 10k miles are available at low £40k's and that's got me thinking. Although an older design and probably a less complete car all round, I suspect one of those would be more of an event to drive than an M340i and, as the end of the internal combustion engine is beginning to loom large, the idea of having a final swan song in a V8 AMG does have a certain appeal (or at least it does for me!).
However, I've noticed that C63 estates at less than 12 months and under 10k miles are available at low £40k's and that's got me thinking. Although an older design and probably a less complete car all round, I suspect one of those would be more of an event to drive than an M340i and, as the end of the internal combustion engine is beginning to loom large, the idea of having a final swan song in a V8 AMG does have a certain appeal (or at least it does for me!).
What do people consider the "must-have" options to be?
Looking at stuff I want/stuff I might actually use, I came up with:
Portimao Blue Metallic
Individual Fiona Red/Black Merino Extended Leather
Aluminium mesh trim
Premium pack
Tech pack
Heated steering wheel
...Everything I could think of needing is covered off in one of the two packs as far as I can tell?
Don't really care about any of the other features of comfort access aside from the heated wheel, don't see the appeal in painting random bits black. Can see the appeal in the funky lights, but not really that bothered. Not even sure what the M Technology pack entails?! In other markets this seems to include the 19" wheels and Pilot Sport 4S tyres, mobility kit and bigger brakes.
Looking at stuff I want/stuff I might actually use, I came up with:
Portimao Blue Metallic
Individual Fiona Red/Black Merino Extended Leather
Aluminium mesh trim
Premium pack
Tech pack
Heated steering wheel
...Everything I could think of needing is covered off in one of the two packs as far as I can tell?
Don't really care about any of the other features of comfort access aside from the heated wheel, don't see the appeal in painting random bits black. Can see the appeal in the funky lights, but not really that bothered. Not even sure what the M Technology pack entails?! In other markets this seems to include the 19" wheels and Pilot Sport 4S tyres, mobility kit and bigger brakes.
HM-2 said:
What do people consider the "must-have" options to be?
Looking at stuff I want/stuff I might actually use, I came up with:
Portimao Blue Metallic
Individual Fiona Red/Black Merino Extended Leather
Aluminium mesh trim
Premium pack
Tech pack
Heated steering wheel
...Everything I could think of needing is covered off in one of the two packs as far as I can tell?
Don't really care about any of the other features of comfort access aside from the heated wheel, don't see the appeal in painting random bits black. Can see the appeal in the funky lights, but not really that bothered. Not even sure what the M Technology pack entails?! In other markets this seems to include the 19" wheels and Pilot Sport 4S tyres, mobility kit and bigger brakes.
The M Tech pack is merely 'additional cooling'. What's it for? Track work maybe. Personally Id add the Technology Package which comprises HUD, Harmon, enhanced bluetooth/wifi (creating a hot spot and charging) plus connect to CarPlay wirelessly. The journalists are saying the HUD is a must have, it's awesome. Id also want active cruise which is part of the drivers package but you can select that individually. Agreed, id def get extended Merino. Makes the cabinLooking at stuff I want/stuff I might actually use, I came up with:
Portimao Blue Metallic
Individual Fiona Red/Black Merino Extended Leather
Aluminium mesh trim
Premium pack
Tech pack
Heated steering wheel
...Everything I could think of needing is covered off in one of the two packs as far as I can tell?
Don't really care about any of the other features of comfort access aside from the heated wheel, don't see the appeal in painting random bits black. Can see the appeal in the funky lights, but not really that bothered. Not even sure what the M Technology pack entails?! In other markets this seems to include the 19" wheels and Pilot Sport 4S tyres, mobility kit and bigger brakes.
HM-2 said:
What do people consider the "must-have" options to be?
Looking at stuff I want/stuff I might actually use, I came up with:
Portimao Blue Metallic
Individual Fiona Red/Black Merino Extended Leather
Aluminium mesh trim
Premium pack
Tech pack
Heated steering wheel
...Everything I could think of needing is covered off in one of the two packs as far as I can tell?
Don't really care about any of the other features of comfort access aside from the heated wheel, don't see the appeal in painting random bits black. Can see the appeal in the funky lights, but not really that bothered. Not even sure what the M Technology pack entails?! In other markets this seems to include the 19" wheels and Pilot Sport 4S tyres, mobility kit and bigger brakes.
Ooh fun game!Looking at stuff I want/stuff I might actually use, I came up with:
Portimao Blue Metallic
Individual Fiona Red/Black Merino Extended Leather
Aluminium mesh trim
Premium pack
Tech pack
Heated steering wheel
...Everything I could think of needing is covered off in one of the two packs as far as I can tell?
Don't really care about any of the other features of comfort access aside from the heated wheel, don't see the appeal in painting random bits black. Can see the appeal in the funky lights, but not really that bothered. Not even sure what the M Technology pack entails?! In other markets this seems to include the 19" wheels and Pilot Sport 4S tyres, mobility kit and bigger brakes.
The options I've endlessly been configuring on the BMW website:
Portimao blue (love that colour), cognac leather, open pore wood trim
Driving assistant plus (my GTI has the adaptive cruise control, and I couldn't live without it now; the lane keep assist would be a nice upgrade)
Premium pack
HK sound
Wireless charging
I'd love the Tanzanite blue (looks especially good with the black grille/wheels I think), but not at £1100...
I was driving my wife's 2019 F56 which has HUD and Car Play.
When I used google maps on Apple Car Play it dropped the BM sat nav directions from the HUD (i.e. it went blank I set a route on google maps. Couldn't get directions on HUD)
I was thinking that with Apple Car play the Sat Nav professional could be dropped, but HUD is an essential for me. Not sure I want all Apple Car Play now tbh especially as it another cost after 3 years.
When I used google maps on Apple Car Play it dropped the BM sat nav directions from the HUD (i.e. it went blank I set a route on google maps. Couldn't get directions on HUD)
I was thinking that with Apple Car play the Sat Nav professional could be dropped, but HUD is an essential for me. Not sure I want all Apple Car Play now tbh especially as it another cost after 3 years.
JNW1 said:
A G21 M340i is top of the list to replace my F31 335d albeit I won't look at one until the discounts are the right side of 20% (which may not actually be that far away given the likes of TRL are offering circa 17% already!).
However, I've noticed that C63 estates at less than 12 months and under 10k miles are available at low £40k's and that's got me thinking. Although an older design and probably a less complete car all round, I suspect one of those would be more of an event to drive than an M340i and, as the end of the internal combustion engine is beginning to loom large, the idea of having a final swan song in a V8 AMG does have a certain appeal (or at least it does for me!).
Christ, didn't think about this as an option - there are 2016 cars at low £30s... I think i know what my next car will be then However, I've noticed that C63 estates at less than 12 months and under 10k miles are available at low £40k's and that's got me thinking. Although an older design and probably a less complete car all round, I suspect one of those would be more of an event to drive than an M340i and, as the end of the internal combustion engine is beginning to loom large, the idea of having a final swan song in a V8 AMG does have a certain appeal (or at least it does for me!).
trowelhead said:
JNW1 said:
....I've noticed that C63 estates at less than 12 months and under 10k miles are available at low £40k's and that's got me thinking. Although an older design and probably a less complete car all round, I suspect one of those would be more of an event to drive than an M340i and, as the end of the internal combustion engine is beginning to loom large, the idea of having a final swan song in a V8 AMG does have a certain appeal (or at least it does for me!).
Christ, didn't think about this as an option - there are 2016 cars at low £30s... I think i know what my next car will be then I'd have to have a closer look and an extended test drive to see if I could live with one as a daily driver though; rumour has it the ride is very firm and given our lousy roads that could be a show-stopper for me. I've also heard stories about indifferent quality interiors which creak and rattle and if true that would also make me look elsewhere (more than likely back to a new G21 M340i!). However, at the money I think the Mercedes deserves at least a little further investigation...
Configuring the Merc to the same level as I did the M340i makes it significantly more expensive- about £2,500- and also lands me with loads of things I don't care about. Whoever decided to remove all individual options and roll everything into a single pack wants shooting.
Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the f
king upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.
Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the f
king upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.HM-2 said:
Configuring the Merc to the same level as I did the M340i makes it significantly more expensive- about £2,500- and also lands me with loads of things I don't care about. Whoever decided to remove all individual options and roll everything into a single pack wants shooting.
Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the fking upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.
Isn't it due to emissions testing?Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the f
king upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.Petrolsniffed said:
HM-2 said:
Configuring the Merc to the same level as I did the M340i makes it significantly more expensive- about £2,500- and also lands me with loads of things I don't care about. Whoever decided to remove all individual options and roll everything into a single pack wants shooting.
Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the fking upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.
Isn't it due to emissions testing?Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the f
king upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.On the BMW configuration, the packs are much more coherent ("Technology", "Comfort", "Premium", "Visibility") so mixing and matching bits is much easier. To get the spec I want on the Merc, I'd need to specify £4k of "Premium Plus pack", along with a load of things I don't care about (like comfort access/keyless) or actively don't want (like 19" wheels).
HM-2 said:
Configuring the Merc to the same level as I did the M340i makes it significantly more expensive- about £2,500- and also lands me with loads of things I don't care about. Whoever decided to remove all individual options and roll everything into a single pack wants shooting.
Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the fking upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.
Similar on the BMW. If I want electric memory seats I have to buy the Premium Pack with a sunroof that I definitely don’t want.Burmiester sound system but 18" wheels? Computer says no. Pano roof but no keyless? Computer says no. You can't even change the f
king upholstery without selecting a £2k option pack.HM-2 said:
For some options, possibly. But it seems to be literally impossible to spec any additional options, or even choose certain upholstery, on a C43 without specifying the Premium or Premium Plus pack beforehand (both of which come with the 19" wheels).
On the BMW configuration, the packs are much more coherent ("Technology", "Comfort", "Premium", "Visibility") so mixing and matching bits is much easier. To get the spec I want on the Merc, I'd need to specify £4k of "Premium Plus pack", along with a load of things I don't care about (like comfort access/keyless) or actively don't want (like 19" wheels).
I am pretty sure options change how the car is rated so they have put packs together. I also think that they have been clever with their packs. For instance for what I wanted when I was looking at the E class coupe I needed prem plus, but there was plenty i didnt want and Id rather have had standard than premium. On the BMW configuration, the packs are much more coherent ("Technology", "Comfort", "Premium", "Visibility") so mixing and matching bits is much easier. To get the spec I want on the Merc, I'd need to specify £4k of "Premium Plus pack", along with a load of things I don't care about (like comfort access/keyless) or actively don't want (like 19" wheels).
Bmw seems a bit better, but it has certainly be contrived. Audi is mad how they have done it to get that bit more out of you. It also lets them market a car as "from only £xx,xxx" when no f
ker wants that car without certain options which make a big difference to the number.I have been over to Liverpool BMW for another look at the M340 and I cant put my finger on it but its just lacking something. Those exhausts and the rear end just look worse than a 320d but aside from that there is just no wow factor at all.
Maybe that would change after a drive but visually its just a bit meh.
Maybe that would change after a drive but visually its just a bit meh.
simonwhite2000 said:
I have been over to Liverpool BMW for another look at the M340 and I cant put my finger on it but its just lacking something. Those exhausts and the rear end just look worse than a 320d but aside from that there is just no wow factor at all.
Maybe that would change after a drive but visually its just a bit meh.
I've been in there too and I like it. They have definitely left a lot of difference between in and any M3Maybe that would change after a drive but visually its just a bit meh.
I like the front grill. I'd have one if I was more confident scroates would not lift it off my drive.
smashy said:
To be fair he does point out the small negatives and it has been universally praised as best in class.bad company said:
Looks like I’m test driving one next week. I’m also going to try an Alfa Romeo Giuila Quadrifoglio.
That will be interesting let us know how it goes. Id love to have the balls to buy a 2 year old Quad. Like this ,that is my price bracket https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
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